Pilgrimage, Book 3 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Of the successors of Mahomet, of their different Sects, and of the dispersing of that religion through the world.
MAHOMET hauing with word and sword published his Alcoran (as you hauehave heard) his followers after his death succeeding in his place, exceeded him in tyranny. Enbocar, surnamed Abdalla, vndertooke the defence of that faithlesse faith and kingdome, and that (as his predecessor had done) partly by subtletie, partly by force. For when as Mahumets Disciples had buried their new religion with their olde Mr., except a few of his kindred, he applyed his wits to recall them; and whereas aArab. Nob. ref.Hali, Mahomets neerest kinsman and sonne in lawe disagreed from him, and was perswaded by the Iewes to professe himselfe a Prophet, with promise of their best aide and assistance: Eubocar ( or Ebuber) reconciled him, and (as their Arabian Chronicle witnesseth) conuerted many Infidels, and slew the gaine-sayers. He raigned one yeere, and three monethes, and thirteene daies. The next successor Aomar (saith the same Author; Leo bLeo l.8.termeth him Homar) ordained their prayers in the monethmonth Ramazan, and that the Alcoran should be read through, which he caused to be written out, and vnited in one booke: he conquered Aegypt by Hanir his Captaine; after that Damasco, Ierusalem, Gaza, and a great part of Syria were subdued. He raigned ten yeares, and sixe monethes. cOdmen.12. Hali.4 ye. Alhacen fiue monethes and twenty daies. Moaui 17. yeeres. Iezid. three … yeeres eight monethes, who said that the Prophet commanded not to blame, but to pray for and to obey Rulers, though wicked: for ye shall hauehave mercy, and they punishment.Odmen or Ozimen succeeded, and raigned twelue yeares: and after him Hali; and next to him his sonne Alhatem; and then Moani the great conqueror, &c. These foure Enbocar, Aomar, Ozimen, and Hali are the foure great Doctors of the Mahumetan lawe: and Mahomet before his death prophesied that they should succeede him, and of their worthines.
But as Mahomet had pretended the name of Gabriel to the dreames of Sergius, & other Apostata's of the christians & Iewes, disagreeing both with the truth & themselues: so it was not long, that this vntempered mortar would hold together these buildings. For the dRef.Ara.Nob.Alcoran being (according to diuers copies thereof,) read diuersly, was cause of different Sects among them. Ozimen, to preuent the danger hereof, commanded that all the copies of their lawe should be brought and deliuered into the hands of Zeidi and Abdalla; who conferring their copies, should make one booke, and, where they dissented, should reade according to the copie of Corais. Thus these two, according to the Kings Edict, to stablish an vniformitie in the reading of the Alcoran, hauing out of all those copies framed one to be authenticall, burned all others. Yet were they deceiued of their hopes, partly because Hali, Abitalib, and Ibenmuzed would not bring in their bookes, of which that of Hali was the same which Mahumet had left, and was after by the Iewes altered, putting out and in at their pleasure: and partly, because that Booke, which they had thus culled out of the rest to remaine Canonicall, was lost, and of the foure copies which they had written thereof, by fire and negligence all perished. Eletragig would hauehave vsed the like policie after; but this many-headed serpent, which could not in the shell be killed, much lesse in his riper grouth could bee reformed.
Those foure Doctors aforesaid, aemulous of each other, intending their owne priuate endes, sowed the seedes then, which fructifie in their venemous multiplication till this day. eG. Bot Ben. Curio calleth these Sects Melici, followed in Africa; Asafij, professed in Arabia and Syria; Arambeli, in Armenia and Persia; Buanisi, in Alexandria and Assyria; and all foure are followed in Cairo.l.5.1.Hali or Alli was author of the sect Imemia, which was embraced of the Persians, Indians, and of many Arabians, and the Gelbines of Africa. Ozimen or Odmen began the Sect Baanesia or Xefaia, and hath in diuers countries his followers. Homar founded the Anefia, followed of the Turkes, Syrians, and in Zahara in Afrike. Eubocar (otherwise called Ebuber, or Abubequer) taught the Sect Melchia, generally possessing Arabia and Africa.
From these foure in processe of time arose other f68. Sects Sarrac.68. Sects of name, besides other pedling factions of smaller reckoning. Amongst the rest the Morabites hauehave beene famous; liuing for the most part as Heremites, and professing a Morall Philosophy, with principles different from the Alcoran. One of these not many yeares since, shewing the name of Mahomet in his brest (there imprinted with Aqua fortis, or some such like matter) raised vp a great number of Arabians in Afrike, and laide siege to Tripolis: where being betraied by one of his Captaines, his skinne was sent for a present to the Grand Signior. These Morabites affirme, that when Hali fought, he killed a hundred thousand Christians with one stroke of his sword, which was a hundred cubites in length.
The Cobtini are a sect ridiculous. One of them shewed himselfe riding in the country of Algier, on a Reede, rained & bridled as a horse; much honoured, for that on this horse this Asse (had as he said) rid a hundred leagues in one night. I. Leo l.3. writeth, that one Elefacin had written at large of the Mahumetan Sects: of which hee reckoneth threescore and twelue principall (which agreeth with our former number) eueryevery one accounting his owne to bee good and true, in which a man may attaine saluation. And yet Leo there addeth, that in this age there are not found aboue two. gBut two principall factions Mahumetan, at this day.One is that of Leshari; which in all Turkie, Arabia, and Africa is embraced: the other Imamia; currant in Persia and Corosan: (of which in his proper place more.) So that by Leo's iudgement all which follow the rule Leshari or Hashari are Catholike Mahumetans; although of these the same author affirmes, that in Cairo & all Egypt are foure religions different from each other, in spirituall or Ecclesiasticall ceremonies, and also in this, as concerning their ciuil & Canon lawe; all founded on the Mahumetan scripture in times past, by foure learned men, diuersly construing the generall rules to such particulars as seemed to them fitter for their followers; who disagreeing in opinion, agree in affection, and conuerse together without hatred or vpbraiding each other. As for those other sects, it seemeth that they are for the most part long since vanished: and those differences which remain, consist rather in diuersitie of rule, and order of profession, then in differing Sects and heresies of religion: except in some few which yet remaine, of which h1.Leo l.3.Leo thus reporteth: Fourescore yeares after Mahumet, one Elhesenibnu Abilhaseu gaue certaine rules to his disciples, contratie to the Alcoran-principles: but vvrit nothing. About a hundred yeares after Elharit Ibnu Esed of Bagaded vvrit a booke vntounto his Disciples, condemned by the Calipha and Canonists. But about fourescore yeares after that, another great Clarke reuiued the same doctrine, and had many followers; yet hee and they were therefore condemned to death. But obtaining to hauehave triall of his opinions by disputation, he ouerthrew his Aduersaries, the Mahometane Lawyers: and the Califa fauoured the said sect, and erected-Monasteries for them. Their sect continued till Malicsah of the Nation of the Turkes persecuted the same. But twenty yeares after it was againe renued, and one Elgazzuli (a learned man) writ seuen bookes, reconciling these Sectaries and the Lawyers together: which reconciliation continued till the comming of the Tartars: and Asia and Afrike was full of these reformers of their Lawe. In olde time none but learned men might bee admitted professors hereof: but within these last hundreth yeares eueryevery ignorant Idiot professeth it, saying that learning is not necessary, but iWhat difference herein, betweene the Mahumerane and the Separatist?the holy spirit doth reueale to them which hauehave cleane hearts the knowledge of the truth. These contrarie to the Alcoran sing louelove-songs and dances, with some phantasticall extasies; affirming themselues to be rauished of diuine louelove. These are great Gluttons: they may not marry, but are reputed Sodomites.
The same our Author writeth of some which teach, that by good workes, fasting and abstinence, a man may attaine a nature Angelicall, hauing his minde so purified that he cannot sinne, although he would. But he must first passe through fiftie degrees of discipline: And although hee sinne before he be past these fiftie degrees, yet GOD doth not impute it to him. These obserue strange and inestimable Fasts at the first: after, they liue in all pleasures of the world. Their rule was written in foure volumes by a learned and eloquent man, Essehrauar: and by Ibnul-farid another Author, in exact and most learned verse. That the spheres, elements, Planets, and starres are one GOD, and that no faith nor lawe can be erroneous, because that all men (in their mindes) intend to worship that which is to bee worshipped. And they beleeue that the knowledge of GOD is contained in one man, who is called Elcorb, elected and partaker of GOD, and in knowledge as GOD. There are other fortie men amongst them, called Elauted, that is *Tronchi.dunces, because of their lesse knowledge. When the Elcorb or Elcoth dieth, his successor is chosen out of these: and into that vacant place of the forty, they chuse one out of another number of seuenty. They hauehave a third inferiour number of a hundred threescore and fiue (their title I remember not) out of which they chuse, when any of the threescore and ten die. Their lawe or rule enioineth them to wander through the world in manner of fooles, or of great sinners, or of the vilest amongst men. And vnderunder this cloke many are most wicked men, going naked without hiding their shame, and hauehave to deale with women in the open and common streets like beasts. Of this base sort are many in Tunis, and farre more in Egypt, and most of all in Cairo. I my selfe (saith our author) in Cairo in the street called Bain Elcasraim, saw one of them with mine eies take a beautifull Dame comming out of the Bathe, and laide her downe in the middest of the streete, and carnally knew her, and presently when he had left the woman, all the people ranne to touch her clothes, because a holy man had touched them. And they said, that this Saint seemed to doe a sinne, but that he did it not. Her Husband knowing of it, reckoned it a rare fauour and blessing of GOD, and made solemne feasting, and gaue almes for that cause. But the Iudges which would hauehave punished him for the same, were like to be flaine of the rude multitude: who hauehave them in great reputation of sanctitie, and eueryevery day giuegive them gifts and presents.
There are another sort, that may be termed Caballists: which fast strangely, nor doe they eate the flesh of any creature, but hauehave certaine meates ordained and appointed for eueryevery houre of the day and night, and certaine particular prayers, according to the daies and monethes numbring their said prayers: and vse to carry vponupon them some square things, painted with Characters and numbers. They affirme that the good spirits appeare, and acquaint them with the affaires of the world. An excellent Doctor, named Boni, framed their rule & prayers, and how to make their squares: and it seemeth to me (who hauehave seene the worke) to be more Magicall then Cabalasticall. One book sheweth their prayers & fastings: the second, their square: the third, the vertue of the fourescore & nineteene names of GOD, which I saw in the hand of a Venetian Iew at Rome. There is another rule in these sects, called Sunach, of certaine Heremites which liue in woods, and solitarie places, feeding on nothing but hearbes & wilde fruits, and none can particularly know their life, because of this solitarines. Thus faire Leo.
Other Heremites they hauehave of another sort: one is mentioned by Leo, kLeo lib.4.who had fiue hundred horse, a hundred thousand sheepe, two hundred beeues, and of offerings and almes betwixt foure and fiue thousand Ducates, his same great in Asia and Afrike, his disciples many, and fiue hundred people dwelling with him at his charges; to whom he enioineth not penance, nor any thing: but giueth them certaine names of GOD, and biddeth them with the same to pray vntounto him so many times a day. When they hauehave learned this, they returne home: he hath a hundred tents for strangers, his cattell, and familie: he hath foure wiues, besides slaues, and (by them) many children sumptuously apparelled. His fame is such that the King of Teleusin is afraid of him: and he payeth nothing to any: such veneration hauehave they towards him, reputing him a Saint. Leo saith he spake with him, and that this Heremite shewed him Magicke-bookes: and he thought that this his great estimation did come by false working of the true Science: so the heremite termed Magicke.
But these Heremites we cannot so well reckon a Sect, as a religious order; of which sort there are diuers in these Mahumetan Nations, as in our ensuing discourse shall appeare. To returne therefore to the consideration of the meanes vsed to preuent the varietie of Sects among them: The Caliphs sought to remedy these inconueniences by their best policie. lIo.Bot.Ben.Moaui about the yeere of our LORD 770. assembled a generall counsell of their learned men to consult about an vniformitie: but they disagreeing among themselues, he chose sixe men of the most learned, and shut them vp in a house together with their Scriptures, commanding them that out of those copies disagreeing (as you hauehave heard) they should chuse that should seeme best. These reduced the doctrine of Mahomet into sixe bookes: forbidding any on paine of death to speake or write otherwise of their Lawe. But because the Arabians of subtle and piercing wit, which studied Philosophy in the Vniuersities of Bagdet, Marocco, Cordoua and other places, could not but spy and discerne the madde folly of the Lawe, so palpable to any reasonable iudgement: it mFr. Richard.c.13.vvas therefore ordained, that the Philosophy lecture should bee taken away, and in place thereof they should reade the Alcoran; prouiding, for all these students of their Lawe, their expenses out of the publike charge, and inhibiting all further study in Philosophy: insomuch that they now (saith our Author, who himselfe was a student in that Vniuersitie) repute him not a good Saracen, who is addicted to that study. This Frier Richard mentioneth an other Prophet, named Solem, had in estimation with these Babylonians, which was after slaine by the Tartars. Hee and Cardinall Cusanus affirme, that the Saracens of the East differ in their Alcoran from those of the West, making the first fiue chapters but one; and that they differ in the exposition therof, and in the same schooles or Vniuersities, one sect condemneth another.
But in these times the Mahumetane professors are chiefely distinguished by the seuerall Nations; of which are foure principall: the Arabians, Persians, Turkes, and Tartars: to which we may adde the Mogore, as a fift: whom the Iesuites (in their Epistles) report to halt from his former Mahumetisme, and to incline to Gentilisme. Of all these, the Arabians are most zealous in their superstition; the Persians most agree to reason & nature; the Tartars are more heathenish and simple; the Turkes are the freeest and most Martiall. The Arabians account it their peculiar glory, that Mahumet was of that Nation, and that Mecca and Medina are there seated: and therefore hauehave laboured in the daies of their former puissance, by the Sword, since, by their traffique and preaching, to spread their Mahumetisme through the world. Their first seducers had possessed Syria and Paleflina: Homar had added Aegypt, and in a short time their successors had preuailed in Asia, Afrike, and Europe, as we nSup.c.2.hauehave before shewed.
They hauehave beene such in Armes: and in diligence of preaching they hauehave beene as forward, and so continue. Io.Bot.Ben.Seuen hundred yeares since, Perimal reigning in Malabar, they there sowed their Tares: and the more easily to take those Ethnikes in their net, they took their Daughters in marriage; a matter of much consequence, in regard of their wealth, and practised of them to this day. They were Authors of great gaine vntounto them by their trades, and traffique for spicerie: and were suffered to inhabite, and plant Colonies amongst them. By their meanes, Calicut, of a finall thing, became a great and rich City. And Perimal himselfe was peruerted by them to their faith: who, zealously inclined to their perswasions, resolued to end his dayes at Mecca, and put himselfe on the voyage with some ships of Pepper, and other things of price, but perished by tempest in the way. From Malabar they passed to the Maldiuae, and Zeilan, Somatra, Iaua, Molucca, the Philippinaes, and in the continent to Cambaia, Bengala, Siam, Malucca, Ior, Pam, and the huge kingdome of China, preaching and planting their superstitions, as in the particular Histories of these Nations shall further appeare. They are in this respect so zealous, that euen the Arabian mariners will stay behind in the Countries of the Ethnikes there to diuulge this their sect: and in the yeare 1555. one of them pierced as farre as Iapon, there to hauehave laied this leauen: but the Portugalls in these Easterne parts, treading in the same steppes, by their trafficke and preachings hauehave much hindered their proceedings. The Tartars, Persians & Turks, require longer and seuereall discourses in their due place; and first we wil speake of them which are first in this ranke, the greatest of all Mahumetane States, the Turkes.
They reckon madde men very holy and Saints: and therefore Vertomannus fained himselfe mad, so escaping the furious zeale of the Moores, and his streight imprisonment. But this and many other their superstitions wee shall finde in the Turke, and therefore forbeare now to report them.
Damsco, sometime (as is said) was their Patriarchall Sea, and continued famous for the Mahumetane superstition long after. It is reported, That in the time of Tamerlane, the magnificence of their Temple was most admirable: hauing forty great Porches in the circuit thereof: and within, nine thousand Lampes hanging from the roofe, all of gold and siluer. Hee spared the City at first for the Temple, and after destroyed both it and them, as *Libr.1.cap.15.we hauehave before related.