DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4646#0041
41
the present case more extraordinary is, that there are numbers of
Shiahs who really understand the meaning of the holy sentences, and
have successfully expounded many of the sacred writings * * *
Such we must remind of the verse in the Koran which states
" That the time approaches when an answer will be required from
those who have knowledge."
I shall now quote, my Lord, from the same collection a letter from
the Shiah divines intended to answer the foregoing :
" By the style of your letter, I am reminded of a saying in Khoras-
san. "He that goes alone to the judge will return satisfied." The
learned men of the sect of Sheeah have had no access to your sove-
reign, who has been taught that their faith is a new invention, desti-
tute of truth ; when he has heard all the arguments fairly urged on
both sides, his royal mind will be enlightened and we shall be satisfi-
ed with his decision. There are many books of traditions regarding
which the Soonees and Sheeahs differ, but we desire in this discus-
sion- to refer to none as authentic in which both do not profess a
belief. The whole of the Mahomedans are divided into two sects,
Soonee and Sheeah. The essential difference is this; the former
believe that Aboubeker had a just right to succeed the prophet; the
latter on the contrary deem Murteza Aly the lawful heir, and consi-
der his exclusion an act of impiety and injustice. This difference
implies no rejection of the acknowledged traditions to which we mean
to refer. Such indeed is not a general principle with either sect, and
we object to the protest that any individual may make of this nature
* » * * From all this it must appear obvious that what you
have urged against the Sheeahs is from yourself and is neither sup-
ported by the Koran nor the holy traditions. Now we on the contrary
though aware of the guilt of the Caliphs, do not deem it a duty to
curse them ; no indeed is it thought reputable to do so ; and if any
wrong headed Sheeahs affirm it to be a duty, they are mistaken ;
place them in the same rank with those senseless Soonees who deem
it a duty to put all Sheeahs to death :—neither of these sentiments
are inculcated as duties by any authorities of respectability."
The doctrine of plundering the heretic appears to be by no means ob-
solete among the Sunis; it is heartily concurred in by Mr. Anstey, who
asked the Court to take away the Defendants' money because they
are not orthodox ; and no doubt on the ground, as the Sunis say m
6
the present case more extraordinary is, that there are numbers of
Shiahs who really understand the meaning of the holy sentences, and
have successfully expounded many of the sacred writings * * *
Such we must remind of the verse in the Koran which states
" That the time approaches when an answer will be required from
those who have knowledge."
I shall now quote, my Lord, from the same collection a letter from
the Shiah divines intended to answer the foregoing :
" By the style of your letter, I am reminded of a saying in Khoras-
san. "He that goes alone to the judge will return satisfied." The
learned men of the sect of Sheeah have had no access to your sove-
reign, who has been taught that their faith is a new invention, desti-
tute of truth ; when he has heard all the arguments fairly urged on
both sides, his royal mind will be enlightened and we shall be satisfi-
ed with his decision. There are many books of traditions regarding
which the Soonees and Sheeahs differ, but we desire in this discus-
sion- to refer to none as authentic in which both do not profess a
belief. The whole of the Mahomedans are divided into two sects,
Soonee and Sheeah. The essential difference is this; the former
believe that Aboubeker had a just right to succeed the prophet; the
latter on the contrary deem Murteza Aly the lawful heir, and consi-
der his exclusion an act of impiety and injustice. This difference
implies no rejection of the acknowledged traditions to which we mean
to refer. Such indeed is not a general principle with either sect, and
we object to the protest that any individual may make of this nature
* » * * From all this it must appear obvious that what you
have urged against the Sheeahs is from yourself and is neither sup-
ported by the Koran nor the holy traditions. Now we on the contrary
though aware of the guilt of the Caliphs, do not deem it a duty to
curse them ; no indeed is it thought reputable to do so ; and if any
wrong headed Sheeahs affirm it to be a duty, they are mistaken ;
place them in the same rank with those senseless Soonees who deem
it a duty to put all Sheeahs to death :—neither of these sentiments
are inculcated as duties by any authorities of respectability."
The doctrine of plundering the heretic appears to be by no means ob-
solete among the Sunis; it is heartily concurred in by Mr. Anstey, who
asked the Court to take away the Defendants' money because they
are not orthodox ; and no doubt on the ground, as the Sunis say m
6