Koran

ko'ran or ko-ran', the sacred book of the Mohammedans. It was written by Mohammed in Arabic, and professed to be a direct revelation from Allah to him. One tradition asserts that it was inscribed on tablets by a ray of golden light direct from heaven. The parchment employed was made from the skin of the ram that appeared to Abraham, and was sacrificed by him in place of his son Isaac. There are other traditions,--one that the Koran was composed by Mohammed at different times and preserved on scraps of various material, subsequently arranged by Mohammed's father-in-law. In 650 A. D. the caliph Othman caused an official copy to be made. In order that there might be no disputes as to the text he ordered all other fragments and copies to be destroyed. The historic and probable theory is that at first the Koran was not written at all, but was committed to memory. Later, when those who were most familiar with it were killed in battle or died off, the caliph Othman deemed it wise to reduce it to writing.

At all events, the Koran is a complete code for the government of the Mohammedan church. It is divided into 114 chapters. Although the influence of the Persian magi may be detected, the writer was evidently familiar with both the Old and the New Testament. Much is made of the doctrine of the resurrection and the last judgment. The language used as to the sounding of the trumpet and the rising of the quick and the dead to receive the final reward of their deeds is almost Scriptural. The moral tone which prevails throughout is evidently derived from the Hebrew writers. Prayer, fasting, alms, pilgrimages to Mecca, ablutions, and purifications are enjoined. Polygamy and divorce are permitted. Idolatry is forbidden. Death in the cause of Mohammedism is meritorious. As to the private virtues--charity, humility, courage, faith, and justice are taught. As to the influence of the Koran, it may be said that, even at this date, it is read aloud in the presence of more people and has more influence on private conduct than any other book ever written or printed, even the Bible not excepted. As Gibbon says, "From the Atlantic to the Ganges the Koran is acknowledged as the fundamental code, not only of theology, but of civil and criminal jurisprudence; the laws which regulate the actions and the property of mankind are guarded by the infallible and immutable sanction of the will of God." Its bulk is about equal to that of the New Testament. When read, it must be kept on an elevated stand. It must not be opened or touched without previous washing of the hands and purification. It is not a book for the common people to handle.

EXTRACTS FROM THE KORAN.

God, there is no God but he, the living, the eternal. Slumber doth not overtake him, neither sleep; to him belongeth all that is in heaven and earth. . . . He knoweth that which is past and that which is to come unto them, and they shall not comprehend anything of his knowledge, but so far as he pleaseth. His throne is extended over heaven and earth, and the upholding of both is no burden to him.

There is no piety in turning your faces towards the east or the west, but he is pious who believeth in God, and the last day, and the angels, and the Scriptures, and the prophets; who for love of God disburseth his wealth to his kindred, and to the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and those who ask; . . . who observeth prayer, and payeth the legal alms, and who is of those who are faithful to their engagements . . . and patient under ills and hardships, and in time of trouble; these are they who are just, and those who fear the Lord. . . . Whoso doeth the good works and is a true believer, whether male or female, shall be admitted into Paradise. . .

Verily we have revealed unto thee (O Mohammed), as we revealed unto Noah and the prophets after him, and as we revealed unto Noah and the prophets after him, and as we revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob . . . and Jesus and Job and . . . Solomon. . . .

They to whom we have given the book of the Koran, and who read it with its true reading, they believe therein; and whoever believeth not therein, they shall perish. . . .

Perform the pilgrimage of Mecca. . . Make provision for your journey; but the best provision is piety; and fear me, O ye of understanding. It shall be no crime in you, if ye seek an increase from your Lord, by trading during the pilgrimage. . . .

They will ask thee concerning wine and lots (lottery, gaming). Answer, In both there is great sin, and also some things of use unto men; but their sinfulness is greater than their use. They will ask thee also, what they shall bestow in alms. Answer, What ye have to spare. . . .

On the last day, every soul shall find the good which it hath wrought, present; and the evil which it hath wrought, it shall wish that between itself and that were a wide distance. . . .

What befell them was so ordained. . . . . God giveth life and causeth to die. . . . . Moreover, if ye be slain, or die in defense of the religion of God, verily pardon from God, and mercy, is better than what they heap together of worldly riches. . . .

Fear God by whom ye beseech one another; and respect women who have borne you, for God is watching over you. . . . Take in marriage of . . . such . . . women as please you: two, or three, or four, and not more. But if ye fear that ye cannot act equitably towards so many, marry one only. . . .

Men shall have the pre-eminence above women, because of those advantages wherein God hath caused the one of them to excel the other. . . . Honest women are obedient, careful in the absence of their husbands, for that God preserveth them, by committing them to the care and protection of the men. But those whose perverseness ye shall be apprehensive of, rebuke and remove them into separate apartments and chastise them.

. . . Verily those who disbelieve our signs, we will surely cast to be broiled in hell fire; so often as their skins shall be well burned, we will give them other skins in exchange, that they may taste the sharper torment; for God is mighty and wise. . . .

But for him who dreadeth the tribunal of his Lord are prepared two gardens, planted with shady trees. In each of them shall be two fountains flowing. In each of them shall there be of every fruit two kinds. They shall repose on couches, the linings whereof shall be of thick silk interwoven with gold; and the fruit of the two gardens shall be near at hand to gather.

Whosoever fighteth for the religion of God, whether he be slain or be victorious, we will surely give him a great reward. And what ails you, that ye fight not for God's true religion, and in defense of the weak among men, women, and children.

Verily Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, is the apostle of God, and his Word, which he conveyed into Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him. Believe therefore in God, and his apostles, and say not, There are three Gods; forbear this; it will be better for you. God is but one God.

The prophet strongly enjoined the duty of kindness to slaves. . . He who beats his slave without fault, or slaps him on the face, his atonement for this is freeing.--A man who behaves ill to his slave will not enter into Paradise.