Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 5 (1897).djvu/369

OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 347 cation, as it is performed either sitting, or standing, or prostrate on the ground, are prescribed by custom or authority, but the prayer is poured forth in short and fervent ejaculations ; the measure of zeal is not exhausted by a tedious liturgy ; and each Musulman, for his own person, is invested with the character of a priest. Among the Theists, who reject the use of images, it has been found necessary to restrain the wanderings of the fancy by direct- ing the eye and the thought towards a kebla, or visible point of the horizon. The prophet was at first inclined to gratify the Jews [See sura2] by the choice of Jerusalem ; but he soon returned to a more natural partiality ; and five times every day the eyes of the nations at Astracan, at Fez, at Delhi, are devoutly turned to the holy temple of Mecca. Yet every spot for the service of God is equally pure ; the Mahometans indifferently pray in their cham- ber or in the street. As a distinction from the Jews and Christians, the Friday in each week is set apart for the useful institution of public worship ; the people is assembled in the mosch ; and the imam, some respectable elder, ascends the pulpit, to begin the prayer and pronounce the sermon. But the Maho- metan religion is destitute of priesthood or sacrifice ; ^"^^ and the independent spirit of fanaticism looks down with contempt on the ministers and the slaves of superstition. II. The voluntary ^^^ penance of the ascetics, the torment and glory of their lives, was odious to a prophet who censured in his companions a rash vow of abstaining from flesh, and women, and sleep, and firmly de- clared that he would suffer no monks in his religion.^^o Yet he instituted, in each year, a fast of thirty days ; and strenuously recommended the observance, as a discipline which purifies the soul and subdues the body, as a salutary exercise of obedience to the will of God and his apostle. During the month of Rama- dan,i^i from the rising to the setting of the sun, the Musulman abstains from eating, and drinking, and women, and baths, and perfumes ; from all nourishment that can restore his strength, 108a [There is an annual sacrifice at the Feast of Victims in the Valley of Mina near Mecca during the Pilgrimage.] 10" Mahomet (Sale's Koran, c. 9, p. 153) reproaches the Christians with taking their priests and monks for their lords, besides God. Yet Maracci (Prodromus, part iii. p. 69, 70) excuses the worship, especially of the pope, and quotes, from the Koran itself, the case of Eblis, or Satan, who was cast from heaven for refusing to adore Adam. 11" Koran, c. 5, p. 94, and Sale's note, which refers to the authority of Jallalod- din and Al Beidawi. D'Herbelot declares that Mahomet condemned la vie j-eligieuse; and that the first swarms of fakirs, dervises, &c. did not appear till after the year 300 of the Hegira (Bibliot. Orient, p. 292, 718). Ill [As being the month " in which the Koran was sent down " from heaven; see Sura 2.]