Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/261

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FAQIRS, OR DARWESHES.

masons, they may not be divulged to the uninitiated.

The following is said to be the usual method of admitting a Muhammadan to the order of a ba Sharaʾ Faqír. Having first performed the legal ablutions, the Muríd (disciple) seats himself before the Murshid (spiritual guide). The Murshid then takes the Muríd's right hand, and requires of him a confession of sin according to the followmg form: "I ask forgiveness of the great God than Whom there is no other deity, the Eternal, the Everlasting, the Living One: I turn to Him for repentance, and beg His grace and forgiveness." This, or a similar form of repentance, is repeated several times. The Muríd then repeats after the Murshid:—"I beg for the favour of God and of the Prophet, and I take for my guide to God (here naming the Murshid) not to change or to separate. God is our witness. By the great God. There is no deity but God. Amín." The Murshid and the Muríd then recite the first chapter of the Qurán, and the Muríd concludes the ceremony by kissing the Murshid's hand.