Part 32 (2/2)
Such a movement is irresistible, especially after the sanguinary ordeals we have undergone. We are therefore about to witness the efforts of new and old religions, trying to monopolize these manifestations and turn them to account. Rationalism, however, although defeated, has nevertheless been fruitful, and it will oppose an insuperable barrier to the dogmas that run counter to reason much too violently.
On the other hand, must not mystic, pathetic and poetical aspirations be reckoned with? Are they not the essential final causes of all religions? To sum up, are not the most needful conditions of a modern religion those of advanced Protestantism: ”Unitarism,” clothed in a glorious cloak of poetry?
Islam, freed from all the dross which it acc.u.mulated in its course, has precisely these conditions, and already small communities of European converts to Islam have been founded in England and America.
One of them, having Mr. Quilliam at his head, exists for several years past at Liverpool, and is remarkable for the fact that the majority of its proselytes belong to the weaker s.e.x.
The conversion of Lord Headley, an English peer, followed by that of other well-known leading Londoners, created a great sensation. The Mussulman commonwealth, founded by this eminent man, publishes a monthly magazine, ”The Islamic Review,” from which we take the following significant pa.s.sage:
”Why have Englishmen and other Europeans become Mussulmans? In the first place, because they sought for some simple, logical, essentially practical creed; (for we English flatter ourselves that we are the most practical people under the sun) a creed fitting in with the conditions, customs, and occupations of every people; a divine, true creed, where the Creator and Man are face to face, without any intermediary.” (Sheldrake.)
That is what practical minds have found in Islam which, having no sacrements or wors.h.i.+p of saints, needs no priest and could, at a pinch, do without a temple. As Allah's presence fills the universe, is not the whole of the earth one immense Mosque?
Moreover, several modern desists, generally finding it difficult to express the aspiration of their souls, will find in the pure deism of true Islam, the most admirable ritual movements and words of prayer that an artistic mind could dream of. In short, for more than one, 'Islam realises the maximum of altruism with a minimum of metaphysics.' (Christian Cherfils.)
Other isolated conversions have taken place in France and in different countries of Europe, Africa and Asia. Perhaps, in this way, we may witness the realisation of this ”Hadis” of the Prophet: 'a.s.suredly Allah will make this religion (Islam) all-powerful by means of men who were strangers thereto!' of the princ.i.p.al characteristic of Islam is that it is wonderfully fitted to all races of creation. Among his first disciples, Mohammad counted not only Arabs of the most different tribes, but also Persians, such as Salman al-Farsi; Christians, such as Waraqa; Abyssinians, such as Bilal; Jews, such as Mukhayriq, Abdullah ibn Sallam, etc. As it is said in the Qur'an: ”_We have not sent thee otherwise than to mankind at large._” (x.x.xIV, 27.)
Even during Mohammad's life, and in the very beginning, his doctrine a.s.serted its stamp of universality. If suitable to all races, it is equally suitable to all intellects and to all degrees of civilisation.
Of supreme simplicity, as in Mu'tazilitcism; desperately esoteric, as in Sufiism, bringing guidance and consolation to the European ”savant”--leaving thought absolutely free and untrammelled--as well as to the negro of the Soudan, thereby delivered from the superst.i.tion of his fetis.h.i.+sm. It exalts the soul of a practical English merchant, for whom 'time is money,' quite as much as that of a mystical philosopher; of a contemplative Oriental; or of a man of the West loving art and poetry. It will even allure a modern medical man, by the logic of its repeated ablutions and the rhythm of its bowing and prostration, just as salutary for physical well-being as for the health of the soul itself.
It is therefore not too foolhardy to think that when the fearful storm has pa.s.sed and the respect due to all nationalities, as well as to all religions, shall have been enforced, Islam will be able to look upon a future br.i.m.m.i.n.g with real hope.
Thanks to the great share it has taken in the events causing the upheaval of European civilisation, it has entered therein and will appear at last in its true light. The different nations will vie with each other in seeking to be allied to it, for they will have put its value to the test and have recognised the inexhaustible resources it possesses.
The disciples of the Prophet, awakened from their momentary lethargy, will take their brilliant place in the world.
--”Insha'llah!”--If Allah be willing!
[Ill.u.s.tration: (Calligraphy) _Allah will perhaps establish goodwill between yourselves and those of them with whom ye are at enmity, and Allah is Powerful: and Allah is Gracious, Merciful._]
_This book was finished at Bou-Saada, on the Twenty-seventh day of the month of Ramadhan; in the Year 1334 of the Hegira--the 28th of July, A.D. 1916._
_O Allah! be indulgent towards its authors; excuse the extravagant audacity that urged them on in their hope of doing good, to affront such a vast subject, despite the scantiness of their knowledge._
_O Thou, the Omniscient! pardon them the errors which, through ignorance, they may have committed in such a sublime history as that of Thy Messenger, Our Lord Mohammad, the Seal of the Prophets._
_May Allah pour out for him His Blessings and His Favours!_ _Likewise on his Relatives,_ _And on his Companions!_ _Amin._
etienne DINET.
Sliman ben IBRAHIM.
[Ill.u.s.tration: _A traditional old Scribe of the Desert._ Calligraphy: _One's pen should be enn.o.bled; that is, by treating of worthy matters._]
THE BOOK WAS FINISHED IN THE YEAR 1335 OF THE HEGIRA
[Ill.u.s.tration: MAP OF THE HIJAZ AND THE ROAD TO SYRIA]
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