101

the prophet, and this taking place;1 the compa-
nions giving up their body; which is to be known
by reading the book Sir; further, the appointment
of the three first khalifs;2 the affair of Fadek;3 the
war of Safin;4 the victory of the Shiahs ; and the
defeat of the Sonnites: all these topics are subject to
reflection.

At a convivial meeting on the new-year's festival,
a Kasi and a Mufti were inclined to drink cups of
wine. Shaik Abu 1 Fazil, as a counterpart to the
explanation of the verse of the Koran, called " the
" throne,"5 composed a sermon in two parts. He
also translated the Mahabharat, which is the history
of the wars of the ancient Hindu chiefs. Some
learned men denied absolutely the affair of Muham-

1 See vol. III. p. 59.

2 See vol. I. pp. 99-100.

3 See vol. III. p. 51.

4 See vol. III. pp. 59-60. note 2.

5 This is the 256th verse of chapter II. It is justly admired by the
Muhammedans, who recite it in their prayer, and some of them wear it
about them, engraved on an agate or other precious stone. Here it fol-
lows, as translated by Sale, who remarks that his translation must not be
supposed to equal the dignity of the original (vol. I. p. 47): " God!
'* there is no God but he; the living, the self-subsisting ; neither slumber
" nor sleep seizeth him; to him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and
" on earth. Who is he that can intercede with him, but through his
** good pleasure? He knoweth that which is past, and that which is to
" come to them,.and they shall not comprehend any thing of his know-
*' ledge, but so far as he pleaseth. His throne is extended over heaven
44 and earth, and the preservation of both is no burthen unto him. He
44 is the High, the Mighty."