The Dabistan

' 512

to be conformable with reason, and every prophet
who appears is not to be opposed to his predecessor,
and not self-complacently to exalt his law: these are
the Ydzdanian. Some adopt the law of tradition,
which others, with respect to literal meaning, reject
as contrary to reason.

It is known that there are five great religions,
viz.: that of the Hindus, Jews, Magians, Nazarean,
and Muselmans. Each of these five proffer claims
that their law is the true one, and set forth demon-
strations for the confirmation of its truth.

Finally, at the conclusion of this book let it be
said that, according to the statement of some excel-
lent personages, every thing relating to religion and
law has been exhibited in the work Tabs'eret id dvam,
" Rendering the Vulgar quick-sighted;" but at

gions, the same patriarchs and the same books, such as the Psalter, are
venerated; the Sabaians have a sort of baptism, as the Christians; they
believe that angels and intelligences, these movers of the universe, per-
form the same office which the Muhammedans ascribe *o the patriarchs
and prophets, they venerate with the latter the temple of Mecca; they
perform, however, their principal pilgrimage to a place near Harran (the
ancient Carrse.) in Mesopotamia; they honor also the pyramids of Egypt,
and say, that Sabi', son of Seth or Enoch, is buried in the third. They
turn their face in praying towards the arctic pole.

Several Oriental authors have treated of this religion. To those men-
tioned in this note, I shall only add Abulfeda and Mohib eddin Abu 7
Valid Muhammed, ben Kamal eddin, al Hanefi, mostly known under
the surname of Ben Shonah, who collected most particular information
about this religion.— (See Pococke, Spec. Hist. Arab., p. 138 et .ver/.,
1st edit., and Hcrbelot).