The life and death of Mahumed, the author of the Turkish religion being an account of his tribe, parents, birth, name, education, marriages, filthiness of life, Alcoran, first proselytes, wars, doctrines, miracles, advancement, &c. / by L. Addison ... author of The present state of the Jews.

CHAP. XI. (Book 11)

Of the Sunè, its Name, Contents, and Circumstances of its Collection, &c.

BEsides the Alcoran, the Mahumedists have another Book in little less venera∣tion than it, which is known by the Name of Zuna, or Sunè, which signifies a Way or Law, or the following of the Sayings, Acti∣ons, and Counsels of Mahumed. This was written after his death, by some of his chief Disciples. But through manifold transcri∣ptions, it became so augmented by some, and abridged by others, and altered and mang∣led by most Copies, that little remain'd en∣tire of the Impostors Words and Actions. Hereupon arose divers Readings, and there∣by no small confusion. But lest in this troubled variety of Copies, the true Sunè should be utterly lost, to the irreparable damage of the Mahumedan Religion; an Alkalife, or King of the Moors, called a general Council of Alfaquies or Priests,

Learned Men, and Doctors; and appointed Damascus to be the place of their meeting. These by publick Proclamation he command∣ed to bring with them all the Books that could be found written of the Sunè, and of Mahumeds Words and Works. The Alfa∣quies and others, according to command, repaired to Damascus, and brought with them the said Books. The Caliph seeing them in full Synod, communicated unto them the purpose and reason of their assem∣bly; and then commanded, That six of the most Learned Alfaquies, and best read in the Sunè, should be chosen for a select Com∣mittee, out of the two hundred Priests that were there met. The six that were chosen, go under these Names, viz. Muzlir, Boha∣ri, Buhora yra, Anecery, Atermindi, Doud. The Caliph being well pleased with the Ele∣ction, as being Men of reputed Learning and Integrity, called them to him, and com∣manded them, that they should go alone in∣to a House, and cause all the pretended Books of the Sunè to be brought unto them. And that each of them should by himself col∣lect a Book of all the Sayings and Deeds of Mahumed, which he should conceive to be true; and that they should each entitle his Book with his own Name. The six Priests did as they were commanded by the Caliph; and having finished their task, they present∣ed

their Collections to him; which he no sooner had received, than he delivered them to the whole Council, to be viewed and ex∣amined. And these six Books, being thus perused and approved, were preserved, and all the rest were ordered to be cast into Ade∣gele, a River near Damascus. And the number of Books thus cast into the water, were no fewer than loaded two hundred Camels. This being done, an Edict went forth, That no Alfaqui, or Priest, should dare to read or keep any Book, but the six afore∣said; and that none should mention any Say∣ing or Deed of Mahumed, but such as should be found written in the said Books; and that all Musselmen or Believers of Mahumed, should receive these Books for as true and au∣thentick, as if they were the very Alcoran it self; and that they should receive equal reve∣rence with it.

In this manner Mahumeds Sect was resto∣red, and the Caliph; who procured this Re∣stauration, is to this day celebrated for a Saint. But it seems this was not enough to prevent future Sects: for by reason of some dubious and contrary passages found in the said Books, there arose several interpreta∣tions thereof, which occasioned several opi∣nions, and thereupon several Sects. Where∣of these four are the more remarkable. First, the Sect of Melich, of which are all the Moors

of Medina, and those of Africk. The se∣cond Sect follow the opinion of Assafihy; of which are the Moors of Mecca, and the adjacent Countrey. The third Sect is that of Hambeli, whereof are the Moors of Ar∣menia and Persia. The last Sect is made up of those who follow the opinion of Abuham∣fa. So that by reason of the different in∣terpretations given by these four Doctors of the Sunè, these several Sects arose among the Mahumedists. And the differences of these Sects chiefly consist in matters of Judica∣tures, Marriages, and Divorces; and those Ceremonies which respect their Washings, when they make their Sala or Prayer.

Now, speaking of the Sunè, as it con∣tains in six Books the Deeds and Sayings of Mahumed, we find them reduced to four kinds. First, the Cahch, or certain and true, which contain all the Words and Works of Mahumed, which his Wife Ayscha, and his ten Disciples, attest to have been spoken and done by him.

Secondly, all those Words and Works of Mahumed which are reported by his other Wives, without the attestation of Ayscha and his chief Disciples, are called Dahif, or Defective.

Thirdly, those Words and Works of Ma∣humed, which have only the testimony of the Learned and principal Men of his time, and

never came to the knowledge of his chief Disciples, nor of Ayscha, are called Maucof, or Abrupt.

Fourthly, all those Words and Works which are delivered by his chief Doctors, as proceeding from Mahumed after he was sick and infirm, are accounted weak, and called by the Moors Zaquini. All these differences are to be met with (saith my Author) in the Preface to the Book of Flowers, which is an Epitome of the six Books of the Sunè, and contains only such Words and Actions of Mahumed, as are accounted True and Certain.

There is yet another Book (which some Travellers report they have seen in the Tur∣sique Court) called Musaph; which is esteemed so sacred, that they will not suffer it to be Translated into any Language out of Arabique. Some suppose that it is to the Alcoran, as our Service-Book to the Bible: others say, it is an Extract of the Alcoran: and others conjecture it to be a short Gloss or Paraphrase thereon. This Book is had in so singular reverence, that none is permitted to touch it either with unwasht or naked hands. When it is read in the Church, the people give it a devout attention; and the Reader may not hold it lower than his girdle. And having done reading therein, he gives it a reverend kiss; and then touching it with his eyes, with great decency lays it up in its

place. And yet the respect given this Book, is not more than the Moors ordinarily bestow upon all Books of their Religion: which (indeed) they treat with a Veneration wor∣thy of the subject they are pretended to con∣tain. For I have seen them taking a Book of Devotion in their hands, presently to hold it up toward Heaven, saying, Dillah, i. e. It is from God; and then holding it to their Eyes, Heart, and kissing it, either peruse, or lay it aside.

Having given this short account of the Al∣coran and Sunè, I re-assume the prosecution of the progress of Mahumedism.