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. XXI. (Book 21)

Of Mahumed's Paradises.

GOd, saith the Alcoran, created seven Habitations, each of which is called a Paradise. They are wrought with Gold, Silver, Pearls, and precious Stones: It hath divers stately Edifices, Gardens, and divers Fruit-trees, two sorts of each: There are several Fountains and Rivers of cool Waters, Milk, Honey, and most sweet Wine. In the midst of this Paradise there is a vastly big Tree, with leaves of Gold and Silver, the branches whereof cover the walls of Paradise: In every leaf of this Tree the Name of Mahumed is inscribed together with the Name of God, in this known A∣bridgement of Mahumedism, Le ilehe ille allah Muhamed razalo allah (as the conver∣ted Alfaqui Andreas Maurus writes it, lib. Confus. Sect. Mahumed, cap. 10.) i. e. There is no other God but the Lord, and Mahumed his Messenger. The ornaments and furni∣ture of these Paradises are to be collected out of several Chapters of the Alcoran; wherein is to be seen how the Moors are to have their Silks, Purples, Tapestries, Tissues,

Brocado's, for Curtains, Vallens, &c. Their Beverage shall be a sort of Water whiter than Snow, and sweet as the Honey-comb. Here the Moors shall have delight without care, and continually be merry and jocund. They shall have their Guildemin Mohalledun, Pages to wait upon them clothed in Tissues, and surpassing in beauty; who have no o∣ther employment but to be Cup-bearers to the Musulmin. Here are also the Horhin, Virgins sumptuous in apparel, and beauti∣ful as the light. These are not of humane race, but continually created. These Vir∣gins live recluse, and are made on purpose to entertain the Musulmin. And here he speaks such uncouth filthiness, as may not with due modesty be named to an ingenuous Reader. But, I confess, so great is the naughtiness of the things to be met with in Andreas Maurus his account of Mahu∣med's Paradises, that I had rather the cu∣rious Reader should consult that Author, than I make him here blush with a Transcri∣ption.

But among all the Luxuries provided for the men, not one word is spoken of any en∣tertainment provided for the women; which the converted Alfaqui notes for a singular defect (amid all the accomplishments) of Mahumed's future state.