Page:A Moslem seeker after God - showing Islam at its best in the life and teaching of al-Ghazali, mystic and theologian of the eleventh century (IA moslemseekeraft00zwem).pdf/106



not make the same impression as the true Koran, he replied: " Let it be read from the pulpit of the mosques for four hundred years and then you will all be delighted with it." His quatrains rival those of Omar Al-Kayyam in their utter pessimism and rank infidelity from the orthodox Moslem stand point. For example, he writes:

" Lo: there are many ways and many traps

And many guides and which of them is Lord? For verily Mohammed has the sword And he may have the truth perhaps? perhaps?

Now this religion happens to prevail Until by that one it is overthrown, Because men dare not live with men alone,

But always with another fairy-tale.

Religion is a charming girl, I say;

But over this poor threshold will not pass, Because I can t unveil her, and alas;

The bridal gift I can t afford to pay."

Nor could this poet have had much reverence for the religion of Islam when he wrote:

" Where is the valiance of the folk who sing These valiant stories of the world to come? Which they describe, forsooth, as if it swung In air and anchored with a yard of string."