Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/152

 n6 Readings in European History is Mohammed's frequent question to his countrymen. 'All things in heaven and earth supplicate him; then which of the bounties of the Lord will ye deny ? ' . . . " In conclusion, let us banish from our minds any con- ception of the Koran as a code of laws, or a systematic exposition of a creed. It is neither of these. Let us only think of a simple enthusiast confronted with many and varied difficulties, and trying to meet them as best he could by the inward light that guided him. The guidance was not perfect, we know, and there is much that is blameworthy in Mohammed; but whatever we believe of him, let it be granted that his errors were not the result of premeditated imposition, but were the mistakes of an ignorant, impressible, superstitious, but nevertheless noble and great man." In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful 48. Passages Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds ! from the xhe Compassionate, the Merciful ! Koran. The TJ ,. f, , ,. , opening King of the day of judgment ! prayer. Thee we worship, and Thee we ask for help. Guide us in the straight way, The way of those to whom Thou art gracious ; Not of those upon whom is Thy wrath, nor of the erring. The angel In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Gabriel That j s t h e book 1 ! there is no doubt therein; a guide to extols the, , , t. . . . ... divineWord, the P^us, who believe in the unseen, and are steadfast in which he prayer, and of what we have given them expend in alms ; reveals to wno j-, e ii eve j n w hat is revealed to thee, and what was Mohammed, andde- revealed before thee, and of the hereafter they are sure, nounces These are in guidance from their Lord, and these are the
 * UeverSl prosperous.

1 Namely, the book which Gabriel, the speaker, is revealing.