Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/20

xiv indefensible, the outworks must fall. The authorities here principally relied on are beyond fair exception, viz. Sale and Gibbon: the former of whom has been styled half a Musulman and the latter not half a Christian. Their references, it is well known, besides the best modern authors, include the names of Abul-feda and Abul-pharagius; to which maybe added, Beidawi, Elmacin, Jallaòddin, Jannabi, Zamacshari, and others of acknowledged celebrity in questions of this description; though, after all, it is remarkable, that they cannot appeal to any writers within the first century of the Hegira.

After the expiration of two hundred years,