Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/33



Muhammadan rule of faith is based upon what are called the four foundations of orthodoxy, namely, the Qurán, or, as it is called, Kalám Ullah, the Word of God; the Hadis (pl. Ahádis), or the traditions of the sayings and practice of Muhammad; Ijmáʾ, or the consent of the Mujtahidín, or learned doctors; and Qiás, or the analogical reasoning of the learned.

In studying the Muhammadan religious system it must be well understood that Islám is not simply the religion of the Qurán, but that all Muhammadans, whether Sunni, Shíaʾh, or Wahhábi, receive the Traditions as an authority in matters of faith and practice. The Sunni Muhammadans arrogate to themselves the title of traditionists; but the Shíaʾhs also receive the Hadís as binding upon them, although they do not acknowledge the same collection of traditions as those received by their opponents. The