of GOD have been drawn up by Muslims. Among these are the 'Araishu't Tijan in
the Arabic language and the Qisasu'l Anbiya in Persian,1 but
1 As a specimen, I give in a very concise form the story of the prophet Idris
(supposed to be Enoch), taken from the Qisasu'l Anbiya. Idris, we are told, was a
learned and very pious man, versed in astrology and other sciences. One night the Angel of
Death, 'Azrail, visited him in disguise, and remained three days as his guest. When
discovered, the angel asked permission to establish the most friendly relations with the
prophet, whom he had meanwhile in vain attempted to lead into sin. Idris refused his
friendship unless the angel enabled him to taste the bitterness of death and yet to live.
Receiving GOD'S command to do so, 'Azrail slew Idris, and then succeeded, through
prayer, in bringing him back to life. The closest intimacy was thereupon established
between them. 'Azrail showed the prophet the wicked suffering all the tortures of hell, at
his request to see the terrible sight; and then, at another request, brought him near to
the gates of Paradise, that he might thence view the bliss of the redeemed. Idris said,
"O brother, I have tasted the bitterness of death, and I have seen hell. My liver is
on fire! Permit me to enter Paradise and drink a draught of water." 'Azrail gave him
permission to do so, but only on receiving a solemn pledge from the prophet that he would
come back to him. On entering the sacred pre- cincts, Idris advanced to the tree Tuba' and
left his sandals under it. He then viewed the whole region, and, faithful to his promise,
returned to the angel, who was waiting his return outside the celestial gate. But when his
vow was thus complied with, Idris decided to carry out a plan he had formed, by which he
hoped to be enabled to remain forever in Paradise, instead of returning to the earth. He
therefore begged of the angel permission to enter the garden once more, in order to
reclaim his sandals, which he had omitted to put on when coming out. On receiving
permission
[Footnote continued onto next page]
THE INFLUENCE OF ISLAM.
213
Tabari and other historians relate many similar tales, as do many of the most learned
commentators on the Qur'an. The fact is that Muslims know practically nothing whatever
Ignorance of their Writings and
History.
about the Prophets except their names, and even about these their information is not
always very reliable. Nor can we say that all such absurd legends about the Prophets as
those popular among modern Muhammadans at the present time are the inventions of ignorant
men and form no part of the Religion of Islam. Hardly any of them are more absurd than the
legend of King Solomon and Queen Balqis, and in fact the whole of their
[Footnote continued from previous page]
Idris re-entered Paradise; but when within he refused to come out, alleging that GOD had
promised that those who entered Paradise should never go out again. Then "from the
Glorious Throne came the words, 'O Angel of Death, leave Idris alone, for so have I fated
it. Idris having tasted the bitterness of death, and having seen hell, shall now remain in
Paradise.' 'Azrail said, 'Verily this Paradise is forbidden to the prophets until the
Seal of the Prophets' (i.e. Muhammad) 'shall have entered it.' The Voice replied,
'O Angel of Death, I do not grudge Paradise to My friends, but Muhammad is the chief of
Paradise."' Thus the learned and pious Idris managed to circumvent the Angel of
Death, and by his fraud he succeeded in remaining in the enjoyment of eternal bliss. This
is a fair specimen of the ideas which the generality of Muslims entertain about the
prophets. What is very remarkable is that, rightly or wrongly, all these tales and legends
are declared to rest upon the authority of Muhammad himself, who is said to have related
them to his friends. Some similarly veracious accounts of our Lord's death and ascension
are detailed in Appendix A.
