lii P R E L I M I N A R Y
fouiid that, amidft the frivolity of the argument, fome ufeful illuflration
is involved : nor is the tranflator confcious of having omitted any thing,
the retaining of which could, either direftly or incidentally, have been
attended with advantage.
A nother and more confiderable omiffion it is proper he Ihould
account for.
As the Hedaya includes a complete fyftem of Mujfulman jurifpru-
dence, it commences with the Abaddt or fpiritual law, including the
five great religious duties o f purification, prayer, alms, fajting, and p ilgrimage.
O f thefe the book of A lms (Zakdt) only is retained by the
tranflator, as the others are neither very curious in their nature, nor
could afford any manner of affiftance in decifions concerning matters of
property; and would have burthened the work with an additional and
totally ufelefs volume.— This omiflion has not occafioned any alteration in
the confecutive arrangement of the books ; but it has neceflkrily induced
a difference in the diftribution, among the four volumes; of thofe which
are retained. In the original the fubjeCls are diftributed as follows
V o l . I . Purification. Prayer. Alms. Fafitng. Pilgrimage.
V ol. II. Marriage. Fofierage. Divorce. Manumifiion. Vows. Punijh-
ments. Larciny. Phe Inflitutes. Foundlings. Proves. Fugitive Slaves. Miffing
Perfons. Partnerjhip. Appropriations.
V ol. III. Sale. Sirf Sale. B ail. Pransfer o f Debts. Duties o f the.
K I zee. Evidence. Retractation o f Evidence. Agency. Claims. Acknowledgments.
Compojitions. Mo%dribat. Depqfits. Loans. Gifts. Hire. Mokdtibs.
JVilla. Compulfion. Inhibition. Licenfed'Slaves. Ufurpation. ‘
V o l . IV . Shaffa. Partition. Compass o f Cultivation. Compafls o f Gardening.
Zabbah. Sacrifices. Abominations. Cultivation o f Wafite Landt.
Prohibited
Prohibited Liquors. Hunting. Pawns. Offences againjl' th e 'P e r f on. Fines.
Levying o f Fines. Wills. Hermaphrodites.
If the reader is not already tired with this introductory detail, the
tranflator would requefl: his indulgence while he' adds a fhort account,
apparently neceffary, of the books which have been omitted, as well as
a few remarks on the others in their order as they occur.
P u rif ica tion -is confidered as effential to devotion, and the key
•of prayer, which without it is of no effeCt.— It is o f two defcrip-
tions, the Ghofsl, or complete ablution of the whole body, and the
Wazoo, or wafhing of the hands and feet, after a manner particularly
prefcribed. T h e firlt chapter treats of the occafions for purification, the
Accidents by which it may be broken or interrupted, and the manner in
which it is to be performed. T h e fecond relates to the waters fit for ablution.
T h e , third treats of the teyummim, or fubftitution, in cafes of
diought, of dull or fine fand for water; a regulation well calculated for
the thirfty deferts of Arabia * ! In directing this, Mohammed followed
the example of the Jews, who wereaccultomed to perform their luffra-
tion after this method, in cafes of neceffity— The fourth chapter relates
to the anointing of boots, or other leathern apparel or utenfils, in
which certain rules are laid down for the obfervance of cleanlinefs.—
T h e fifth regards women, the rules to be obferved by them in their men-
ftruations, and the modes of purification requilite after thole, or childbed
labour, to qualify them for aCts o f devotion.— The fixth treats of the purifications
enjoined after performing any of the natural evacuations.
P r a yer is declared to be the corner-fione ^ R e l ig io n , and the pillar
«/"Fa ith . It is not, by the Mujfulman doftors, confidered as a thing of
mere form, but requires, that the heart and underlhnding lhould accom-
pany it, without which it is pronounced to be of no mAh.—T h e prefcribed
prayers are direfted to be performed at five different times in the twenty-
This prafiice is alluded to in vol. I. p. 19$.
£ 2 four