书城公版Volume Four
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第140章 ABOULHUSN AND HIS SLAVE-GIRL TAWEDDUD.(5)

'What are the additional or occasional prayers?'(A.)'The least is a one-bow prayer and the most eleven.'(Q.)'What is the forenoon prayer?'(A.)'At leasttwo one-bow prayers and at mosttwelve.'(Q.)'What is the service of seclusion?'

(A.)'It is a matter of Traditional ordinance.'

(Q.)'What are its conditions?'(A.)'(1)Expression of intent(2)not leaving the mosque save of necessity(3)not having to do with a woman(4)fasting and(5)abstaining from speech.'

(Q.)'Under what conditions is pilgrimage obligatory?'(A.)

'So a man be of full age and understanding and a true-believer and it be possible to him;and it is obligatory [on all]once before death.'(Q.)'What are the Koranic statutes of the pilgrimage?'(A.)'(1)Assumption of the pilgrim's habit(2)station at Arafat(3)compassing [the Kaabeh](4)running[between Sefa and Merweh ] and(5)[previous] shaving or clipping the hair.'(Q.)'What are the Koranic statutes of the lesser pilgrimage?'(A.)'Reassuming the pilgrim's habit and compassing and running [as before].'(Q.)'What are the Koranic ordinances of the assumption of the pilgrim's habit?'(A.)

'Putting off sewn garmentsforswearing perfume and ceasing to shave the head or cut the nails and avoiding the killing of game and copulation.'(Q.)'What are the Traditional statutes of the pilgrimage?'(A.)'(1)The crying out'Here I amO our Lord!'(2)the circuitings [about the Kaabeh] of arrival [at] and departure [from Mecca](3)the passing the night at Muzdelifeh and Mina and(4)the stone-throwing.'

(Q.)'What is the war in defence of the Faith and its essentials?'(A.)'Its essentials are(1)the descent of the infidels upon us(2)the existence of the Imam(3)a state of [armed] preparation and(4)firmness in meeting the foe. Its ordinance is incital to battlein that the Most High hath said'O my Prophetincite the faithful to battle!'

(Q.)'What are the ordinances of buying and selling?'

(A.)'The Koranic are(1)offer and acceptance and(2)if the thing sold be a(white)slaveby whom one profitethto do one's endeavour to convert him to Islam and(3)to abstain from usury;the Traditionalresiliation and option before separatingafter the saying of the Prophet'The parties to a sale shall have the option [of cancelling or altering the terms of a bargain,] whilst they are yet unseparated.'

(Q.)'What is it forbidden to sell [or exchange] for what?'

(A.)'On this point I mind me of an authentic tradition,reported by Nafi of the Apostle of Godthat he forbade the sale of dried dates for fresh and fresh figs for dry and jerked for fresh meat and cream for butter;in fineof all eatables of one and the same kindit is unlawful to sell some for other some.'When the professor heard her words and knew that she was keen of witingenious and learned in jurisprudence and the Traditions and the interpretation of the Koran and what not elsehe said in himself'Needs must I go about with herthat I may overcome her in the assembly of the Commander of the Faithful.'So he said to her'O damselwhat is the lexicographical meaning of the word wuzou?'

And she answered'Cleanliness and freedom from impurities.'

(Q.)'And of prayer?'(A.)'An invocation of good.'(Q.)'And of ghusl?'(A.)'Purification.'(Q.)'And of fasting?'

(A.)'Abstention.'(Q.)'And of zekat?'(A.)'Increase.'

(Q.)'And of pilgrimage?'(A.)'Visitation [or quest].'(Q.)'And of jehad?'(A.)'[Endeavour in] repelling.'With this the doctor's arguments were exhaustedso he rose to his feet and said'Bear witness against meO Commander of the Faithful,that this damsel is more learned than I am in the Law. Quoth she'I will ask thee somewhatwhich do thou answer me speedilyan thou be indeed a learned man.'Say on,'quoth he;and she said'What are the arrows of the Faith?'They are ten in number,'answered he;'to wit(1)Testification that isreligion(2)Prayerthat isthe Covenant(3)Alms,that ispurification(4)Fastingthat isdefensive armour(5)Pilgrimagethat isthe Law(6)Fighting for the Faith,that isa general duty(7)Enjoining to beneficence and(8)Forbidding from iniquityboth of which are jealousy [for good](9)The communion of the faithfulthat issociablenessand(10)Seeking knowledgethat isthe praiseworthy way.'(Q.)'What are the roots of Islam?'(A.)'They are four in numberto witsincerity of belieftruth of purpose,observance of the limit [prescribed by the Law] and keeping the Covenant.'Then said she'I have one more question to ask theewhich if thou answer[it is well];elseI will take thy clothes.'Quoth he'SpeakO damsel;'and she said'What are the branches of Islam?'But he was silent and made no reply;and she said'Put off thy clothesand I will expound them to thee.'Quoth the Khalif'Expound themand I will make him put off his clothes for thee.'They are two-and-twenty in number,'answered she'to wit(1)holding fast to the Book of God the Most High(2)taking example by His Apostle(whom God bless and preserve)(3)abstaining from doing evil(4)eating what is lawful and(5)avoiding what is unlawful(6)restoring things wrongfully taken to their owners(7)repentance(8)knowledge of the Law(9)love of [Abraham] the Friend [of God](10)and of the followers of the Revelation(11)belief in the Apostles(12)fear of apostacy(13)preparation for departure(14)strength of conviction(15)clemency in time of power(16)strength in time of weakness(17)patience under affliction(18)knowledge of God the Most High and(19)of what His Prophet hath made known to us(20)gainsaying Iblis the accursed(21)striving earnestly against the lusts of the soul and gainsaying them and(22)guiltlessness of believing in any other god but God.'

When the Commander of the Faithful heard her wordshe bade the doctor put off his clothes and hood;and he did so and went forthbeaten and confoundedfrom the Khalif's presence.