It is not very safe for Christians to mix with the crowds on these last
days, unless in company with some honest Mohammedan. If one is seen
laughing at the ceremonies he is apt to be beaten by some one whose
fanatical spirit is thoroughly aroused. Our missionaries sometimes ask
the privilege of using a roof by which the procession passes. This is
always granted. The three nights are considered holy and the most
religious Moslems do not retire until midnight. Services are held in
the mosques, reciting traditions. The audience is composed of men only.
It would not be safe for the women to attend, owing to the wickedness
of the men. The audience is frequently deeply moved by the tragic
tales, and weep angry tears. They curse and revile their enemies and
their enemies' wives and daughters. The last night is called watch
night, and many Moslems do not even slumber during the night. It is
holy night in which Hussein and other martyrs were buried in their
tombs. It is a dishonor, and even a sin, for them to go to bed without
meditation on their prophets. In the mosque services the people shout:
"O Hassan and Hussein, let my soul be a sacrifice for thee." They
believe the observance of that night is absolute remission of sins;
that the gates of heaven are open to all believers for the sake of
martyrs. Some pious Moslems preserve the tears of that night in small
bottles, as it is believed they will cure disease when applied to the
brows of sick men. These tears are prized as a most holy relic. The
Musselman says: "Even David the prophet believed in the efficacy of
tears when he wrote in the Psalms, 'Put thou my tears in thy bottle, O
God.'"
On the last night many Shiite Moslems walk to the mosque in bare feet,
wearing sackcloth. Often a governor or lord accompanied by 40 to 100
servants, all barefooted, will be seen slowly treading their way toward
a mosque. Wearied by the great exertions of the past ten days it is
difficult to keep awake during the last night; so many men will be seen
coming out of the mosques during the night to walk around and keep
awake. At daybreak these solemn ceremonies end. In all these ten days
of special religious services not one word is said in condemnation of
sin. There is no moral teaching. Nothing is taught about man's duty to
God, or his duty to fellow-men. Nothing is said to strengthen his
character, to make him a purer and nobler man. The only teaching is in
tragic tales of martyrs; the only inspiration is hatred to enemies.
Compare this religion with that of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ,
God-man. He gave His life for all nations, even His enemies. He calls
mankind to sacrifice, but it has a practical object: that they may be
purer and live a higher and nobler life. Christianity is as the sun
shining in its fulness, while Mohammedanism, in its ignorance and
superstition, is as the darkness of midnight.
CHAPTER XI.
HEAVEN AND HELL.
HEAVEN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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