[170] The orthodox Commentator 'Abbas says: "This verse refers to the decree, _e.g._ 'He whom God wills to believe certainly will do so, and whom He wills to be an infidel will be one,' and not at all to man's free will." Tafsir-Hisaini, vol. ii. page 9. [171] Melanges de Philosophe Juive et Arabe par S. Munk. p. 458. [172] Thus the poet Faizi says: "Before thou and I were thought of, our free will was taken from our hands; be without cares, for the Maker of both worlds settled our affairs long before we were made." [173] The punishment of death is sometimes decreed for lesser offences. In the latter part of the year 1879, one of the Turkish 'Ulama, named Ahmad, was condemned to death for having assisted Dr. Koelle, an English clergyman residing in Constantinople, in the translation of the Book of Common Prayer, and a tract on 'Christ the Word of God.' Owing to the urgent representations of the British Ambassador the Khojah's life was spared, but he was banished to the island of Chio. The Porte promised to maintain his family whilst he was absent. It need scarcely be said that nothing of the kind has been done. [174] Journal Asiatique 4me Serie, tome 17, p. 582 [175] This is the Shafa'ite form which the Hanifites consider wrong. [176] Kingsley's Alexandria and her Schools, p. 160. [177] Les Prairies D'or, tome sixieme, p. 368. [178] Melanges de Philosophie Juive et Arabe, par S. Munk, p. 315. [179] For a statement of the Ash'arian doctrines see pp. 130-131. [180] Strictly speaking, one should not speak of Arab but of Muslim philosophy, for curiously enough only one famous Philosopher, Al-Kendi, was an Arab. [181] Melanges de Philosophie Juive et Arabe, par S. Munk, p. 429. [182] "Apres lui, nous ne trouvons plus chez les Arabes aucun philosophe veritablement digne de ce nom." Melanges de Philosophie Juive et Arabe, par S. Munk, p. 458. [183] Muslim rule in Spain is often referred to as an instance of the height of culture and the liberality of sentiment which may exist in a Muhammadan state. I have shown that the culture was not due to the teaching of the Arab Prophet and his Companions, and with regard to the liberality it is well to remember the words of G. H. Lewes. He says: "The Arabs, though they conquered Spain, were too weak in numbers to hold that country in subjection otherwise than by politic concessions to the opinion and customs of the people." History of Philosophy, vol. i. p. 36. [184] "There never was any Arabian science, strictly speaking. In the first place, all the Philosophy and Science of the Muhammadans was Greek, Jewish, and Persian.... It really designates a reaction against Islamism, which arose in the distant parts of the Empire, in Samarcand, Bokhara, Morocco, and Cordova. The Arabian language having become the language of the Empire, this Philosophy is written in that language; but the ideas are not Arabian; the spirit is not Arabian." History of Philosophy, by G. H. Lewes, vol. ii. p. 34.