demanded it of him, with which money he was returning to Cûfa, his native city. This accident happened in the year 354.4 2 Ex Abulfar. ibid. Elmacino, p. 174, &c. Ebn Shohnah, Khondamir. Vide D'Herbel. Art. Carmath. 1 Vide Abulfar. p. 505, &c. D'Herbel. p. 104, 437, 505, 620, and 784. 2 Vide Elmacin. p. 174 and 286. D'Herb. p. 194. 3 Vide Abulfar. p. 361, 374, 380, 483. 4 Præf. in opera Motannabbis MS. Vide D'Herbel. p. 638, &c. The last pretender to prophecy I shall now take notice of is one who appeared in the city of Amasia, in Natolia, in the year 638, and by his wonderful feats seduced a great multitude of people there. He was by nation a Turkmân, and called himself Bâba, and had a disciple named Isaac, whom he sent about to invite those of his own nation to join him. Isaac accordingly, coming to the territory of Someisat, published his commission, and prevailed on many to embrace his master's sect, especially among the Turkmâns; so that at last he had six thousand horse at his heels, besides foot. With these Baba and his disciple made open war on all who would not cry out with them, "There is no GOD but GOD; Bâba is the apostle of GOD:" and they put great numbers of Mohammedans, as well as Christians, to the sword in those parts; till at length both Mohammedans and Christians, joining together, gave them battle, and having entirely routed them, put them all to the sword, except their two chiefs, who being taken alive, had their heads struck off by the executioner.1 I could mention several other impostors of the same kind, which have arisen among the Mohammedans since their prophet's time, and very near enough to complete the number foretold by him: but I apprehend the reader is by this time tired as well as myself, and shall therefore here conclude this discourse, which may be thought already too long for an introduction. 1 Abulfar. p. 479. Ebn Shohnah, D'Herb. Art. Bâba AL KORAN. ________ CHAPTER I. ENTITLED, THE PREFACE, OR INTRODUCTION;a REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD PRAISE be to GOD, the LORD of all creatures;b the most merciful, the king of the day of judgment. Thee do we worship, and of thee do we beg assistance. Direct us in the right way, in the way of those to whom thou hast been gracious; not of those against whom thou art incensed, nor of those who go astray.c