Page images
PDF
EPUB

ORIGINAL PREFACE.

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

INFINITE praise is due to the Self-existent, who, not

withstanding the identity of matter, bestowed various figures on all possible bodies, and, having distributed the human race in genera and species, gave to each one distinct powers. Thanks without bounds are owing to that Creator, who brought the human species from the secret store-house of nonentity into the expanse of existence, and gave to it the distinction of superiority over all creatures. Having adorned the race of man with the jewel of speech, He clothed it with the garment of knowledge. What ability does poor feeble man possess to express his gratitude for these blessings, and what power is there in the broken pen to discharge this obligation in writing?

COUPLETS.

Ah! how shall we perform His praise when the tongues of the prophets have proved deficient? Here all men who appreciate the banquet of His genius exclaim only-" Who can know Thee?" Where has this poor mortal obtained the

intelligence to approach Thee as he ought? Still man has sufficient power to surround Him with praise.

Blessings unbounded are due to the Chief of Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad the Pure, who having brought sinners out from the valley of perdition, has led them to a place of rest in the road of salvation. Through this we have received the distinction over all nations, in accordance with the gracious text, "Ye are the best people.”

[ocr errors]

Muhammad is the chief of the universe. Muhammad

is the guide of man and of life.

He it is who makes intercession for sinners. He is our

defender in the day of judgment.

Blessings and peace be on his posterity and on his companions, through whom the religion of Islám obtained strength, and by whom the road of salvation has been shown

to us.

After this (exordium), that most humble of individuals, Ikrám 'Alí, represents that, in obedience to the kind suggestion of that renowned gentleman, of high dignity and great authority, excelling all the doctors of the time in learning, and in wisdom surpassing the intelligence of the eleven (imâms), Mr Abraham Lockett (may his prosperity continue!)—and upon the invitation of his brother and teacher, Mawlawi Turab 'Alí (may his shadow endure !)—he, Ikrám 'Alí, came to Calcutta, and under the guidance of fortune, after receiving much consideration, he was so highly favoured and patronised that the aforenamed gentleman (Mr Lockett), in the kindness natural to him, caused the writer to be ap1 Kuran, Súrat iii. v. 106.

pointed on the establishment of the Company Bahádur in a position subordinate to himself.

After a short time, upon the recommendation of that distinguished gentleman, the cream of the learned of the age, and the chief of the most accomplished scholars, the Professor of Hindí, Captain John William Taylor, (may his fortune endure!) the writer Ikrám 'Alí, was directed to translate into the Urdu language the work called "Ikhwânu-s Safa,” which is (a work) upon the contentions between mankind and the beasts; but his instructions were to make the translation very easy, so that no abstruse words might appear therein; and as the scientific phrases and speeches of the original text are not free from difficulty, he was directed to run his pen through such passages, and to reproduce only the gist of the dispute. In compliance with this instruction, the writer has written in the Urdú idiom merely the pith of the matter. He has expunged some speeches, and he has omitted several scientific technicalities, which were not germane to the point in dispute; but some speeches, and some mathematical and other technicalities, which bear upon the subject under discussion, have been retained.

But, in fact, if the style and polish of this composition are duly considered, every speech is a mine of eloquence, and every passage a store of brilliant expression. Ordinary people attending only to the surface of the work, learn only about the subject in dispute; but learned men, who look into particulars, experience pleasure in discovering from the exact meaning of the phrases, little points and facts relating to God.

The authors of this work were Abú Salmán, Abú-l Hasan, Abú Ahmad, and others—ten men, who dwelt in communion at Basra, and spent all their days in the investigation of scientific and religious matters. They wrote fifty-one works, chiefly upon the marvellous and occult sciences, and this book, treating of the contention between men and the beasts, is one of them. The arguments, rational and descriptive,1 are well stated. In the end, after much discussion, the men prevail. The aim of the work is simply to show from this contention the (superior) perfections of man ; and so at the end of the work it is stated that those points in which men prevailed over the animals were in those theological sciences and dogmas which the writers have treated of in their fiftyone works. In this book the object was to set forth the various truths and dogmas by the mouths of animals, so that heedless people, by seeing this, might have a desire to attain to those perfections.

This translation was made in the year 1825 Hijrí, or 1810 A.D., in the time of the government of that noblest of dignified nobles, the cream of powerful princes, the Hátim of the age and the Plato of the time, chief of chiefs and hero of heroes, Nawab Governor-General Lord Minto, Bahadur. May his prosperity endure !

1'Aklí-intellectual or rational; nakli, descriptive or illustrative, historical or traditional.

CHAPTER I.

On the beginning of the Creation of the Human Race1-On their contention with the Animals—On their seeking justice in the presence of the wise King Bíwarásb, and on that Sage's summoning the Men before him.

WRITER

RITERS have thus recorded the circumstances of the first appearance of the human race:-So long as men were few in number, through fear, of the animals they used to run away and hide themselves in caves; and from fear and dread of wild beasts they used to take refuge in the hills and mountains. There was not even so much feeling of security as that three or four men could join together, carry on agriculture, and take their food. What mention can there be, then, of their weaving clothes and covering their bodies? In fine, they used to eat whatever fruits and vegetables of the jungle they could obtain, and used to cover their bodies with leaves of the trees. In the cold weather they dwelt in warm places, and during the heats they used to choose a dwelling in cool districts.

When in that condition a short period had passed, and their

1 Sons of Adam.

A

« PreviousContinue »