[127] It is superfluous to inform readers of this Review that the Persians are Shiah, and the Turks Sunni, Muhammadans. Most of the Indian Muhammadans are Sunnis.
[128] Many words denoting proximity, become honorifics, such as “Sherîf” (Shereef), “Hazrat,” “Jenáb,” etc. “Khalîfah” is one who succeeds, or follows, or is a deputy. Strictly speaking, this title refers to the Sultan of Turkey as the successor of the Prophet Muhammad in the temporal headship of the Sunnis, but even the successor of the heretical Mahdi in the Sudán calls himself “Khalifa.”
[129] The “Sherîfs” or “Shereefs,” in a special, princely or official sense, are lineal descendants of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima who was married to A’li, and have, perhaps, even a higher claim to the respect of the Faithful, than ordinary descendants or “Sayads.” The Grand Shereef of Mecca, the Shereefian dynasty of Morocco, the Shereef of Wazan, who also bears the title, like the Emperor of Morocco, of “Muláy,” or “Maulái,” show the great extent of the “House of A’li.”
[130] Among these Pîrs each Mulái chooses his own, of course, under the supreme headship of Agha Khan.
[131] Who has been accused of instigating the “Old Man of the Mountain” to send his emissaries to murder Conrad of Montferrat, titular King of Jerusalem. The Ismailian “Assassins” are also accused of an attempt to murder Prince Edward of England at Acre.
[132] Whom I took to England and whose name, curiously enough, was “Matavali,” which is also a derivative of “vali.”
[133] Also, “Does it rise in the direction of heavens, or is its descent in vegetation?” [taking “Hásil” = obtaining for “Mehásil” = vegetation], reproduction (?)
[134] Also, “Or in the form of Man how does it again rotate into being born an Adamite?” or, “Why is man created in the form of a human being?”
[135] Also, “Nay, but the perfect man, the seemly, the all-perfect wins the prize.”
[136] These words are so badly written that they may also be read as, “O, thou that waitest not for wisdom.”