The Say-yid's dress distinguishes him from other men. He wears a green turban and girdle, so that he is really known whether alone or in a throng. If a common man should presume to wear these articles of dress he would be severely punished. The Say-yid's turban is to them more precious than a kingly crown. It is the sign of their glory. The girdle is a symbol of strength. Their rank is higher than all other degrees among men and their high priest is more honored than a prince. So Say-yid ruleth over other men. He demands and receives their honors. In the assemblies of lords and influential men, the Say-yid occupies the chief seats, and are always served first. Oaths of gravity are sworn by their heads. All men fear them, believing that their curse will surely be brought to pass. They are never smitten or reviled. If a Christian should lift his hand against them that hand must be severed from his body. They are exempt from legal punishment. Governors cannot impose on them fines or imprisonments. If a Say-yid should kill a common man it would be impossible to punish him with death for his murder. The governor cannot punish him for it would be a sin against God; it is believed that God created all men for the sake of Mohammed and his descendants. A Say-yid's punishment must come through the leader of that order.
Many vows are made to them. Parents when their daughters are sick, vow to marry them to a Say-yid, believing that God will cure her for the sake of the Say-yid. They generally ride on gray horses, claiming that those of that color belong to them. They lead the large pilgrim caravans, which go every year to worship at the tomb of Ali. Their presence is believed to protect the caravans from thieves and robbers. Their law gives them authority over the property of other men. They are masters while others are peasants. Sometimes they smite and punish other men without mercy. By their law one-tenth of all property belongs to them. Generally they do not work, but live well, because of their position as Say-yids or holy men. The more noble of them will sit in their houses and receive tithes of the fruits, coffee, tea and money of the surrounding people. If these tithes are not freely given a servant will be sent with authority to demand and take same. The less noble of the Say-yids go personally to the homes vineyards and gardens and gather their portion. Sometimes there might be seen no less than ten Say-yids going to vineyards for this purpose. Generally they ask nothing from Christians, as their law restrains them and they are ashamed to ask of other religions.
I once met a Say-yid in my father's vineyard and he asked a portion. I refused, telling him that I myself was also a Say-yid i.e., a Christian Say-yid, and asked if one Say-yid should receive something from another. He laughed, and said: "yes sir, sometimes." I gave him three pounds of raisins. These Say-yids are in only the Shiites branch of Islam. In later years their honor is decreased; the government is against them. Some of them are very religious. Two of them in the city of Ispha-han were converted to Christianity and suffered martyrdom. One has been converted to Christianity in my city, Oroomiah. He is one of the most spiritual men among Christians.
THE DARWISHES.
Shiites Mohammedanism rests upon two pillars one of which is Darwishes. This is one of the most holy orders of the Musalmans. It corresponds to the monasticism of Christianity. It contains several degrees, such as asceticism, mandicanism, etc. It is a volunteer consecration to Allah and his prophet, except in cases in which parents had dedicated their sons to the order. There are numerous instances in which women without children made a vow to Allah that if given a son they would consecrate him to God to be a Darwish. This order contains members from all classes, high and low, rich and poor, and even from the royal family. Celibacy is not required but they are taught that it is far better for them not to marry.
HIGH-CLASS DERVISH.
THEIR CHARACTER.
A Darwish is expected to be and usually is humble, kind and liberal, ready to serve any man. He must suffer all the trouble of life and live in an humble condition because this is holiness. He is required to be well informed in all religious stories, tradition, and Koran, and particularly in the poetical writings of Maw-le-wee order, which is their own order, founded by An-wa-ree the father of the Darwishes. Some of the members know from one to five thousand of these sacred poems. Most of them are sufficiently educated to read. The Darwishes are the most faithful, honest and pure of all the followers of Mohammed. In all my life I have never heard of a single immoral Darwish. Some of them are very intelligent and well educated and familiar with all their religious rites. On the other hand they are very superstitious, fanatical and ambitious to propagate their religion, believing it to be a true religion. They are free to discuss their faith with all men in a kind spirit. In a discussion with one of them he could not answer me but proposed that we prove the truth of our religion by both entering a burning fire, and the one who came out unharmed would have the true religion. I told him to enter the fire and if he was not burned I would believe in his religion and become a Mohammedan. He did not dare do it and was ashamed.
THE NATURE OF THEIR SERVICE.