The usual story of the first creation of man, however, appears to be a Malay modification of Arabic beliefs.
Thus we are told that man was created from the four elements—earth, air, water, and fire—in a way which the following extract, taken from a Selangor charm-book, will explain:—
“God Almighty spake unto Gabriel, saying,
‘Be not disobedient, O Gabriel,
But go and get me the Heart of the Earth.’
But he could not get the Heart of the Earth.
‘I will not give it,’ said the Earth.
Then went the Prophet Israfel to get it,
But he could not get the Heart of the Earth.
Then went Michael to get it,