THE ALCORAN OF MAHOMET , Translated out of Arabick into French. BY THE Sieur du Ryer , Lord of Malezair , and Resident for the French King , at ALEXANDRIA . AND Newly Englished , for the satisfaction of all that desire to look into the Turkish Vanities .

To which is prefixed , the LIFE of MAHOMET , THE Prophet of the Turks , and Author OF THE ALCORAN .

With a Needful Caveat , or Admonition , for them who desire to know what Use may be made of , or if there be danger in Reading the ALCORAN .

LONDON , Printed , and are to be Sold by Randal Taylor , near Stationers Hall. MDC LXXXVIII .

THERE being so many Sects and Heresies banded together against the Truth , finding that of Mahomet wanting to the Muster , I thought good to bring it to their Colours , that so viewing thine enemies in their full body , thou maist the better prepare to encounter , and I hope overcome them . It may happily startle thee , to find him so to speak English , as if he had made some Conquest on the Nation ; but thou wilt soon reject that fear , if thou consider that this his Alcoran , ( the Ground-work of the Turkish Religion ) hath been already translated into almost all Languages in Christendom , ( at least , the most general , as the Latin , Italian , French , &c. ) yet never gained any Proselyte , where the Sword , its most forcible , and strongest argument hath not prevailed : And indeed the greatest Doctors of their Religion have never alledged any thing for the truth thereof ; but the success of their Wars , and greatness of their Empire , than which nothing is more fallacious : for that which both in former , and these latter Ages hath been common to the bad with the good , cannot be a certain evidence of the justice of a Cause , or the truth of Religion .

Thou shalt find it of so rude , and incongruous a composure , so farced with contradictions , blasphemies , obscene speeches , and ridiculous fables , that some modest , and more rational Mahometans have thus excused it ; that their Prophet wrote an hundred and twenty thousand sayings , whereof three thousand only are good , the residue ( as the impossibility of the Moons falling into his sleeve , the Conversion and Salvation of the Devils , and the like ) are false and ridiculous . Yet is the whole esteemed so sacred , that upon the Cover thereof is inscribed — Let none touch it but he who is clean . Nor are the vulgar permitted to read it , but live and die in an implicite faith of what their Priests deliver ; which indeed ( as saith Grotius de ver. Rel. Christ . the learned Grotius ) is a manifest argument of its iniquity : For that Merchandise may justly be suspected , which will not be sold , unless unseen : and though all Men are not alike perspicacious in the knowledge , and discerning of things , some by arrogancy , and vain conceit of themselves , others by affection ; Some by custom , being drawn into error : yet should we believe that the way to eternal life cannot be understood by them , who without any respect of profit or preferment , seek it , submitting themselves , with all they have , to God , imploring his assistance , we should sin against his infinite goodness . Therefore ( Christian Reader ) though some , conscious of their own instability in Religion , and of theirs ( too like Turks in this ) whose prosperity and opinions they follow , were unwilling this should see the Press , yet am I confident , if thou hast been so true a votary to orthodox Religion , as to keep thy self untainted of their follies , this shall not hurt thee : And as for those of that Batch , having once abandoned the Sun of the Gospel , I believe they will wander as far into utter darkness , by following strange lights , as by this Ignis Fatuus of the Alcoran . Such as it is , I present to thee , having taken the pains only to translate it out of French , not doubting , though it hath been a poyson , that hath infected a very great , but most unsound part of the Universe , it may prove an Antidote , to confirm in thee the health of Christianity .

They are obliged to pray five times a day , viz. in the morning , at noon , at the evening , when the Sun setteth , and an hour within night .

They fast the Month , or Moon , which they call Ramazan ; during this Month , they neither drink nor eat all the Day , until the Sun be set , but in the Night drink and eat , according to their appetites , Flesh and Fish , except the Flesh of Swine , and Wine , that is at all times forbidden them ; after this fast they have the feast of great Bairan , as the Christians Easter after Lent. They are great founders of Temples , and Hospitals , and are obliged to give to the poor the first day of the year , the tith of what they have gained during the preceding year .

They believe , that after being well washt , saying some prayer appropriate to that Ceremony ; they have also the Soul purified from all Filthiness and Sin , which is the cause that they wash and bath often , especially before they pray .

They have no Sacrament , but Circumcision ; they cause their Children to be circumcised at the age of seven or eight years ; and when they can pronounce these words La ilha illa allha Mehemet rasoul allha , that is , There is but one God , Mahomet is his Prophet and Apostle ; this is their profession of faith ; nevertheless there is no mention of Circumcision in all the Alcoran ; they say they observe it in imitation of Abraham , whose Law is recommended to them by Mahomet : they believe that the Alcoran was brought to him at several times by the Angel Gabriel , in the City of Mecca , and that of Medina , because the Jews and Christians had altered the Holy Scriptures , and the Law of God.

They are permitted to have four Wives , married at the same time , and as many Concubines as they are able to maintain .

They can put away their Wives when they think fit , paying them what they promised them in contract of marriage , and marry again at their pleasure ; but the Women are bound to tarry until they are assured that they are not with Child before they marry again , and their Husbands are obliged to keep , and take the care of the Children . The Children which they have by their slaves are indifferently esteemed with those of their Wives , and are all held as legitimate .

They have Temples , Colleges , and Hospitals well revenued ; they have covents of Religious , that live exemplarily ; obey their Superiours without contradiction , and dance after the sound of Flutes and other instruments when they make their prayers .

HAving heard by the report of many Merchants of this City , the good offices that you have daily performed towards them of our Nation , and particularly our fellow Citizens , who all unanimously much commend your affection , and singular care to protect and defend them ; We thought our duty to return you by these lines , a thousand thanks , and that the more affection , for that your courtesie , and not their merits , carried you to all those good offices , of which they and we shall ever keep a perpetual memory , to render you any acknowledgment when occasion shall be offered , and give you a testimony by our services , that you have not cast your Seed upon barren Ground : In the mean time , Sir , we beseech you , be pleased to continue to us the honour of your friendship , and effects of your favour , as we shall desire in all emergent occasion to testifie that we are really ,

The fame of his exploits increasing , with the number of his Sectaries ( to whom some Princes , and eminent persons of the Country began to encline , giving him their Daughters in Marriage ) awakened the Nobles of Mecca , particularly the family of Coreis , who wisely judging a new form of Religion , propagated by a new way , force of arms , must inevitably introduce a new Government , of which Mahomet , of base and obscure beginnings , would be chief , as the Author , opposed themselves to his designs , expelled all such as seemed to favour him out of the City , and several times gave him battel ; in which he so valiantly deported himself , that though he was sometimes put to the worst , yet he more often prevailed ; and giving freedom to such prisoners as would embrace his Law , incorporated them into his Army , strengthning himself , and weakning his enemies . Being in fine a compleat Conqueror in the field ; he assaulted the City of Mecca , took it , and after some slaughter of the Nobility , his enemies , proclaimed impunity to all that would acknowledge him a Prophet of God , by whose favour ( as he affirmed ) and appointment , not by his own valour , he had attained to that honor . After this proclamation , many for fear of present danger , and apprehension of future bondage , more out of ignorance , embraced his belief , and he enjoyed the vain felicity , to see himself General of an Army , Lord of a vast Country , and to be esteemed , and reverenced as a Prophet .

About that time Heraclius the Emperor , disposing himself rather to improve the Heresie of the Monothelites , than to defend the Confines of the Empire , not only permitted Mahomet to domineer in Arabia , but gave advantage to Cosroes , the Persian King , to invade his dominions : but at length awakened by the alarms of so puissant an Enemy , levied a strong Army , and summoned the * * Sarra signifies in their tongue a Desart , and Sahen to inhabit . See Sands his Travel . Saracens ( a people so called from their inhabiting the Desart ) to his assistance . The Persian vanquished , and the Saracens expecting the salarie of their labours , and with some importunity demanding it , were answered , that the Emperor had not sufficient Treasure to pay the Christian Troops , and therefore those Heathen Dogs must attend the conveniency of their Prince . Incensed by this contempt , they retired and marched by the way of Africk , where finding Mahomet busie to enlarge his Power ; he aggravated their discontents , affirming it to be the will of God , that all Men should enjoy their Liberty , that God was offended at their oppressions , and willed them to oppose the tyranny of the Christians , and that whosoever died in that holy War , his soul should be instantly transported to Paradise . These motives raised them to a resolution of making defection ; so that they elected Mahomet their General , who incontinently deprived the Emperor Heraclius of his Tribute , and his Officers ( who were slain in demanding it ) of their lives . After this act , the whole Province , with that of Egypt , revolted , and the people generally esteeming the success of Mahomet's arms ( which he was diligent to employ ) as a sure testimony of the goodness of his Cause , embraced his Religion .

Heraclius having neglected to strangle this rebellion in its birth , endeavoured to extinguish it , being now grown to considerable strength ; and to that end sent an Army under the conduct of Theodosius his Favorite ; his Army was twice overthrown , the General slain , and the Mahometans pursuing their victories , took from the Greeks , the Countries of Egypt , Syria , and other Provinces of Africa , where Mahomet encreased his Triumphs and erected his Trophies .

Being now grown impotent , rather through his inordinate life , than burthen of years , he retired full of glory , as a King and Prophet , to Mecca , where he resolved to end his days , having affirmed it in the Alcoran to be the most holy City of the World : as that wherein stood the Temple of Abraham , built miraculously by Angels , to be the Sanctuary of all that repair thither in Pilgrimage . And therefore it was , that when he had by his Armies taken the City of Antioch , he durst not enter into it in person , lest by the delightful and fertile situation of it , he should have been enticed to desert Mecca , and contradict his own Prophecy . His life now drawing to a period , a Pleuri●…ie surprized him ; On the seventh day , for Crisis of his disease , he became frantick . Haly , one of his successors , astonisht at his distemper and frenzy , not esteeming it one of the rare qualities of a Prophet , and Redeemer ( as he stiled himself ) of so much People , derided him , yet willing to continue his Law , that he might inherit his Power , carefully concealed it , and according to his commands ( yet living ) watched his Body after his decease . For he told his followers that he should rise again the third day , and ascend to Heaven . They observed this , and guarding his Corps four days entire , with impatient expectation of his Resurrection , were at length compelled , by reason of its putrefaction , to take him up , and bury him at Medina , where his Reliques are annually visited by the superstitious Pilgrims of his Religion . Earth to crow : This Angel recommended him to another , he to a third , and so one to another , until he came to the Heaven , where God kept his residence . God courteously received him , asked him how his People did , how they entertained his Law , and familiarly laid his Hand upon his Shoulder , which was so cold , that it pierced to the marrow of his Back-bone . God had soon done with him , only telling him how often his People should make their Prayers , which were so many , that as he was returning , in the fourth Heaven , Moses advised him to go back to God , and entreat him that fewer Prayers might serve his turn , for his People were not able to make so many ; which he did , and after many returns , brought the number to five . This done , he went back to his Elborach , which in a moment brought him to his House in Mecca , where he went to bed again to his Wife , she not once dreaming her Husband would leave Heaven for her company , or thinking he had been there ; all this he performed in the tenth part of a Night . The Turks at this day fondly believe this as a Truth ; but the Arabians of his time requiring him to do as much in their view , he ( unwilling to take again so long a Journy ) replied , Praised be God , I am Man , and an Apostle . He had other slights , which in sight of the People , by Art or Sorcery , he performed , and they stupidly believed , and entertained as Miracles : as a Pigeon being by him taught to come and pick a Pease out of his Ear , he told them it was the Holy Ghost that came to tell him what God would have him do ; so an Ox brought him a Chapter of the Alcoran upon his Horns , in a full Assembly . He likewise perswaded them , that being at dinner at the House of one that pretended to be his Friend ( who had an intent to poyson him , or he at least was so informed ) a shoulder of Mutton served in to the Table , forewarned him that he should not eat of it ; and though many were present , none but he heard or understood the Language of the Mutton , and yet he permitted one of his dearest Friends to eat of it , and die impoysoned . Such , and many of the like nature were his Miracles : As the bowing of Trees , shaken by some sudden gust of Wind ; the howling of Wolves , and braying of Asses , which is their Language , desiring Mahomet to pray for them ; and he Prophetically understanding , as religiously performed . His custom was often to inculcate into the Ears of his Auditors , that God gave him commission to fulfil his own desires in all things ; and to that purpose introduceth God speaking to him . To thee , O Prophet ! It is permitted to lie with all Women that are given thee , or thou dost purchase , thy Aunts and Kindred , and all good Women that freely desire thy company ; and this is lawful for thee alone . His Issue was one onely Son , called Cassim , who died before him , and many Daughters ; Fatione the eldest ( in high esteem at this day among the Arabians , and honoured as the royal root of Aben Alabecy ) was Wife to Haly. Zeineb the second , was married to Osmen , after Son to Mahuvias , and perhaps to both successively , for they both succeeded in the Empire of Arabia ; to her is attributed the original of the other Family of Aben Humeia . Imiaultim and Naphisse are diversly mentioned by the most faithful Historians ; some delivering them as his Daughters , others as his near Kindred . On the Seal which he used , were engraven these words , Mahomet , Messenger of God. Heaven ordained him to be a scourge for the punishment of Christians , who in multitudes at that time had forsaken the Truth , to follow the Sects and Heresies of the Arrians , Donatists , Nestorians , and others . The day of his death was no less prodigious , than the course of his life , a Comet , resembling a Sword , appearing at high noon , pointing from South to North , when it was beheld the space of thirty days , which that age interpreted to portend the fatal rising and splendor of the Arabian Empire .