Note: This eBook still needs better formatting, especially for
extensive footnotes, so is posted as version 09 rathern than 10. SeeProject Gutenberg's eBooks #3434 and 2800 for other translations ofThe Koran.
Thanks to Brett Zamir for work on this eBook.
Translated into English from the Original Arabic,
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NOTWITHSTANDING the great honour and respect generally and deservedly paid tothe memories of those who have founded states, or obliged a people by theinstitution of laws which have made them prosperous and considerable in theworld, yet the legislator of the Arabs has been treated in so very different amanner by all who acknowledge not his claim to a divine mission, and byChristians especially, that were not your lordship's just discernmentsufficiently known, I should think myself under a necessity of making anapology for presenting the following translation.
The remembrance of the calamities brought on so many nations by theconquests of the Arabians may possibly raise some indignation against him whoformed them to empire; but this being equally applicable to all conquerors,could not, of itself, occasion all the detestation with which the name ofMohammed is loaded. He has given a new system of religion, which has hadstill greater success than the arms of his followers, and to establish thisreligion made use of an imposture; and on this account it is supposed that hemust of necessity have been a most abandoned villain, and his memory is becomeinfamous. But as Mohammed gave his Arabs the best religion he could, as wellas the best laws, preferable. at least, to those of the ancient paganlawgivers, I confess I cannot see why he deserves not equal respect-though notwith Moses or Jesus Christ, whose laws came really from Heaven, yet, withMinos or Numa, notwithstanding the distinction of a learned writer, who seemsto think it a greater crime to make use of an imposture to set up a newreligion, founded on the acknowledgment of one true God, and to destroyidolatry, than to use the same means to gain reception to rules andregulations for the more orderly practice of heathenism already established.
To be acquainted with the various laws and constitutions of civilizednations, especially of those who flourish in our own time, is, perhaps, themost useful part of knowledge: wherein though your lordship, who shines withso much distinction in the noblest assembly in the world, peculiarly excels;yet as the law of Mohammed, by reason of the odium it lies under, and thestrangeness of the language in which it is written, has been so muchneglected. I flatter myself some things in the following sheets may be neweven to a person of your lordship's extensive learning; and if what I havewritten may be any way entertaining or acceptable to your lordship, I shallnot regret the pains it has cost me.
I join with the general voice in wishing your lordship all the honour and
happiness your known virtues and merit deserve, and am with perfect respect,
MY LO