Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/35

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THE KORAN, THE SACRED BOOK OF ISLAM.
29

Another example from the 56th Chapter. "Those who have preceded others in the faith shall precede them to paradise. These are they who shall approach near unto God; they shall dwell in gardens of delight, reposing on couches adorned with gold and precious stones, sitting opposite to one another thereon. Youth, which shall continue in their bloom forever, shall go round about to attend them with goblets and beakers and a cup of flowing wine; their head shall not ache by drinking the same, neither shall their reason be disturbed; and with fruits of the sorts which they shall choose, and the flesh of birds of the kind which they shall desire. And there shall accompany them fair damsels having large black eyes, resembling pearls hidden in their shells, as a reward for that which they shall have wrought. Verily we have created the damsels of Paradise by a peculiar creation, and we (God is the speaker) have made them virgins, beloved by their husbands, of equal age with them, for the delight of the companions of the right hand," etc. This is the sketch of the description of Mohametan Paradise, with which the sacred Koran is full.

5. Koran's Declaration and Commands about Christians. "They are surely infidels who say, Verily God is Christ, the son of Mary" (Chap. 4). "O true believers, take not the Jews or Christians for your friends, they are friends the one to the other; but whoso among you taketh them for his friends he is surely one of them" (Chap. 5).