Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/25

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PREFACE.
xix

πεντε five and τεχος volume; though they stand as separate books in the private copies now in use, yet they were written by their author, Moses, as one continued work, and still remain in that form in the public copies read in the Jewish synagogues[1]. The Koran is from an Arabic root signifying the book fit to be read. Islam or Islamism implies resignation both of body and soul to God, and is used in the same sense with Mohammedanism. Moslem or Musulman is a derivative of the same root, and signifies a follower of Islam or Islamism. In conformity with the practice now generally prevalent, Moslem or Musulman is considered as of the singular number, and Moslems or Musulmans as plural.

The work is submitted to the public with the hope that it may excite attention, and afford a few hours' rational entertainment on an

  1. See Bishop Tomline's Elements of Christian Theology.