Tales and Traditions of the Arabs (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 Excerpt: ...him, as companions, ninetynine dragons with seven heads each, who gnaw his carcase until the day of judgment. THE BRIDGE OF AL SIRAT. The Mohammedans say that this bridge leads from earth to heaven, and passes over the centre of hell; it is finer than a hair, and sharper than the edge of a razor; it is beset on both sides with briers and thorns. Over it the righteous shall pass rapidly and without any hindrance; but the wicked shall be hurled into the burning lake which roars beneath them. The souls of men shall pass over it, one by one, guided by superior beings, called Izeeds, who will accompany the righteous over the dangerous pass, and prevent them from tripping; but the wicked, left to themselves, shall become giddy and terrified, and topple headlong into the yawning gulf below. After the last judgment the bridge shall be destroyed, so that no future connection shall exist between the eternal delights of heaven and the anxieties of a changeful world. THE FISH-POOL. The Fish-Pool is intended to refresh the righteous after they have passed the Bridge Al Sirat. It is described as an exact square of a month's journey in compass. Its water is supplied by two pipes from Cawther, one of the rivers of Paradise, which is whiter than milk or silver, more odoriferous than musk, and the pebbles over which it rolls are diamonds and rubies, while its sands are seed-pearls. Around the pool are as many golden cups as there are stars in the firmament, and whosoever tastes of its streams shall never thirst again. KING DAVID. For a long time after Job there was no prophet till David appeared. It is said of him that his melody was so powerful that the very birds of the air hung motionless on the wing, and the very beasts of the field left off grazing; being struck with mu...