exceptionssuch as mutilation for robbery; the law of retaliation, which
places the sword in the hand of the victim's representative; stoning for
adultery (which, however, stands on tradition, and does not appear in the Corân
itself); and several very objectionable limitations in the law of evidence,the
code contains nothing greatly open to question. The embargo on usury indeed, if
rigorously pressed, must embarrass the prosecution of merchandise and national
projects. Personal liberty has also been trenched upon by the interdict of all
games of chance, which has aggravated the austerity and gloom of society already
resulting from female seclusion. The same may be said of the prohibition of
wine, which, however, along with the penalty of stripes for drunkenness, will
not be objected to, perhaps may even be applauded, by some.
The institutions most damaging to the welfare of Islâm are, without doubt;
polygamy, divorce, slavery, and the obligation to war against unbelievers. War,
according to the Corân, is to be waged against the heathen. The fighting men
are to be slain, the women and children reduced to slavery. Jews and Christians
are more leniently dealt with; but even these are to be fought against, slain,
and reduced to slavery, until they pay tribute and are humbled. Although,
therefore, the privilege is conceded of continuing, upon submission, to profess
their ancestral faith, Jews and Christians are reduced in the body politic, and
disabilities imposed to mark their humiliation. The blot cannot be obliterated.
It is wrought into the life and institutions of Islâm, and, so long as