CRUELTY

A striking instance of the cruelty of Muḥammad’s character occurs in a tradition given in the Ṣaḥīḥu ʾl-Buk͟hārī (p. 1019). Anas relates, “Some of the people of the tribe of ʿUkl came to the Prophet and embraced Islām; but the air of al-Madīnah did not agree with them, and they wanted to leave the place. And the Prophet ordered them to go where the camels given in alms were a embled, and to drink their milk, which they did, and recovered from their sickne . But after this they became apostates, and renounced Islām, and stole the camels. Then the Prophet sent some people after them, and they were seized and brought back to al-Madīnah. Then the Prophet ordered their hands and their feet to be cut off as a punishment for theft, and their eyes to be pulled out. But the Prophet did not stop the bleeding, and they died.” And in another it reads, “The Prophet ordered hot irons to be drawn acro their eyes, and then to be cast on the plain of al-Madīnah; and when they asked for water it was not given them, and they died.” Sir William Muir (vol. iv. p. 307) says: “Magnanimity or moderation are nowhere discernible as features in the conduct of Muḥammad towards such of his enemies as failed to tender a timely allegiance. Over the bodies of the Quraish who fell at Badr he exulted with savage satisfaction; and several prisoners, accused of no crime but of scepticism and political opposition, were deliberately executed at his command. The Prince of K͟haibar, after being subjected to inhuman torture for the purpose of discovering the treasures of his tribe, was, with his cousin, put to death on the pretext of having treacherously concealed them, and his wife was led away captive to the tent of the conqueror. Sentence of exile was enforced by Muḥammad with rigorous severity on two whole Jewish tribes at al-Madīnah; and of a third, likewise his neighbours, the women and children were sold into distant captivity, while the men, amounting to several hundreds, were butchered in cold blood before his eyes.” A Dictionary of Islam: Being a Cyclopædia of the Doctrines, Rites, Ceremonies, and Customs, Together with the Technical and Theological Terms, of the Muhammadan Religion D DĀBBATU ʾL-ARẒ ( دابة الارض‎ ). Lit . “The Reptile of the Earth.” A monster who shall arise in the last day, and shall cry unto the people of the earth that mankind have not believed in the revelations of God ( vide Qurʾān, Sūrah xxvii. 84 ): “And when sentence falls upon them we will bring forth a beast out of the earth, that shall speak to them and say, ‘Men of our signs would not be sure.’ ” According to the Traditions he will be the third sign of the coming resurrection, and will come forth from the mountain of Ṣufah. ( Mishkāt , xxiii. c. iv.) Both Sale and Rodwell have confounded the Dābbatu ʾl-Arẓ with Al-Ja āsah, the spy, mentioned in a tradition by Fāt̤imah ( Mishkāt , xxiii. c. iv.), and which is held to be a demon now in existence. [ AL-JASSASAH .] For a description of the Dābbah, see the article on the RESURRECTION . DABŪR ( دبور‎ ). “The West wind.” A term used by the Ṣūfīs to expre the lust of the flesh, and its overwhelming power in the heart of man. ( ʿAbdu ʾr-Razzāq’s Dictionary of Ṣūfī Terms .) DAHHĀ ( ده​ها‎ ). Plural of the Persian ده‎ , ten . The ten days of the Muḥarram , during which public mourning for ʿAlī and his sons is observed by Shīʿah Muḥammadans. (Wilson’s Glo ary of Indian Terms .) AD -DAHR ( الدهر‎ ). “A long space of time.” A title given to the LXXVI th chapter of the Qurʾān; called also Sūratu ʾl-Insān, “The Chapter of Man.” The title is taken from the first verse of the chapter: “Did not there pa over man a long space of time?” DAHRĪ ( دهرى‎ ). One who believes in the eternity of matter, and a erts that the duration of this world is from eternity, and denies the Day of Resurrection and Judgment; an Atheist. ( G͟hiyās̤u ʾl-Lug͟hāt , in loco .) DAIN ( دين‎ ). A debt contracted with some definite term fixed for repayment, as distinguished from qarẓ , which is used for a loan given without any fixed term for repayment. [ DEBT .] DAJJĀL ( دجال‎ ). Lit . “false, lying.” The name given in the Ḥadīs̤ to certain religious impostors who shall appear in the world; a term equivalent to our use of the word Antichrist. Muḥammad is related to have said there would be about thirty. The Masīḥu ʾd-Dajjāl , or “the lying Christ,” it is said, will be the last of the Dajjāls , for an account of whom refer to article on MASIHU ʾD-DAJJAL . DALĪL ( دليل‎ ). “An argument; a proof.” Dalīl burhānī , “a convincing argument.” Dalīl qat̤īʿ , “a decisive proof.”