Q60 character of MAHOMED ANISM danism, deemed equally orthodox, the Indian islanders, with minute exceptions not worth men^ tioning, are followers of the doctrines of Shafihi, the prevalent doctrines of Arabia, * and particular- ly of the maritime portions of that country, from whence proceeded the first apostles of Islam to the Indian islands. Among the Indian islanders there are no sec- taries of any description. The doctrines of the Imams, or of those who believe in the divinity of Ali, have not found their way thither, and the few Malays who visit Siam alone have an opportunity of seeing a few straggling Shiaks or Rq/ki, as they call them, in that country. The Malayan tribes have the reputation of be- ing the most exemplary Mahomedans of the Ar- chipelago. On essential points they are sufficient- ly strict without being intolerant. Their superior instruction is owing to their longer and more intimate intercourse with their masters the Arabs, and the Mahomedans of the Eastern coast of India; and their liberality is to be ascribed to their expensive inter- course vi^ith men of various religious persuasions, with Hindus, Buddhists of farther India, Chinese, Christians, and Pagans of their own country. To
- Sa!e*s Preliminary Discourse to his Translation of the
Alcoran.
