'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎86] (133/905)

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SUNNIES AND SHl'AHS.—THE MULLA. [CHAP. IV.
The Sunnies a protracted contest, the former sect (that of the Arabs) was
and Shi ahs. established in the eastern provinces, and the latter in Persia
Proper. The Sunnie belief is, that there is one immortal
God, whose works are without beginning or end, and that
he will be visible to the souls of the blessed: whilst the
Shi'ahs deny the immortality of the soul, and maintain that
the co-existent principles of Zoroaster will for ever contend
for the mastery. Moreover, the latter regard Ali (son-in-law
of Muhammed) and the twelve succeeding Imams as the succes
sors of the Prophet; whereas the former consider as such, Abu
Bekr, 'Omar, 'Osman, &c. The Shi'ahs also enjoin pilgrim
ages to Kerbelah, Mushed, Kum, and Ardebil, as well as to
Mecca and Medina; but the Sunnies require that they should
be made to the latter cities only. There is also a difference in
the form and number of repetitions of the prayers; the ortho
dox Turks praying five, and the Persians three times a-day.
The Muiias. The ecclesiastical body of the Shi'ahs consists of a kind of
pontiff, the Sheikh al Islam (ruler of the faith), who presides*
over the executive duties, assisted by the three orders of
priests; the lowest 'of which is the Mulla, who conducts
the ceremonial of the mosques. The Mullas being a very
numerous class, and forming part of every rank of men in
Iran, from the courtiers about the throne to the poorest
members of the wildest tribes, a brief notice of them may
here claim a place.
The title of Mulla is conferred on a candidate by some
member of the order, after the requisite examination in
theology and law, and the person is then entrusted with the
education of youth, as well as the administration of justice,
and the practice of law. 1 The Mullas sometimes possess suffi
cient power not only to influence the people at large, but
even the king himself. 2
Their occupa- Of this class of priests, those who have been successful in
life are either placed in mosques or private families, waiting
1 Elphinstone's Kibul, p. 218.
2 The Mullas, and especially those who were Suids (descendants of the
Prophet), brought about the last Russian war, by inflaming the people, in the
first instance, and then appealing to the Shah to protect their religious interests.