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Tue Dec 27 22:51:41 CST 2005

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<DIV>
<DIV>Salaam Dear Brothers and Sisters: &nbsp;&nbsp; Here is an excerpt ab=
out=20
King Solomon and the Jinn for your enjoyment, from the book Master of th=
e=20
Jinn: A Sufi Novel Ya Haqq, Irving King Solomon=
 and=20
the Jinn &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We were speaking of King=20
Solomon before you arrived," the Master said to Professor Freeman.&nbsp;=
=20
"Perhaps you would be kind enough to add some flavor to the stew?" &n=
bsp;=20
&nbsp; The Professor glanced quickly at his daughter and Mr. Simach.&nbs=
p;=20
"Yes, well, I do give the occasional lecture," he said, laughing modestl=
y=20
and clearing his throat. &nbsp; &nbsp; "His true name," he began, glancin=
g at=20
the moon just visible over the garden wall,&nbsp; "was Jedidiah, the 'fr=
iend=20
of God' but was later made Shelomo, Solomon, the 'King of Peace,' becaus=
e of=20
the peace that prevailed during the greater part of his reign.&nbsp; And=
=20
 other names he had also: Ben, because he was the builder of the Temp=
le;=20
Jekeh because he was the ruler of the known world; and Ithiel, because G=
od=20
was with him." &nbsp; &nbsp; He stopped and looked at the Master, who nod=
ded=20
slightly. &nbsp; &nbsp; "What is truly known," he went on, now focusing h=
is=20
gaze to include us all, "is, unfortunately, very little.&nbsp; Legends=20
abound, in the Bible, the Talmud, the History of Josephus and the=20
Koran.&nbsp; Facts are few, and even those are open to much=20
speculation.&nbsp; And yet, as Shaykh Haadi so often pointed out when I=20=
was=20
his student, facts are distinguishable by their coldness, truth by its=20
warmth.&nbsp; There are many tales of Solomon, and almost all are used t=
o=20
illustrate a moral.&nbsp; One story in particular, however, may warm=20
you..." &nbsp; &nbsp; He paused again, smiling, looking at our faces as a=
=20
teacher would in gauging the effect of his words on his students. &nb=
sp;=20
&nbsp; " Consider what is called the Seal of Solomon," he said.&nbsp; "T=
he=20
six-pointed star." He asked if there was anything to write on, and a smal=
l=20
blackboard and chalk were brought to him.&nbsp; He drew the star. &nb=
sp;=20
&nbsp; "Here is a symbol ancient and filled with meaning. It contains th=
e=20
six powers of motion; above, below, front, back, right, left.&nbsp; It=20
contains the six directions; up, down, front, back, left, and right.&nbs=
p;=20
It is said to be the perfect number because the days of creation were=20
six.&nbsp; It contains the first even number, 2, and the first odd numbe=
r,=20
3.&nbsp; And the interlocking triangles represent not only the masculine=
 and=20
feminine duality of nature, but also the active intellect and the passiv=
e=20
soul manifested from the one God.&nbsp; The product of their union is=20
creation, and the harmony of the universe. &nbsp; &nbsp; "And this=20
hexagon and its various complementary aspects also include the four anci=
ent=20
elements of nature," he said, and drew four triangles. &nbsp; &nbsp;=20=
"The=20
triangle pointing upward is fire, down is water.&nbsp; The triangle poin=
ting=20
up with the line of the other in it symbolizes air, while the downward=20
triangle with the other's line is earth. Together they form the Seal of=20
Solomon:&nbsp; The synthesis of all the elements, the tendencies of all=20
forms, where all opposites come into union." &nbsp; &nbsp; He paused=20=
to=20
catch his breath, and then looked at the Master. Both broke out in=20
laughter. &nbsp; &nbsp; The Master was still chuckling as Professor Freem=
an=20
looked at his daughter. "It was Shaykh Haadi's first lecture in Religiou=
s=20
 Symbolism.&nbsp; A wonderful class," he said. &nbsp; &nbsp; "High pra=
ise,=20
indeed," the Master acknowledged with a slight bow, "coming from my wors=
t=20
student." &nbsp; &nbsp; They laughed again, and we along with them.&nbsp;=
=20
After a moment, the Professor continued. &nbsp; &nbsp; "Now, some sou=
rces=20
contend that this Seal of Solomon, is, in fact, not his seal."&nbsp; He=20
paused to look at his daughter.&nbsp; The Master watched him intently, a=
nd I=20
wondered if anyone else had heard that he said, in fact, not in=20
truth. &nbsp; &nbsp; "They say that this six-pointed star is the Megen Da=
vid,=20
the Shield of David, and that the Seal of Solomon is another star, the=20
 pentacle, or pentagram."&nbsp; He paused again, searching our faces for=20
 some sign he apparently did not find. &nbsp; &nbsp; "Continue, Shlome=
h,"=20
the Master said, "Let us hear the full tale." &nbsp; &nbsp; It was th=
e=20
first time the Master had used his friend's given name, and somehow the=20
saying of the word had an effect on the man.&nbsp; He sat upright from h=
is=20
slouched position, squaring his shoulders and stretching his back muscle=
s.=20
 &nbsp; &nbsp; "Yes," he said. "The seal...It is written that at the time=
=20
 Solomon began the building of the Temple, Assaf, the Vizir of Solomo=
n,=20
complained that someone was stealing precious jewels from his rooms, and=
=20
from other courtiers as well.&nbsp; Even the royal treasury was not=20
immune.&nbsp; Now Assaf was also renowned for his wisdom and knew that n=
o=20
ordinary thief could have done these deeds.&nbsp; 'Some evil spirit caus=
es=20
this mischief,' he counseled the King. "Solomon then prayed fervently to=
 God=20
to deliver the wicked spirit into his hands for punishment. At once his=20
prayer was answered.&nbsp; The archangel Michael appeared before the Kin=
g,=20
and put into his hand the mightiest power that ever was or shall be in t=
his=20
world=E2=80=A6a small, golden ring, inset with a seal of engraved stone.=
 &nbsp;=20
&nbsp; "And Michael said: ' Take this ring, O Solomon King, son of David=
,=20
the gift which the Lord God hath sent unto thee.&nbsp; Wear this ring, a=
nd=20
all the demons of the earth, both male and female, thou wilt=20
command.' &nbsp; &nbsp; "Now, many medieval sources claim that the pental=
pha,=20
or pentacle, the ancient sign of sorcery, was engraved on the ring,=20
 because Solomon was said to have been a master of the magic arts.&nbsp;=20
 But I do not think this was so.&nbsp; The pentacle is older than Solomon=
,=20
 first seen on pottery from Ur of the Chaldees, in ancient Babylon. &n=
bsp;=20
&nbsp; "Other sources describe the ring as made of pure gold, set with a=
=20
single shamir stone; a diamond perhaps, or the same heavenly green shami=
r=20
stone said to have been part of the Temple.&nbsp; The stone was cut and=20=
set=20
in the form of an eight-rayed star. On it was engraved the hexagon seal,=
 and=20
within that the four letters of the ineffable name of God, YHWH." &nb=
sp;=20
&nbsp; He stopped for a moment and brushed a hand across his hair. &nbsp;=
=20
&nbsp; "No stone," he began again, now looking directly at Mr. Simach, "=
was=20
ever so renowned as the stone in the ring of Solomon.&nbsp; For with it=20=
the=20
whole earth came under his sway.&nbsp; Only death was beyond his power t=
o=20
control..." &nbsp; &nbsp; The Professor glanced at his daughter, then at=20=
the=20
Master, as if waiting for some sign.&nbsp; He appeared excited. &nbsp=
;=20
&nbsp; "Yes, my darvishes," the Master broke in, "death is beyond all po=
wer,=20
save the One.&nbsp; There is no remedy for death other than to look it=20
constantly in the face.&nbsp; We who are born will die; we must=20
 submit.&nbsp; Even he who held the world under the seal of his ring is=20
 now only a mineral in the earth... But please continue..." &nbsp; &nb=
sp;=20
Professor Freeman bowed slightly from his sitting position. "Armed with=20=
the=20
ring, Solomon commanded the guilty spirit to appear. He wore the ring on=
 the=20
mid-finger of the right hand, and pointed it at the foot of his high thr=
one,=20
saying, 'By the power of the seal of the one God, I command thee,=20
troublesome spirit, to come forth.' &nbsp; &nbsp; "A roaring column o=
f=20
flame instantly appeared, reaching nearly to the high ceiling of the thr=
one=20
room many cubits above, and just as quickly was gone.&nbsp; Whether the=20
flame itself took shape, or merely preceded him, could not be seen, but=20
where the flame had been, the demon stood, caught in his mischief; for h=
e=20
still clutched in his hands a great many jewels just stolen from the roy=
al=20
vaults.&nbsp; So great was his surprise that he dropped the gems, which=20
scattered like pebbles on the marble floor, and his red eyes darted back=
 and=20
 forth like twin flames in that broad, swarthy face.&nbsp; And wide wonde=
r=20
 came into those terrible eyes that some power existed among mortal m=
en=20
that was greater than his will. &nbsp; &nbsp; "Twice the height of the Ki=
ng=20
he was and more, greater even than Goliath that David slew, the King's=20
father.&nbsp; And of so dark and menacing a countenance was the demon th=
at=20
even Assaf the wise drew back in horror.&nbsp; Only Solomon stood firm,=20=
and=20
a light shone before him. &nbsp; &nbsp; "Then the demon saw the face=20=
of=20
the King, whose arm pointed toward him, and beheld the seal of the=20
ring.&nbsp; The demon's cruel, lidless eyes went wide, and he let out su=
ch a=20
ghastly, howling shriek that the very stones of the palace trembled to t=
heir=20
 foundation.&nbsp; It was so horrible a sound that all the people of the=20
 kingdom who heard it covered their ears and cast themselves on the=20
 ground in fear.&nbsp; Oxen died of terror in the fields and birds fell=20
 from the sky, for it was like unto the cry of a soul newly plunged i=
n=20
the flames of hell. &nbsp; &nbsp; "But the power of God was within the ri=
ng,=20
so that even the demon was helpless. He fell to his knees and prostrated=
=20
himself before the King. &nbsp; &nbsp; "'Mercy, Master!' cried the=20
Jinni. &nbsp; &nbsp; "'Name thyself, demon.' commanded Solomon. &nbsp;=
=20
&nbsp; "'I am called Ornias, O Great King!' &nbsp; &nbsp; "'Why hast thou=
=20
done such mischief to my household?&nbsp; Speak truly!' &nbsp; &nbsp;=
=20
"'Hunger, Lord of the World! Hunger insatiable!' And he revealed himself=
 as=20
a vampire spirit, who with fangs harder than adamant pierces the gems of=
 the=20
earth to drink their light. &nbsp; &nbsp; "'Why dost thou drink the light=
 of=20
earthly jewels?' demanded Assaf the Vizir, 'It is a thing unheard of amo=
ng=20
the wise.'" &nbsp; &nbsp; But the Jinni was silent. &nbsp; &nbsp; "'Sp=
eak=20
the answer,' said the King, 'I command it.' &nbsp; &nbsp; "'Thou knowest=20=
my=20
answer, King of Wisdom,' said the demon. &nbsp; &nbsp; "Then Solomon look=
ed=20
into his heart, for the forty-nine gates of wisdom were open to him, as=20=
they=20
had been to Moses.&nbsp; This derives from the belief that each word of=20=
the=20
Torah has forty-nine meanings.&nbsp; And he discerned there the answer,=20=
and=20
it amazed him, so that he looked on the creature before him with a new=20
understanding and pity." &nbsp; &nbsp; The Professor paused, breathin=
g=20
deeply.&nbsp; "But perhaps your Master will give you the answer," he sai=
d,=20
looking at our rapt faces. "As he did to me, years ago." &nbsp; &nbsp=
; We=20
all looked to the Master.&nbsp; There was a glint in his eye and he nodd=
ed=20
approvingly. &nbsp; &nbsp; "Know then the sorrow of the demon," he=20
said.&nbsp; "For the gems of the earth were born at the dawn of the worl=
d,=20
created by the death of ancient forests buried beneath the weight of=20
mountains.&nbsp; It was a time of upheaval when both Jinn and Angels wer=
e=20
cast out and world was broken.&nbsp; The light of the new sun was still=20=
in=20
the green life of those forests as slowly they were transformed,=20
crystallized by the long years into the light that sparkles from the cut=
 and=20
 polished jewels.&nbsp; And so Ornias the demon, denied the light of=20
 heaven, drinks the light of the first morning, feeding his sorrow an=
d=20
his loss." &nbsp; &nbsp; The Master stopped, relighting and drawing on hi=
s=20
pipe.&nbsp; Wonderful!&nbsp; Indeed, every darvish was touched by the ta=
le,=20
warmed, if you will. Even Mr. Simach seemed moved, and Rebecca's eyes we=
re=20
 wide beside me.&nbsp; When the Master speaks, the angels listen, we say,=
=20
 for he speaks with the tongue of sincerity. &nbsp; &nbsp; "And so,"=20
Professor Freeman went on, "Solomon burned the seal into the neck of Orn=
ias=20
as a brand of his sovereignty, and the Jinni from that moment did his=20
bidding, and was given the task of cutting stones for the building of th=
e=20
Temple. &nbsp; &nbsp; "And other of the Jinn who were causing mischief wi=
thin=20
the realm were also commanded to come forth:&nbsp; Onoskelis, who had th=
e=20
 shape and skin of a fair-hued woman; Asmodeus, who professed the Heb=
rew=20
faith and was said to observe the Torah; Tephros, the demon of the Ashes=
,=20
and after him a group of seven females spirits who declared themselves t=
o be=20
the thirty-six elements of the darkness; and Rabdos, a ravenous, hound-l=
ike=20
spirit.&nbsp; All were branded with the seal of the ring. &nbsp; &nbs=
p;=20
"Others there were also for another tale, but one more for this: A demon=
=20
having all the limbs of a man, but without a head. &nbsp; &nbsp; "The dem=
on=20
said, 'I am called Envy, for I delight in devouring heads.&nbsp; But I=20
hunger always, and desire YOUR HEAD NOW.'" &nbsp; &nbsp; The Professor=20
shouted the last words for emphasis and made such a face that we were al=
l=20
startled into laughter. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Master smi=
led.=20
"Indeed, envy is the prison of the spirit," he said. From the=
=20
book Master of the Jinn: A Sufi Novel by Irving Karchmar. Copyright 2004=
.=20
All rights reserved. <A=20
href=3D"http://www.masterofthejinn.com">http://www.masterofthejinn.com</A>=20
&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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