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MYSTICISM OF DARVISHES: DIVINERS
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of an enemy-also moral afflictions, are these rolls called Nuskbās, or hamāils (talismans) given, and the Shaikhs say they possess virtue only when given by their own hands, These often contain magic squares, wifq, or figures. They are retained by some on their person all their lives in small trinkets of gold and silver; others fasten them on their arms, or place them on the upper part of their caps or turbans, others again suspend them around their necks with a cord of gold or silk.
DIVINERS Brown says that there is another class supposed by many to be Darvishes, but not really so-known as Khavāsjīlar, They are diviners though dressed like Darvishes and wearing green turbans. By means of 'ilm-e-ramal and by cabalistic calculations, (generally of the numerical value of letters comprised in the names of parties concerned) and consultation of the four elements, 'anāsīr-e-'arba' (to ascertain which of them predominates in the person's system) a nuskhā or charm is written out and delivered to the applicant. These nuskhās are composed of verses from the Qurān, to which is connected a belief of peculiar power in especial cases and are hung about the necks. They are sometimes not from the Qurān but are the original handwritings of certain highly reputed holy men. One kind of these writings is called istikhārā (seeking good; knowing what is best) and are placed under the pillow to influence the dreams of the sleeper or cause visits from benevolent spirits to the sufferer, and to respond to the wishes of the applicant. Istikhārā is according to some divination by means of tasbih or rosary. It is attributed to one of the Prophet's wives. The diviner after repeating Fātiņā (the opening chapter of the Qurân), breathes on the rosary in order to put the magic power of the chapter into the beads. Then he seizes a particular bead and counts towards the 'pointer saying "God, Muhammad, Abu Jahal" or according to some "Adam, Eve, the Devil." If the count ends with Abu Jahal's name or the Devil's the omen is bad, if it ends with God's or Adam's the omen is good, in other cases doubtful.
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