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Excerpt from the author's introduction

The Arabic manuscript here translated was presented to me before I left Mosul by my friend Daud as-Saigas a memento of our friendship. Khawaja as-Saig was a man of culture, in sympathy with western thought, and an intimate acquaintance of M. N. Siouffi, the vice-consul of the French Republic in Mosul. From the first page of the manuscript, it appears that through some Yezidis he had access to their literature.I know he was in close touch with many of them, especially with the family of Musa Haidar, which is the only Yezidi family that can read and guard the sacred tradition of the sect. The manuscript comprises a brief Introduction, the Sacred Books, and an Appendix. In the first, the compiler indicates the sources of his information and gives a sketch of the life of §eih *Adi, the chief saint of the Yezidis. The Sacred Books comprise Kitdb al- Jilwah (Book of Revelation), and Mashaf Res (Black Book) — so named because in it mention is made of the descent of the Lord upon the Black Mountain (p. 32).Al Jilwah^ is ascribed to Seih *Adi himself, and would accordingly date from the twelfth century a. d. It is divided into a brief introduction and five short chapters. In each, *Adi is represented as the speaker. In the Preface, the Seih says that he existed with Melek Ta'us before the creation of the world and that he was sent by his god Ta ias to instruct the Yezidi sect in truth. In the first chapter, he asserts his omnipresence and omnipotence; in the second he claims to have the power to reward those who obey him and to punish those who disobey him; in the third he declares that he possesses the treasures of the earth; in the fourth, he warns his followers of the doctrines of those that are without; and in the fifth, he bids them keep his commandments and obey his servants, who will communicate to them his teachings.The Black Book, which perhaps dates from the thirteenth century, is larger than the Book of Revelation but is not divided into chapters. It begins with the narrative of creation: God finishes his work in seven days — Sunday to Saturday. In each day he creates an angel or king (Melek). Melek Ta'us, who is created on Sunday, is made chief of all. After that Fahr-ad Din creates the planets, man, and animals. Then follows a story about Adam and Eve, their temptation and quarrel; the coming of the chief angels to the world to establish the Yezidi kingdom; the flood; the miraculous birth of Yezid bn Mu'awiya; and certain ordinances in regard to food, the New Year, and marriages.updated