enough to recognize the reprehensible in a way that distinguishes it from what is permissible, acknowledged, recommended, and obligatory, so that by means of this knowledge we may protect ourselves from it and keep away from it just as we keep away from all other prohibited matters—for refraining from them has been imposed upon us. Whoever does not know the reprehensible, whether in broad outline or in detail, cannot intentionally avoid it; a general awareness is therefore sufficient. This is unlike the obligations: since the purpose with them is performance, and performance cannot be carried out except with detailed knowledge, they must be learned in detail.

I have enumerated certain reprehensible features of their religion only because I have seen groups of Muslims tested by some of them, many of whom are unaware that these practices originate in the Christians’ religion—may it and its adherents be accursed. I have also been informed that they go out on the Thursday before that day, or on Saturday, or at other times, to the graves where they burn incense; they likewise slaughter animals during those periods, believing that incense brings blessing and wards off harm—in addition to its fragrance—and they treat it as a sacrificial offering like the slaughtered animals. They escort it with a brass instrument, striking it like a small bell, reciting composed formulas, and they place crosses on the doors of their homes, along with other objectionable acts.

I do not claim to know everything they do; I have mentioned only what I have observed many Muslims themselves doing—practices whose origin is taken from them. Indeed, during that “Thursday period” the markets would be filled with the ringing of those small bells and the incantations of charm-mongers, astrologers and others, uttering words that are mostly false, some of which are forbidden or even outright disbelief. It has even reached me that