THE ACHEHNESE - Acehbooks.org

alat or "instruments"), by the correct handling of which one may
master the principal branches of religious learning.
The popular verdict on the numerous scholars who have got no
further than the Alpiah, yet are wont to vaunt themselves on their
learning, finds expression in the verse which passes as a proverb among
the Achehnese: "Study of grammar leads only to bragging, study of
the Law produces saints" '). On the other hand a certain reverence
lurks in the idea that prevails among the ignorant, that he who has
studied the nahu is able to comprehend the tongues of beasts.
Besides the grammatical lore, there are also other "instruments",
branches of learning subsidiary to the study of the law and of religious
doctrine, but in no Mohammedan country and least of all in Acheh
is the acquirement of these considered an indispensable prelude to the
more advanced subjects. Such are for example the various subdivisions
of style and rhetoric, arithmetical science (indispensable in the study
of the law of inheritance), astronomy, which assists in determining the
calendar and the qiblah, and so forth. These subjects are indeed taught
in Acheh, but they occupy no certain place in the curriculum gene­
rally adopted; the time spent on them depends very much on the
pleasure of the students and the extent of their teachers' knowledge.
Mainobjeet The main purpose of study should be, properly speaking, the know­
of study.
ledge of Allah's law as revealed through Mohammed in the Quran and
in his own example (Sunnah), and as in the lapse of time (with the
help of Qiyds or reasoning by analogy) confirmed and certified by the
general consent (Ijma c ) of the Moslim community. With the students
or teachers of to-day, however, the knowledge of this law cannot be
acquired by the study of the Quran and its commentaries together
with the sacred tradition as to the acts (sunnah) of the Prophet. For
such direct derivation of religious rules from their original sources a
degree of knowledge is required which is at present regarded as quite
beyond the student's reach. He has to restrict himself to the authori­
tative works in which the materials are moulded and arranged according
to their subjects. In these studies each is bound to follow the law­
books of the school (viadhab) to which he belongs, although he must
also recognize the full rights of the three other schools to their own
interpretation of the law.
i) Eteume'e nahu — le beurakah, eleuniie pikali — le e'elia.