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The Holy Scriptures of the Yazidis The "Book of Revelation" contains five chapters, arranged like the surahs of the Qur'an in orderof decreasing length. In all five chapters of this book the words of God are given in the first person,in contrast to the following "Black Book", which records the acts of God in the third person-
In Chapter One of the "Book of Revelation" we find first of all the Yazidi doctrine of the natureof God, who is made to declare that he is the author of what "outsiders call evils". The rest of thischapter deals with the exercise of the divine power.
Chapter Two describes the ornnipotence of God.
Chapter Three treats of theomnipotence of God, and begins with the unexplained statement that God guides without a scripture.
Chapter Four contains a warning against outsiders, and enunciates a doctrine conceming the"comrption" of holy books very similar to that of the Muslims.
Chapter Five is a short exhortationto the faithful.
The original text of the "Book of Revelation" is kept in the Yazidi village of Ba'idn, and that of the *BlackBook" in the village of Qasr 'tzz at-Din.
The following extracts from the Yazidi sacred "Book of Revelation" and from their PrincipalPrayer may be quoted in order to throw some light on the scope and nature of the religion of theYazidis, their tenets and beliefs:
The Existent before all creatures was the Peacock Angel. He sent the servant of the Peacock to this world in order that he might set his chosen people apart and instructthem [to save them] from error. This was to be achieved first by lora[ tradition and then by meansof this book of "Revelation", which may not be read by outsiders.
I was, I exist now, and shall remain until eternity, ruling over creation, and managing theinterests and affairs of all those who are in my possession. I quickly come to those who trustin me, and call upon me when in need. I am omnipresent, I am concerned in all the events whichoutsiders call evils, because they are not wrought in accordance with their wishes. Every agehas a Director, appointed by my decree...
He who opposes me shall have regrets and be grieved. The other gods have no way ofinterfering with my work or of preventing me from [doing] whatever I have decreed ... I callattention to matters and instigate necessary activities in their seasons. I guide and teach thosewho follow my teaching. They find pleasure and joy in accord with me.
I recompense and I requite this progeny of Adam and [all the] different ways which Iknow. In my hand is dominion over the earth and above it and under it. I do not allow otherworlds to clash. I do not impede their welfare, particularly of those who are my chosen peopleand obey me... I take away and I give. I enrich and I impoverish. I make happy and I makemiserable according to circumstances and occasions, and there is not one who has the right tointerfere with, or hinder, any of my dispositions. I bring pains and sickness to those who opposeme. The man who is attuned to me does not die like the rest of mankind. I permit no one tolive in this lower world longe; than the time which has been set by me. If I wish I send him asecond and a third time to this world, or to another, by transmigration of souls ...
MgHnecnN - YnztorsHonour my person and my image, because they will remind you of my ordinances andlaws which you have neglected. Obey my servants and listen to the instruction they will giveyou in the knowledge of the Unseen which comes from me.
We will conclude with the the Principal Prayer of the Yazidis:
l. Amen, Amen, Amen!
2. Through the intermediation of Shams-ad-din,
3. Fakh ad-Din, Nasir-ad-Din
4. Sajad ad-Din, Sheikh Sin (Husein),
5. Sheikh Bakr, Kadir ar-Rahman.
6. Lord, thou art gracious, thou art merciful;
7. Thou art God, king of kings and lands,
8. King ofjoy and happiness,
9. King of good possession (eternal life).
10. From eternity thou art eternal.
11. Thou art the seat of luck (happiness) and life;
12. Thou art lord of grace and good luck.
13. Thou art king ofjinns and human beings,
14. King of the holy men (saints),
15. Lord of terror and praise,
16. The abode of religious duty and praise,
17. Worthy of praise and thanks.
18. Lord! Protector in joumeys,
19. Sovereign of the moon and of the darkness,
20. God of the sun and of the fire.
21. God of the great throne,
22. Lord of goodness.
23.I-ordr. No one knows how thou art.
24. Thou hast no beauty; thou hast no height.
25. Thou hast no going forth; thou hast no number.
26. Lordt Judge of kings and beggars,
27 . Iudge of society and of the world,
28. Thou hast revealed the repentance of Adam.
29.Lord, thou hast no house; thou hast no money;
30. Thou hast no wings; hast no feathers;
31. Thou hast no voice, thou hast no colour.
32. Thou hast made us lucky and satisfied.
33. Thou hast created Jesus and Mary.
34. Lord, thou art gracious,
35. Merciful. faithful.
36. Thou art Lord; I am nothingness,
37 .I arn a fallen sinner,
38. A sinner by thee remembered.
39. Thou hast led us out of darkness into light.
40. Lord! My sin and my guilt,
41. Take them and remove them.
42. O God, O God, O God, Amen!
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