in the Mahometan Theology, a bridge laid over the middle of hell, finer than a hair, and sharper than the edge of a sword, over which people are to pass, after their trial on the day of judgment. To add to the difficulty of the passage, Mahomet affirms that the Alsirat is beset with briars and thorns; which, however, will be no impediment to the good, who shall fly over it like the wind; whereas the wicked shall soon miss their footing and tumble headlong into hell, which is gaping beneath to receive them.