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LIVES  OF  MAHOMET 


AND 


HIS  SUCCESSORS. 


BY    WASHINGTON    IRVING. 

\ 

4 


LONDON: 

GEORGE  ROUTLEDOE  &  CO.,  80HO  SQUARE. 

1850. 

J  Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 

1^ 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

789737A 

A  ■  !'JH,  LENOX  AND 
i*uL*«W  i-OUN DATiON3 


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PREFACE. 


SoMB  apol<^  may  seem  neoessaiy  for  presenting  a  life 
of  Mahombt  at  the  present  day,  wken  no  new  fact  can 
be  added  to  those  already  known  ecmceming  him.  Many 
years  since,  during  a  residence  in  Madrid,  the  author  pro- 
jected a  series  of  writings  illuslratiye<^ihe  domination  of 
the  Arabs  in  Spain.  These  were  to  be  introduced  by  a 
sketch  of  the  life  of  the  founder  of  tiie  Islam  fidth,  and 
the  first  moyer  of  Arabian  conquest.  Most  of  the  parti- 
culars for  this  were  drawn  from  Spanish  sources,  and  from 
Gagnier's  translation  of  the  Arabian  historian  Abulfeda,  a 
copy  of  which  the  author  found  in  the  Jesuits'  library  of 
the  Convent  of  St.  Isidro,  at  Madrid. 

Puring  his  last  residence  in  Spain,  the  author  beguiled 

the  tediousness  of  a  lingering  indisposition  byreyising  the 

manuscript,  profiting  in  so  doing  by  recent  lights  thrown 

—     xm  the  subject  by  difierent  writers,  and  particxdarly  by 

L^    Dr.  Gustav  Weil,  the  very  intelligent  and  learned  librarian 

^  of  the  University  of  Heidelberg,  to  whose  industrious 

^  researches  and  able  disquisitions,  he  acknowledges  himself 

c^  greatly  indebted.* 

^     *  Mohammed  der  Ftophet,  sein  Leben  and  seine  Lehre.    Stuttgart* 
1843. 


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IT  PEEPACB. 

Sucli  is  the  origin  of  the  work  now  given  to  the  pubKc^ 
on  which  the  anthor  Iajb  no  daim  to  novelty  of  fact,  nor 
profundity  of  research.  It  still  bears  the  type  of  a  work 
intended  for  a  Family  Library,  in  constructing  which  the 
whole  aim  of  the  writer  has  been  to  digest  into  an  easy,  per- 
spicuous, and  flowing  narrailye,  the  admitted  facts  con« 
ceming  Mahomet,  together  with  such  legends  and  tradi* 
tions  as  have  been  wrought  into  the  whole  system  of  oriental 
literature :  and  at  the  same  time  to  give  such  a  stmimary 
of  his  faith  as  might  be  sufficient  for  the  more  general 
reader.  Under  such  circumstances,  he  has  not  thought  it 
worth  while  to  encumber  his  pages  with  a  scafiblding  of 
references  and  citations,  nor  depart  from  the  old  English 
nomenclature  of  oriental  nameSt 

W.L 

Sumnrsii)^  18i9« 


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CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PA«V 

Freliminaiynoticeof  Arabia  and  the  Arabs  •    •    •    •    •    •      1 

CHAPTER  n. 
Hrth  and  parentage  of  Kahomet — ^HU  infiuicy  and  childbood,    11 

CHAPTER  m 
Traditions  concerning  Mecca  and  the  Caaba      •    •    •    •    •    15 

CHAPTER  IT. 
Firstjoumeyof  Mahomet  with  the  caravan  to  Syria   •    •    •    18 

CHAPTER  V. 

Commercial  occapations  of  Mahomet— His  marriage  with 
Cadijah 22 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Conduct  of  Mahomet  after  his  marriage — ^Becomes  anxious 
for  religious  refomi — His  habits  of  solitary  abstraction — 
The  -vision  of  the  cave — His  annxmciation  as  a  prophet    •    25 

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1 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PAGS. 

Mahomet  inculcates  his  doctrines  secretly  and  slowly — ^Re- 
ceives further  revelations  and  commands — Announces  it 
to  his  kindred — Manner  in  which  it  was  received — En- 
thusiastic devotion  of  Ali — Christian  portents   ....     30 

CHAPTER  Vm. 
Outlines  of  the  Mahometan  Faith    . 35 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Ridicule  cast  on  Mahomet  and  his  doctrines — ^Demand  for 
mii*acles — Conduct  of  Abu  Taleb — ^Violence  of  the  Ko- 
reishites — Mahomet's  daughter  Rokaia,  with  her  uncle 
Othman,  and  a  number  of  disciples,  take  refuge  in  Abys- 
sinia— Mahomet  in  the  house  of  Orkham — ^Hostility  of 
Abu  Jahl;  his  punishment 41 

CHAPTER  X. 

Omar  Ibn  al  Katt&b,  nephew  of  Abu  Jahl,  undertakes  to 
revenge  his  uncle  by  slaying  Mahomet — ^His  wt»kderfol 
conversion  to  the£uth — ^Mahomet  takes  refuge  in  a  castle 
of  Abu  Taleb — ^Abu  Sofian^  at  the  head  of  the  rival  branch 
of  Koreishites,  persecutes  Mahomet  and  his  followers — 
Obtains  a  decree  of  non-intercourse  with  them — Mahomet 
leaves  his  retreat,  and  make»  converts  during  the  month 
of  pilgrimage — ^Legend  of  the  conversion  of  Habib  the 
Wise .     .     4r 

CHAFTBR  XI. 

The  ban  of  non-intercourse  mysteriously  destroyed — ^Mahomet 
enabled  to  return  to  Mecca — ^Death  of  Abu  Taleb;  of 
Cadijah — Mahomet  betroths  himself  to  Ayesha — Marries 
Sawda — ^Tbe  Koreishites  renew  their  persecution — Ma- 
homet seeks  an  asylum  in  Tayef — His  expulsion  thrice — 
Visited  by  genii  in  the  desert  of  Naklah 5Z' 

CHAPTER  Xn. 

Night  journey  of  the  prophet  fr(mi  Mecca  to  Jerusalem ;  and 
thenoe  to  the  seventh  heaven 5^ 


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CHAPTER  Xm. 

>      PAGS 

Mahomet  makes  oonyerts  of  pilgrims  from  Medina — ^Deter- 
mines to  fly  to  that  city — ^A  plot  to  iby  him — His  mira- 
culons  escape — ^ELis  degira,  or  flight — EUs  reoqition  at 
Medina 68 

CHAPTER  XrV. 

Blbslenis  in  Medina,  Mohadjerins  and  AnBarians — ^The  party 
of  Abdallah  Ibn  Obha  and  the  Hypocrites — Mahomet 
builds  a  moaqrae;  preadies;  makes  converts  among  the 
Christians — T^  Jews  slow  to  believe — Bro^erhood  esta- 
blished between  fogitiyes  and  allies 76 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Marria^  of  Mahomet  with  Ayesha^-Of  his  daughter  Attfana 
with  All— -Hi^  hoosdiold  arrangements 81 

CHAPTER  XVL 

The  sword  announced  as  the  instroment  of  £Ekith — ^rst  foray 
against  the  Koreishites— Sorprisal  of  a  caravan     ...    83 

CHAPTER  XVn. 
The  battle  of  Beder      .................    87 

CHAPTER  XVra. 

Death  of  the  prophet's  daughter  Rokaia — Restoration  of  his 
daughter  Zeinab — ^E£feot  of  the  prophet's  malediction  on 
Abu  Lahab  and  his  flunily — Frantio  rage  of  Honda,  the 
wife  of  Abu  Sofian — ^Mahomet  nanxyidy  escapes  assassina- 
tion— ^Embassy  of  Koreishites — ^llie  Eong  of  Abyssinia    .     04 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Growing  power  of  Mahomet — "Hia  resentment  against  the 
Jews — ^Insult  to  an  Arab  damsel  hy  the  Jewiw  tribe  of 
Kainoka — ^A  tomnlt — ^The  Beni  Kainoka  take  refuge  in 
their  castle — Subdued  and  pimished  by  oonfis(»tion 
and  banishment — ^Marriage  of  Othman  to  the  prophet's 
daughter  0mm  Kalthum,  and  of  the  prophet  to  Haf  za    .    9 


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TXU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Heada  incites  Abu  Sofian  and  tlie  Koreishites  to  revenge  the 
death  of  her  relations  slain  in  the  battle  of  Beder — The 
Koreishites  sally  forth,  followed  by  Henda  and  her  female 
companions  —  Battle  of  Ohod — Ferocious  triumph  of 
Henda — Mahomet  consoles  himself  by  manying  Hend, 
the  daughter  of  Omeya 100 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Treachery  of  certain  Jewish  tribes ;  their  punishment — ^Devo* 
tion  of  the  prophet's  freedman  Zeid ;  divorces  his  beautiful 
wife  Zeinab,  that  she  may  become  the  wife  of  the  prophet,  105 

CHAPTER  XXn. 

Expedition  of  Mahomet  against  the  Beni  Mostalek — He 
espouses  Barra,  a  captive — ^Treacheiy  of  Abdallah  Ibn 
Obba— Ayesha  slandered — ^Her^  vindication — ^Her  inno- 
cence proved  by  a  revelation      ..•...«..  108 

CHAPTER  XXni. 

The  battle  of  the  Moat— Bravery  of  Saad  Ibn  Moad— Defeat 
of  the  Koreishites — Capture  of  the  Jewish  castle  of 
Koraida — Saad  decides  as  to  the  punishment  of  the  Jews 
— Mahomet  eq>oufles  BehuiAy  a  Je^wish  captive — ^His  life* 
endangered  by  sorcery;  saved  by  a  revelation  of  the  angel 
Gabriel 112 

CHAPTER  XXIV, 

Mahomet  undertakes  a  pilgrimage  to  Mecca — ^Evades  Khaled 
and  a  troop  of  horse  sent  against  him — ^Encamps  near 
Mecca-^N^otiates  with  the  Koreishites  for  permission 
to  enter  and  complete  his  pilgrimage — ^Treaty  for  ten 
years,  by  which  he  is  permitted  to  make  a  yearly  visit 
of  three  days — He  returns  to  Medina 119 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Expedition  against  the  city  of  Khaibar  ;  sieffe— Exploits  of 
Mahomet's  captains — ^llattle  of  Ali  and  Ihurhab— Storm- 
ing of  the  citadel — AH  makes  a  buckler  of  the  gate — 
Capture  of  the  place— Mahomet  poisoned ;  he  marries 
Safiya,  a  captive ;  also  Omjn  Habiba,  a  widow .    •    •    .  121 


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CHAPTER  XXVL 

HissioBS  to  YBrioas  PrinoeB ;  to  Hetaolius ;  to  IQiosni  11 ; 
to  ihe  Prefect  of  £^t— Their  resoH 127 

CHAPTER  XXVn. 

Mahomet's  jpUgrmuige  to  Mecca ;  his  marriage  with  Mai- 
mmia — ^Ehaled  Iim  al  Wafod  and  Arnni  Ibn  al  Aaas 
become  proeelytes , » 129 

CHAPTER  XXYin. 

A  Moslem  envoy  slain  in  Syria — ^Expedition  to  avenge  his 
death— BatUe  of  Mvtar-Ttsresidts 131 

GHAFTSRZX2Z. 
Desigpg tyon  Mecca    Miwnon  cf  Aba  Boftm— ItsresoK .    .  184 

CHAPTER  XZX 
jnprise  and  oaptore  of  Mecca 186 

CHAPIERZZXL 

PottOities  in  the  Moontains — ^EneBsys  camp  in  the  valley 
of  Antas  Battle  at  the  pass  of  Uonan---Captiire  of  thte 
enemy's  camp— Interview  of  Mahomet  with  the  nurse 
of  his  childhood— IHfiiiaB  of  ip«il— Mahomet  at  his 
mother's  grave  • 146 

CBAFTER  XXXIL 

Death  of  the  prophet's  daoghter  Uaib— Birth  of  his  son 
Ibndiim — Dentations  from  distant  tribes — Poetical  con- 
test in  presence  of  the  prophet — ^His  susceptibility  to  the 
charms  of  poe^ — ^Reduction  of  I3ie  atr  of  Tayef ; 
destruotion  of  its  idols— NegoiiatioQ  with  Amir  Ibn 
Tafid,  a  proud  Bedouin  chief ;  independent  snirit  of  the 
latter— Interview  of  Adi,  another  chie^  wiUi  MEihomet  .  154 

CHAPTER  XXXUL 

Preparations  for  an  expedition  against  Syria — Intrigues  of 

'Abdallah   Ibn   Obba— Contributions  of  the  faiSiful— 

March  of  the  army— The  accursed  region  of  ELajar — 

,   Encampment  at  Tabuc — Subjugation  of  the  ndgbbouring 

provinces — ^Ehaled  suiprises  OkaXdor  and  his  castle—- 

umofthearmy  to  Medina 1S9 


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COVTBITTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

fAsm 

Triumphal  entry  into  Medina — ^Punishment  of  those  iwrho 
had  refused  to  join  the  campaign — Effects  of  excommu- 
nication-—Death  of  Abdallah  Ibn  Obba— Dissensions  in 
the  prophet's  harem 165 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Abu  Beker  conducts  the  yearly  pilgrimage  to  Mecca — ^Mis- 
sion of  Ali  to  announce  a  revelation •    .  168 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Hahomet  sends  his  captains  on  distant  enterprises — ^Appoints 
lieutenants  to  govern  in  Arabia  Felix — Sends  Ali  to  sup- 
press an  insurrection  in  that  province — ^Death  of  the  pro- 
phet's only  son  Ibrahim — His  conduct  at  the  death-bed 
and  the  grave — ^His  growing  infirmities — ^His  valedictory 
pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  and  his  conduct  and  preaching  while 
there ,     ^    ^    .    •  170 

CHAPTER  XXXVn. 
Of  the  two  Mae  prophets  Al  Aswad  and  MoseOma .    .    .    •.  175 

CHAPTER  XXXVm. 

An  army  prepared  to  march  against  Syria — Command  given 
to  Osama — ^The  prophet's  fiu^well  address  to  the  troops — 
His  last  illness — His  sermons  in  the  mosque — ^His  death 
and  the  attending  circumstances    ..........  178: 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Person  and  character  of  Mahomet,  and  speculations  on  his 
prophetic  car^r ,..•••  186 


APPENDIX. 
Of  the  Islam  Faith 197 


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LIFE    OF   MAHOMET. 


CHAPTEBL 
Frdimhiary  BOtioe  of  Armbia  and  the  Anbf. 

DrrRiTsa  a  long  succession  of  ages,  extendinc^  from  the 
earliest  period  of  recorded  Iiistory  down  to  mo  serenth 
century  of  the  Christian  era,  that  great  diersonese  ot 
peninsnla  formed  by  the  Eed  Sea,  the  Euphrates,  the  Gulf 
of  Persia,  and  the  liidian  Ocean,  and  known  by  the  name 
of  Arabia,  remained  unchanged  and  almost  unaffected  by 
the  events  which  convulsed  the  rest  of  Asia,  and  shook 
Europe  and  Africa  to  their  centre.  While  kingdoms  and 
empires  rose  and  fell;  while  ancient  dynasties  passed 
away;  while  the  boundaries  and  names  of  countries  were 
changed,  and  their  inhabitants  were  exterminated  or  car- 
ried  mto  captivity,  Arabia,  though  its  firontier  provinces 
experienced  some  vicissitudes,  preserved  in  the  depths  of 
its  deserts  its  primitive  character  and  independence,  nor 
had  its  nomadic  tribes  ever  bent  their  haughty  necks  to 
servitude. 

The  Arabs  carry  back  the  traditions  of  their  country  to 
the  highest  antiquity.  It  was  peopled,  they  say,  soon 
after  the  deluge,  by  uie  progeny  of  Shem  the  son  of  Noah, 
who  gradually  formed  tnemsehres  into  several  tribes,  the 
most  noted  of  which  are  the  Adites  and  Thamudites.  All 
these  primitive  tribes  are  said  to  have  been  either  swept 
from  tne  earth  in  punishment  of  their  iniquities,  or  ob- 
literated in  subsequent  modifications  of  the  races,  so  that 
little  remains  concerning  them  but  shadowy  traditions  and 
a  few  passages  in  the  Koran.  They  are  occasionally  men- 
ticmea  in  oriental  history  as  the  "  old  primitive  Arabians," 
—"the  lost  tribes." 

The  permanent  ^pulation  of  the  peninsula  is  ascribed, 
by  the  same  authonties,  to  Kahtan  or  Joctan,  a  descendant 

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2  LIFB  OF  MAHOMBT. 

in  the  fourth  generation  from  Shem.  His  posterity  spread 
pyer  the  southern  part  of  the  peninsula  and  along  the  Ked 
Sea.  Yarab,  one  of  his  sons,  founded  the  kingdom  of 
Yemen,  where  the  territory  of  Araba  was  calkd  after 
him;  whence  the  Arabs  denve  42ie  names  of  iiiemselyes 
and  their  country.  Jurham,  another  son,  founded  the 
kingdom  of  Hedjaz,  over  which  his  decendants  bore  sway 
for  many  generations.  Among  these  people  Hagar  and 
her  son  Ismnael  were  kindly  received,  when  exited  from 
their  home  bv  the  patriarch  Abraham.  In  the  process  of 
time  Ishmael  married  the  daughter  of  Mod^d,  a  reigning 

frince  of  the  line  of  Jurham;  and  thus  a  stranger  and  a 
lebrcw  beeaaae  grtHbed  on  the  original  Aidbian  stock. 
It  proved  a  vigorous  ^rait.  Ishmael's  wife  bore  him  twelve 
SOULS,  whio  aoouired  cbminion  over  the  country,  and  whose 
prolific  race,  divided  into  twelve  tribes,  expeHed  or  overnm 
and  obliterated  the  primitive  stock  of  Joctan. 

Bock  is  the  aooomit  given  by  the  ^eninsidar  Arabs  of 
£heir  origbi;*  and  Ohimian  writers  cate  it  as  contaming 
Qie  Mfiltnent  of  the  covenant  of  God  with  Abraham,  as 
recorded  in  Holy  Writ.  '*  And  Abraham  said  imto  God, 
O  that  Ishmael  might  live  l)efare  thee !  And  God  said» 
As  for  Ishmael,  I  have  heard  thee.  3eliold,  I  have  blessed 
him,  and  wHl  make  him  fruitM,  and  wifl  multiply  him 
exceedingly:  twelve  princes  shall  lie  beget,  and  Iwilf  mafce 
him  a  great  nation.      ^Ghsnesis,  xvii.  18, 20.) 

These  twelve  princes  wi&  their  tribes  are  ^oQust  q>oken 
of  in  the  Scriptures  (Genesis,  xxv.  18)  as  occimying  ike 
country  "  from  HavihOi  unto  ^ur,  that  is  before  jSgypt,  as 
thou  goest  towards  Assyria;"  a  region  identified  by  sacred 
geoffl»phers  with  part  of  Arabia,  xhe  description  of  them 
agrees  with  that  of  the  Arabs  of  the  present  dff^.  Some 
are  meDitioned  as  holding  towns  and  castles,  others  as 
dwelling  in  tents,  or  having  villages  in  ti^e  wUdemess. 
Nebaioui  and  ICedar,  the  two  first-bom  of  Ishum^  are 
most  noted  among  the  princes  for  their  wealth  in  fibdcs 

*  BeddAtheAiMto  aftke  9eiiiiitaia,^rfaDW6M  aaof  the  SbemiOe 
ff&fe,  there  w«Be<»tbfln<caU«d  Gnshitea,  hdaxg  descended  ftfm  Cosh,  tiie 
souofHaiii.  ThQ7  inhabited  fhe  banks  of  the  Xuphrates  and  the  Per- 
sianGulf:  The  name  of  Cngh  Is  often  giren  in  Bcriptnra  to  the  AnOw 
geikeratty,  as  well  as  to^elr  eouiMay.  TtmiBt  he  the  Jattm  of  ttdsTaoe 
who  at  present  roam  the  deserted  regions  of  andeit  Jjqi^  asd  ha9« 
basK  «avle^iMflii(itria<Urinteninf  the  lo^-t»aied  nih^ 
ThQ7  aMsonetknes  distinguished  as  the  Syio-JkzaUani.  Theprasent 
woriL  relates  only  to  the  Arabs  of  the  penfaisola,  or  Arabia  Rnoper. 

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COMMEBCB  OF  TEX  ARA3B.  1 

and  her&9  amd  for  tlie  fine  wool  of  tiietr  f  heep.  From 
F^MODtk  <mmetlie  Kabaiiiai  wko  inhabited  Btonj  Arabia; 
while  the  name  of  Kedar  is  occasionally  given  in  Hohr 
Wb^  to  deagMtte  the  iriiQle  Arabian  TMrfioQ.  "  Woeifl  me/' 
Bays  tibie  BnSmat,  ^  thtttlspjofna  iA  Meaecii,  t^t  I  dweM 
m  the  teste  of  SJedttr.**  Both  appear  to  hisve  been  the 
pn^eniion  <sf  the  waadenng  or  pastoral  Arabs ;  the  free 
nyrers  of  ihe  ^esat  "  TSb  wealthy  matkM,"  aaya  the 
popliet  Jeroniah,  ''duMt  diarieUeth  withovt  care;  whk^ 
ha^e  nesti^r  gates  nor  bars,  which  dwdOl  alone." 

A  s^aMxigdialaiietion  grew  lip  in  the  eaciiiest  times  between 
the  Ajsbs  who  ^held  towns  a&d  casties/'  and  ilMse  who 
**  dwelt  im.  tente."  Semeof  the  fomer oeeiped  the  fertile 
wadies,  or  TaOeys,  scattered  here  and  thm  among  the 
mooatains,  where  thesetownsaod  easties  were  sazroanded 
by  yineyards  and  orchards,  groves  of  palm-trees,  fields  of 
asm,  and  wefiHstoeked  partures.  They  were  setUed  in 
&eir  haft]it8,  <ieiio1iiig'  tiienselyes  to  the  «altiiratkm  of  the 
Mil  and  liw  breedhig  of  ctttde. 

Others  of  this  dass  gaff>e  themselTes  ^  to  oommieroe, 
having  ports  and  cities  along  the  Eed  Sea;  the  southern 
shores  of  the  peninstila  and  the  Gtilf  of  Persia,  and  car- 
rvine  oa  in>eign  trade  by  meajM  of  ships  and  caravans. 
oucE  especially  were  the  people  of  Yemen,  or  Arabia  Ihe 
fia>p^,  that  land  of  iipiooo,  perfones,  and  frankincense;' 
ihe  ^Mm&  <sf  ^the  pocts^  the  i^dm  ii  Ihe  sacred  Scrip- 
tares.  They  we4»  aanoi^  the  most  active  mercantSe 
Bav^Ktnrs  of  Ihe  eastern  seas.  Their  i&ips  bron^  to 
thedr  shores  the  mynh  and  balsams  <^  the  opposite  coast 
of  Bedbera,  with  the  gold,  the  spices,  and  other  ridi  c(Hn- 
modities  «€  loJia  aiM  tropical  Africa.  These,  with  the 
prodnets  of  th^  own  oonntrv,  were  transported  by 
esravans  laerees  the  deserts  to  we  semi- Arabian  states  of 
Aasomon,  Moab,  aad  Edsm  ox  Idnmea,  to  the  Fhcenician 
ports  cf  the  Meditezraneain,  and  thence  ^tistribnted  to  the 
western  world. 

The  camel  has  been  termed  the  shq»of  the  desert,  the 
casavaai  may  be  termed  its  fleet.  The  oaravans  of  Yemen 
w^re  -generdQy  £tted  out,  nwnned,  conducted  and  gnarded 
hy  the  nomadic  Arabs,  Ihe  dwdlers  in  tents,  who,  in  this 
respect,  mi^ht  he  called  the  nav^ators  oi  the  desert. 
They  ^imi^ed  the  iimnmeraMe  camels  required,  and  also 
conmbuted  to  the  frei^t  by  the  flne  fleeces  of  their  connt- 
less  flocks.  The  writmjgs  of  the  prophets  show  the  im- 
portance, in  Sdiptoral  tmies,  of  this  inland  chain  of  com- 

*    *  gitized  by  Google 


4  I«IF£   OF  MA.HOMET. 

inerce,  by  which  the  rich  countries  of  the  south,  India, 
Ethiopia,  and  Arabia  the  Happ j,  were  linked  with  ancient 
Syria. 

Ezekiel,  in  his  hunentations  for  Tyre,  exclaims,  "Arabia, 
and  all  the  princes  of  Kedar,  they  occupied  with  thee  in 
lambs,  and  rams,  and  goats ;  in  these  were  they  thy  mer- 
chants. -The  merchants  of  Sheba  and  Baaman  occupied 
in  thy  fairs  with  chief  of  all  spices,  and  with  all  precious 
stones  and  sold.  Haran,  and  Canneh,  and  Eden,*  the 
merchants  of  Sheba,  Asshur,  and  Ohelmad,  were  thy  mer- 
chants." And  Isaiah,  speaking  to  Jerusalem,  says — "  The 
multitude  of  camels  shall  cover  thee ;  the  dromedaries  of 
Midian  and  Ephah ;  all  they  from  Sheba  shall  come;  they 
shall  bring  gold  and  incense.  *  *  *  *  All  the  flocks  of 
Kedar  shaH  be  gathered  unto  thee ;  the  rams  of  Nebaiolh 
shall  minister  unto  thee."    (Isaiah,  Ix.  6,  7.) 

The  agricultural  and  trading  Arabs,  however,  the  dwellers 
in  towns  and  cities,  have  never  been  considered  the  true 
type  of  the  race.    They  became  softened  by  settled  and 

feaccM  occupations,  and  lost  much  of  their  original  stamp 
y  an  intercourse  with  strangers.  Yemen,  too,  being  more 
accessible  than  the  other  parts  of  Arabia,  and  offering 
greater  temptation  to  the  spoiler,  had  been  repeatedly  in- 
vaded and  subdued. 

It  was  among  the  other  class  of  Arabs,  the  rovers  of  the 
desert,  the  "  dwellers  in  tents,"  by  far  the  most  numerous 
of  the  two,  that  the  national  character  was  preserved  in  all 
its  primitive  force  and  freshness.  Nomadic  in  their  habits, 
pastoral  in  their  occupations,  and  acquainted  by  experience 
and  tradition  wilh  all  the  hidden  resources  of  the  desert, 
they  led  a  wandering  life,  roaming  from  place  to  place  in 
quest  of  those  wells  and  springs  ^diich  had  been  the  resort 
of  their  forefathers  since  the  days  of  the  patriarchs;  en- 
camping wherever  they  could  find  date-trees  for  shade,  and 
sustenance  and  pasturage  for  their  flocks,  and  herds,  and 
camels ;  and  shifting  their  abode  whenever  the  temporary 
supnly  was  exhausted. 

These  nomadic  Arabs  were  divided  and  subdivided  into 
innumerable  petty  tribes  or  families,  each  with  its  Sheikh 
or  Emir,  the  representative  of  the  patriarch  of  yore,  whose 
spear,  planted  oeside  his  tent,  was  the  ensign  of  command. 
His  office,  however,  though  continued  for  many  genera- 
tions in  the  same  family,  was  not  strictly  hereditai^ ;  but 

*  Haran,  Conna,  and  Aden  porto  on  tht  Indian  Sm. 

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VATIOVAL  CBAXJLCTSB  OV  THl  ABABS.  5 

depended  upon  the  good-will  of  the  tribe.  He  mi^t  be 
deposed,  and  another  of  a  different  line  elected  in  his  place. 
His  power,  too,  was  limited,  and  depended  upon  his  per* 
sonai  merit  and  the  confidence  reposed  in  hnn.  His  pre- 
rogative consisted  in  conducting  negotiations  of  peace  and 
war ;  in  leading  his  tribe  against  the  enem j ;  in  choosing 
the  place  of  encampment,  and  in  receiying  and  entertaining 
strangers  of  note.  Yet,  even  in  these  and  similar  priTi- 
leges,  he  was  controlled  by  the  opinions  and  inclinations  of 
hispeople.* 

However  numerous  and  minute  might  be  the  divisions 
of  a  tribe,  the  links  of  affinity  were  carefully  kept  in  mind 
by  the  several  sections.  All  the  Sheikhs  of  the  same  tribe 
acknowledge  a  common  chief  called  the  Sheikh  of  Sheildis, 
who,  whether  ensconced  in  a  rock-built  castle,  or  encamped 

«  In  smmiier  the  wandering  Ambe,  sajt  BnrcUianlt,  feldom  remaim 
above  thiee  or  four  days  on  the  same  spot ;  at  loon  at  their  cattle  hare 
eonsomed  the  herbage  near  a  watering  plaee,  the  tribe  remoree  in  teaiofa 
of  pasture,  and  the  grass  again  springhig  ap»  serves  fbr  a  sooeeeding 
camp.  The  encampments  raiy  in  the  nomber  of  tents,  ftom  six  to 
eight  hundred;  when  the  tents  are  bat  ftw,  thej  are  pitched  in  adrde^ 
bat  more  considerable  numbers  in  a  straight  Une,  or  a  row  of  single 
tents,  espedallf  along  a  rirolet,  sometimes  three  or  foor  behfaid  asmanjr 
others.  In  winter,  when  water  and  pastore  nerer  faU,  the  whole  tribe 
spreads  itself  orer  the  plain  in  parties  of  three  or  foar  tents  each,  with 
an  interval  of  half  an  hoar's  distance  between  each  paftjr.  The  Sheikh'a 
tent  is  always  on  the  side  on  which  enemies  or  goests  may  be  expected. 
To  oppose  the  former,  and  to  honoor  the  latter,  is  the  Shdkht  principal 
business.  Every  fltther  of  a  fkoiiiy  sticks  his  lance  into  tlie  groond  by 
the  side  of  his  tent,  and  ties  his  horse  in  front.  There  also  his  camels 
repose  at  night — BwrdckaHt,  Kotei  oh  Sed&uims,  vol.  i  p.  SS. 

The  following  is  descriptive  of  the  Arabs  of  Assyria,  thooi^  it  Is  i^ 
plicable,  in  a  great  degree,  to  the  whole  race : — 

**  It  would  be  difficnlt  to  describe  the  appearance  of  a  large  tribe 
when  migrating  to  new  pastures.  We  soon  found  ourselves  in  the 
midst  of  wide-spreading  flocks  of  sheep  and  camels.  As  fkr  as  the  eye 
could  reach,  to  the  right,  to  the  left,  and  in  front,  still  the  same  moving 
crowd.  Long  Unes  of  asses  and  bullocks,  laden  with  black  tents,  huge 
caldrons,  and,  variegated  carpets ;  aged  women  and  men,  no  longer  aMe 
to  walk,  tied  on  the  he^>  of  domestic  furniture;  infrmts  crammed  into 
saddlebags,  their  tiny  heads  thrust  tbrongh  the  narrow  opening,  ht^ 
lanced  on  the  animal's  back  by  kids  or  lambs  tied  on  the  ofjweite  side ; 
young  girls  clothed  only  in  the  close-fitting  Arab  shirt,  whidi  displayed 
lather  than  concealed  their  graoeflil  forms ;  mothers  with  thebr  children 
on  their  shoulders ;  boys  driving  flocks  of  lambs ;  horsemen  anned  with 
thdr  long  tofted  spears,  scouring  the  plain  on  their  fleet  mares ;  riders 
urging  their  dromedaries  with  their  short  hooked  sticlo,  and  leading 
thdr  high-bred  steeds  by  the  halter ;  colts  galloping  among  the  thnmg ; 
such  was  the  motiey  crowd  through  which  we  had  to  wend  our  way." — 
LaganT*  Nineveht  i.  4. 

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O  XZFB  OF  HAH^yMET. 

anodd  Mi  flocks  and  berds  in  ^e  desert,  migkfr  aBsemble 
und^Ms  stondaird  all  tLe  scattered  braaekes  on  anj  emer* 
gescy  affecting  the  oommoa  weal. 
The  moltipltcity  of  these  wvaderm^  tribes,  ea/c^  witit  ito 

aprinee  and  pettj  territory,  but  without  a  nsfek)nal 
produced  freqnenl  eoDisioin.  Beveaijgo,  too,  was 
almost  a  rdigkms  principle  stmong  them.  To  avense  a 
relatire  slain  was  the  datyof  his  family,  and  often  inTtSved 
the  hosioar  of  Ids  tribe ;  and  these  debts  of  l^ood  some- 
times remained  unsettled  for  generations,  prodnciz^  deadly 
fbiids. 

The  necessity  of  being  always  cm.  the  alert  to  d^end  his 
fiocks  and  herds,  made  the  Arab  o(  the  deeert  familiar 
from  his  infan^  with  the  exereise  c^  arms.  If  one  eoold 
exeelhiminthetise  of  thebow,thelanee,aiidtheseimitary; 
and  the  adroit  and  graceM  management  of  the  horse.  Ke 
was  a  predatory  warrior,  also ;  for  though  at  times  he  was 
engaged  in  the  service  of  the  merchanty  furnishing  him> 
with  camels  and  guides  and  drirers  for  the  traBsportatioit 
of  his  merchandize,  he  was  more  apt  to  la^  oonmbutions 
on  the  caravan  or  phmder  it  outnrfit  in  its  toilflil  — 
gress  throu^  the  desert.  AH  this  ne  regarded  as  a  '. 
timate  exercise  of  arms,  looking  down  upon  the  g 
sons  of  traffic  aa  an  inferior  raee,  debased  hj  sordid  1 
and  pursuits. 

Sueh  was  the  Arab  of  the  desert,  the  dweller  in  tents, 
in  whom  was  fulfilled  the  prophetic  destiny  of  his  ances- 
tor IshmaeL  "  He  will  be  a  wild  man ;  his  hand  will  be 
against  every  man,  and  every  man's  himd  against  him."* 
iSature  had  fitted  him  icfr  his  destiny.  Hjb  Kutm  was  H^ht 
and  meagre,  but  sinewy  and  active,  and  capable  of  sustain- 
ing  great  fatigue  and  hardship.  Ke  was  temperate  and 
even  abstemious,  requiring  but  little  food,  and  mat  of  ih» 
simplest  kind.  His  mina»  Vke  his  body,  was  light  and 
aeile.  He  eminently  possessed  the  iiitelfeetaal  attributes 
<S  the  Shemitie  rnee,  penetrating  sagacity,  sublie  wit,  a 
teady  conception,  and  a  brilliant  imagmation.  Hjs  sensi- 
bilities were  quick  and  acute,  though  not  lasting ;  a  proud 
and  daring  spirit  was  stamped  on  his  sallow  visage,  and 
flashed  horn  nis  dark  and  Kindling  eye.  He  was  easily 
aroused  by  the  appeals  of  eloquence,  and  diarmed  by  tlie 
graces  of  poetry.  Speaking  a  language  copious  in  the 
extreme,,  tne  words  of  which  have  been  compared  to  gemA 

•  Genesis,  xri  12, 

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BXLKFIOJr  &W  THE  ABABS.  J 

9Dd  BometB^  he  mm  natonlly  an  orator ;  bat  he  delie^ifeed 
m  pioTerbff  aad  apotibegms,  rsther  tkam  is  iiiBtaiiiedmgfatfr 
^ebdaauition*  and  wa« fcone  to  oonvey  In  idMB  m  tii» 
«miital  st^le  by  iqwlogoe  aad  patraUe. 

TkoodlL  a  lemeaa  Kid  pgadrtoiy  wanier,  be  was  geatt^ 
ions  am  bospitable.  He  delighted  in  giving  gifta;  bii 
^oor  was  ahr«f9  omb  totha  ivajlaror,  with  imm  ko  was 
lend^toskvebisias^mafael;  aadtodwidiimtfoa^hflarMig 
eiiee  broken  bread  wxtii  bim,  nigiit  lepose  aaev^  h&» 
BeadL  ihe  infiolable  sanctity  ef  bis  tent. 

In  xel%i(»i  the  Arabs,  in  wbat  they  iam  the  Bafs  of 
Igneraaae,  parto<^  buvely  of  Hk/e  tir»  faitbff,  tbe  Saibaii 
and  ^le*  Maeian,  niam  at  tiMit  tise  paerailad  otbt  tlM 
eaetem  worSi  The  Sabean,  haw^wet,  waa  Hio  one  to 
wbx^  ikkef  most  adbeved.  Tbej  pratCTded  to  ii&me  H 
&om  Sabi  ihe  mm  d  Seth,  wboi,  witk  bia  fiitber  and  bk 
broker  Enodh^tiiey  siippose  to  be  buried  in  the  vnranitda. 
Others  derive  ^e  aame  fifom  the  Hebreir  woid^  cbbtt»  ov 
'Oie  Stars,  and  traee  ik»  ongm  ciHtte  faitii  to  the  Aaayrian 
fliiei^erds,  who  aa  ^ej  iMcbed  Iheir  docks  bjr  n^it  on 
tib»r  lef^  ^pkaam,  and  b«iea&  Iheir  ^o^ess  aloes,  noted 
^e  asneets  and  movenenta  of  the  hesvvnif  bodies,  and 
fi»mea  tbeorks  of  the?  j^ood  and  evil  inflneneea  <m  hmaan 
afi&irs;  vaeoe  notions  whieh  1^  Chakdean  ^hilosophefs  and 
priests  Te^»d  to  a  mtem,.  snppoeed  to  oe  more  azioient 
even  thantitat  of  the  E^^tians. 

By  olSiers  it  xb  derived  from  stHl  higher  anthwity,  asd 
ehttBied  to  be  the  rdi^ion  of  ihe  antedihcrvian  woriEd.  It 
SBFvived,  say  tiiey,  the  d^nge,  and  was  coalinaed  amoi^ 
the  potmrdbs.  It  was  tangM  by  Abrahaaa,  adopted  by  bu 
des^dants,  theehildren  of  Isstsak,  and  sanctified  and  c<»- 
llrmed  in  the  taMets  <^  the  law  detivered  anio  MoeeSii  amid 
tiie  thimdef  and  i^tnmg  of  Moimt  SinaL 

In  its  original  state  uie  Sabean  iai&  was  pnre  and 
a^ntaal  i^  mcnieating  a  bddef  in  Hhe  nnity  of  €rod,  the  do«^ 
trae  oi  a  fetore  state  ef  rewards  and  ponishments,  and 
i^e  neeesBs^  of  a  vrrtoons  and  holy  lifb  to  obtain  a  happj 
hnmortality.  So  pgofoimd  was  ^te  reveienee  of  Ae  Sabeaag 
fyt  the  Supreme  Bemg,  i^aJb  they  never  mentioned  hii 
name,  nor  did  they  TentiDe  to  apmoaek  bsm,  bnt  i^anngk 
infeefme&te  inteluq^ieneea  or  an^Ss.  These  were  supposed 
to  izdiabife  and  ammatte  the  beavi|»h'  bodlee,  in  idi»  saoae 
way  as  the  human  body  is  inhabited  and  animated  by  a 
icral.  Tkej  mm  piaeed  in  their  respeotife  spheree  to 
B«perv»e  and  govern  tiie  universe  in  subs^rvieBcy  to  the 

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S  LIFB  OF  MAHOHBT. 

Most  High.  In  addressmg  themselyes  to  the  stars  and 
other  celestial  luminaries,  therefore,  ihe  Sabeans  did  not 
worship  them  as  deities,  bnt  sought  only  to  propitiate  their 
angelic  occupants  as  intercessors  with  the  Supreme  Being; 
loddng  up  uirough  these  created  things  to  6od  the  great 
creator. 

By  degrees  this  reheion  lost  its  original  simplidiy  and 
purity,  and  became  obscured  by  mysteries,  and  degraded 
by  iaolatries.  The  Sabeans,  mstead  of  resarding  the 
heayenly  bodies  as  the  habitations  of  interme£ate  agents, 
worshipped  them  as  deities;  set  up  groyen  images  in 
honour  of  them,  in  sacred  ^yes  and  in  the  gloom  of 
forests;  and  at  length  enshrmed  these  idols  in  temples, 
and  worshipped  them  as  if  instinct  with  diyinity.  The 
Sabean  faith,  too,  underwent  changes  and  modifications  in 
the  yarious  countries  through  which  it  was  diffiised. 
Egypt  has  long  been  accused  of  reducing  it  to  the  most 
abject  state  of  degradation;  the  statues,  hieroglyphics,  and 
INimted  sepulchres  of  that  mysterious  count^,  being  con- 
sidered records  of  the  worship,  not  merely  ot  celestial  in- 
telligences, but  of  the  lowest  order  of  created  beings,  and 
eyen  of  inanimate  objects.  Modem  inyestigatdon  and  re- 
search, howeyer,  are  ^nduaJly  rescuing  the  most  intel- 
lectual nation  of  antiquity  from  this  aspersion,  and  as  they 
slowly  lift  the  y eil  of  mystery  which  hangs  oyer  the  tomlis 
of  Egypt,  are  disooyenng  tliat  all  these  apparent  objects 
of  aeration  were  but  symbols  of  the  yaried  attributes  of 
the  one  Supreme  Beins,  whose  name  was  too  sacred  to  be 
pronounced  by  mortal.  Among  the  Arabs  the  Sabean 
&ith  became  mingled  with  wild  superstitions,  and  degraded 
by  gross  idolatry.  Each  tribe  worshipped  its  particular 
star  or  j^lanet,  or  set  up  its  particular  idoL  iManticide 
mingled  its  horrors  with  their  religious  rites.  Among  the 
nonuidic  tribes  the  birth  of  a  daughter  was  considered  a 
misfortune,  her  sex  rendering  her  of  little  seryice  in  a 
wandering  and  predatory  life,  while  she  might  bring  dis- 
grace upon  her  lamily  by  misconduct  or  captiyi^.  Motiyes 
of  unnaSnral  policy,  tnerefore,  m&j  haye  mingled,  with  their 
religious  feelings,  in  offering  up  &male  infiints  as  sacrifices 
to  weir  idols,  or  in  burning  them  aliye. 

The  riynl  sect  of  Magians  or  Guebres  j^fire-worshippers), 
which,  as  we  haye  said,  diyided  the  relinous  empire  of  the 
East,  took  its  rise  in  Persia,  where,  after  a  whue,  its  onl 
doctrines  were  reduced  to  writing  by  its  ffeat  prophet  and 
teacher  Zoroaster,  in  his  yolume  of  the  Zendayesta.    The 

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THB  MAOIAKS  ASJ>  SABBAVf.  9 

creed,  like  that  of  the  SabeanB,  was  originallj  simple  and 
spiritual,  incolcstang  a  belief  in  one  Supreme  and  Eternal 
God,  in  whom  and  by  whom  the  nniyerse  exists :  that  he 
wodnced,  through  his  creating  word,  two  actiye  {nrinomles, 
OrmnBd,  the  principle  or  angS  ci  light  or  good,  and  Ahri- 
man,  the  principle  or  an|^l  of  darkless  or  evil :  that  these 
formed  the  worid  out  of  a  mixture  of  their  opj^osite  de- 
ments, and  were  engaged  in  a  perpetual  contest  in  the  re- 
gulation of  its  affairs.  Hence  the  vicissitudes  of  good  and 
evil,  accordingly  as  the  angel  of  light  or  darkness  has  the 
xmper  hand :  this  contest  would  continue  until  the  end  of 
the  world,  when  there  would  be  a  general  resurrection  and 
a  daj  of  judgment;  the  an^el  of  darkness  and  his  dis- 
ciples would  then  be  baniwed  to  an  abode  of  woeM 
gloom,  and  their  opponents  would  enter  the  blissful  realms 
of  eyer-durin^  light. 

The  prinutiye  rites  <^  this  religion  were  extremely 
simple.  The  Magians  had  neither  temples,  altars,  nor 
religious  symbols  of  any  kind,  but  addressed  their  prayers 
and  hymns  directly  to  the  I)<^^>  iii  what  they  conceiyed 
to  be  nis  residence,  the  sun.  Tney  reyerencea  this  lumi- 
nary as  being  his  abode,  and  as  the  source  of  the  light 
and  heat  of  which  all  the  other  heayenly  bodies  are  com- 
posed; and  they  kindled  fires  upon  the  mountain  tops  to 
suppty  H^t  during  its  absence.  Zoroaster  first  introduced 
the  use  of  templM,  wherein  sacred  fire,  pretended  to  be 
deriyed  from  heayen,  was  kept  perpetually  aliye  through 
^e  guardianship  of  priests,  who  maintained  a  watch  oyer 
it  night  and  day. 

In  process  of  time  this  sect,  like  that  of  the  Sabeans, 
lost  sight  of  the  diyine  principle  in  the  symbol,  and  came 
to  wonhip  light  or  fire,  as  the  real  Deity,  and  to  abhor 
darkness  as  Satan  or  the  deyiL  In  their  fimatic  zeal  the 
Magians  would  seize  upon  unbelieyers,  and  offer  them  up 
in  the  fiames  to  propitiate  their  fiery  deity. 

To  the  tenets  of  these  two  sects  reference  is  made  in 
that  beautiful  text  of  the  Wisdom  of  Solomon:  "  Surely 
yain  are  all  men  by  nature  who  are  ignorant  of  GUxl,  and 
could  not,  by  considering^  the  work,  acknowledge  the  work 
master ;  but  deemed  either  fire,  or  wind,  or  the  swift  air, 
<Hr  the  drde  of  the  stars,  or  the  yiolent  water,  or  the  lights 
of  heayen,  to  be  ffods,  which  goyem  the  world." 

Of  these  two  fiuths  the  Sabean,  as  we  haye  before  ob- 
served, was  much  the  most  preyalent  among  the  Arabs ; 
but  in  an  extremely  degradea  form,  mingled  with  all  kinds 

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10  CIFB  OW  MjkHOMBT. 

ci  aboseB,  and  Taryinff  among  Idie  Yarbus  tribes.  The 
Magian  fiiitili  pireTailea  among  those  tribes  which,  houk 
their  frontier  pofilaon^  had  freqaent  inteieoBrse  witk 
Persia^  while  OMier  tribes  parixxdc  of  the  simeEstitaoiui  and 
idolatries  of  tiie  nations  (».  which  tiie j  bcffoered. 

Jmdaisza  had  made  ita  way  into  Arabi&  at  aa  earij 
period,  bat  yery  vagadj  and  imperfeetl j.  Still  many  of 
1^  rites  and  eeremonies,  and  &A<»fmI  traditiona,  became- 
isaiilanted  in  the  eonntvy.  At  a  later  day,  howefver,  wh^i 
Miestine  was  ravaged  by  the  'Romasoa,  and  the  eifcy  oi 
Jerusalem  taken  and  sadDed»  many  ef  the  Jews  toc^ 
niage  among  ih»  Arabs;  became  mcocporafced  with  the 
Batiye  tribes;  formed  l^mselFes  inta  eommiznitbes;  ac* 
mnred  possession  of  fertile  tracts;  bnilt  easdes  and  strcm^ 
holds,  and  rose  to  conridorabib  power  amd  isfiuaMe. 

The  Christian  reli^on  had  likewise  its  adherents  am/on^ 
i^  Arabs.  St.  Panl  hiniseif  deelares  in  hk  epMe  to  the 
Galatiaas,  that  soon  alfcer  he  had  been  callea  to  preaek 
C!hristianity  amonr  iba  heathens,  he  "wait  into  Arabia.'^ 
The  dissen^cmsy  ^so,  which  rose  in  the  Eai^^em  divreh. 
in  the  eady  paart  oP  ^e  third  centwry,  breakijs^  it  up  inta 
sects,  each  petseeating  the  others  as  it  gained  the  ase^i- 
dency,  drove  majoy  into  exile  inte  remote  parts  c^  the  East, 
filled  the  deserts  of  Arabia  with  anehontes*  and  planted 
the  Ghristias  fiutii  among  some  of  the  principal  tribes. 

The  te^foing  caeumstBttces,  ph^rsicBil  asA  moral,  mi^ 
give  an  idea  of  the  esoses  which  maintained  the  Arabs  lor 
ages  in  an  undtanged  co&ditkm.  While  their  isolated 
position  and  their  vast  deserts  protected  them  frcm  con- 
^pest,  their  inot^nal  feuds,  and  their  want  of  a  common 
tie,  political  cat  rel%iotifl,  kept  thou  firom  being  formidable 
IS  eosiqiifflOfs.  T&j^  were  a  vast  aggregation  of  distinct 
parts;  ftdl  of'  indifidiial  vigowr,  Imt  wanting  coher^it 
strength.  Althongh  their  nomadic  lile  rend&ed  them 
hardy  and  active;  ali^uogk  the  gxeatof  pajrt  of  them  were 
wanrMMs  fretit  in&iicy»  yet  thdr  aims  w^?e  only  wielded 
aeainst  etA  a^^eat,  excefitimg  soiae  of  the  frontnv  tribes, 
innch  occasiuM^y  engaged  as  ineroenaries  in  extanal 
wns.  White,  tshemare,^  other  noBiadie  races  efCratral 
Asia,  pesseesiag  »>  giettkeor  HstnesB  for  war£ve,  had,  daring 
a  course  of  age8»  svecesefwy  ovemm  and  eoBC](iiered  the 
civilized  worn,  tiiiis  wamor  race,  nncanariessof  its  power, 
nmasned  dis^isted  and  haismless  in  the  depths  of  its 
sative  deserts. 

The  time  at  length  amved  when  its  diBC(»daiit  tribes 

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wexe  to  be  xodtod  in  one  eieed,  and  animated  by  one  com- 
mon caiuae;  wben  a  migbtj  genius waa  to  arise,  wbo  sboold 
faring  together  these  seattered  Hmbs,  animate  ihtm  with 
Mb  own  enthnsiastie  and  daring  spirit,  andlead  tkem  forth, 
a  giant  of  the  desert,  to  shake  and  orertnm  the  empires  of 
the  earth. 


CHAPTEB  n. 


Mahoxbs,  the  ^leat  foondar  of  the  faith  of  IskM,  was 
bom  in  JIL&cea,  m  April,  in  the  year  560  of  the  Chx»tian 
era.  He  was  of  tihe  Y&Hant  and  iliastzions  trfl>e  of  Iloreidw 
<d  Tvhidi  there  w&te  two  branches,  dese^ided  £rom  two 
toothers,  Haseheaa  and  Abd  Scheme.  HasdMm,  the  pffo> 
genitor  of  Mahomet,  was  a  great  benefaetor  of  Mecca. 
This  city  is  ^niated  in  the  midst  of  a  barren  and  stony 
conntry,  and  in  &nnfir  times  was  often  rabjeet  to  scarcity 
of  provisknis.  At  the  beginning  of  the  sixth  centory 
Hasehem  established  two  yeaiiy  earayans^  oae  in  m» 
winter  to  South  Arabia  or  x  emen;  the  othcor  in  the  smn* 
mer  to  Syria.  By  these  means  abnndaat  supplies  were 
brought  to  Meeea,  as  well  as  a  great  yariety  of  merchandise. 
The  e^  became  a  eommereial  mart,  and  the  tribe  of 
Kore^,  whidb  ^acaged  largely  in  Ihese  expeditions » 
beesuae  wealthy  and  powerf m.  Hasehem,  at  this  tiiae^ 
was  the  gnardiaa  of  the  Caaba,  the  great  shrine  of  Arabiaait 
jMlgrima^  and  wcordi^,  the  custody  of  which  was  confided 
to  ncme  but  tiie  most  luntonrable  tribes  and  fanulies,  im 
the  same  manner  m,  in  old  times,  tiie  tem|^  of  Jerusalem 
was  intmsted  only  to  the  care  of  the  Leyites.  In  fact,  the 
gaardianfihi|»  d  the  Caaba  was  connected  with  ciyil  dig>> 
nides  and  priyflegesy  and  gaye  ^e  holder  of  it  tiie  ctmtrol 
of  the  sabred  eity. 

On  the  death  ei  Haachem,  his  s<m,  Abd  al  Motalleb* 
succeeded  to  his  honours,  and  inherited  his  patriotism.  He 
ddiyared  the  hdLy  city  from  an  inyading  aamj  oi  troops 
nd  el^^iantB,  soit  by  the  Chzkitian  {Hrineea  of  Abyssinia^ 
'  E>  at  that  time  hdd  Y^n^  in  subjection.  These  signal 
rices  rendered  by  father  and  son,  ccmfirmed  the  gnar- 
iship  of  the  Ca^a  in  the  hne  oi  Hasehem;  to  the  greet 
ontent  and  enyy  of  the  line  of  Abd  Sehems. 

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12  LIFB  OJ*  MAHOMBT. 

Abd  al  Motalleb  had  several  sons  and  daughters.  Those 
of  his  sons  who  ^gwce  in  history  were,  Abu  Taleb,  Abu 
Lahab,  Abbas,  Hamza,  and  Abdallah.  The  last  named 
was  the  youngest  and  best  beloved.  He  married  Amina, 
a  maiden  of  a  distant  branch  of  the  same  illustrious  stock 
of  Koreish.  So  remarkable  was  Abdallah  for  personal 
beauty  and  those  qualities  which  win  the  affections  of 
women,  that,  if  Moslem  traditions  are  to  be  credited,  on 
the  night  of  his  marriage  with  Amina,  two  hundred  virgins 
of  the  tribe  of  Zoreish  died  of  broken  hearts. 

Mahomet  was  the  first  and  only  fruit  of  the  marriage 
thus  sadly  celebrated.  His  birth,  according  to  similar  tra* 
ditions  with  the  one  just  cited,  was  accompanied  by  si^s 
and  portents  announcing  a  child  of  wonder.  His  mother 
suffered  none  of  tiie  pangs  of  travail.  At  the  moment  of 
his  coming  into  the  world,  a  celestial  light  illumined  the 
surrounding  country,  and  the  new-bom  child,  raising  his 
eyes  to  heaven,  exclaimed :  "  Gknl  is  great !  There  is  no 
god  but  God,  and  I  am  his  prophet." 

Heaven  and  earth,  we  are  assured,  were  agitated  at  his 
advent.  The  Lake  Sawa  shrank  back  to  its  secret  spring, 
leaving  its  borders  dry ;  while  the  Tigris,  burstmg  its 
boun<£,  overflowed  the  neighbouring  lands.  The  pdace 
of  Khosru  the  king  of  Persia  shook  to  its  foundations,  and 
several  of  its  towers  were  toppled  to  the  earth.  In  that 
troubled  night  the  !Kadhi,  or  Judge  of  Persia,  beheld,  in  a 
dream,  a  ferocious  camel  conquered  b}r  an  Arabian  courser. 
He  related  his  dream  in  the  morning  to  the  Persian 
monarch,  and  interpreted  it  to  portend  danger  from  the 
quarter  of  Arabia. 

In  the  same  eventful  n^ht  the  sacred  fire  of  Zoroaster, 
which,  guarded*by  the  lli^gi,  had  burned  without  inter- 
ruption for  upwards  of  a  wousand  years,  was  suddenly 
extinguished,  and  all  the  idols  in  the  world  feU  down.  The 
demons,  or  evil  genii,  which  lurk  in  the  stars  and  the  signs 
of  the  zodiac,  and  exert  a  malignant  influence  over  the 
children  of  men,  were  cast  forth  oy  the  pore  angels,  and 
hurled,  with  their  arch  leader,  Ebfis,  or  Jjucifer,  into  the 
depths  of  the  sea. 

The  relatives  of  the  new-bom  child,  say  the  like  autho^ 
xities,  were  filled  with  awe  and  wonder.  His  moth<Vs 
brother,  an  astrologer,  cast  his  nativity,  and  predicted  that 
he  would  rise  to  vast  power,  found  an  empire,  and  establish 
a  new  faith  among  men.  His  grandfather,  Abd  al  Mo- 
tdlleb,  gave  a  feast  to  the  principu  Koreishites,  the  sev4ith 

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UfFAJSrCY.  13 

day  after  his  birth,  at  wliich  he  presented  this  child,  as  the 
dawning  gloiy  of  their  race,  ana  gare  him  the  name  of 
Mahomet  (or  Mnhamed),  indicatire  of  his  fntore  renown. 

Snch  are  the  nuurellons  acconnts  giren  by  Moslem 
writers  of  the  infancy  of  MahoQiet,  and  we  hare  little  else 
than  similar  fables  about  his  early  years.  He  was  scarce 
two  months  old  when  his  &ther  died,  leaving  him  no  other 
inheritance  than  five  camels,  a  few  sheep,  and  a  female 
slaye  of  Ethiopia,  named  Barakat.  His  mother  Amina 
had  hitherto  nurtured  him,  but  care  and  sorrow  dried  the 
fountains  of  her  breast,  and  the  air  of  Mecca  being  un- 
healthy for  children,  she  sought  a  nurse  for  him  among  the 
females  of  the  neighbouring  Sedouin  tribes.  These  were 
accustomed  to  come  to  Mecca  twice  a  year,  in  spring  and 
autumn,  to  foster  the  children  of  its  inhabitants ;  but  they 
looked  for  the  offspring  of  the  rich,  where  they  were  sure 
of  ample  recompence,  and  turned  with  contempt  from  this 
heir  of  poyerty .  At  length  Haldma,  the  wife  of  a  Saadite 
shephero,  was  moyed  to  compassion,  and  took  the  helpless 
infant  to  her  home.  It  was  m  one  of  the  pastoral  yalleys 
of  the  mountains.* 

Many  were  the  wonders  related  by  Haidma  of  her  infimt 
charfire.  On  the  journey  from  Mecca,  the  mule  which  bore 
him  became  miraculously  endowed  with  speech,  and  pro- 
claimed aloud  that  he  bore  on  his  back  the  greatest  of 
prophets,  the  chief  of  ambassadors,  the  fayourite  of  the 
Almighty.  The  sheep  bowed  to  him  as  he  passed ;  as  he 
lay  in  his  cradle  and  gazed  at  the  moon,  it  stooped  to  Tiinv 
in  reyerence. 

The  blessing  of  heayen,  say  the  Arabian  writers,  re- 
warded the  charity  of  Haltoa.  While  th§  child  remained 
tuider  her  roof,  eyerything  around  her  prospered.  The 
wells  and  springs  were  never  dried  up ;  the  pastures  were 
always  green ;  ner  flocks  and  herds  increased  tenfold ;  a 
maryellous  abundance  reigned  oyer  her  fields,  and  peace 
prevailed  in  her  dwelling. 

The  Arabian  legends  go  on  to  extol  the  almost  super- 
natural powers,  bodily  and  mental,  manifested  by  this  won- 
derfril  child  at  a  very  early  age.  He  could  stand  alone 
when  three  months  old  5  run  abroad  when  he  was  seven ; 

*  The  Beni  Sad  (or  children  of  Sad)  date  from  the  most  remote  anti- 
qaitf,  and,  with  the  Katan  Arabs,  are  the  onlj  remnants  of  the  primi- 
tive tribea  of  Arabia.  Their  valley  is  among  the  momitains  which 
range  scmthwardly  from  the  TtLjet^Burckhcnrdt  on  the  Bedomm,  vol.  ii. 

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14  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

md  web  ten  eould  joia  otiier  dbili^reii  in  ^kek  sports  witk 
bows  sad  anrows.  At  eif^  moutiiB  he  could  speak  so  as 
to  be  undfiVBtood ;  and  in  i^  course  of  anomer  montk 
eould  oonyerse  witb  flaemoy,  difybtying  a  wisdom  aato- 
niriusff  to  all  wbo  beard  him. 

At  &e  age  of  tbvee  yeais,  wbile  pkyii^  in  til^  fields 
wil^  bis  foster  Ixoiber,  Maanod,  two  angds  in  shining 
i^paa?el  mppeared  befoe  tbem.  Hiey  laid  tfahoraat  gently 
upon  the  mmnd,  and  Gabrifll,  one  of  tbe  ioigels,  opened 
bis  breast,  rast  wi&ont  inflifting  aoT  $«bi.  Tben  taking 
fortb  bis  beart,  be  eleansed  it  &om  aU  impuri^,  wringing 
from  it  tkose  biaok  and  bitter  dxipa  of  ocngmal  ain,  in- 
berited  from  onr  Sorefrtfaer  Adam,  «ad  wbicb  lurk  in  ibo 
bearts  of  Ibebeitof  htsdeaoeBdants,  incitii^  tbem  to  crime. 
Wben  be  bad  iduMrongMy  purified  it,  be  filSddit  witb  faitk 
«id  knowledge  and  propliiotic  bgbt,  and  replaoad  it  in  the 
bosom  of  tbe  obild.  K  aw,  we  jure  assured  by  tbe  same 
aiitibonties,  be^an  to  emanttfae  from  bii  couatenanee  tbat 
mjstezioos  li^  wbicb  bad  continAed  down  from  Adam^ 
timoi^  Ibe  saorediine  of  pronlMta»xmtil  tbe  time  of  I^^ 
and  £hmael ;  but  wbicb  bad  lain  dormant  in  tbe  deflcen- 
daats  of  tibe  Isttec,  untilit  tbus  sbone  iocdi  witb  senowed 
xadtanoe  from  ^e  featoms  of  Mabomot 

At  -das  n^ematural  -visitation,  it  is  added,  was  im- 
presaed  between  tbe  shoulders  of  tbe  cbikL  the  seal  of  pro- 
phecy, wbicb  eontmued  Ibrovgbout  life  tbe  symbd  and 
credential  of  bis  diiriiM  mission;  thougb  unbeueyetrs  saw 
nothing  in  it  but  a  bucge  mole,  tbe  size  of  a  ■pige(m*B  qgg. 

When  tbe  marvellous  visitation  of  the  angdwas  reuled 
to  HalAma  and  her  busbaiuL,  they  were  alanoed  lest  some 
misfortune  diould  be  impending  over  the  child,  oar  that  his 
aupemstnral  visitors  mi^t  be  of  tbe  race  of  evil  spirits  oar 
genii,  wbicb  haunt  tbe  solitudes  of  the  desert,  wreaking 
mischief  on  tbe  children  of  m^i.  His  Saadite  nurse» 
tberefore,  carried  bun  back  to  Meeca^  and  delivered  bim 
to  bis  mother  Amina. 

He  TesMoied  with  his  meat  until  his  sixth  year,  when 
she  took  bim  witb  ber  to  Medina,  on  a  visit  to  b»  relatives 
of  tbe  tribe  of  Adij,  but  on  her  journey  homeward  she 
died,  and  was  buried  at  Abwa,  a  village  oetween  Medina 
and  Mecca.    Her  grave,  it  will  be  found,  was  a  place  of 

E'ous  resort  and  tendOT  recollection  to  her  s<m,  at  Ibe 
test  period  of  his  life. 

The  faithful  Abyssinian  slave,  Barakat,  now  acted  as  a 
mother  to  the  orphan  child^  and  conducted  him  to  bii 

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ilAWTtTT  TBADITIOirf .  16 

grsudfoliier  Abd  al  MotUkb,  in  whote  komeiicld  lie  re- 
mained for  two  years,  treated  with  care  and  tendemeBs. 
Abd  al  Motdfleb  waa  nem  weM  rtndDen  in  jemn ;  kaving 
oGtlivBd  the  on&tfleiy  tens  <^  hunam  eziiteBoe.  Fisding 
Ida  «ikL  afproacbing,  be  called  to  bkn  bk  ^deat  a<m.  Aba 
!Ueb^aiidDeqneatbedllii^iamettobifl  eapeoial  protection. 
Tbe  good  Aba  Taieb  took  Ida  nepbew  to  bis  bosom,  and 
c^er  aftorwsrds  w»b  to  bim  aa  a  pacreiit.  Aa  tbe  fonner 
aneoeededto  tiie  gaaTdianBbq?  of  me  Caaba  at  ike  dealii 
of  bis  &tber,  Mi^met  eoHtisned  £»  aefend  years  in  a 
kind  of  «ajC^4otal  boosduld,  wbere  tbe  rites  and  cere- 
maniea  of  tbe  Kicred  bonae  wero  rigidly  observed.  Aad 
b^«  we  deem  it  necesaaz^  to  ^e  a  more  especial  notice 
of  ^bc  a&eged  origin  ci  tbe  Oaaba,  and  of  tbe  rites  and 
traditioiui,  and  aupenititioas  oonneeted  witb  it,  closely 
interwoven  as  tbey  are  witb  the  fiutb  of  Islam  and  tlie 
gtory  of  its  ibmiier. 


CFAPTFTR,  m. 

TrwMtions  QODoening  Jleocft  aiul  tbe  Caaba. 

Wiisir  Adam  and  Svo  were  cast  &Mi  from  Paradise,  say 
AraibianlxaditioaiSjtbeyleUin  difOsrent parts  of  tbe  eartb; 
Adam  on  a  moontaui  of  tbe  island  of  Serendib,  or  Ceylon; 
Ere  in  Arabia,  on  tbe  borders  of  tbe  Sed  Sea,  wbere  tbe 
port  c£  Jbddab  is  now  ffltoated.  For  two  bondred  years 
tbey  wandered  separate  and  lonely  about  tbe  eartb,  onti], 
in  conaidecatioai  of  tbeir  penitence  and  wretcbedness,  tbey 
were  permitted  to  eome  togetber  i^ain  on  Mount  Ararat, 
WEOb  fie  from  the  present  cily  of  Mecca.  In  Ibe  depib  at 
bis  sorrow  and  repentance,  Adam,  it  is  said,  raised  bis 
baauis  and  efj^B  to  beaten,  and  implored  the  clemency  of 
God ;  entreating  that  a  sbrine  mi^t  be  yoacbsafed  to  nim 
similar  to  tbat  at  wbidi  be  bad  worshipped  wben  in  Para- 
ge, and  roond  wbi(^  tbe  angels  oaea  to  move  in  adoring 
proeesskms. 

Tbe  sofmlicatioQ  of  Adam  was  efiectoal.  A  tabemade 
ortemj^  ifermed  of  radiant  deads  was  lowered  down  by 
tbe  baads  of  angek,  and  placed  immediately  below  its 
protot^ppe  in  ibe  celestial  paradise.  Towards  uiis  beaven- 
deaccaided  idkiae,  Adam  thenceforth  tamed  wben  in  prayer^ 

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16  LIFE  OF  MAHOMSS. 

and  round  it  lie  daily  made  seven  circuits  in  imitation  of 
the  rites  of  the  adormg  angels. 

At  the  death  of  Adam,  say  the  same  traditions,  the 
tabernacle  of  clouds  passed  away,  or  was  again  drawn  up 
to  heaven ;  but  another,  of  the  same  form  and  in  the  same 

5 lace,  was  built  of  stone  and  clay  by  Seth,  the  son  of 
idam.  This  was  swept  away  by  tne  deluge.  Many 
fenerations  afterwards,  m  the  tune  of  the  patri^hs,  when 
[agar  and  her  child  Islimael  were  near  perishing  with 
thint  in  the  desert,  an  angel  revealed  to  them  a  sprmg  or 
well  of  water,  near  to  the  ancient  site  of  the  tabernacle. 
This  was  the  well  of  Zem  Zem,  held  sacred  by  the  pro- 
geny of  Ishmael  to  the  present  day.  Shortly  atfterwards, 
two  individuals  of  the  gigantic  race  of  the  iunalekites,  in 
quest  of  a  camel  which  mid  strayed  from  their  camp,  dis* 
covered  this  well,  and,  having  slaJced  their  thirst,  brought 
their  companions  to  the  pli^.  Here  they  founded  the 
city  of  Mecca,  talking  Ishmael  and  his  mother  under  their 
protection.  They  were  soon  expelled  by  the  proper  in- 
nabitants  of  tlie  country,  among  whom  Ishmael  remained. 
When  j^wn  to  man's  estate,  1^  married  the  daughter  of 
the  rulmg  prince,  by  whom  he  bad  a  numerous  progeny, 
the  ance^rs  of  tlie  Arabian  people.  In  process  of  time, 
by  God's  command,  he  undertook  to  rebuild  the  Caaba,  on 
the  precise  site  of  the  original  tabernacle  of  clouds.  In 
this  pious  work  he  was  assisted  by  his  father  Abraham. 
A  miraculous  stone  served  Abraham  as  a  scaffold,  rising 
and  sinking  with  him  as  he  built  the  walls  of  the  sacred 
edifice.  It  still  remains  there,  an  inestimable  relic,  and  the 
print  of  the  patriarch's  foot  is  clearly  to  be  perceived  on  it 
by  all  true  believers. 

While  Abraham  and  Ishmael  were  thus  occupied,  the 
angel  Gtibriel  brought  them  a  stone,  about  which  traditional 
accounts  are  a  little  at  variance;  by  some  it  is  said  to  have 
been  one  of  the  precious  stones  ot  Paradise,  which  fell  to 
the  earth  with  Adam,  and  was  afterwards  lost  in  the  slime 
of  the  deluge,  until  retrieved  by  the  angel  Gkbriel.  The 
more  received  tradition  is,  that  it  was  originally  the 
guardian  an^el  appointed  to  watch  over  Adam  in  Paradise, 
but  changed  into  a  stone  and  ejected  thence  with  him  at 
his  faU,  as  a  pumshment  for  not  having  been  more  vigilant. 
This  stone  Abraham  and  Ishmael  received  with  proper 
reverence,  and  inserted  it  in  a  comer  of  the  exterior  wall 
of  the  Caaba,  where  it  remains  to  the  present  day,  de- 
voutly kissed  by  worshippers  each  time  they  make  a  circuit 

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EASLY  BBLI6I0US  BUS.  IT 

of  the  tempxe.  When  first  inserted  in  the  wall  it  was,  we 
are  told,  a  single  jacinth  of  dazzling  whiteness,  but  be^une 
gradtudly  bhidcened  by  the  kisses  of  sinful  mortals.  At 
tibe  resurrection  it  will  recover  its  angelic  form,  and  stand 
forth  a  testimony  before  God  in  favour  of  those  who  have 
£Eiithfally  performed  the  rites  of  pilgrimage. 

Such  are  the  Arabian  traditions,  which  rendered  the 
Caaba  and  the  well  of  Zem  Zem,  objects  of  extraordinary 
veneration  from  the  remotest  antiquity  among  the  people 
of  tiie  East,  and  especially  the  descendants  of  IshmaeL 
Mecca,  which  incloses  these  sacred  objects  within  its  walls, 
was  a  holy  city  many  ages  before  the  nse  of  Mahometanism* 
and  was  ike  resort  ox  pilmms  from  all  parts  of  Arabia. 
So  universal  and  profound  was  the  religious  feeling  re- 
specting this  observance,  that  four  months  in  every  year 
were  devoted  to  the  rites  of  pilgrunaff e,  and  held  sacred 
from  all  violence  and  warfare,  ^ostue  tribes  then  laid 
aside  their  arms ;  took  the  headsfrom  their  spears ;  traversed 
the  late  dangerous  deserts  in  security;  thronged  the  gates 
of  Mecca  cuid  in  the  pilgrim's  garb;  made  their  seven 
drcuits  round  the  Caaba  in  imitation  of  the  anffelio  host; 
touched  and  kissed  the  mvsterious  black  stone;  drank  and 
made  ablutions  at  the  weU  Zem  Zem  in  memory  of  their 
ancestor  Ishmael;  and  having  performed  aU  the  other 
primitive  rites  of  pilgrimage  retunied  home  in  safety,  again 
to  resume  their  weapons  and  their  wars. 

Among  the  religious  observances  of  the  Arabs  in  these 
their  **  days  of  ignorance,"  that  is  to  say,  before  the  pro- 
mulgation of  the  Moslem  doctrines,  £utin^  an4  prayer  had 
a  foremost  place.  They  had  three  principal  fasts  within 
the  year;  one  of  seven,  one  of  nine,  and  one  of  thirty  days. 
They  nrayed  three  times  each  day ;  about  sunrise,  at  noon» 
and  about  sunset;  turning  their  faces  in  the  direction 
of  the  Caaba,  which  was  their  kebla,  or  point  of  adora- 
tion.  They  had  many  religious  traditions,  some  of  them 
acquired  in  early  times  from  the  Jews,  and  they  are  said 
to  nave  nurtured  their  devotional  feelinfi^s  with  the  book  of 
Psahns,  and  with  a  book  said  to  beby  Seth,  and  filled 
with  moral  discourses. 

Brought  up,  as  Mahomet  was,  in  the  house  of  the  guar- 
dkn  of  the  Caaba,  the  ceremonies  and  devotions  connected 
with  the  sacred  edifice  may  have  given  an  early  bias  tohia 
mind,  and  inclined  it  to  tnose  speculations  in  matters  of 
religion  by  which  it  eventually  became  engrossed.  Though 
his  Modem  biographers  would  fain  persuade  us  his  high 

**  gitizedby  VjOO 


IS  II7B  OF  KAHOMM* 

clestmjr  waa  dearlj  foretold  in  liis  cltildhood  by  signs  and 
prodigies,  yet  his  education  afypears  to  have  been  as  mudi 
Delected  as  that  of  ordinary  Arab  clul^en;  fbr  we  £nd 
that  he  was  not  taneht  ^ther  to  read  or  wnte.  He  waa 
a  thoughtM  diild,  nower^;  qnick  to  observe,  prone  to 
meditate  on  all  that  he  observed,  and  possessed  of  axt 
imagination  fertile,  darmg,  and  expansive.  The  yearly 
infinx  c^pilfftims  from  distant  parts  made  Mecca  a  recep- 
tacle for  aH  lands  of  Boating  knowledge,  which  he  a;^ars 
to  have  imbibed  with  eagerness  and  retained  in  a  tenacious 
memory;  and  as  he  increased  in  years,  a  more  extended 
i^khere  dr  observaticai  waa  gradoalfy  op^ied  to  him. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

JElfst  iciamef  of  Kahomet  with  tbe  etnmxk  to  S jila. 

ICahokbt  was  now  twelve  years  of  age,  bnt,  aa  we  have 
shown,  he  had  an  intelligence  far  beyond  hia  j^ears.  The 
apirit  of  inqmrv  was  awake  within  him,  quicken^  hy 
mterconrse  with  {»lgrim&  from  all  parts  of  Arabia.  Hj^ 
nnde  Abn  Taleb,  too,  beside  his  sacerdotal  eharad«r  aa 
guardian  of  the  Caaba,  was  one  of  the  most  entemrising 
merchants  of  the  tribe  of  Eloreish,  and  had  mru£.  to  do 
witii  those  caravans  set  on  £x>t  by  his  ancestor  Haschem, 
which  traded  to  Syria  and  Yemen.  The  arrival  and  de< 
partnre  of  those  caravans,  which  throned  the  gates  of 
Mecca  and  filled  its  streets  with  pleasmg  tmniut,  were 
eoEdting  events  to  a  yonilL  like  Mahomet,  and  carried  ids 
imagination  to  for^gn  parts.  He  conld  no  looger  repress 
the  ardent  curiosity  tins  aronsed;  bnt  once,  when  hia 
tmde  was  about  to  mount  his  camel  to  depart  with  the 
earavan  for  Syria,  clang  to  him,  and  cr.treated  to  be  per- 
mitted to  accompany  hmi:  **  For  who,  oh  my  nnde,"  said 
he,  "  will  take  care  <^me  when  ^a^  art  awavF" 

The  appeal  was  not  lost  upon  the  kind-hearted  Abu 
Taleb.  He  bethought  him,  too,  lliat  ihe  yoath  was  of  aa 
age  to  enter  upon  &e  active  scenes  of  Arab  life,  and  of  a 
ca;picity  to  render  essential  service  in  the  duties  of  the 
caravan;  he  readily,  therefore,  granted  his  prayer,  and 
took  him  with  him  on  the  journey  to  Svria. 

The  route  lay  through  regions  fertile  in  fables  and  tr»* 
ditions,  which  it  is  the  deliglS;  of  the  Arabs  to  recount  i$ 

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8irPEB8TITI(»f8  OV  TVS  DESBBT.  19 

ike  evetiof^  laaltB  of  tibe  csnertai,  Hie  vast  sc^tades  of 
the  desert,  in  which  that  wandermg  people  pass  so  nra^ 
of  their  lires,  are  prone  to  en^render  superstitkwfl  fimcies; 
th^  ha^e  aceordmgly  pe<^led  them  with  ^»ood  and  e^ 
genii,  tokd  clothed  iStem  wnh  tales  of  oidi^tment,  mast- 
gled  up  with  wonderfxd  erents  whieh  hi^ppened  in  dajs  of 
M,  In  these  erening  halts  of  tibe  oararaa,  the  yoroiM 
Blind  of  Mahomet,  donbtless,  imbibed  man  j  of  those  supers 
ititions  of  ilie  desert  which  erer  afterwards  dwelt  in  his 
memc^y,  and  had  apowezfol  inflnenee  ov^er  his  imagination. 
We  may  espedaUy  note  two  traditions  i^iich  he  must  hare 
heard  at  this  tiane,  and  which  we  find  reeorded  hj  him  in 
after  years  in  the  Koran.  One  related  to  the  moimtainoin 
dii^ariet  of  Hedjar.  Here,  as  the  eararan  wonnd  its  war 
^rcmgh  siknt  and  deserted  TaQejs,  caves  were  pointed 
out  in  the  sides  of  the  mountains  onee  inhabited  vj  tite 
Beni  Thagrwd,  at  children  of  Thamnd,  one  oi  the  "  lost 
tribes"^  of  Arabia;  and  this  was  the  tradition  coneeming 
tilem^— 

They  w&n  m  proud  and  gnlgantio  race,  enstinir  before 
the  time  of  i^  patriardi  i&raham.  Haying  hiLett  into 
l^nd  idolatry,  God  sent  a  prop&et  of  tike  nazne  of  Saleh, 
to  restore  tliem  to  ^  ngkt  way.  Th^  refhsed,  lM>weTer, 
to  listen  to  him,  nnless  m  riioiud  prove  the  divinity  of  his 
misdcm  hv  eaosiBg  m  camel,  big  with  yoang,  to  ksne  from 
ibe  ^Ktraus  of  a  momxtain.  Saleh  aoeoraingly  prayed, 
and  lo!  a  rock  opened,  and  a  female  eamel  eame  forth, 
whieh  soon  prodoced  a  foaL  Some  d  the  Thanradites 
were  convinced  hj  the  sunde,  and  were  converted  by  the 
prophet  inm,  their  idK^atrr;  the  greater  part,  however, 
remained  in  m^H^  Sam  left  the  camelamong  them  as 
a  sign»  waminF  them  that  a  jndgment  from  heaven  would 
£Ekll  on  them,  Aoold  they  do  ner  any  hann.  ¥ot  a  time 
the  cam^  was  snifered  to  feed  qxdetljr  in  their  pastnres, 

fomg  £>rth  in  theanonin^,  and  retcrrnin^  in  the  evening, 
t  is  true,  that  when  s^  bowed  her  head  to  drink  from  a 
brook  or  weU,  she  never  raised  it  nntil  she  had  drained  the 
Ia8t  drop  of  water;  but  then  m  retnm  she  yielded  mifi: 
Plough  to  sosp^Y  the  whole  tribe.  As,  howeyer,  ^e 
frightimed  tibe  od^er  eamds  from  the  pasture,  i^e  became 
an  object  of  offence  to  the  Thamndites^  who  hamstrung 
and  slew  her.  Upon  thk  there  was  a  fearful  cry  from 
lieayen,  and  great  claps  of  thunder,  and  in  the  momiDg 
all  the  offen£rs  were  found  lying  on  their  fr^ees,  deaf 
Thns  the  whole  race  was  swept  from  the  earth,  and 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


20  IIFB  OF  HAHOUXT* 

their  cotmtry  vms  laid  for  ever  afterward  under  tlie  ban  of 
heaven. 

This  story  made  a  powerM  impression  on  the  mind  of 
Mahomet,  insomuch  tnat,  in  after  years,  he  reftised  to  let 
his  people  encamp  in  the  neighbonrnood,  but  hurried  them 
away  m)m  it  as  an  accursed  region. 

Another  tradition,  gathered  on  this  journey,  related  to 
the  city  of  Evla,  situated  near  the  Eed  Sea.  This  place, 
he  was  told,  nad  been  inhabited  in  old  times  by  a  tnbe  of 
Jews,  who  lapsed  into  idolatry,  and  profaned  the  Sabbath 
by  fishing  on  that  sacred  day;  whereupon  the  old  men 
were  transformed  into  swine,  and  the  young  men  into 
monkeys. 

We  naye  noted  these  two  traditions  especially,  because 
they  are  both  cited  by  Mahomet  as  instances  of  Divine 
judgment  on  the  crime  of  idolatry,  and  evince  the  bias 
nis  youthful  mind  was  already  taking  on  that  important 
subject. 

Moslem  writers  tell  us,  as  usual,  of  wonderM  cir- 
cumstances which  attended  the  youth  throughout  this 
journey,  giving  evidence  of  the  continual  guarSanship  of 
neaven.  At  one  time,  as  he  traversed  the  burning  sands 
of  the  desert,  an  angel  hovered  over  him  imseen,  sheltering 
him  with  his  wines;  a  miracle,  however,  which  evidently 
does  not  rest  on  the  evidence  of  an  eye-witness;  at  another 
time  he  was  orotected  by  a  cloud  which  hung  over  his 
head  during  tbe  noontide  heat;  and  on  another  occasion, 
as  he  sought  the  scanty  shade  of  a  withered  tree,  it  sud- 
denly put  forth  leaves  and  blossoms. 

Alter  skirting  the  ancient  domains  of  the  Moabites  and 
the  Ammonites,  often  mentioned  in  the  sacred  Scriptures, 
the  caravan  arrived  at  Bosra,  or  Bostra,  on  the  confines  of 
Syria,  in  the  country  of  the  tribe  of  Manaaseh,  beyond 
ihe  Jordan.  In  Scripture  dajs  it  had  been  a  city  or  the 
Levites,  but  now  was  inhabited  by  JSTestorian  Christians. 
It  was  a  great  mart,  annually  visited  by  the  caravans;  and 
here  our  wayfarers  came  to  a  halt,  and  encamped  near  a 
convent  of  ^estorian  monks. 

3j  this  fraternity  Abu  Taleb  and  his  nephew  were  en- 
tertained with  great  hospitalitr.  One  of  the  monks,  by 
some  called  Sergius,  by  others  Bahira,*  on  conversing  with 
Mahomet,  was  surprised  at  the  precocity  of  his  intellect, 

*  Seme  aseert  that  these  two  namei  indicate  two  monks,  who  held 
oonveTsations  with  Mahomet. 

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BXLI6IOUS  INFLUSNCB8.  21 

and  interested  by  his  ea^er  desire  for  infonnation,  which 
^ipears  to  haye  had  re^rence,  prindpaUj,  to  matters  of 
rengion.  They  had  frequent  oonrersations  together  on 
socn  subjects,  in  the  oonrse  of  which  the  efib^  of  the 
monk  .mnst  hare  been  mamhr  directed  acfainst  that  idolatry 
in  which  the  jouthM  Mahomet  had  hitherto  been  edu« 
cated;  for  the  Kestorian  Christians  were  strenuous  in  con- 
demning not  merely  the  worship  of  images,  but  even  the 
casual  exhibition  of  them;  indeed,  so  £r  did  they  carry 
tiieir  scruples  on  this  point,  that  eren  the  cross,  that 
general  emblem  of  Christianity,  was  in  a  great  degree  in- 
duded  in  this  prohibition. 

Many  haye  ascribed  that  knowledge  of  the  principles 
and  traditions  of  the  Christian  faith  diqilayed  by  Mahomet 
in  after  life,  to  those  early  conversations  with  this  monk; 
it  is  probable,  howerer,  that  he  had  further  intercourse 
wiHi  the  latter  in  the  course  of  subsequent  visits  which 
he  made  to  Syria. 

Moslem  writers  pretend  that  the  interest  taken  by  the 
monk  in  the  youthful  stranger,  arose  from  his  having  ae« 
ddentallyperceived  between  Ids  shoulders  the  netl  of  pro- 
phecy. He  warned  Abu  Taleb,  say  they,  when  about  to 
set  out  on  his  return  to  Mecca,  to  take  care  that  his 
ne]^ew  did  not  fiiill  into  the  hands  of  the  Jews ;  foreseeing, 
with  the  eye  of  prophecy,  the  trouble  and  opposition  he 
was  to  encounter  from  that  people. 

It  required  no  miraculous  sign,  however,  to  interest  a 
sectarian  monk,  anxious  to  make  proselytes,  in  an  intelli- 
gent and  inquiring  youth,  nephew  of  the  guardian  of  the 
Caaba,  who  might  cany  back  with  him  to  Mecca  the  seeds 
of  Chnstianity  sown  in  his  tender  mind;  and  it  was  natural 
that  the  monk  should  be  eager  to  prevent  his  h(med-for 
convert,  in  the  present  unsettled  state  of  his  rdigioos 
opinions,  from  bemg  beguiled  into  the  Jewish  faith. 

Mahomet  returned  to  Mecca,  his  imagination  teeming 
with  the  wild  tales  and  traditions  picked  up  in  the  desert, 
and  his  mind  deeply  impressed  with  the  doctrines  im- 
parted to  him  in  the  I^estorian  convent.  He  seems  ever 
afterwards  to  have  entertained  a  mysterious  reverence  for 
Syria,  probably  from  the  religious  impressions  received 
there.  It  was  me  land  whither  Abraham  the  patriarch  had 
repaired  from  Chaldea,  taking  with  him  the  primitive  wor- 
ship of  the  one  true  God.  "  Verily,"  he  used  to  say  in 
after  years,  ''God  has  ever  maintained  guardians  of'^his 
word  m  Syria;  forty  in  number ;  when  one  dies,  another 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


22  11X15  OF  MAHOXBT. 

» tent  in  ins  room ;  tBoA  through  them  the  land  is  biessed." 
And  asain — **  Joy  he  to  tlie  people  of  %Tia»  foirihe  wngehi 
of  the  nnd  God  spread  Hreir  wings  ov«r  tiiem.'* 

HoTE^ — The  ««iv«eiioii  «f  Abnlwm  fttna  tbeidDlatqr  into  whicb  tbe 
'wodd  had  fUleii  after  the  deluge,  is  related  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  the 
Koran.  Abraham's  ftther,  Azer,  or  Zerah,  as  1^  name  is  giren  in  the 
ScT^pftnres,  was  a  statuary  and  an  idolater. 

« And  Alnratuun  said  nata  his  IMlier  Amt,  *Whr  doat  ifaaa  take 
gimvwi  images  fivr  gods  ?    Verily,  than  and  thy  peqple  are  to  error.' 

**  Then  was  the  JhTnaiaint  of  beavgn  displayed  onto  AfanJiam.  that 
he  might  see  how  the  world  was  governed. 

**  When  night  came,  and  dailmess  oyerelhadowed  the  earth,  he  t)ehc3d 
a  bright  star  shining  in  the  firmament,  and  cried  «nt  to  We  peofie  wh» 
wereastK^gen:  *  Hiis,  aecwdiag  to  yoar  iiwfrrtiMM,  is  tte  Lotd.* 

"^Bnt the  stea^aMd  Abraham avUU  *lhKfe  so fiitthja  Gods  that 
•et' 

*'  He  beheld  the  moon  ridag,  and  exclaimed,  *  Assuredly,  tfa3s  is  the 
Lord.'  Bat  the  moon  like^se  set,  and  he  was  cmtfbonded,  and  prayed 
mto  God,  saying,  ^IMrect  me,  lest  I  become  as  oneof  theae  pe«iile,wlH> 
go  astray.' 

*Tnien  he  smr  the  soe  rishig,  he  cried  eat,  *  This  is  the  most  g}o- 
liMs  ef  ail ;  this  of  a  oertainty  is  the  Lerd.'  But  the  san  also  set. 
Than  said  Abraham,  'I  believe  not,  oh  my  people,  in  those  tilings  which 
ye  call  gods.  Yerily.  I  torn  my  face  unto  Him,  the  Creator,  who  hal^ 
ibnned  both  the  hearens  and  the  earA.' " 


CHAPTEE  V, 

Canmereial  oooupatkma  of  Mahamft— JBBa  marriage  with  Cadjjah. 

Mahomet  was  now  com^letelj  laimcked  in  actiye  life,  ae- 
ocHnpanying  lii^  nndes  in  various  expeditions.  At  one 
ixme^  wnen  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  we  £nd  him  with 
Ids  uncle  ZolAe^,  journeying  wiili  the  caraTan  to  Yemen  ; 
at  another  time  acting  as  armour-bearer  to  the  same  unole, 
\vlio  led  a  warlike  expedition  of  Koreishites  in  aid  of  the 
Keaaintes  ag^unst  the  tzibe  of  Hawazan.  This  is  cited  as 
Mahomet's  nrst  essay  in  arms,  though  he  did  little  else 
tlMBi  svwlj  his  uncle  with  arrows  in  me  heat  of  the  action, 
and  duddhim  firom  the  darts  of  the  enemy.  It  is  sti^rma- 
tised  asMmg  Arabian  writers  as  al  Padjar,  or  the  impious 
war,  having  been  carried  on  during  the  sacred  months  of 

t  advanced  in  years,  he  was  employed  by 
•  UidiCBt-iil-Xasaifli,  TfO.  ii.  p.  812. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THB  WIDOW  CATC/AH.  8i 

difercjii  penoaiB  as  commerekl  agent  or  ftctor  in  cararaii 
joaroeju  to  SynB,  Yemen,  and  elsewhere ;  all  wlikli  tended 
to  CTilar^e  the  wflkexe  of  his  obeetration,  and  to  mwe  Jiim 
a  qmck  msiglit  mto  eharact^  and  a  knowledge  of  human 
ttfluiizs. 

Se  WM  a  fieqnrait  attoider  of  £iin,  also,  whkh,  in 
Atmhiii,  wero  not  always  mero  reaortt  of  tn£Bc,  but  ooca- 
Maallj  aoeaea  of  poetical  eontestB  betireeB  dii&rent  tribety 
viwe  prizes  were  adjudged  to  the  Tietan,  and  their  pnat 
poems  treasved  up  in  the  arddves  of  princes.  baoh» 
«yecMaily,wms  the  case  with  ihefSur  of  Qcadh;  aadseToi 
ot  Hie  prize  poems  adjudged  there  were  hung  up  as 
tro^^hies  m  &e  Caaba.  At  theae  fairs,  also,  wei«  rented 
&e  popvdar  traditions  of  Ihe  Arabs,  and  inculcated  the 
▼arioufl  rdigioos  fatths  which  were  afloat  in  Arabia.  Er<»i 
ond  somroes  of  tibis  kind,  Afahomet  gradually  aecumnlated 
JBnch  of  thatyaned  information  as  to  oweds  and  doctrinef 
whieh  he  afterwaids  dii^yed. 

There  was  at  this  tmie  residing  in  ICeeca,  »  widow, 
aamedGadiiah  (<nr£iiadnah),'<tfthe  tribe  of  Koreii^  She 
hnd  been  twice  maniedl  Her  last  husband,  a  wealthy 
nerdiaDt,  had  reoenliy  died,  and  ikd  extoasfre  concerns 
odhe  house  were  in  meed  of  «  eondnetor.  A  nephew  of 
4^  widow,  named  Omzkna,  had  beocnne  acquainted  with 
ICahomet  in  tiie  course  of  his  commercial  ezpeditioBfl,  and 
had  noticed  the  ahflity  and  intemty  with  wbiok  he  ao- 
ouittedhimsdfonalloeeasions.  ^e  pointed  him  out  to 
£eb  sunt  as  a  person  well  qualified  to  he  her  £ictor.  Ths 
personal  ap^pearance  of  Mahomet  may  have  s<aronglj 
eeconded  ous  reeommeadatkm ;  for  he  was  now  about 
twenty  .£ye  years  o£  age,  and  extolled  by  Arabian  writers 
for  his  manly  beauty  and  engaging  manners.  So  desirous 
was  Cadijah  of  seeoring  his  serriees,  diat  she  offered  him 
double  wages  to  conduct  a  caravan  whidbi  she  was  on.  the 
point  of  scalding  ofi  to  Syria.  Mahomet  consulted  his 
imcle  Abu  Taleb,  and  by  his  advice  accepted  the  offer.  He 
was  accompanied  and  aided  in  the  expeditum  by  ihe 
ne^iew  of  the  widow,  and  by  her  slave  Mawra,  and  so 
highly  satisfied  was  Oa<£jah  with  the  way  in  which  he 
diSc^arged  his  duties,  that,  on  his  return,  she  paid  hhn 
double  the  aBU>unt  of  his  stipulated  wages.  She  after- 
wards sent  him  to  t&e  sou^em  parts  of  Arabia  on  similar 
expedsiioDS,  in  all  which  he  gave  like  satis^Mtion. 

Cadijah  was  now  in  her  fortieth  year,  a  woman  of  judg- 
ment and  experience.    The  mental  qsalities  of  Mal^met 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


34  LIFE   OF  MAHOMET. 

rose  more  and  more  in  her  estimation,  and  her  heart  began 
to  yearn  toward  the  fresh  and  comely  youth.  Accorcfing 
to  Arabian  legends,  a  miracle  occurred  most  opportunely 
to  confirm  and  sanctify  the  bias  of  her  inclinations.  She 
was  one  day  with  her  handmaids,  at  the  hour  of  noon,  on 
the  terraced  roof  of  her  dwelling,  watching  the  arrival  of  a 
caravan  conducted  by  Mahomet.  As  it  approached,  she 
beheld,  with  astonishment,  two  angels  overshadowing  him 
with  their  wings  to  protect  him  from  the  sun.  Turning, 
with  emotion,  to  her  handmaids,  "Behold!**  said  she, 
**  the  beloved  of  Allah,  who  sends  two  angels  to  watch  over 
hnn!" 

Whether  or  not  the  handmaidens  looked  forth  with  the 
same  eyes  of  devotion  as  their  mistress,  and  likewise  dis- 
cerned the  angels,  the  legend  does  not  mention.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  the  widow  was  filled  with  a  lively  faith  in  the 
superhuman  merits  of  her  youthfrd  steward,  and  forthwith 
commissioned  her  trusty  slave,  Maisai^  to  offer  him  her 
hand.  The  negotiation  is  recorded  wilh  simple  brevity. 
"Mahomet,"  £manded  Maisara,  "why  dost  thou  not 
marryP"  "I  have  not  the  means,"  repHed  Mahomet. 
*'  Well,  but  if  a  wealthy  dame  should  offer  thee  her  hand : 
one  also  who  is  handsome  and  of  hicrh  birth  P"    "  And  who 


sheP"    "Cadijah!"    "How  is  that  possible P"    "Let 
me  manage  it."    Maisara  returned  to  his  mistress  and  re- 


ported what  had  passed.  An  hour  was  appointed  for  an 
interview,  and  the  affair  was  brought  to  a  satisfactory 
arnuigement  with  that  promptness  and  sagacity  which  had 
distin^fuished  Mahomet  in  all  his  dealing  with  the  widow. 
The  father  of  Cadijah  made  some  opposition  to  the  match,  on 
accoimt  of  the  poverty  of  Mahomet,  following  the  common 
notion  that  wealth  should  be  added  to  wealth:  but  the 
widow  wisely  considered  her  riches  only  as  the  means  of 
enabling  her  to  follow  the  dictates  of  her  heart.  She  gave 
a  great  feast,  to  which  were  invited  her  father  and  the  rest 
of  her  relatives,  and  Mahomet's  imcles,  Abu  Taleb  and 
Hamza,  together  with  several  other  of  the  Koreishites. 
At  this  banquet  wine  was  served  in  abundance,  and  soon 
difiused  good  humour  round  the  board.  The  objections  to 
Mahomet's  poverty  were  forgotten;  speeches  were  made 
by  Abu  Taleo  on  the  one  side,  and  by  Waraka,  a  kinsman 
of  Cadnah,  on  the  other,  in  praise  of  the  proposed  nup- 
tials ;  the  dowry  was  arranged,  and  the  marriage  formally 
concluded. 
Mahomet  then  caused  a  camel  to  be  killed  before  his 


y  Google 


C0KDI7CT  JLTTBB  KABBUOX.  25 

door^  and  the  flesli  distributed  amom^  the  poor.  G?he 
house  was  thrown  open  to  all  comers;  the  fenuue  slaves  of 
Cadijah  danced  to  the  sound  of  timbrels,  and  all  was 
revebry  and  rejoicing.  Abu  Taleb,  forgetting  his  age  and 
his  habitual  melancholy,  made  merry  on  the  occasion.  He 
had  paid  down  from  his  purse  a  dower  of  twelye-and-a-half 
okks  of  gold,  equiyalent  to  twenty  young  camels.  Haldma, 
who  had  nursed  Mahomet  in  his  mfancy,  was  sxmmioned 
to  rejoice  at  his  nuptials,  and  was  presented  with  a  flock  of 
forty  sheep,  with  which  she  returned,  enriched  and  con- 
tented, to  her  native  valley,  in  the  desert  of  the  Saadites. 


CHAPTEE  VI. 

Condaot  of  Kabcnnet  after  Us  ]iiaRiage.*-B6eoiiiei  tiudoof  for  rdi- 
gious  reform. — Bia  habits  of  solitary  abstraction. — Hie  rision  of  tbft 
care. — Bia  amumciation  as  a  prophet. 

Ths  marriage  with  Cadijah  placed  Mahomet  among  thd 
most  wealthy  of  his  native  city.  His  moral  worth  also 
gave  him  ^reat  influence  in  the  community.  AUah,  says 
zke  historian  Abulf eda,  had  endowed  him  with  every  gift 
necessary  to  accomplish  and  adorn  an  honest  man;  he  was 
so  pure  and  sincere,  so  firee  &om  every  evil  thought,  that 
he  was  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  Al  Amin,  or  Hie 
FaithfhL 

The  great  confidence  reposed  in  his  judffment  and  pro- 
bity, caused  him  to  be  frequently  referred  to  as  arbiter  in 
disputes  between  Ms  townsmen.  An  anecdote  is  given  as 
illustrative  of  his  saeacity  on  such  occasions.  The  Caaba 
having  been  injured  by  Are,  was  undergoing  repairs,  in 
the  course  of  which  the  sacred  black  stone  was  to  be  re- 
placed. A  dispute  arose  amonff  the  chiefs  of  the  various 
tribes,  as  to  wnich  was  entitlea  to  perform  so  auffust  an 
office,  and  they  agreed  to  abide  by  the  decision  of  me  first 
person  who  snomd  enter  by  the  gate  Al  Har^.  That 
person  hap]^ned  to  be  Mahomet.  Upon  hearing  their 
oifferent  chums,  he  directed  that  a  great  cloth  should  be 
suread  upon  the  ground,  and  the  stone  laid  thereon ;  and 
tnat  a  man  from  each  tribe  should  take  hold  of  the  border 
of  the  cloth.  In  this  way  the  sacred  stone  was  raised 
equally  and  at  the  same  tune  by  them  all  to  a  level  with 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


26  LXFB  07  ILIHOMBT. 

its  allotted  plAoe,  in  wbick  Mahomet  £xed  it  irilii  Ids  own 
liaiids. 

Four  daiu^hterB  and  one  son  were  the  fruit  of  the  mar- 
liaffe  with  Cadijah.  The  son  was  nanied  Kasun,  whence 
Juliomet  was  occasionally  called  Abu  Slasim,  or  the  £iU;her 
of  Kasxm,  according  to  Arahian  nomendatare.  This  son, 
howe^CT,  ^BBd  in  his  infuicy* 

For  sev^idl  years  after  his  Btaniflge  he  oontinned  in 
ecnnmeree,  Tisitmg  tiie  great  Arabtan  fairs,  and  making 
distant  jonmeys  witli  tiie  esraTsns.  His  erpediticms  were 
not  as  pro£ltal)le  as  m  thedajs  of  Ms  etoiwrdfihip,  and  the 
wealth  acquired  with  his  wife  diminished  rather  than  in- 
creased in  the  course  of  his  operations.  That  wealth,  in 
fact,  had  raised  him  above  the  necessity  of  toiling  for  sub- 
sistence, and  given  him  leisure  to  indulge  the  original  bias 
of  his  mind;  a  turn  for  reverie  and  rdigious  speculation, 
which  he  had  evinced  from  his  earliest  years.  This  had 
been  fostered  in  ^be  eouise  of  his  joomeyinea,  by  his  in- 
tercourse wi&  Jews  and  Ghristians,  oiiginuly  fugitives 
from  persecution,  but  now  gathered  into  tnbes,  or  forming 
part  of  the  population  of  cities.  The  Arabian  deserts, 
too,  rife  as  we  nave  shown  thiem  with  fancafbl  mpersti- 
tions,  had  furnished  aliment  for  his  enthusiastic  reverieB. 
Since  his  marriage  with  Oadnaii,  also,  he  had  a  houiehold 
oracle  to  influence  him  in  his  rehgums  opinioi»,  IMa 
was  his  wife's  cousin  WaraJbi,  a  man  of  speculative  mind 
and  flexible  faith;  originally  a  Jew;  subsequai%  a 
Christian;  and  withal  a  pretender  to  as^xt^ogy.  He  ig 
worthy  of  note  as  being  the  first  on  record  to  translate 
parts  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  into  Aral»c.  From 
nim  Mahomet  is  supposed  to  bave  derived  much  of  hiB 
informalion  respecting  those  wriiangB,  and  many  of  ih» 
traditions  of  l^e  lilMmu  and  the  TaJmud,  on  wliich  he 
draws  so  copiously  in  his  Koran. 

The  knowledge  thus  variously  aoquked  and  treasured 
up  in  an  uncommonly  retentive  m^nory,  was  in  direct 
hostility  to  the  gross  idolatry  prevalent  in  Arabia,  and 

fraetised  at  the  Caaba.  That  sabered  edifice  had  graduaHy 
ecome  filled  and  surrounded  by  idols,  to  the  aumb^  oi 
three  hundred  and  sixty,  being  one  for  every  day  of  the 
Arab  year.    Hither  had  been  brought  iddb  from  various 

farts,  the  deities  of  other  nations,  ihe  chief  of  whidi, 
[obal,  was  from  Syria,  and  supposed  to  have  tiie  pow«r 
of  giving  rain.  Among  liiese  idols,  too,  wero  Abraham 
fand  Ishmael,  once  revered  as  prophets  and  progenitors* 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


mjB>  XBuoiors  ibba.  .  27 

now  TcrpreBeotod  with  dirinag  anrowi  m  thieir  kandi^ 
fyiuAxiiB  of  XDfigie. 

HalHBttet  became  xaow  and  more  sennble  of  the  groM- 
nesB  and  absurdity  cf  ikM  idofadzy,  in  pio^ition  aa  hit 
inteBigeiit  ndnd  ooAtmted  it  with  the  i^intiial  religioof 
lAddk  bad  been  tlie  snbjeota  of  bk  iatquines.  YacioM 
B8  in  Ibe  Koran  tnow  the  rdimg  idea  wbiob  gxa> 
spniw  m  in  bis  mind,  until  it  eogtoesed  bif 
^  to  and^  biflneaoed  all  bit  actiona.  Ibat  idea  was 
aTeHgioosrefonn.  It  bad  become  bis  £zed  belief  deduced 
from  an  Ibaefc  be  bad  leant  and  meditsted,  that  tbeon^ 
tnie  TcSigion  bad  been  fcfrsaled  to  Adam  «t  bis  creatkm* 
and  been  pronndgated  and  praotiBed  in  the  days  of  inno- 
cence. Tint  leligKMi  inenloated  the  direct  and  spiritual 
wcnnbip  of  one  true  and  odj  6od,  the  oreator  of  the 
universe. 

It  was  bh  heUei,  faiihetmare,  that  this  reUgion,  so 
eferated  and  simple,  bad  i«^eatedlj  been  compted  and 
debased  by  man,  and  espeemHy  outraged  by  idolatry] 
wherefore  a  sacceBsien  <»jpopiietB,  e^b  inspired  by  a 
levelatxxn  from  the  Most  Sigh,  bad  been  sent  60m  time 
to  time,  and  at  distant  periods,  to  reatore  it  to  its  original 
purity.  Such  was  Koab,  sudi  was  Abraham,  such  was 
Moses,  saA  sndi  was  Jesus  Cteist.  By  each  of  these,  the 
true  religion  bad  be^i  reinstated  upon  earth,  but  had 
again  been  Titiated  by  their  feflowers.  Hie  faith  as 
tans^t  and  practised  by  Abraham  iHien  he  came  out  <£ 
CSialdea,  seems  espeemUy  to  faaw  fbimed  a  reliipoiis 
standard  in  bis  mim^  from  bis  Yeneration  for  the  patiwch 
as  the  &ilher  of  Isbmad,  the  progenitor  of  bis  race. 

It  appeand  to  JJalMHuet  tluit  the  time  for  another 
lefozm  was  again  arrired.  The  worid  bad  once  more 
lapsed  into  Imnd  idolatry.  It  needed  ibe  advent  dT 
another  -pro^flict,  authorised  by  a  mandate  from,  on  high, 
to  restore  the  eiring  diilcben  of  men  to  the  right  path,  ukl 
to  bring  back  ihe  worship  of  the  Caaba  to  what  it  had 
been  in  the  days  of  Abraham  and  the  patriarohs.  The 
probabiiity  of  such  an  advent,  with  its  attendant  reforms, 
seems  to  have  taken  posiession  of  bis  mind,  and^KMbeed 
hidnts  of  reverie  and  meditation,  incompatible  with  the 
or£ttanr  ooncerns  of  life  and  the  bustle  c^  the  world.  We 
are  tcM  that  he  mduafly  absented  himsdf  iiom  sooidy, 
and  sought  the  solitude  dT  a  cavern  on  Mount  Hara,  about 
three  leagues  north  of  Mecca,  where,  in  emulation  <3i  the 
Christian  sndiorites  of  the  desert,  he  would  remain  days 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


28  IIFE  OF  UAHOKBT. 

and  nights  together,  engaged  in  prayer  and  meditation. 
In  this  way  he  always  passed  the  month  of  "R^iTnadhap, 
the  holy  montii  of  the  Arabs.  Such  intense  occupation  of 
the  mind  on  one  subject,  accompanied  by  fervent  enthu- 
siasm of  spirit,  could  not  but  have  a  powerful  effect  upon 
his  £rame.  He  became  subject  to  dreams,  to  ecstasies  and 
trances.  For  six  months  suocessiyely,  according  to  one  of 
his  historians,  he  had  constant  dreams  bearing  on  the 
subject  of  his  waking  thoughts.  Often  he  would  lose  all 
consciousness  of  surrounding  objects,  and  lie  upon  the 
ffround  as  if  insensible.  Caoijah,  who  was  sometimes  the 
faithful  companion  of  his  solitude,  beheld  these  paroxysms 
with  anxious  solicitude,  and  entreated  to  know  the  cause ; 
but  he  evaded  her  inquiries,  or  answered  them  myste- 
riously. Some  of  his  adyersaries  have  attributed  them  to 
epilepsy,  but  derout  Moslems  declare  them  to  have  been 
the  workings  of  prophecy ;  for  already,  say  they,  the  inti- 
mations  of  the  Most  Hign  began  to  dawn,  though  yaguely, 
on  his  spirit ;  and  his  mind  laboured  with  conceptions  too 
ffreat  for  mortal  thought.  At  length,  say  they,  what  had 
hitherto  been  shadowed  out  in  dr^uns,  was  made  apparent 
and  distinct  by  an  angelic  apparition  and  a  diyme  an- 
nunciation. 

It  was  in  the  fortieth  year  of  his  a^e  when  this  famous 
reyelation  took  place.  Accounts  are  giyen  of  it  by  Moslem 
writers  as  if  received  from  his  own  lips,  and  it  is  aUuded 
to  in  certain  passages  of  the  Koran.  He  was  passing,  as 
was  his  wont,  the  month  of  "Rainadhan  in  the  cavern  of 
Mount  Hara,  endeavouring  by  fasting,  prayer,  and  soli- 
tary meditation,  to  elevate  nis  thoughts  to  tne  contempla- 
tion of  divine  truth.  It  was  on  the  night  called  by  Arabs 
Al  Xader,  or  the  Divine  Decree ;  a  nigbt  in  which,  accord- 
ing to  the  Koran,  angels  descend  to  earth,  and  Ghibriel 
brmgs  down  the  decrees  of  God.  During  that  niffht  there 
is  peace  on  earth,  and  a  holy  quiet  reigns  over  ful  nature 
until  the  rising  of  the  mom. 

As  Mahomet,  in  the  silent  watches  of  the  night,  lay 
wrapped  in  his  mantle,  he  heard  a  voice  calling  upon  him; 
uncovering  his  head,  a  flood  of  %ht  broke  upon  him  of 
such  intolerable  splendour  that  he  swooned  away.  On 
repdning  his  senses,  he  beheld  an  angel  in  a  human  fornix 
which,  approaching  from  a  distance,  displayed  a  silken 
doth  covered  with  written  characters.  "  itead !"  said  the 
angel. 

"  I  know  not  how  to  read !"  replied  Mahomet, 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


YISIOK  IH  THE  CATSBK.  2» 

"  Bead !"  repeated  the  angel,  "  in  the  name  of  the  Lor^ 
who  has  created  all  things ;  who  created  man  from  a  clot 
of  blood.  Eead  in  the  name  of  the  Most  Hiffh,  who 
taught  man  the  nse  of  the  pen ;  who  sheds  on  his  soul 
Ihe  ray  of  knowledge,  and  teaches  him  what  before  he 
knew  not." 

Upon  this  Mahomet  instantly  felt  his  understanding 
illranined  with  celestial  light,  and  read  what  was  written 
on  the  doth,  which  contained  the  decrees  of  Gtxl,  as  ailer- 
wards  promulgated  in  the  Koran.  When  he  had  finished 
the  perusal,  Sie  heav^y  messenger  announced,  "Oh, 
Mahomet,  of  a  verity  thou  art  the  prophet  of  God  I  and  I 
am  his  angel  Gabriel" 

Mahomet,  we  are  told,  came  trembling  and  agitated  to 
Cadijah  in  Ihe  morning,  not  knowing  whether  wluit  he  had 
heard  and  seen  was  indeed  true,  and  that  he  was  a  pro- 
phet decreed  to  effect  that  reform  so  long  the  object  of 
his  meditations ;  or  whether  it  might  not  be  a  mere  vision, 
a  delusion  of  the  senses,  or,  worse  than  all,  the  apparition 
of  an  evil  spirit. 

Cadijah,  nowever,  saw  everything  with  the  eye  of  faith, 
and  the  credulity  of  an  affectionate  woman.  She  saw  in  it 
the  fruition  of  ner  husband's  wishes,  and  the  end  of  his 
paro]^sms  and  privations.  "Joyful  tidings  dost  thou 
bring !"  exclaimed  she.  "  By  him,  in  whose  hand  is  the 
soul  of  Cadijah,  I  will  henceforth  regard  thee  as  the  pro- 
phet of  our  nation.  Seloice,"  add^  she,  seeing  him  still 
cast  down ;  "  Allah  will  not  suffer  thee  to  isXi  to  shame. 
Hast  thou  not  been  loving  to  thy  kinsfolk,  kind  to  thy 
neighbours,  charitable  to  the  poor,  hosnitable  to  the 
str^ger,  faithfrd  to  thy  word,  and  ever  a  aefender  of  the 
truth?" 

Cadijah  hastened  to  communicate  what  she  had  heard  to 
her  cousin  Waraka,  the  translator  of  the  Scriptures,  who, 
as  we  have  shown,  had  been  a  household  oracle  of  Maho- 
met in  matters  of  religion.  He  caught  at  once,  and  with 
eagerness,  at  this  miriunilous  annunciation.  "  By  him  in 
whose  hand  is  the  soul  of  Waraka,"  exclaimed  he,  "  thou 
speakest  true,  oh  Cadijah!  The  angel  who  has  appeared 
to  thy  husband  is  the  same  who,  in  days  of  old,  was  sent 
to  Moses,  the  son  of  Amram.  His  annunciation  is  true. 
Thy  husband  is  indeed  a  pronhet !" 

The  zealous  concurrence  or  the  learned  Waraka  is  said 
to  have  had  a  powerful  effect  in  fortifying  the  duVious 
mind  of  Mahomet. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


80  tnv  or  iluiomit. 

Novs  —Dr.  Ckutor  WeiU  in  a  note  «o  Mohannmd  ifr  Pnpih^  dis-' 
ciusea  tbe  qaestion  of  Miiienefa  being  aatiied:  to  attacks  of  eiiaepsy-;, 
which  has  generally  been  repiesented  as  a  aknder  cf  his  encBtea  and 
of  Christian  writers.  It  appears,  however*  to  hare  been  aasertcd  by 
some  of  the  oldest  Moslem  biographers,  and  given  on  the  authorify  qC 
farsms  about  hto.  He  would  be  seized,  thejr  said,  with  violent  trem- 
bling, followed  by  a  kind  of  swoon,  or  rather  convulsion,  daring  whit^ 
perspiration  would  stoeaa  from  hte  fbcAead  in  the  eddort  weather;  he 
would  lie  with  his  e^es  dosed,  foaxniag  at  tha  Moutb  aai  belowiiiglikft 
a  young  cameL  Ayesha,  one  of  hia  wives,,  and  Zeid»  one  of  hia  di»- 
dples,  are  among  the  persons  cited  as  testifying  to  that  effect.  Ther 
considered  him  at  sueb  times  as  under  the  inihience  of  a  revelation.  He 
bad  such  attacks*  however,  in  Meeca,  befiire  the  Koraa  waa  reveded  to 
him.  CadUaltftared  that  he  waa  poesesaed  hf  evil  spirits,  and  wouHi 
have  called  in  the  aid  of  a  coqjurer  to  exordae  them,  but  he  ferbadar 
her.  He  did  not  like  that  any  one  should  see  him  during  tbese 
paroxysms.  1^  visions,  however,  were  not  dways  preceded  by  audi, 
aittacks.  Baieth  Ibn  Haadiem,  it  is  add,  once  adced  hhn  hi  what 
nanner  the  revdations  weio  made.  '*  Often*'*  replied  he^  **  the  aogH 
appears  to  me  hi  a  hmnaa  form*  and  evaelB  to  mat  SometfaBcs  I  hoar 
sounds  like  the  tinkling  of  a  bell,  but  see  nothing.  [A  ria^^  ia  the 
ears  is  a  symptom  of  epilepsy.]  When  the  invisible  angel  haa  de- 
parted, I  am  possessed  of  ithxA  he  has  reveded."  Some  of  his  revela- 
tions he  profiessed  to  receive  direct  from  God,  others  in  dreama ;  fiv  the 
dfeams  of  prophaAi^  he  need  to  aay,  are  revilationK 

The  readar  ndl  find  thian^actf  servioa.ift  throwing  ao—dngirifiar 
light  upon  the  enigmatical  career  of  tiiia  ^dxaoxdiiHuir  man. 


CHAPTER  VIL 

Mdiomet  incokatea  hia  doetriaos  aeeaetljr  and  doii^.— Beccivaa  tether 
revdations  and  commands. — ^Announces  it  to  hia  kindted.— Manner 
in  which  it  was  recdved. — ^Enthusiastic  devotion  of  Ali.— Chriatiaa 
portents. 

Fob  a  time  Makoaaet  c<mfided  fads  reviriaaiaoms  men^  to 
his  own  faousekold.  One  of  the  first  to  anro^  faimsdbT  a 
bdieyer>  was  his  seiTant  ZeicU  an  Arab  of  tke  tribe  cf 
Kalb.  This  youth  had  been  captured  in  ddl^iood  bj  « 
£reebootiD|r  party  ci  Xoreishites,  and  had  eome  by  pmv 
chase  ot  lot  into  tlhe  possession  of  Mahomet.  Seyeral 
years  aiterwards  his  father,  hearing  of  his  being  m  Meecar 
repaired  thither  and  offered  a  eonsiderable  som  for  his 
ransom.  "  If  he  chooses  to  go  with  thee/'  said  Mahomet, 
"  he  shall  go  without  ransom:  but  if  he  (looses  to  remain 
with  me,  my  should  I  not  keep  himP"  Zeid  piefanred  to 
remain,  haying  ever,  he  said,  been  treated  bmum  as  &  soa 


y  Google 


HOSTILTTT  OF  IBM  JLEMM  TBIBES.  81 

than  as  a  glare.  Fpon  thk,  Mahomet  pabHdj  adc^pied 
Mm,  and  lie  liad  eyer  linee  remained  with  him  in  affee* 
tionate  seiritade.  Ncfw,  on  embracing  the  new  Mth,  he 
was  set  entirely  free,  but  it  will  be  foniKl  that  he  continued 
through  life  that  deroted  attadmient  whidi  Mahomei 
seems  to  hare  had  the  gift  of  inspiring  in  his  foUowen 
and  d^pendestB. 

The  ear^  stepa  <^  Mahomet  in  his  prophetic  career 
were  penloos  and  dox^btfbl,  and  tak^i  in  secrecy.  He  had 
hostih^  to  afmrehend  on  erery  side;  from  his  immediate 
kindred,  the  S^oreishites  of  the  line  of  Hasehem,  whose 
power  and  prosnerity  were  identified  with  idolatry;  and 
still  more  from  tiie  riyalline  of  Abd Schema,  who  hadlone 
looked  with  eny^  and  jealowF  on  the  Hasdiemites,  ana 
would  elderly  raise  the  cir  <n  heresy  and  impiety  to  dis- 
possess t£em  of  the  guardianship  or  the  Caaba.  At  the 
head  of  tins  riyal  brandi  of  Koreish  was  Abn  Sofian,  the 
son  of  Harb,  grandsiMi  of  Omeya,  and  great  grandson  of 
Abd  Schema.  He  was  an  able  and  ambitions  man,  of 
great  wealth  and  influence,  and  will  be  fennd  one  of  the 
most  peney^ing  and  powerfiil  opponents  of  Mahomet.* 

Uiider  these  adyerse  circnmstances  the  new  faith  was 
propagated  secretly  and  slowly,  insonradi  that  for  the  first 
tiiree  years  ihe  number  of  conyerts  did  not  exceed  forty; 
tiiese,  too,  for  the  most  part,  were  yonngpezsons,  strangers, 
and  ^yes.  Their  meetings  for  prayer  w«re  held  in  pzi- 
yate,  either  at  ^e  honse  c^  one  of  the  initiated,  or  m  a 
caye  loear  Mecca.  Tl^ir  secrecy,  howeyer,  did  not  protect 
them  from  outrage.  Their  meetings  were  discoyered;  a 
zabl^  l»K^e  into  thdr  carem  and  a  scuffle  ensued.  One 
c^  the  assailants  was  wounded  in  the  head  by  Saad,  aa 
armourer,  then(^orth  renowned  among  the  frdthM  as 
the  first  df  their  numbeor  who  shed  blood  in  the  cause  of 
Islam. 

On^  of  iJie  bitterest  opp<»ients  <^  Mahomet  was  his 
unde  Aba  Lahab,  a  wealwy  man,  of  proud  spirit  Bxtd 
irritable  temper.  His  son  Otha  had  married  Mahomet's 
third  daughter,Bokaia^so  that  theywere  doubly  allied.  Aba 

*  Niebolur  iTrmtb,  ToL  iL)  tpeaks  <tf  the  tribe  of  Hub,  wbidi  i>o»- 
aeflsed  eeyeral  dtiet  and  a  number  of  yillages  in  the  highlands  (tf  He^jaa, 
a  mountainoiu  range  betweoi  Mecca  and  Medina.  They  have  castlei 
on  precfpttoQS  rocks,  and  harass  and  lay  onda  contribution  the  cara^ 
▼sue.  It  to  presumed  that  this  tribe  takes  its  name  from  the  father  of 
Aba  SoOaii,  as  ^d  the  gx«ct  liae  of  the  Omeyades  from  his  graad- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


32  LITE  OF  MAHOHBT. 

Lahab,  however,  waa  also  allied  to  the  rival  line  of  KoreiBh, 
having  married  Omm  Jemil,  sister  of  Abu  Sofian,  and  he 
was  greatly  under  the  control  of  his  wife  and  his  brother-in- 
law.  He  reprobated  what  he  termed  the  heresies  of  his 
nephew,  as  calculated  to  brin^  disgrace  upon  their  imme- 
diate line,  and  to  draw  upon  it  the  hostihties  of  the  rest 
of  the  tribe  of  Koreish.  Mahomet  was  keenly  sensible  of 
the  rancorous  opposition  of  this  uncle,  which  he  attributed 
to  the  instigations  of  his  wife,  Omm  JemiL  He  espedaDj- 
deplored  it,  as  he  saw  that  it  affected  the  happiness  of  his 
daughter  Eokaia,  whose  inclination  to  his  doctrmes  brought 
on  her  the  reproaches  of  her  husband  and  his  family. 

These  and  other  causes  of  solicitude  preyed  upon  his 
spirits,  and  increased  the  perturbation  or  his  mind.  He 
became  worn  and  haggard,  and  subject  more  and  more  to 
fits  of  abstraction.  %ose  of  his  relatives  who  were  at- 
tached to  him,  noticed  his  altered  mien,  and  dreaded  an 
attack  of  illness;  others  scofiSngly  accused  him  of  mental 
hallucination;  and  the  foremost  among  these  scoffers  was 
his  uncle's  wife,  Omm  Jemil,  the  sister  of  Abu  Sofian. 

The  result  of  this  disordered  state  of  mind  and  body 
was  ano^er  vision,  or  revelation,  commanding  him  to 
**  arise,  preach,  and  magnify  the  Lord."  He  was  now  to 
announce,  publicly  and  bcudly,  his  doctrines,  beginning 
with  his  kmdred  and  tribe.  Accordingly,  in  the  fourth 
year  of  what  is  called  his  mission,  he  summoned  all  the 
Xoreishites  of  the  line  of  Haschem  to  meet  him  on  the 
hill  of  Safa,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mecca,  when  he  would  un- 
fold matters  important  to  their  welfare.  They  assembled 
there  accordingly,  and  among  them  came  Mahomet's 
hostile  unde,  JUbu  Lahab,  and  with  him  his  scoffing  wife, 
Omm  Jemil.  Scarce  had  the  prophet  be^on  to  discourse 
of  his  mission,  and  to  impart  nis  revelations,  wh^i  Abu 
Lahab  started  up  in  a  rage,  reviled  him  for  calling  them 
together  on  so  idle  an  errand,  and  catching  up  a  stone, 
would  have  hurled  it  at  him.  Mahomet  tumed^^upon  biw^ 
A  withering  look;  cursed  the  hand  thus  raised  in  menace, 
and  predicted  his  doom  to  the  fire  of  Jehennam ;  with  the 
assurance  that  his  wife,  Omm  Jemil,  would  bear  the  bundle 
of  thorns  with  which  the  fire  would  be  kindled. 

The  assembly  broke  up  in  confusion.  Abu  Lahab  and 
his  wife,  exasperated  at  me  curse  dealt  out  to  them,  com- 
pelled their  son,  Otha,  to  repudiate  his  wife,  Bokaia,  and 
sent  her  back  weeping  to  Mahomet.  She  was  soon  in- 
demnified, however,  by  haring  a  husband  of  the  true  iaith« 

gtized  by  Google 


SBCOITD  ASSlKBLAOl  OT  TBI  HA8CHXMITB8.  SS* 

being  eagerly  taken  to  wife  by  Mahcmiet's  sealont  di8cq)Ie^ 
Othman  Ibn  Affim. 

Nothing  discomraged  by  the  faihire  of  his  first  attempt, 
Mahomet  called  a  seoona  meeting  of  tiie  Haschemites  a^ 
his  own  house,  where,  haying  reined  tnem  with  the  flesb 
of  a  lamb,  and  given  them  milk  to  drink,  he  stood  forth 
and  annoxmced,  at  fuJl  length,  his  revelations  received  irom, 
heaven,  and  the  divine  command  to  impart  them  to  thosa 
of  his  immediate  line. 

"  Oh,  diildren  of  Abd  al  Motalleb,"  cried  he,  with  en*- 
thnsiasm,  **  to  yon,  of  all  men,  has  Allah  vouchsafed  thes^ 
most  precious  gifts.  In  his  name  I  offer  you  the  blessings 
of  this  world,  and  endless  joys  hereafter.  Who  among" 
YOU  will  share  the  burden  of  my  offer.  Who  will  be  my~ 
brother:  my  lieutenant,  my  vizier P*' 

All  remamed  silent;  some  wondering,  others  snuUng* 
with  incredulity  and  derision.  At  length,  Ali,  starting  up 
witii  youthful  zeal,  oflfored  lumself  to  the  service  or  tfai^ 
prophet,  though  modestly  acknowledging  his  ycmth  and 
physical  weakness.*  Manomet  threw  nis  arms  round  tha 
generous  youth,  and  pressed  him  to  his  bosom.  "  Behold, 
my  brother,  my  vizier,  my  vicegerent,"  exohumed  he ;  "  let 
all  listen  to  his  words,  and  obey  him." 

The  outbreak  of  such  a  stapling  as  AH,  however,  mm 
answered  by  a  scornful  burst  of  laughter  of  the  Koreishitesf 
who  taunted  Abu  Taleb,  the  father  of  the  youthful  pfo- 
selyte,  with  having  to  bow  down  before  his  son,  and  yield 
lum  obedience. 

But  though  the  doctrines  of  Mahomet  were  thus  ungra* 
dously  received  by  his  kindred  and  Mends,  they  found 
favour  among  the  people  at  lam,  especially  among  tho 
women,  who  are  ever  prone  to  befiiend  a  persecuted  cause^ 
Many  of  the  Jews,  also,  followed  him  for  a  time,  but  when 
they  found  that  he  permitted  his  disciples  to  eat  the  flesb 
of  uie  camel,  and  of  other  animals  forbidden  by  th^  law^^ 
they  drew  back  and  rejected  his  religion  as  unclean.      ^    • 

Mahomet  now  threw  off  all  reserve,  or  rather  was  in-' 
spired  with  increasing  enthusiasm,  and  went  about  openly 
and  earnestly  proclaiming  his  dodrines,  and  giving  himsea 
out  as  a  prophet,  sent  by  God  to  put  an  end  to  idola^^! 
and  to  mitif^te  the  rigour  of  the  Jewish  and  the  Christian. 

*  Bj  an  enor  of  translaton,  AU  Is  mde  to  seeompaaj  hit  oflVr  oT 
adhesiaii  bj  mi  MCtraTafaikt  thfeat  against  all  who  ihoiild  o|itpoie  Ma^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


84  UIB  OF  MIXOXST. 

law.  The  liOk  of  Safii  aaid  Knbeis,  sanctified  by  tnidi« 
tions  conceining  Hagar  and  Ishmael,  were  liiB  &Toarita 
places  of  jpremSbrng,  aad  Mount  Harm  was  hia  Sinai^ 
whiHier  he  retired  oocaaionallj,  in  fits  of  excitement  and 
eathnaiaflm,  to  retoxn  fixxm  ita  solitary  eave  with  fresh 
lerelationB  of  the  £oran. 

The  good  old  Christian  writers,  on  treating  of  the  adyent 
of  one  whom  ihej  denoimee  as  the  Arab  enemy  of  the 
church,  make  superstitions  record  of  diners  prodigies  which 
oocnrred  abont  uus  time,  awfol  Ibrefrmners  of  i&  tronbles 
about  to  agitate  the  wodd.  In  Gcmstantinople,  at  that 
time  the  seat  of  Christian  empire^  were  seyerat  monstrous 
births  and  prodigioos  apnantions,  which  strock  dismaj 
into  ihe  hearts  of  all  beholders.  In  certain  religions  pro* 
cessions  in  that  neighbonrhood,  the  crosses  on  a  suddm 
moved  of  themselres,  and  were  yiokntlj  agitated,  causing 
astonishment  and  terror.  The  Nile,  too,  that  ancient 
mother  of  wonders,  gave  birth  to  two  hideous  forma, 
seemingly  man  and  woman,  which  rose  out  of  its  waters, 
gflteed  about  them  for  a  time  with  terrific  aspect,  and  sank 
again  beneath  the  wayes.  For  a  whole  day  the  sua 
appeared  to  be  diminished  to  one-third  of  its  usual  siae^ 
shedding  pale  and  baleM  rays.  During  a  moonless  nighty 
ft  furnace  light  glowed  throughout  the  heayens,  and  bk^y 
lances  glittered  in  the  sky. 

All  i£ese,  and  sundry  other  like  maryds,  ware  interpreted 
into  signs  of  conune  troubles.  The  ancient  servants  of 
God  shook  their  hetSs  moum&lly,  predicting  tbe  T&jpi  of 
mtidbrist  at  hand ;  with  yehement  persecution  of  tlie 
Chxistian  £gdth,  and  great  desolation  of  the  churches ;  and 
to  such  holy  men  who  have  passed  throu^  the  trials  and 
tronbles  of  the  faith,  adds  the  TeneraUe  Padre  Jayme 
Bleda,  it  is  giyen  to  understand  and  explain  these  my8« 
tenons  portents^  idiich  forerun  disasters  of  the  churdi; 
^en  as  it  is  giyen  to  ancient  mariners  to  read  in  the  sigm 
of  the  air,  the  heayens  and  the  deep,  the  coming  tempest 
whidi  is  to  oyerwhelm  thear  bark. 

Many  of  these  sainted  men  were  gathered  to  glorr 
bdbre  the  cQmpl6ti(m  of  their  prophecies.  There,  seated 
Beearely  in  the  empyreal  heayens,  they  may  haye  looked 
down  with  compassion  upon  the  troubles  oi  the  Christian 
world;  as  men  on  the  serene  heights  of  mountains  look 
down  upon  the  tempests  whidi  sweep  the  earth  and  sea» 
iKrecking  tall  shipf,  and  riding  lofty  towers* 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTEE  VllT^ 

OlfflnM  of  fh«  lUbOBMUn  FidO. 

Thottoh  it  18  not  intended  in  this  place  to  go  foQj  int^ 
the  doctrines  promnlgsted  hy  Mahomet,  jet  it  is  im- 
portant to  the  right  appreciation  of  his  eharacter  and  coch 
aoct^  and  of  the  erents  and  drcnmstaiiees  set  forth  in  the 
following  nairatiTe,  to  give  their  main  featnres. 

It  must  be  particularly  home  in  mind,  that  ICahomel 
did  not  profess  to  set  np  a  new  religion;  hot  to  restore 
that  denred,  in  the  earliest  times,  from  God  himself 
**  We  foflow,"  says  Ihe  Koran,  "  the  religion  of  Abraham 
Ihe  orthodox,  who  was  no  idolater.  We  beHere  in  God» 
and  that  which  hath  been  sent  down  to  ns,  and  that  whidt 
hath  been  sent  down  nnto  Abraham  and  Ishmael,  and 
iBaae  and  Jacob  and  Ihe  tribes,  and  that  wMeh  was  deH- 
Tered  unto  Moses  and  Jesus,  and  that  which  was  ddirered 
unto  the  prophets  from  the  Lord:  we  make  no  distinction 
between  any  of  thm,  and  to  Gx>d  we  are  reeifipied."* 

The  Koran,t  which  was  the  great  book  of  nis  fidth,  was 
defiyered  in  portions  from  thne  to  tim^  aeooiding  to  ulie 
excitement  or  his  feelings,  or  the  exigency  of  circom* 
•tanoes.  It  was  not  given  as  his  own  wou^,  bat  as  a  divine 
rerelation;  as  ^e  yery  words  of  Ood.  The  Deiiy  is  supf 
posed  to  speak  in  ewerj  instmee.  **  We  hsfe  sent  th^ 
dbwn  Ihe  book  of  troth,  oon£xming  the  Sd^tnre  which 
was  reyealed  before  it,  and  preserring  the  same  in  its 
puriiy/'J 

The  law  of  Moses,  it  wis  aaid«  had  lor  a  time  been  the 
srnide  and  rale  of  human  eondbot.  At  ^m  oOTtiing  of 
Jesus  Christ  it  was  superseded  by  the  Gospd;  both  were 
now  to  give  phiee  to  the  Koran*  which  was  more  fall  and 
esplidt  than  the  preceding  codes,  and  intended  to  reform 
the  abuses  idiioh  had  crept  into  them  through  the  negli* 
gence  or  the  conniptions  of  tbnr  Toofessors.  It  was  the 
eozopletion  of  the  law;  after  it,  there  would  be  no  more 
divine  reyelations.    Mahomet  was  the  last,  as  he  was  Ihe 

*  Kiomi,  fiusp,  U* 

t  PolTed  from  tte  InMo  wofd  Kflta,  to  smA  or  teach. 

^  Koran,  cb.  T. 

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36  IIFB  OP  ICAHOMET. 

greatest,  of  the  line  of  prophets  sent  to  make  known  the 
wiUofGod. 

The  xmiiy  of  God  was  the  comer  stone  of  this  reformed 
religion.  "  There  is  no  God  but  God,"  was  its  leading 
dogma.  Hence,  it  receired  the  name  of  the  religion  m 
Islam,*  an  Arabian  word,  implying  submission  to  God. 
To  this  leading  dogma,  was  added,  "  Mahomet  is  the 
prophet  of  God;"  an  addition  authorized,  as  it  was  main« 
tained,  by  the  divine  annunciation,  and  important  to  pro- 
cure a  ready  acceptation  of  his  revelations. 
.  Beside  Ihe  unity  of  God,  a  behef  was  inculcated  in  his 
angels  or  ministering  spirits;  in  his  prophets;  in  the  resur- 
rection of  the  body;  m  the  last  judgment  and  a  ftiture 
state  of  rewards  and  punishments,  and  in  predestination. 
Much  of  the  Koran  may^  be  traced  to  the  Bible,  the 
iMiidmu,  and  the  Tahnud  of  the  Jews,t  es]^cially  its  wild 
though  often  beautiful  traditions  concemmg  the  uigels« 
the  prophets,  the  patriairchs,  and  the  good  and  evil  genii.  He 
had  at  an  early  a^e  imbibed  a  reverence  for  the  Jewish 
faith,  his  mother,  it  is  suggested,  having  been  of  that 
religion. 

Qjie  system  laid  down  in  the  Koran,  however,  w6s 
essentially  founded  on  the  Christian  doctrines  inculcated 

.  *  SmneEiymoIogisUderiTeldtmftom  Salem  or  Adama,  which  sigDi* 
fLea  salvation.  The  Christians  fonn  from  it  the  term  Islamism,  and  the 
Jews  have  varied  it  into  Ismailism,  whieh  they  intend  as  a  reproach, 
and  an  allnsion  to  the  origin  of  the  Araha  as  descendants  of 
Ishmael. 

From  Islam  the  Arabians  drew  the  terms  Moslem  or  Modem,  and 
HosQlman,  a  professor  of  the  faith  of  Islam.  These  terms  are  in  the 
singular  number*  and  make  MusUman  in  the  dual,  and  Mnslimen  in  the 
plural.  The  French  and  some  other  nations  follow  the  idioms  of  their 
own  languages  in  adoptiug  or  translating  the  Arabic  terms,  and  fbrm 
the  plural  by  the  addition  of  the  letter  «/  writing  Musulmaa  and 
3f  usulmans.  A  few  English  writers,  of  whom  Qibbon  is  the  chief,  have 
imitated  them,  imagining  that  thejr  were  following  the  Arabian  usage. 
Host  English  authors,  however,  follow  the  idiom  of  thefar  own  language, 
writing  Moslem  and  Moslems,  Mnsulman  and  Musulmen ;  this  usage  19 
also  the  m«re  harmonious. 

i  The  Mishnu  of  the  Jews,  like  the  Boons  of  the  Mabomeians,  is  « 
collection  of  traditions  forming  the  Oral  law.  It  was  compiled  in  the 
second  oentoiy,  by  Jodah  Hakkodish,  a  learned  Jewish  Babbi,  during 
the  reign  of  Antoninus  Pius,  the  Roman  Emperor. 

The  Jerusalem  Talmud,  and  the  Babylonish  Talmud,  are  both  oom^ 
mentaries  on  the  Mishnu.  The  former  was  compiled  at  Jerusalem,  about 
three  hundred  years  after  Christ,  and  the  latter  hi  Babylonia,  abOot  tivo 
centuries  Utter.  The  Mishnn  is  the  most  aadeat  xecovd  possessed  by  the 
Jews,  except  the  Bible. 

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oimnns  aw  UAsouxtAxnu,  fff 

m  the  New  Teitament;  ai  they  Had  been  expounded  to 
him  by  the  Christian  sectarians  of  Arabia.  Onr  Saviour 
was  to  be  held  in  the  highest  reyerenoe  as  an  inspired 
prophet,  the  greatest  that  had  been  sent  before  the  time 
cf  Mahomet,  to  reform  the  Ixw;  bat  all  idea  of  his  diyinity 
was  rejected  as  impious,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  was 
denounced  as  an  outrage  on  the  unity  of  Qod.  Both  were 
pronounced  errors  and  inteipolations  of  the  expounders  ; 
fuid  iMB,  it  will  be  observe^  was  the  opinion  m  some  of 
the  Arabian  sects  of  Christians. 

The  worship  of  saints  and  Hie  introduction  of  imagea 
and  paintings  representing  them,  were  condemned  as 
idolatrous  lapses  from  the  pure  faith  of  Christ,  and  such* 
we  have  alieady  obseirect  were  the  tenets  of  the  Nes« 
torians  with  whom  Mahomet  is  known  to  have  had  much 
pommunication. 

All  pictures  representing  liTing  things  were  prohibited* 
Mahomet  used  to  say,  that  itte  angels  would  not  enter  a 
liouse  in  which  there  were  such  pictures,  and  that  those  who 
inade  them  would  be  sentenced  in  the  next  world*  to  find 
souls  for  them  or  be  punished. 

Most  of  the  benignant  precepts  of  our  Saviour  were  in- 
corporated in  the  foran.  Frequent  almsgiving  was  en- 
joined as  an  imperatrve  duty,  and  the  immutable  law  of 
fight  and  wrong,  "  Do  unto  another,  as  thou  wouldst  he 
ehould  do  unto  thee,"  was  given  for  the  moal  conduct  of 
thefaithfiiL 

"  Deal  not  unjustly  with  others,"  B&jn  the  Koran,  "  and 
ye  shall  not  be  dealt  widi  unjustly.  If  there  be  any  debtor 
under  a  difficulty  of  paying  his  debt,  let  his  creditor 
wait  until  it  be  easy  for  hmi  to  do  it ;  but  if  he  remit  it 
in  alms,  it  will  be  better  for  him." 

Mahomet  inculcated  a  noble  fairness  and  sincerity  in 
dealing.  '*  Oh,  merchants  I"  would  he  say,  "  falsehood  and 
deception  are  apt  to  prevail  in  traffic,  purify  it  therefore 
with  alms ;  give  something  in  charity  as  an  atonement ;  for 
God  is  incensed  bv  deceit  in  dealing,  but  charity  appeases 
his  anger.  He  wno  sells  a  defective  thing,  concealing  its 
defect,  will  provoke  the  anger  of  God  aiS  the  curses  of 
the  angels. 

"  T&e  not  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  another  to 
buy  thiiLra  at  a  sacrifice ;  rather  relieve  his  indigence. 

"  Feed  the  hungry,  visit  the  sick,  and  free  the  captive  if 
confined  unjustly. 
■   •*Look  not  Boomfolly  upon  thy  fellow-man;  neither 

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3S  tIFE  OF  ttAtrOMSI^. 

walk  the  earthy  with  insolence ;  for  God  loveth  not  tha 
arrogant  and  yam-glorious.  Be  moderate  in  thy  pace,  and 
0pea£  with  a  moderate  tone ;  for  the  most  tmgrateM  of 
{ul  voices,  is  the  voice  of  asses."* 

Idolatiy  of  all  kinds  was  strictly  forbidden ;  indeed  H 
^fras  what  Mahomet  held  in  most  abhorrenoe.  Many  of 
ike  religious  usages,  however,  prevalent  since  time  imme-^ 
morial  among  the  Arabs,  to  which  he  had  been  aoeu9« 
tomed  from  infancy,  and  whidiwere  not  incompatible  witil 
the  doctrine  of  the  uni^  of  God,  were  still  retamed.  Sueh 
was  the  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  including  all  the  rites  con- 
nected with  the  Caaba,  the  well  of  Zem  Zem,  and  oUi^ 
89Cfed  places  in  the  viciniir ;  apart  from  any  worship  of 
fhe  idols  by  which  they  had  been  profaned. 

^e  old  Arabian  rite  of  praver,  accompanied,  or  n^ei 
preceded  by  ablution,  was  still  continued.  Pra]^er8  indeed 
Wepre  enjoined  at  certain  hours  of  the  day  and  night ;  ihej 
Were  simple  in  form  and  phrase,  addressed  direcQy  to  the 
Deity  with  certain  inflezioiiH,  or  at  thnes  a  total  prostratioift 
of  the  bodv,  and  with  the  face  turned  towards  the  Sebla^ 
or  point  01  adoration. 

At  the  end  of  each  prayer,  the  followittg  verse  f5rom  4he 
second  chapter  of  the  Koran  was  recited.  It  is  swid  td 
Itare  great  lb  pauty  in  the  original  Arabic,  and  is  engraved 
OR  gold  and  silver  ornaments,  and  on  precious  st<me8  wom 
.  fts  amulets.  **  God !  There  is  no  €k)dbut  He,  the  living, 
th0  eve;  living ;  he  sle^eth  iiot»  neither  doth  he  slumb^ 


^t!bMtikriHngWBa^n£Mihomfik»ixmtued^^  tigrone  of  Ids  diii- 
llpteC  appear  to  liaye  beoi  saggeBted  If  a  passage  in.  Ufatthew;  zzv. 

«<  YerOy,  God  wOl  say  at  tlie  day  of  resimection,  *  Ob,  sons  of  AdamI 
I  was  siok,  and  ye  did  not  visit  me.'  Then  tiiey  wlU  say,  'How  ooaU 
we  fisittheet  ftrthoaatfCtheLofdoftiieimlvene^aiidaitfteaftoni 
ikknees.'  And  God  wffl  leidy,  *Knew  ye  not  tbai  saoh  »  one  of  ingr 
•crratttswasfliok,  and  ye  did  not  Tisit  Urn?  Had  you  visited  that 
Mrrant,  it  would  hare  heen  counted  to  m.  as  righteousness.'  And 
Ood  win  say,  *  Oh,  sons  of  Adam  l  I  asked  you  for  food,  and  ye  gave 
it  me  not.'  And  tiie  sons  of  Adam  will  say,  *How  oould  we  give  thee 
Hood,  sedng  thou  art  tiie  sustainer  of  the  antvene^  and  art  ftee  fhni 
tenger?*  And  God  will  say,  *Such  a  one  of  my  icrvanii  asked  yoa 
fat  bread,  and  ye  reflised  it.  Had  you  given  him  to  eat,  ye  would 
kava  received  your  reward  from  me«'  And  God  will  say,  ■  Oh,  sons  of 
Adam,  I  asked  you  fbr  water,  and  ye  gave  ft  me  not.'  They  wiU 
vsply,  '  Oh,  our  supporter  I  how  oould  we  etre  thee  water,  seeing  tiioa 
artthesnstainerof  the  universe,  and  not  sub)eet  to  thiiBtr  And  God 
wffl  say,  *  Suoh  a  one  (tf  my  servants  asked  you  for  water,  and  ye  di^ 
aot  give  it  to  him.  Had  ye  done  so^  ye  would  have  received  yonr.re* 
ward  from  me.' " 

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ouTLnnu  OT  kihoickihism.  m 

1V>  Imn  belongeth  the  hesrenB,  and  the  earth,  aad  aU  iliat 
ihej  eontain.  Who  shall  interoede  with  him  vnleBsbj  his 
permission  P  He  knoweth  the  past  and  the  fatnre,  biit  no 
one  can  comprehend  anything  of  his  knowledge  but  that 
which  he  rerealeth.  IBs  sway  eztendeth  aret  the  hairena 
and  the  earth,  and  to  sustain  them  both  is  no  buriheii  to 
him.    HeistheHigh,theMjght7r 

Mahomet  was  strenuous  in  forcing  the  importance  and 
efficacy  of  pn^er.  "  Angels,"  said  he,  "  come  among  jou 
both  by  night  and  day ;  after  which  those  of  the  nisht 
ascend  to  heaven,  and  G^od  asks  them  how  they  left  ma 
creatures.  We  fomid  them,  say  they,  at  Iheir  prayew, 
and  we  left  them  at  their  prayers.** 

The  doctrines  in  the  Koran  respecting  the  resnzrectioa 
and  final  judgment,  were  in  some  respects  similar  to  those 
of  the  dmstian  religion,  but  were  mixed  wd  with  wild  no* 
-tioDB  deriyed  from  other  sources ;  while  oie  joys  of  Urn 
Moslem  heaven,  though  partly  spiritoal,  were  doeged  aa4 
debased  by  the  nenwidiiaes  of  earth,  and  infinite^  below 
the  ineffi£le  pnr%  and  ipiritoal  Ueasedneis  of  the  heafen 
promised  by  our  Saviour. 

Nevertheless,  the  description  of  the  last  day,  as  eon* 
tained  in  the  eighlj-first  chapter  of  the  Koran,  and  'whidk 
must  have  been  given  by  Mahomet  at  the  outset  of  hie 
mission  at  Mecca,  as  one  of  the  first  of  his  levelatLooib 
partakes  of  sublimity. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  all-mercifiil  God !  aday  shall eome 
when  ihe  son  will  be  shrouded,  and  the  stars  willfidlfroiii 
the  heavens. 

**  When  the  camds  about  to  foa  will  be  neglected,  ami 
wild  beasts  will  herd  together  throu^  fear. 

"When Ihe  waves  otthe  ocean wiQ  boil,  and  Ihe  souls 
cfihe  dead  again  be  united  to  the  bodies. 

''When  the  female  infant  that  has  been  buried  ahve  wiU 
demand,  for  what  crime  was  I  saonfieedP  and  Ihe  eteznil 
books  will  be  laid  open. 

"  When  the  heavens  will  pass  away  like  a  scroll,  and 
hell.vnll  bum  fiercely;  and  the  joys  of  paradise  will  b0 
made  manifest. 

"  On  that  day  shall  every  soul  make  known  that  whioli 
it  hath  performed. 

"  Venly,  I  swear  to  you  by  the  stars  whidi  move  swiftty 
and  are  lost  in  the  brightness  of  the  sun,  and  by  the  dazE- 
ness  of  the  night,  and  by  Ihe  dawning  of  the  day,  these  are 
not  the  words  of  an  evil  spirit,  but  of  ian  angel  of  dignity 

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40  LIFB  OF  MAHOMET. 

And  power,  who  possesses  the  confidence  of  Allah,  and  is 
revered  by  the  angels  under  his  command.  Neither  isi 
your  companion,  Mahomet,  distracted.  He  beheld  the 
celestial  messenger  in  the  light  of  the  clear  horizon,  and 
the  words  reveided  to  him  are  intended  as  an  admonitioa 
unto  all  creatures." 

Note. — To  exhibit  the  perplexed  maze  of  ooutroTenial  doctrinev 
ftom  which  Mahomet  had  to  acquire  his  notions  of  the  Christian  faith, 
we  sattJoin  the  leading  points  of  the  jarring  sects  of  oriental  Christiana 
alluded  to  in  the  Ibregoing  article  &  all  of  which  have  been  pronooncec^ 
iioretical  or  schismatic. 

.  The  Sabellians,  so  called  from  Sabellios,  a  Libyan  priest  of  the  third 
oentmy,  believed  in  the  unity  of  God,  and  that  the  Trinity  expressed 
but  three  different  states  or  relations,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  all 
formhig  but  one  substance,  as  a  man  consists  of  body  and  soul. 

The  Arians,  from  Arius,  an  eoclesiaatic  of  Alexandria  in  the  fourth 
^century,  afllrmed  Christ  to  be  the  Son  of  God,  but  distinct  from  him 
and  inferior  to  him,  and  denied  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  God. 

The  Mestorians,  from  Nestorius,  Bishop  of  Constantinople  in  tlie 
fifth  century,  maintained  that  Christ  had  two  distinct  natures,  divine 
and  human;  that  Mary  was  only  his  mother,  and  Jesus  a  man,  and 
that  it  waa  an  abomination  to  style  her,  as  waa  the  custom  of  the 
church,  the  Mother  of  God. 

.  ThoMonophydtes  maintained  tiie  single  nature  of  Christ,  as  their 
name  betokens.  They  affirmed  that  he  was  combined  of  God  and  man* 
#•  mingled  and  united  as  to  form  but  one  nature. 

The  Eutychiana,  flrom  Entyches,  abbot  of  a  convent  in  Constant!- 
tiople  fai  the  fifOi  century,  were  a  branch  of  the  Monophysitea,  expressly 
opposed  to  the  Kestoriaas.  They  denied  the  double  nature  of  Christ, 
declaring  that  he  was  entirely  God  previous  to  the  incamatJon,  and  en- 
tirely man  during  the  incarnation. 

The  Jacobites,  fW>m  Jacobus,  bishop  of  Edessa,  in  Syria,  in  the  sixth 
flento^,  wen  a  veiy  numerous  branch  of  the  Monophysites,  varying  but 
little  from  the  Eutychians.  Moat  of  the  Christian  tribes  of  Arabs  were 
JaooUtes. 

The  Mariamitei,  or  worshippers  of  Mary,  regarded  the  Trinity  as  con- 
sisting of  God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Virgin  Mary. 

The  Collyiidians  were  a  sect  of  Arabian  Christians,  composed  chiel^ 
of  females.  They  worshipped  the  Virgin  Mary  as  possessed  of  divintty» 
-and  made  oiisringi  to  her  of  a  twiated  cake,  called  collyris,  whence  th^ 
derived  thefar  name. 

The  Nazarsans,  or  STazarenes,  were  a  sect  of  Jewish  Christians,  who 
^considered  Christ  as  the  Messiah,  as  bom  of  a  Virgin  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  as  possessing  something  of  a  divine  nature ;  but  they  con- 
formed in  all  other  respects  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Mosaic 
%iw. 

The  Ebionites,  ttom  Ebion,  a  converted  Jew,  who  lived  in  the  first 
century,  were  also  a  sect  of  Judaizing  Christians,  little  differing  ftx>m 
the  Nazaneans.  They  believed  Christ  to  be  a  pure  man,  the  greatest 
of  the  pr(q;>hets,  but  denied  that  he  had  any  existence  previous  to 
Iwing  hon.  of  the  Virgin  Mary.  This  sect,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Kaaa- 
tmua,  had  many  adherents  in  Arabia. 


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XAHOMXT's  DOCTSIins  HDICULBD.  41 

Many  other  seets  might  be  enumerated,  mdi  ts  the  OoiiBtidMi^ 
Haronites,  and  Mardooitee,  who  took  their  luunei  from  learned  and 
sealoos  leaders ;  and  the  Dooetet  and  Qnoetki»  who  wve  tabdirided 
hito  yarioos  seets  of  sabtle  enthusiasto.  Some  of  these  ^nwrfed  the  Im* 
maculate  purity  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  afflrming  tliat  her  ooneeption  and 
dellYery  were  effected  like  the  transmission  of  the  rays  of  Ugfat  through 
m  pane  of  glass,  witbont  impairing  her  Tirginity ;  an  opinkmstUl  mate- 
■tained  strenooosly  in  sabstanee  by  Spanish  CathoUes. 

Most  of  the  Dooetes  asserted  that  Jesos  Christ  was  of  a  nature  so- 
tirdy  divine;  that  a  phantom,  a  mere  fbrm  without  sobstance,  was  em- 
cified  by  the  deluded  Jews,  and  that  the  craeiflzioii  and  resunectioa 
were  deceptive  mystical  exhibitions  at  Jerusalem  to  the  benefit  of  th« 
human  race. 

The  Carpocratians,  BasOidians,  and  Talentinlans,  named  after  three 
Egyptian  controversialists,  contended  that  Jesos  Christ  was  merdy  • 
wise  and  virtuous  mortal,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary,  selected  hj  God 
to  reform  and  instruct  mankind ;  but  that  a  divfaie  nature  was  im* 
parted  to  him  at  the  maturity  of  his  age,  and  period  of  his  baptism,  by 
4St.  John.  The  former  part  of  this  creed,  which  is  that  of  the  £blo»- 
ites,  has  been  revived,  and  is  proftssed  by  some  of  tlie  Unitarian 
Christians,  a  numerous  and  increastaig  sect  of  Protestants  of  the  pro- 
sen*  day. 

It  is  sufflefent  to  glance  at  these  ffisseniioni,  which  we  have  boI 
arranged  in  chronological  order,  but  which  convulsed  the  early  Christiaa 
ehuroli,  and  oontlnned  to  prevaU  at  the  era  of  Mahomet,  to  acquit  him 
of  any  charge  of  consdons  blasphemy  In  the  opinions  ht  tacolcated 
eoncenUng  the  nature  and  mission  of  o«  Saviov. 


CHAPTEBIX. 

Bldlcnle  cast  on  Mahomet  and  his  doctrines.— Demand  Ibr  miradet.— > 
Conduct  of  Abu  Taleb.— Ykrienee  of  the  Koreishites.— Mahomefs 
daui^ter  Bokaia;  with  her  uncle  Othman,  and  a  number  of  dis- 
ciples, take  refhge  In  Abysstaiia.^ — Mahomet  in  the  house  of  Orichan. 
— ^Hostility  of  Abu  Jahl ;  his  punishment 

The  greatest  difficulty  with  wliicli  Mahomet  had  to  con- 
tend at  the  outset  of  his  prophetic  career,  was  the  ridicule 
of  his  opponents.  Those  who  had  known  him  firom  his  in* 
fancy — ^who  had  seen  him  aboj  about  the  streets  of  Mecca» 
and  afterwards  ocenpied  in  all  the  ordinary  concerns  of  life, 
scoffed  at  his  assumption  of  the  apostolic  character.  Iliey 
pointed  with  a  sneer  at  him  as  he  passed,  exclaiming, 
•*  Behold  the  grandson  of  Abd  al  Mot&lleb,  who  pretends 
to  know  what  is  going  on  in  heaven!'*  Some  who  had 
Iritnessed  his  fits  of  mental  excitement  and  ecstasy,  con* 
sidered  him  insane;  others  declared  that  he  was  possessed 

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41  LOB  OW  HIHOMXT. 

with  a  devil,  and  aome  diaiged  him  Tnth  soroeiy  and 
XDanc. 

When  he  waBced  the  streets  he  was  snbject  to  thoao 
jeers,  and  taunts,  and  inanlts  which  the  Tnlgor  are  apt  to 
rent  up<Mi  men  of  eccentric  condnet  and  unsettled  mind,. 
If  he  atteospted  to  preadi,  his  yoice  was  drowned  by  dia*> 
cordant  noises  and  ribald  songs:  nay,  dirt  was  ihrowniq^OA 
him  when  he  was  praying  in  the  Caaba. 

Nor  was  it  ihe  vukar  and  ignorant  alone  who  that 
insulted  him.  One  of  his  most  redoubtable  assailants  was 
a  youth  named  Amm;  and  as  he  subsequently  made  a  dis- 
tinguished  figure  in  Mahometan  history,  we  would  impress 
the  circumfitances  of  this,  his  first  appearance,  upeoi  tilie 
mind  of  the  reader.  He  was  the  son  of  a  courtezan  of 
Mecca;  who  seems  to  have  riTalled  in  fascination  the 
mirynes  and  Aspasias  of  Greece,  and  to  have  numbered 
some  of  the  noblest  of  the  land  among  her  loveonk  Whea 
she  gave  birth  to  this  child,  she  mentioned  seyeral  of  the 
tribe  of  Koreish  who  had  equal  claims  to  the  patcdnfty. 
!Che  infant  was  declared  to  have  most  resemblance  toAara^ 
the  oldest  of  her  admirers,  whence,  in  addition  to  hia 
name  of  Amra,  he  reoeired  ib&  desigzuation  of  Ibn  al  Aasi^ 
the  son  of  Aass. 

I^ature  had  lavished  her  choisest  gifts  upon  this  natural 
ehnd,  as  if  to  atone  for  thaUenush  of  his  birth.  Though 
youn^,  he  was  already  one  of  the  most  popular  poets  of 
Arabia,  and  equally  distinguished  for  the  pungency  of  his 
satirical  efi^ions  and  i&  captivating  swee&ess  of  his 
serious  lavs. 

"■  When  Mahomet  first  amioonced  his  niiisioBt  this  yootli 
assailed  him  with  lampoons  and  humorous  madirtgals; 
which,  falling  in  with  the  poetic  taste  of  the  Arabs,  were 
widely  drcumted,  and  proved  ^;reater  impediments  to  the 
growm  of  Islamism  than  the  bitterest  persecution. 

llhose  who  were  more  serious  in  their  (^position  de» 
xnanded  of  Mahcmiet  supernatural  proofs  of  what  he  as« 
■erted.  "  Moses  and  Jesus,  and  the  rest  of  the  prophets,"* 
aaid  they,  *'  wrought  mirades  to  prove  the  divinitjr  of  their 
missions.  If  thou  art  indeed  aprophet,  greater  than  they, 
work  the  like  miracles." 

Hie  reply  of  Mahomet  may  be  gathered  firom  his  own 
words  in  the  Koran.  "What  gteSex  miracle  could  they 
have  than  tiie  Xoran  itself:  a  TOok  revealed  by  means  of 
an  unlettered  man;  so  elevated  in  language,  so  incon* 
trorertible  in  argoment,  that  the  united  skUL  of  men  and 

gtized  by  Google 


X  DBKAKD  FOB  XHUOLXS. 

devils  could  eompoae  nothing  oonipanble.    VHrni  gim^ 
proof  conld  there  be  that  it  came  nom  none  but  Qod  J ' 
self  P    The  Koran  itself  10  a  mirade." 

They  demanded,  howerer,  more  palpable  eyidence; : 

cles  addressed  to  the  senses ;  that  ne  should  cause  tiia 
domb  to  speak,  the  deaf  to  hear,  the  blmd  to  see,  the  dead 
to  rise;  or  that  he  should  work  changes  in  the  £soe  of 
natnre;  cause  fountains  to  gposh  forth;  ohimge  a  sterile 
place  into  a  |:aTdenj  with  pahn-trees  and  yines,  and  nm« 
mjxg  stFQomB;  (mute  a  paJa^^e  of  gold  to  rise,  decked  with 
jeweb  and  precioiis  steDes ;  or  ascend  hy  a  ladd^  into 
beaten  hx  their  presenct.  Or,  if  the  Koran  did  indeed,  aa 
be  a&med,  come  down  &oiii  heayen;  tJuKt  ^bej  miffht  see 
it  as  it  deicended,  or  behold  the  angd  who  brought  it;  and 
then  they  would  beHcre. 

Mahomet  replied  sometimes  by  arguments,  sometbnea 
by  denaiiciatioiiB.  He  claimed  to  be  notiiing  moire  thaa 
a  man  sent  hy  Qod  as  au  apostle.  Had  angels,  said  he, 
walked  famiLarlf  oa  earth,  an  angel  had  assuredly  bo6>l 
Bent  on  i^uA  imision ;  bnt  woM  had  been  the  case  oc 
those  who,  aa  in  the  prcient  instance^  doubted  his  word* 
They  would  not  have  ncem  aHe,  as  with  me,  to  argue,  and 
dispute,  and  take  time  to  be  convinced;  their  perdilaoa 
would  have  been  instantaneous.  '' God/* added  he»  "needs 
no  angel  to  enforce  mj  mission.  He  is  a  suffident 
witness  between  you  and  me.  Those  whom  he  ahaU  dis* 
poee  to  be  <jomrinced,  wQl  truly  beliere;  tbose  whom  h* 
ihall  permit  to  remain  in  error,  will  find  none  to  help  their 
nnbebef.  On  the  da?  of  resurrection  they  will  app^tt 
blind,  and  deaf,  and  drmh,  and  grovalling  on  their  taoes. 
Their  abode  will  be  in  tlie  eternal  flames  of  Jeheimank 
Bueli  will  be  the  reward  of  theif  unbelief. 

"  You  insist  on  mrracled.  God  gsre  to  Moses  the 
power  of  working  miraelea.  "What  was  the  oonsequeneeF 
rharaoh  disregarded  his  mirades,  accused  him  of  soiroery, 
and  sought  to  drive  him  and  his  neople  fifom  ^e  land;  bu$ 
Hiaraoh  was  drowned,  and  witii  nim  all  his  host.  Would 
ye  tempt  God  to  miracles,  and  risk  the  punishment  of 
Hu^aohP" 

It  is  recorded  by  Al  Maalem,  an  Arabian  writer,  thai 
of  Mahomet's  discipka  at  one  time  j<Mned  with  the 
node  in  thi^  ay  for  miracles,  and  besought  lum  to 
J  iat  once,  the  diYinitf  of  his  mission,  by  turning  the 
mO.  of  Safa  into  gold.  Being  thus  dosely  urged,  he  betock 
Imnself  to  prayer;  and  having  fimsheoi  assured  his  £c>l- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


44  tIFS  OF  XAHOHXT. 

lowers  that  the  aneel  Grabriel  liad  aj^peared  to  him,  and 
informed  him  that,  uionld  God  grant  his  prayer,  and  work 
the  desired  miracle,  all  who  disSelieyed  it  wonld  be  exter- 
Biinated.  In  pity  to  the  multitude,  therefore,  who  ap- 
peared to  be  a  stiff-necked  generation,  he  woidd  not  ex- 
pose them  to  destruction:  so  the  hill  of  Safa  waa  permitted 
{o  remain  in  its  pristine  state. 

■  Other  Moslem  writers  assert  i^t  Mahomet  departed 
from  his  self-prescribed  rule,  and  wrought  occasional 
miracles,  when  he  found  his  hearers  unusally  slow  of 
belief.  Thus  we  are  told  that,  at  one  time,  in  presence  of 
a  multitude,  he  called  to  him  a  bull,  and  took  from  his^ 
horns  a  scroll  containing  a  chapter  of  the  Xoiun,  just  sent 
down  from  heaven.  At  another  time,  while  discoursing  in 
public,  a  white  dore  hovered  over  him,  and,  alighting  on 
nis  shoulder,  appeared  to  whisper  in  his  ear ;  bemg,  as  he 
said,  a  messenger  from  ihe  Deity.  On  another  occasion^ 
lie  ordered  the  earth  before  him  to  be  opened,  when  two 
jars  were  found,  one  filled  with  honey,  the  other  with  milk, 
which  he  pronounced  emblems  of  the  abundance  promised 
by  Heaven  to  all  who  should  obey  his  law. 

Christian  writers  have  scoffed  at  these  miracles ;  sug* 
gesting  that  the  dove  had  been  tutored  to  its  task,  and 
Bought  grains  of  wheat,  which  it  had  been  accustomed  to 
fina  in  tiie  ear  of  Mahomet;  that  the  scroll  had  previouslT 
been  tied  to  the  horns  of  the  bull,  and  the  vessels  of  miUc 
and  honey  deposited  in  the  ground.  The  truer  course 
would  be  to  discard  these  miracidous  stories  altogether,  as 
fables  devised  by  mistaken  zealots ;  and  such  Qiey  have 
been  pronounced,  by  the  ablest  of  the  Moslem  commen* 
tators. 

There  is  no  proof  that  Mahomet  descended  to  any  ard* 
fices  of  the  kbd  to  enforce  his  doctrines  or  establish  hig 
apostoHc  claims.  He  appears  to  have  relied  entirely  on 
reason  and  eloquence,  and  to  have  been  supported  by  reli- 
gious enthusiasm  in  this  early  and  dubious  stage  of  hit 
career.  His  earnest  attacks  upon  the  idolatry  ^diich  had 
vitiated  and  superseded  the  primitive  worship  of  the 
Caaba,  began  to  have  a  sensible  effect,  and  alaxmed  the 
Koreishites.  They  urged  Abu  Taleb  to  silence  his 
nephew,  or  to  send  him  away;  but  finding  their  entreatieg 
imavailing,  they  informed  the  old  man  that  if  this  |>re- 
tended  prophet  and  his  followers  persisted  in  their  heresiei. 
they  should  pay  for  them  with  their  lives. 

Abu  Taleb  hastened  to  inform  Mahomet  of  these  me* 

« 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


solK^itttdb  ov  xbv  talbb.  45 

naces,  imploriiig  lum  not  to  proYoke  against  liimsel^  and 
family  snch  numerous  and  powerful  foes. 
'  Tke  enthusiastic  spirit  of  Mahomet  Idndled  at  the 
words.  "  Oh,  my  uncle !"  exclaimed  he,  "  thou|^h  they 
should  array  the  sun  against  me  on  my  right  hand,  and 
the  moon  on  my  left,  yet,  untQ  Gk>d  sliall  command  me, 
or  should  take  me  hence,  would  I  not  depart  from  my 
purpose." 

He  was  retiring  with  ddected  countenance,  when  Aba 
Taleb  called  him  back.  The  old  man  was  as  yet  uncon* 
verted,  but  he  was  struck  with  admiration  of  the  undaunted 
firmness  of  his  nephew,  and  declared  that,  preach  what  he 
might,  he  would  never  abandon  him  to  his  enemies. 
Feeling  that  of  himself  he  could  not  yield  sufficient  pro* 
taction,  he  called  upon  tke  other  descendants  of  Haschem 
and  Abd  al  Mot^eb  to  aid  in  shielding  their  kinsman 
£rom  the  persecution  of  the  rest  of  the  tnbe  of  Koreish ; 
and  so  strong  is  the  family  tie  among  the  Arabs,  thai 
though  it  was  protecting  lum  in  what  they  considered  a 
dangerous  heresy,  they  f3l  consented  excepting  his  uncle 
AbuLahab. 

The  animosity  of  the  Xoreishites  became  more  and 
more  vkulent,  and  proceeded  to  personal  violence.  Ma* 
homet  was  assailed  and  nearly  strangled  in  the  Caaba,  and 
was  rescued  with  difficulty  by  Abu  Beker,  who  himself 
suffered  personal  injury  m  me  affiray.  His  immediate 
&mil^  became  objects  of  hatred,  especially  his  daughter 
Bokaia  and  her  husband,  Othman  Ibn  Affan.  Such  of  his 
disciples  as  had  no  powerful  friends  to  protect  them  were 
in  peril  of  their  lives.  Full  of  anxie^  for  their  safety, 
Maliomet  advised  them  to  leave  his  dangerous  oompa* 
nionship  for  the  present,  and  take  refuge  in  Abyssinia. 
•  The  narrowness  of  the  Bed  Sea  made  it  easy  to  reach  the 
African  shore.  The  Abyssinians  were  Nestonan  Christians, 
elevated  by  their  religion  above  their  barbarous  neigh* 
hours.  Their  naja^hee  or  king  was  reputed  to  be  tolerant 
and  just.  With  nun,  Mahomet  trusted  his  daughter  and 
his  ragitive  disciples  would  find  refuge. 

Othman  Ibn  A^&n  was  the  leader  of  this  little  band  of 
Moslems,  consisting  of  eleven  men  and  four  women.  They 
took  the  way  by  the  sea-coast  to  Jodda,  a  port  about  two 
dajrs*  journey  to  ihe  east  of  Mecca,  where  they  found  two 
Abvssmian  vessels  at  andior,  in  which  they  embarked,  and 
Balled  for  the  land  of  refuge. 

[Qua  event,  which  happened  in  the  fifth  year  of  the 

gitized  by  Google 


i(  U^  OP  MASOIGR. 

xmakiD,  of  Hahoixiet,  ii  called  the  first  Hegixa  or  Flig^t^ 
to  distWrnsK  it  from  the  second  He^ira»  t&  flkht  of  the 
{irophet  himself  ttam  Mecca  to  Medina.  The  und  treat- 
ment  e^gteiienced  by  the  Aigitires  induced  others  of  Ilia 
same  fiuth  to  follow  their  example,  nntil  the  nmnber  of 
Moslem  refugees  in  Abyssinia  amounted  to  eighty-three 
men  and  ei^^en  women,  besides  cMLdren. 

The  Koreishites,  finfjing  that  Mahomet  was  not  to  be 
flikinced,  and  was  daily  making  conTerts,  passed  a  law 
banifiJunff  all  who  should  embrace  his  faith.  Mahomet  re- 
tired before  the  storm,  and  todc  refo^e  in  the  house  of  a 
disciple  named  Orkham,  situated  on  me  hill  of  Sa&.  This 
bill,  as  has  already  been  mentioned,  was  renowned  in 
Arabian  tradition  as  the  one  on  which  Adam  and  Etc  were 
permitted  to  come  <mce  more  together,  after  the  lon^  soli- 
tary wandmng  about  the  earth  whidi  followed  their  ex- 
pubion  frcHu  paradise.  It  was  likewise  connected  in  tn- 
oition  with  the  fortunes  of  Hagar  and  IshmaeL 

Mahomet  remained  for  aracmth  in  the  house  of  Orkluuiiy 
OQntmuing  his  rerelatians  and  drawing  to  him  sectaries 
from  yarious  parts  of  Arabia.  The  hostili^  of  the  !Ko- 
teishites  followed  him  to  his  retreat.  Abu  J  ahl,  an  Arab 
of  that  tribe,  sought  him  out,  insulted  him  with  opmpo* 
briouB  langoage,  and  eyen  pers^ialfy  maltreated  him.  tDie 
outrage  was  rraorted  to  Hamza,  an  unde  of  Mahmnet,  tm 
he  returned  to  Meeoa  from  hunting.  Hamza  was  no  pro- 
selyte to  Tslamism,  but  he  was  pledged  to  protect  his 
nephew.  Mardbdng  with  his  bow  unstrang  in  his  hand  to 
an  assemblage  of  the  £<Hreishites,  where  Abu  Jahl  was 
yannting  h»  recent  triomph,  he  dealt  the  boaster  js  blow 
orer  the  head,  that  inilioted  a  grieyoos  wound.  The  Idna- 
lolk  of  Abu  Jahl  rushed  to  his  assistance,  bat  the  brawler 
stood  in  awe  of  the  yigorous  arm  and  fiery  spirit  of  Hamza^ 
and  Boudit  to  padfy  him.  "  Let  him  alone,"  said  he  to 
Us  kinsmlk :  ''in  truth  I  haye  treated  his  nephew  yeiy 
roughly."  He  alleged  in  paUiaticm  of  his  outrage  tto 
spostaify  of  Mahomet ;  but  Hamza  was  not  to  be  appeased. 
•'  Well  I"  cried  he,  fieroely  and  scornfully,  "  I  also  do  not 
belieye  in  your  gods  of  stone;  can  you  compel  meP' 
Anger  produoed  in  his  bosom  what  reasoning  mieht  have 
attempted  in  yain.  He  fcMrthwith  dedared  hunseu  a  eon- 
yert;  took  the  oath  of  adhesirai  to  the  pn^^t,  and  becams 
one  of  the  most  sealous  and  y  alisat  champicms  of  the  new 
faith. 

'  Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTEB  X 

QBVlbBalKhiitt]ibMpliew<tf  AJbaJahl,  nBtoiatai  to  igyfgi  hfa 
unele  by  dijiiig  Mahomet — ^His  wonderftil  oonTenioii  to  the  Ikith. 
— aiahoBet  takes  nA«e  in  ft  eaatle  of  Aha  Talab.— Aha  Sofiaiw  at 
the  head  of  the  itral  hrandi  of  Kofeiifaitea,  pewecolea  HahooMtand 
his  ibUowen. — Ohtahu  »  deoree  of  nos-taitanoane  with  thwn 
Mahoaaet  leavii  Us  icftnai  asi  makaa  eanrerti  dniiac  the  Bonth  of 
pngriiaage^— LgfaadoftheooawntaiofHaMhtheWlae. 

isM  haixed  of  Ahu  Jald  to  the  propliei  ma  increaaed  by 
the  seyere  poniahment  receiyed  at  the  handa  of  Hanixa» 
fie  bad  a  nepbeir  named  Omar  Ibn  al  Xbatt&b,  twentr- 
mx  jean  of  age,  of  mganidc  statue,  prodiAooa  atrengtb, 
and  mat  courage.  Sia  aayage  aspect  appaOed  ihe  bold, 
and  his  yeiy  iralkiiig-staff  stmck  more  tenor  into  be- 
hddcrs  than  another  man's  sword.  Such  are  the  wcxda  of 
the  Ambian  bistoriaa,  Abu  Ahdailah  Mohamed  Ibn  Qmal 
Alwakedi,  and  titie  subsequent  ieaJta  of  this  warrior  proye 
thai  they  were  scarce  ehai»eable  with  exaggeration. 

Insti^^iied  by  his  unde,  Abu  Jahl,  this  fierce  Arab  undert- 
took  to  penetrate  to  the  retreat  <^  Mahomet,  who  was  stiH 
in  the  house  cf  Orkham,  and  to  strike  a  poniard  to  his 
heart.  The  Eoreishites  are  accused  of  haying  promised 
him  one  hundred  camels  and  one  thousand  ounces  of  £old 
Cor  this  deed  of  blood ;  but  this  is  improbable^  nor  dia  the 
TtBLge&l  Befkew  dAha  Jahi  need  a  bribe. 

JH  he  was  on  his  way  to  ^  house  of  Qrkham^  he  met 
a  K.oreiBhit|»»  to  whiun  he  imparted  his  desi|nL  The 
XJoreiBhite  was  a  secret  oonyert  to  Iihimism,  am,  soicht 
to  torn  him  fifom  his  bloody  errand.  '*  Before  you  slay 
lfahome<»"  saidhe,  ^'and  draw  upon  yourself  the  yengeance 
of  his  relatiyes,  see  that  yoor  own  are  free  &om  heresy! " 
^  Are  any  of  mine  guilty  of  baoksliding  P"  demanded  Omar 
intibL  astcmiahment.  "£yen  so,"  was  Ihe  reply;  '^thy 
sister  Amina  and  her  husband  Seid." 

Omar  hastened  to  the  dwelUnfi'  of  his  sister,  and,  enter- 
ing it  ahxoMy,  found  har  and  her  husband  reading  the 
Koran,  Seid  attempted  to  conceal  it,  but  his  conrosion 
oonyineed  Omar  oT  the  truth  of  the  accusation,  and 
keig^btened  his  fury.  In  his  raf^e  he  struck  Seid  to  tha 
•ami ;  jfiafudd  his  foot  upon  his  breast,  and  would  haye 
Jfthingea  his  sword  into  it,  had  not  his  sister  interposed. 
A  Uow  on  tjhQ&oe  bathed  her  yisage  in  blood.    ''Enemy 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


48  LIFV  OF  KAHOKET. 

of  Allab !"  sobbed  Amina,  ''  dost  thou  strike  me  thus  for 
believing  in  the  only  true  GodP  In  despite  of  tkee  and 
thy  violence,  I  will  persevere  in  the  true  faith.  Yes," 
added  she,  with  fervour,  "  *  there  is  no  God  but  God, 
and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet.'  And  now,  Omar,  finish  tidy 
work!" 

Omar  paused ;  repented  of  his  yiolence,  and  took  his 
foot  from  the  bosom  of  Seid. 

"  Show  me  the  writing,"  sidd  he.  Amina,  however, 
refused  to  let  him  touch  the  sacred  scroll  until  he  had 
washed  his  hands.  The  passage  which  he  read  is  said  to 
have  been  the  twentieth  chapter  of  the  Koran,  which  thus 
begins: — 

"  In  the  name  of  the  most  mercifol  God !  We  have  net 
sent  down  the  Koran  to  inflict  misery  on  mankind,  but  as 
a  monitor,  to  teach  him  to  believe  m  the  true  God,  the 
creator  of  the  earth  and  the  lofty  heavens. 

"  Hie  All-merciful  is  enthronea  on  high,  to  him  belongeth 
whatsoever  is  in  the  heavens  above,  and  in  the  earth  be* 
neath,  and  in  the  regions  under  the  earth. 

"  Dost  thou  utter  thy  prayers  with  a  loud  roioe  P  know 
that  there  is  no  need.  Goa  knoweth  the  secrets  of  thj 
heart ;  yea,  that  which  is  most  hidden. 

**  Venly,  I  am  God ;  there  is  none  beside  me.  Serra 
me,  serve  none  other.  Offer  up  thy  prayer  to  none 
but  me." 

The  words  of  the  Xoran  sank  deep  into  the  heart  of 
Omar.  He  read  farther,  and  was  more  and  more  moved  f 
but  when  he  came  to  the  parts  treating  of  the  resurrection 
and  of  judgment,  his  conversion  was  complete.  ■ 

He  pursued  his  way  to  the  house  of  Orkham,  but  with 
sn  altered  heart.  Elnocking  humbly  at  the  door,  he  craved 
sdmission.  "  Come  in,  son  of  al  Khattlkb,"  exclaimed 
Mahomet.    "  "What  brings  thee  hither  P" 

'*  I  come  to  enrol  my  name  among  the  believers  of  God 
sad  his  prophet."  So  saying,  he  nuule  the  Moslem  pro- 
fession of  faith. 

He  was  not  content  until  his  conversion  was  publiely 
known.  At  his  request,  Mahomet  accompanied  nim  in- 
stantly to  the  Caaba,  to  perform  openly  the  rites  of 
Islamism.  Omar  walked  on  the  left  hiuid  of  the  prophet^ 
and  Hamza  on  the  right,  to  protect  him  from  injury  and 
insult,  and  they  were  followed  by  upwards  of  ferty  dis- 
ciples. They  passed  in  open  day  throu^  the  streets  of 
llecca»  to  the  astonishment  of  its  mhabitants.  Seven  times 

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> 


CABTLB  OV  ABU  TALBB.  49 

did  they  make  the  circuit  of  the  Caaba,  toaohinff  each  tiine 
tiie  sacred  black  atone,  and  complying  with  all  the  other 
ceremonials.  The  Koreiahites  regaided  this  procession, 
with  dismay,  but  dared  not  approach  nor  molest  the  pro> 
phet,  being  deterred  by  the  looks  of  those  terrible  men  of 
battle,  Hamza  and  Omar;  who,  it  is  said,  glared  upoa 
them  like  two  lions  that  had  been  robbed  of  their  yoon^. 

Fearless  and  resolute  in  eyerythinff ,  Omar  went  by  hmi* 
self  the  next  day  to  pray  as  a  Modem  in  the  Caaba,  in 
open  defiance  of  the  Koreishites.  Anothm  Moslem,  who 
entered  the  temple,  was  interrupted  in  his  worship  and 
radely  treated ;  but  no  one  molested  Omar,  because  he 
was  tne  nephew  of  Abu  JahL  Omar  repaired  to  his  undo* 
''I  renounce  thy  protection,"  said  he.  "I  will  not  be 
better  off  than  my  lellow-belieTers.*'  From  that  time,  he 
cast  his  lot  with  the  followers  of  Mahomet,  and  was  one 
of  his  most  strenuous  defenders. 

Such  was  the  wonderful  conrersion  of  Omar,  afterwards 
the  most  famous  champion  of  the  Islam  £EdtL  So  exaspe* 
rated  were  the  Koreishites  by  this  new  trium]jh  of  Mano* 
met,  that  his  unde,  Abu  Taleb,  feared  they  might  attempt 
the  life  of  his  nephew,  either  by  treachery  or  open  violence. 
At  his  earnest  entreaties,  therefore,  Hie  latter,  accompanied 
by  some  of  his  principal  disciples,  withdrew  to  a  kmd  of 
castle,  or  stronfi^hold^  bebngmg  to  Abu  Taleb,  in  the 
n^hbourhood  of  the  dty. 

^e  protection  thus  given  by  Abu  Taleb,  the  head  of 
the  Ha^emites,  and  by  others  of  his  line,  to  Mahomet 
and  his  followers,  although  differmg  firom  them  in  faith, 
drew  on  them  the  wrath  of  the  rival  branch  of  the  Ko* 
reishites,  and  produced  a  sehinn  in  the  tribe.  Abu  Sofian, 
the  head  of  that  branch,  availed  himself  of  the  heresies  of 
the  prophet  to  throw  discredit,  not  merely  upon  such  of 
his  kindred  as  had  embraced  his  faith,  but  upon  the  whole 
line  of  Haschem,  which,  though  dissenting  m>m  his  doc* 
trines,  had,  through  mere  claimish  feelings,  protected  him. 
It  is  evident  the  hostility  of  Abu  Sofian  arose,  not  merely 
from  personal  hatred  or  relijrious  scruples,  but  from  fanuly 
feud.  He  was  ambitiouf  of  transfemng  to  his  own  line 
the  honours  of  the  dty,  so  long  engrossed  by  the  Has- 
diemites.  The  last  measure  of  the  kind-hearted  Abu 
Taleb,  in  placing  Mahomet  beyond  the  reach  of  persecu- 
tion, and  giving  him  a  castie  as  a  refuge,  was  seised  upon 
l^  Abu  Sofian  and  his  adherents  as  a  pretext  for  a  general 
ban  of  the  rival  line.    They  accordii^ly  issued  a  decree. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


M  OE3XS  09  1CAH01CBT. 

fi>rbiddiiig  tiie  ifest  of  the  tribe  of  Koreish  from  inter* 
mKtTpnSf  or  holdiiiff  an^  intercourse,  even  of  barj;ain  or. 
BBle,  wim  the  HaseiLenutes  until  they  should  dehrer  up 
their  kinsman,  Mahomet,  for  ponishm^it.  Tim  decree, 
which  took  place  in  tile  serenth  year  of  what  is  called  ihB 
liiission  of  the  prophet,  was  wntten  on  parchment,  and 
hung  np  in  the  Caaba.  It  reduced  Mahomet  and  his  dis* 
cq»les  to  great  straits,  being  ahnost  fanushed  at  times  in 
iihe  stronghold  in  which  they  had  taken  refbge.  The  fcv- 
tress  was  also  beleaguered  occasionally  by  the  Koreishiteiy 
to  enforce  the  haai  in  all  its  rigour,  and  to  prevent  tiie 
]^Bsibi]ity  of  supplies. 

•  The  annual  season  <^  pilgrimage,  however,  when  hoster 
of  pikfrims  repair  from  au  parts  of  Arabia  to  Mecca, 
brought  transient  relief  to  the  persecuted  Modons. 
Dicing  that  sacred  season,  according  to  immemorial  law 
and  usage  among  the  Arabs,  all  hostmties  were  sospendedy 
and  warring  tril^  met  in  temporary  peace  to  worsh^  at 
ike  Caaba.  At  sudi  tunes,  Mahomet  and  his  disciplee^ 
would  venture  from  their  strcmghdd  and  return  to  Mecca* 
Protected,  also,  by  the  immuni^  of  the  boly  month,  Ma- 
homet would  mingle  amon^  the  pikrims  and  preadbi  and 
pray ;  propound  nis  doctrmes,  ana  prodaim  Ids  revela* 
tions.  In  this  way  he  made  many  converts,  who,  <»i  their 
return  to  tilieur  several  homes,  carried  with  than  the  seeds 
of  the  new  faith  to  distant  regions.  Among  these  converts 
were  occasionally  the  princes  or  heads  of  tribes,  whose 
example  had  an  influence  on  their  adherents.  Arabian 
legends  give  a  pompous  and  extravagant  account  of  the 
conversion  of  one  of  iJiese  princes;  whicn,  as  it  was  attended 
hy  some  of  the  most  noted  miracles  recorded  (^  Mahomel^ 
BMy  not  be  unworthy  of  an  abbreviated  insertion. 

The  prince  in  question  was  Habib  Ibn  Maleo,  sumamed 
tiie  Wise,  on  account  of  his  vast  knowledge  and  erudition, 
fbr  he  is  represented  as  dee^y  versed  in  magic  and  the 
sciences,  and  acquainted  wim  all  religions  to  thieaT  very 
fbundations,  having  read  aQ  tiiat  had  been  written  oonoem* 
ing  tiiem,  and  also  acquired  practical  information,  for  he 
had  belonged  to  them  all  by  t^ms,  having  be^  Jew, 
Christian,  and  one  of  tiie  Ma^.  It  is  true  he  had  had 
more  than  usual  time  for  his  studies  and  experience, 
Itaving,  according  to  AralHaa.  legend,  attained  to  the  age 
of  one  hundred  and  f^ty  years.  He  now  came  to  Mecca 
at  the  head  of  a  powerful  host  of  twenty  thousand  men, 
bringing  with  him  a  joutbM  daaghter,  Satiha,  whom  he 

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LEGEirD  OV  H^BIB  TU  WISE.  51 

must  have  begotten  in  a  ripe  dd  ace,  and  for  wliom  be 
was  putting  up  raayen  at  the  Caaba,  the  haying  been 
strack  dumb,  uiddeaf,  and  Uind,  and  depriyed  of  the  uae 
of  her  limbs. 

Abu  Sofian  and  Aba  Jahl,  aeoovdinff  to  the  legend^ 
thought  the  presence  of  tins  yerypowerfiil,  yerT  iddatrou^ 
and  yery  wise  old  prince,  at  the  nead  of  so  formidable  a 
host,  a  fayoorable  opportonity  to  effect  the  min  of  Maho- 
met. They-  accordingly  informed  Habib  the  Wise  of  the 
heresies  of  the  pretended  prophet ;  and  preyailed  npoa  the 
yenerable  prince  to  summon  him  into  his  presence,  at  hit 
encampment  in  the  Yalley  of  flints,  there  to  defend  hit 
doctrines ;  in  Ihe  hope  that  his  obstinacy  in  enor  would 
draw  upon  him  banishment  or  death. 

The  legend  ^es  a  mafliificent  account  of  the  issuing 
forth  of  the  idolatrous  filoreishites,  in  proud  amy,  on 
horseback  and  on  foot,  led  by  Abu  Sofian  and  Abu  JahL 
to  attend  Ihe  grand  inquisition  in  the  Yalley  of  Flints ; 
and  of  the  oriental  state  in  iddch  they  were  reoeiyed  by 
Habib  Ihe  Wise,  seated  under  a  tent  of  crimson,  on  a 
throne  of  ebony,  inlaid  with  iyory  and  sandal-wood,  and 
eoyered  with  plates  of  gold. 

Mahomet  was  in  the  dwelling  of  Cadijah  idien  he  re- 
ceiyed  a  summons  to  this  formidable  tnbunaL  Cadijah 
was  loud  in  her  expressions  of  alarm ;  and  his  daughters 
hung  about  his  neck,  weeping  and  lamenting,  for  thej 
thought  him  going  to  certain  deiBith ;  but  he  gently  rebuked 
their  fears,  and  b^e  them  trust  in  Allah. 

Unlike  ^e  ostentatious  state  of  his  enemies,  Abu  Sofian 
and  Abu  Jahl,  he  approached  the  scene  of  tnal  in  simple 
guise,  dad  in  a  white  earment,  with  a  black  turban,  ana  a 
mantle  which  had  belonged  to  his  grandfather,  Abd  al 
Motalleb,  and  was  made  of  the  stuff  of  Aden.  His  hair 
floated  below  his  shoulders,  the  mysterious  light  of  pro- 
phecy beamed  from  his  countenance ;  and  though  he  nad 
not  anointed  his  beard,  nor  used  any  perftimes,  exc^fiting  a 
little  musk  and  camphor  for  the  hanr  of  his  upper  hp,  yet 
whereyer  he  passed  a  bland  odour  diffiised  itself  around, 
being,  say  the  Arabian  writers,  the  fragrant  emanations 
from  his  person. 

He  was  preceded  by  the  zealous  Abu  Beker,  dad  in  a 
scarlet  yest  and  a  white  turban;  wii^  his  mantle  gathered 
up  under  his  arms,  so  as  to  display  his  scarlet  slif^pers. 

A  nlcDt  awe,  continues  the  legend,  fell  upon  the  yast 
assemblage  as  the  prophet  approached.    Not  a  murmur. 

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^S  IIFB  OF  ICAHOHBT* 

mot  a  wliisper,  was  to  be  heard.  The  yery  bmte  animals 
were  charmed  to  silemse;  and  the  neighing  of  the  steed,  the 
tallowing  of  the  camel,  and  the  brajing  of  the  ass  were 
mute. 

The  venerable  Habib  receiyed  him  graciooslj:  his  first 
'question  was  to  the  point.  "  They  tell  thou  dost  pretend 
to  be  a  prophet  sent  from  GodP    Is  it  soP" 

"  Eyen  so,"  replied  Mahomet.  '*  Allah  has  sent  me  to 
proclaim  the  yentable  faith." 

"  Grood,"  rejoined  the  wary  sage,  "but  every  prophet 
lias  given  proot  of  his  mission  oy  signs  and  miracles.  Noah 
had  his  rambow:  Solomon,  his  mysterious  rin^:  Abraham, 
the  fire  of  the  furnace,  which  became  cool  at  his  command: 
Isaac,  the  ram,  which  was  sacrificed  in  bis  stead:  Moses, 
ids  wonder-working  rod,  and  Jesus  brought  the  dead  to 
life,  and  appeased  tempests  wilh  a  word.  If,  then,  thou 
art  really  a  prophet,  gLve  us  a  miracle  in  proof." 

The  adherents  of  Mahomet  trembled  for  him  when  they 
heard  this  request,  and  Abu  Jahl  clapped  his  hands,  and 
^ztarolled  the  sa^adty  of  Habib  the  Wise.  But  the  prophet 
Tebuked  him  with  scorn.  "  Peace!  dog  of  thy  race!*  ex- 
claimed he;  " disgrace  of  thy  kindred  and  or  thy  tribe." 
He  then  calmly  proceeded  to  execute  the  wishes  of  Habib. 

The  first  mirade  demanded  of  Mahomet  was  to  reveal 
what  Habib  had  within  his  tent,  and  why  he  had  brought 
it  to  Mecca. 

Upon  this,  says  the  legend,  Mahomet  bent  toward  the 
earth  and  traced  figures  upon  the  sand.  Then,  raising  hia 
head,  he  replied,  "  Oh  Habib!  thou  hast  brought  hither 
thy  daughter,  Satiha,  deaf  and  dumb,  and  lame  and  blind, 
in  the  hope  of  obtaining  relief  of  Heaven.  Go  to  thy  tent; 
«peak  to  her,  and  hear  her  reply,  and  know  that  God  is  all 
powerful." 

The  aged  prince  hastened  to  his  tent.  His  daughter 
.met  him  with  light  step  and  extended  arms,  perfect  m  all 
her  faculties,  her  eyes  Deaming  with  joy,  her  face  clothed 
with  smiles,  and  more  beauteous  tlian  the  moon  in  an 
(mclouded  nif^ht. 

The  second  miracle  demanded  by  Habib  was  still  more 
difficult.  It  was,  that  Mahomet  should  cover  the  noontide 
heaven  with  supernatural  darkness,  and  cause  the  moon  to 
descend  and  rest  upon  the  top  of  the  Caaba. 

The  prophet  penormed  this  miracle  as  easily  as  the  first. 
At  his  summons,  a  darkness  blotted  out  the  whole  light 
e<jf  day.    The  moon  was  then  seen  stray;'=ig  from  her  course 

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X.I0BKI>  OV  HABIB  THl  WI8X.  53 

and  wanderini^  about  the  firmament.  By  the  irresistible 
power  of  tJie  prophet,  she  was  drawn  from  the  hearens  and 
rested  on  the  top  of  ike  Caaba.  She  then  performed  serea 
eircoitB  aboat  it,  after  the  manner  of  the  pil|(rims,  and 
ha.Ting  made  a  profound  reverence  to  Manomet»  stood 
before  him  with  lambent  warerinf^  motion,  like  a  flaming 
sword,  giving  him  the  sahitation  of  peace,  and  hailing  him 
as  a  prophet. 

Not  ccmtent  with  this  miracle,  pursues  the  legend,  BCa* 
bomet  oompelled  the  obedient  luminary  to  enter  by  the 
r^ht  sleeye  of  his  mantle,  and  go  out  by  the  left;  then  to 
dmde  into  two  parts,  one  of  wnich  went  towards  the  eas^ 
and  the  other  towards  the  west,  and  meeting  in  the  centre 
of  the  firmament  reunited  themselves  into  a  round  and 
glorious  <»b. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  Habib  the  Wise  was  oonvinoed» 
and  converted  by  these  miracles,  as  were  also  four  hundred 
and  aewentj  of  me  inhabitants  c^  Mecca.  Abu  Jahl,  how* 
ever,  was  nardened  in  unbelief,  exclaiming  that  aQ  wair 
illusion  and  enchantment  produced  by  the  magic  of  Ma> 
homet. 

NonL— Tlie  nlnelM  hen  neoidad  an  aot  to  be  ftNmd  ia  the  psfis 
of  the  aoeonte  Abolfede,  nor  an  thejr  maintained  hf  anj  of  the  gnrer 
of  the  Moslem  miten ;  hot  thej  exiet  in  tradition,  and  an  let  tilth  wtth 
great  proUxityVfapooTphalanthort,  who  iniiet  that  thef  an  alladed 
to  In  the  flftf-frarth  chapter  of  the  Koran.  They  an  prohaUj  ai  tnia 
as  manj  other  of  the  woaden  related  of  the  prophet.  ItwillbefWMSi^ 
hend  that  he  himself  dahned  hnt  one  mirade,  **the  Koran." 


CHAPTEB  XI. 

The  ban  of  non^interconne  m/sterioulx  destroyed.— Hahomet  enabled 
to  return  to  Meoca.~Death  of  Aba  Taleb;  of  CadDah.— MahomeS 
betroths  himself  to  Ayetha.— Marries  Sawda.— The  Koreishitsa 
renew  their  perwcntion.— Mahomet  seeks  an  asylom  in  TayeC— Hia 
ezpnUon  thence.— Visited  by  genii  in  the  desert  of  NaUah. 

Thbsb  years  had  elapsed  since  Mahomet  and  his  disciples 
took  refuge  in  the  castle  of  Abu  Taleb.  The  ban  of  decree 
still  existed  in  the  Caaba,  cutting  them  off  firom  all  inter- 
eonrse  with  the  rest  of  their  tribe.  The  sect,  as  usual, 
increased  under  persecution.  Many  joined  it  in  Mecca; 
murmurs  arose  against  the  unnatural  feud  engendered 

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54  mVB  OV  ICAHOKXT. 

nnong  the  Koreishites,  and  Aba  Sofian  was  made  to  bluah 
for  the  lengths  to  which  he  had  carried  his  hoetihty  againBt 
0ome  of  his  kindred. 

All  at  once  it  was  disooTcred  that  the  jiaichment  in  ihe 
Caaba,  on  which  the  decree  had  been  written,  was  so  sub* 
«tantiaU]|^  destroyed,  that  nothing  of  the  writing  remained 
but  the  initial  words,  "  In  thy  name,  oh  Almi^tjr  God!" 
The  decree  was,  therefore,  declared  to  be  aonnfled,  and 
Mahomet  and  his  followers  were  permitted  to  return  to 
Hecca  nnmolested.  The  mysterions  removal  of  this  k^ 
obstacle  has  been  ecmsidered  by  -fioBB  Moslems,  another 
purade  wrought  by  supernatural  agency  in  fnyour  of  tho 
prophet;  though  unbeheTers  haye  surmised  ihat  the  doou* 
inent,  which  was  becoming  embarrasdng  in  its  effeets  to 
Abu  Sofian  himself,  was  secretly  destroyed  by  nunrtal 
hands. 

The  return  of  Mahomet  aud  his  disdples  to  Mecca  wa« 
ifdlowed  by  important  conyersions,  both  of  inhabit^ts  o( 
(he  caty  and  of  pilgrims  from  afkr.  The  chagrin  expe- 
rienced by  the  Koreishites  from  the  growth  of  this  nev 
sect,  was  soothed  by  tidings  ofyictories  of  the  P^siana 
oyer  the  Greeks,  by  which  they  conouered  Syria  and  a 
part  of  Egypt.  The  idolatrous  Xorekbites  exulted  in  the 
defeat  of  we  Christian  Greeks,  whose  faith,  being  opposed 
io  the  worship  of  idols,  ihey  assimilated  to  that  preached 
by  Mahomet.  The  latter  re[>lied  to  their  taunts  and  ex* 
ukations,  W  producing  Ihe  ^irtieth  diapter  of  the  Koran, 
opening  witii  ^ese  words:  "The  Greelra  haye  be«i oyer- 
come  by  the  Persians,  but  they  shall  oyercome  the  latter 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years."     - 

The  zealous  and  beheying  Abu  Beker,  made  a  wager  of 
ten  camels,  that  this  OTccQction  woidd  be  accompushed 
within  three  years.  •  "Increase  the  wager,  but  lengthen 
the  time,"  whispered  Mahomet.  Abu  £eker  staked  one 
nimdred  camels,  but  made  the  time  nine  years.  The  pre- 
diction was  yerified,  and  the  wager  won.  This  anecdote  is 
confidently  dted  by  Moslem  doctors,  as  a  proof  that  the 
Koran  came  down  from  heayen,  and  that  Mahomet  pos- 
sessed the  gift  of  projjhecy.  The  whole,  if  true,  was  no 
doubt  a  shrewd  guess  mto  futurity,  suggested  by  a  know<- 
ledge  of  the  actual  state  of  the  warring  povrers. 

Not  long  after  his  return  to  Mecca,  Mahomet  was  sum* 
moned  to  dose  the  eyes  of  his  uncle  Abu  Taleb,  then 
upwards  of  fourscore  years  of  age,  and  yenerable  in  cha* 
racter  as  in  person.    As  ^e  hour  of  death  drew  nigh^ 

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Miahomet  exhorted  Im  nnele  to  malce  ^ 
ftaih.  neeeBsarj ,  aoeordiiig  to  the  Iilam  < 
bHssfiil  resmTectioii. 

A  spark  of  eqrthl j  pride  hxutend  in  the  hieart  of  the 
dying  patriarch.  "Oh,  son  of  raj  brother !"  riphed  he» 
**  sh^ud  I  repeat  those  words,  the  Koreiihites  would  saj, 
I  did  so  through  fear  of  death." 

Abulfeda,  ti^  faistofian,  insisti  that  Ab«  Taleb  aotoal^ 
died  in  Ihe  ^th.  Al  Abbas,  he  says,  hnng  orer  the  bad 
of  his  »:pirin^  broker,  and  pereemng  his  lips  to  moTS^ 
approached  his  ear  to  catch  his  dying  wovds.  ll&ey  wera 
the  wished-for  confession.  Others  affirm  that  his  kst 
words  were,  '*1  die  in  the  faith  <^  Abd  al  Mot&Ueb.^ 
Oommentatars  hare  sought  to  reconcile  the  two  acoounti^ 
hy  asserting  that  Abd  alMotftUeb,  in  h»  latter  days,  re- 
Honnced  the  worship  of  idds,  and  bdiered  m  the  unity  of 
God. 

Scarce  three  days  had  elapsed  from  the  death  of  the 
venerable  Aba  Taleb,  when  Cadijah,  tiie  fiuthM  and 
deroted  wife  of  Mahomet,  likewise  sank  into  tha  jgnre. 
tShe  was  sixty-Bre  years  of  age.  Mahomet  wept  faittei^ 
lit  her  tomb,  and  clothed  him^slf  in  mourning  for  her,  and 
for  Abn  IMeb,  so  that  this  year  was  called  the  year  of 
mourning.  He  was  comforted  in  his  affliction,  says  the 
Arabian  anthor,  Abn  Horaira^  by  an  assuranoe  from  the 
angel  Gabriel,  that  a  silyar  palaDe  was  allotted  to  Cadijah 
hi  raradise,  as  a  reward  for  her  great  iedth  andhcreany 
services  to  the  cause. 

.  Though  Cadijah  had  been  much  older  than  Mahonet  at 
ihe  thne  of  iheir  marriage,  ahd  past  tiie  Uoom  of  yean 
when  women' are  deBirafa&  in  the  Sast,  and  though  the 
prophet  was  noted  for  an  amorous  tem^eiament>  yet  he  li 
said  to  hare  remained  true  to  hei^  to  ihb  last;  nor  ever 
availed  himself  of  the  Aralnan  law^  permitting  a  j^arahty 
W  wires,  to  give  her  a  rival  in  his  house.  "When,  howevsi^ 
ttie  was  laid  in  the  grave,  and  the  first  transport  of  hii 
piet  had  subsided,  he  sought  to  ecmsole  himself  for  her 
&68,  b]r  entering  anew  into  wedloek;  and  hencefortii  m- 
dulged  in  a  pluruify  c^  wives.  He  permitted,  br  his  hra^ 
four  wives  to  each  of  his  foUow^re;  but  did  not  fimit  him- 
ieif  to  that  numbet;  for  he  observed  tb^t  a  prophet,  being 
nectdlarfy  dfbed  and  privileged,  was  not  bound  to  restrict 
himself  to  me  same  laws  as  ordinary  mortals* 

His  first  choice  was  made  withiii  amontii  after  the  deaA 
^Cad^ah^  and  foil  npon  a  beantifol  ehild,  nained  Ayesha, 

gitizedby  VjOG 


66  XIFE  OF  MAHOMST^ 

Hie  daughter  of  bis  faithful  adherent,  Abu  Beker.  Per^ 
haps  he  sought,  by  this  alliance,  to  grapple  Abu  Beker 
stul  more  sli^nglj  to  his  side;  he  being  one  of  the  braves^ 
and  most  popular  of  his  tribe.  Ayesha,  however,  was  but 
seven  years  of  age,  and,  though  females  soon  bloom  ancl 
ripen  m  those  eastern  climes,  she  was  yet  too  young  to 
^  enter  into  the  married  state.  He  was  merely  betrothed  to 
her,  therefore,  and  postponed  their  nuptials  for  two  years, 
duriog  which  time  he  caused  her  to  be  carefully  instructed 
in  the  accomplishments  proper  to  an  Arabian  maiden  of 
t     distinguished  rank. 

Upon  this  wife,  thus  chosen  in  the  very  blossom  of  her 
y^ars,  the  prophet  doted  more  passi(mately  than  upon 
any  of  those  whom  he  subsequently  married.  All  these 
had  been  previously  experienced  in  wedlock ;  Ayesha,  he 
Baid,  was  tne  only  one  who  came  a  pure  unspotted  virgin 
to  his  arms. 

'  Still,  that  he  might  not  be  without  due  solace  while 
Ayesha  was  attainip£^  the  marriageable  age,  he  took,  as  4 
wife,  Sawda,  the  wi£>w  of  Sokran,  oue  of  his  followers* 
Bhe  had  been  nurse  to  his  daughter  Fatima,  and  was  one 
of  the  fflithful  who  fled  into  Abyssinia  from  the  early  per- 
neeutioni  of  the  people  of  Mecca.  It  is  petendea  that^ 
while  in  ,exile,  she  had  a  mysterious  intimation  of  the 
future  honour  whidi  awaited  her;  for  she  dreamt  that 
Mahomet  laid  his  head  upon  her  bosom.  She  recounted 
ihe  dream  to  her  husband  Sokran,  1^0  interpreted  it  as  a 
prediction  of  his  speedy  death,  and  of  her  marriage  witl^ 
&eprophet. 

7    The  marriage,  whether  predicted  or  not,  was  one  cf 
meire  expediency.    Mahomet  never  loved  Sawda  with  the 
affection  he  manifested  for  his  other  wives.    He  would 
•    even  have  put  her  away  in  after  years,  but  she  implored  to 
;    be  allowed  the  honour  of  stiU  calling  herself  his  wife^ 
^    proffering  that,  whenever  it  should  come  to  her  turn  tp 
;    share  the  marriage  bed,  she  would  relinquish  her  right  to 
-Ayesha.    Mahomet  consented  to  an  arrangement  whioh 
•favoured  his  love  for  the  latter,  and  Sawda  continued,  ai 
Jong  as  she  Hved,  to  be  nominally  his  wife. 
'    Mahomet  soon  became  sensible  of  the  loss  he  had  sus^ 
i»ined  in  the  deaih^  of  Abu  Taleb ;  who  had  been  not 
merely  an  affectionate  relative,  but  a  steadfast  and  power- 
ful protector,  from  his  great  influence  in  Mecca.    At  his 
•death  there  was  no  one  to  check  and  counteract  the  hos- 
tilities of  Abu  Soflan  and  Abu  Jahl;  who  soon  nused  up 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


7I8IT1TX0V  ow  anm.  S7 

sach  a  spint  of  peneentioii  smong  the  KoreiBhiteSt  that 
Mahomet  found  it  unsafe  to  oontinae  in  liis  natiye  place. 
He  set  out,  therefore,  accompanied  by  his  freedman  Zeid, 
to  seek  a  refuge  at  Tayef,  a  small  walled  town,  about 
serenty  miles  m>m  Mecca,  inhabited  by  the  Thakifites,  or 
Arabs  of  the  tribe  of  Thakeef.  It  was  one  of  the  fayoured 
[  ^jEkces  of  Arabia,  situated  among  rineyards  and  gardens. 
Here  grew  peaches  and  plums,  melons  and  pomegranatesi 
figs,  obxe  and  green;  the  nebeck-tree,  producing  the 
lotus,  and  palm-trees  with  their  clusters  of  green  and 

f  olden  fruit.  So  fresh  were  its  pastures  and  frnitfol  its 
lelds,  contrasted  with  the  sterifity  of  the  neighbouring 
deserts,  that  the  Arabs  &bled  it  to  haye  originuly  been  a 
part  of  Syria,  broken  off  and  floated  hither  at  the  time  oi 
the  deluge. 

Mahomet  entered  die  gates  of  Tayef  with  some  degree 
of  confidence^  trusting  mr  protection  to  the  influence  of 
his  uncle  AI  Abbas,  who  had  possessions  there.  He  could 
not  haye  chosen  a  w<»*se  place  of  refuge.  Tayef  was  <me 
of  the  strongholds  of  idolatry.  Here  was  maintained  in 
all  its  force  the  worshipof  £1  Ut,  <me  of  the  female  idols 
alreadj  mentioned.  Her  image  of  stone  was  ooyered 
with  jewels  and  predons  stones,  the  offermgs  of  her  yo- 
taries ;  it  was  beheyed  to  be  inspired  with  life,  and  the  in- 
tereessiim  of  £1  liit  was  implored  as  one  of  the  daughters 
ofGkKl 

Mahomet  remauied  about  amonth  in  Tayef,  seeking  in 
rain  to  make  proselytes  among  its  inhabitants.  When  he 
attempted  to  preach  his  doctrines,  his  yoice  was  drowned 
by  dunours.  More  tiian  <»iee  he  was  wounded  by  stones 
thrown  at  him,  and  which  the  faithfbl  Zeid  endeayoured 
in  yain  to  ward  off.  So  yiolent  did  the  popular  fury  be- 
come at  last,  that  he  was  driyen  from  the  city,  and  eyen 
pursued  for  some  distance  beyond  the  walls  by  an  insulting 
rabble  of  slayes  and  children. 

Thus  driyen  igncnniniously  firom  his  hoped-for  plftee  of 
refiige,  and  not  cuuring  to  return  oronly  to  his  natiye  city, 
he  remained  in  the  aesert  until  Zeia  should  procure  a 
secret  asylum  for  him  among  his  firiends  in  Mecca.  In 
this  extTOTuitf ,  he  had  one  of  those  yisions  or  supernatural 
yisitations  wnich  appear  always  to  haye  occurred  in  lonely 
or  agitated  moments,  when  we  may  suppose  him  to  haye 
been  a  state  of  mental  excitement.  It  was  after  the  eyen- 
ing  prayer,  he  says,  in  a  solitary  place  in  the  yalley  of 
Vakhh,  between  Mecca  and  Tayef.    He  was  reading  the 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


68  UFB  OF  KUSOXir. 

KoRui,  when  he  was  ovesAeard  by  a  pMSing  oampanj  of 
QhoB  or  Genii  Hiese  are  spiritoai  beings,  some  gOod» 
others  bad,  and  liable  like  man  to  futore  rewards  and 
pnniidiments.  *^ Hark!  eiye  earl"  said  ^aa  Genii  one  to 
tiie  other.  They  pansed  and  listened  as  Mahomet  eon- 
tinned  to  read.  *'  \enty"  said  they  at  the  end,  "we  hare 
heard  an  admirable  disconrse,  which  direotetii  nnto  the 
sri^t  institution;  wherefore  we  beliere  therein." 
^Chis  rairitaal  visitation  eonsoled  Mahomet  fm*  his  es« 
pskion  nom  Tayef,  showing  thai  though  he  and  his  doo« 
Irines  mi^t  be  rejected  by  mm,  they  were  held  in  reve^ 
zenee  by  spiritoai  mtdhgeoees.  At  least  so  we  may  infer 
from  i£e  mention  he  nuikeS  of  it  in  the  Ibrty-sixth  and 
•eveBtT-seeoaad  ohapters  of  the  Koran.  Thenoeforwaid| 
he  de^uired  himselfsent  for  the  conversion  of  tiiese  geoii 
as  weD  as  of  the  hnman  race. 

KoTE.— The  belief  in  genii  was  preyalent  tbronghoat  the  Eut,  long 
t)efbre  the  time  of  Hahomet.  They  were  mppoieA  to  hiumt  solitaiy 
places,  particQlaxly  toward  nightfUl;  %  sopmtitlon  congenial  to  the 
habits  and  notions  of  tiio  inhabitanti  of  lonelj  and  desert  ooontzies. 
The  Arabs  sappused  merfTBXkj  and  bairtn  warto  to  hare  its  tribe  of 

rii,  wlK)  wero  sul^eot  to  n  dominant  s|iiiit,  and  roamed  forth  at  ni^ght 
beset  the  pilgrim  and  the  trayeller.  Whenerer,  therefore,  thej 
entered  a  lonely  valley  toward  the  dose  eft  eyening,  they  nsed  to  siippli« 
eate  the  preriding  spirit,  or  lord  of  the  place,  to  protect  them  trom  the 
«H1  genii  nnder  his  eottnuuii. 

Those  ocdomns  of  dost  raised  by  whirling  eddies  of  wind,  and  whifllit 
sweep  aoross  the  detert,  are  soppoaed  to  bb  canssd  \f  some  wH  gmiaf 
or  sprite  of  gigantic  size. 

.  The  serpents  which  occasionaDy  inftst  houses  were  thought  to  bo 
eften  genii,  sonie  fadldels  and  some  beUevers.  Kahomet  cantknied  Mf 
SBOowerstobealewtokfllahoose  serpent.  **  Warn  him  to  dqiart ;  if 
bo  4o  not  obey,  then  till  Um,  for  it  is  a  s(ign  that  he  ia  a  mera  nptilo 
or  an  InSdelfeiiiu.'' 

It  is  fitbled,  that  in  earlier  iimes  the  genii  had  admission  to  heav^ 
bnt  were  expelled  on  accoont  of  their  meddling  propensities.  They  have 
oyer  since  been  of  a  curious  and  {wying  nature,  oAm  attempting  to 
damber  np  to  the  constellations ;  thsnoe  to  peep  Into  heaven,  and  sen 
and  omhear  what  la  gotag  on  there.  Tboy  aiei  however,  driven  thence 
by  angds  with  flaming  swords ;  and  those  meteors  called  shooting  stais 
are  supposed  by  Mahometans  to  be  darted  by  the  guardian  angds  at 
ISiese  intrusive  genii. 

Other  legends  inretend  that  the  eaith  was  original^  peopled  by  fhew 
gena,  but  they  rebelled  agahist  the  Most  High,  and  nrarped  tenestrial 
domhdon,  which  tiiey  maJntainfld  fyt  two  thousand  years.  At  length, 
Aaaol,  or  liuci&r,  was  sent  against  them  and  defeated  them,  over- 
throwing their  mighty  Idng  Gian  ben  Gian,  the  founder  of  the  pyramids ; 
whose  magic  buckler  of  talismanic  virtue  fell  subse<iuently  into  the 
hands  of  King  Solomon  the  Wise,  giving  him  power  over  the  spdls  and 
Oharms  of  magicians  and  evil  g^    The  rebel  tfkim,  defeated  aii& 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


TH&  HOOrmUIAL  JOVBKBT.  W 

hflfiriliafal,  weve  drfm  into  m  obeeve  eofser  cC  the  eair^  Tlien  H 
WM  that  God  created  wum,  with  leM  dangenmt  flMalties  and  powm, 
and  gare  him  the  world  ibr  a  habitatkML 

The  angels,  aocof^ng  to  Xbd^n  notions,  were  created  from  liAgbt 
gems,  the  genii  from  fire  without  smoike,  and  Adam  from  claf  . 

Xahomd^  when,  fai  the  serentf -seooBd  chi^ter  of  the  Koran,  he  al- 
lides  to  the  Tisitatioa  of  the  genii  in  the  Taller  of  Naklah.  nakee  then 
give  the  fallowing  frank  aooovnt  <tf  themselTes :— > 

**  We  fonneiiy  attempted  to  pry  into  wliat  was  transacting  in  hearen* 
tat  we  foond  the  same  gnaided  hj  angels  with  ilaming  darts ;  and  we 
act  <m  some  of  the  seats  thereof  to  hear  the  disooorse  of  its  inhabttantst 
bat  whoso  listeneth  now,  Unds  a  flame  prepared  to  goard  the  odestial 
ponflneB.  There  are  some  among  aa  who  are  Moslems,  and  there  art 
others  who  swenre  from  righteousness.  Whoso  embraoeth  Tslamism 
seeketh  the  true  direction ;  bat  those  who  swerre  from  righteousness 
thaU  be  ihel  Ibr  the  flre  of  Jeheanam.* 


CHAPTEB  TTT^ 

HHght  Jomnejr  of  the  prophet  from  Mecca  to  JefOMdeni ;  and 
thence  to  tiie  sefcnth  heaven. 

As  asylum  being  proTided  £or  Mahompt  in  the  hooge  of 
Ui^m  Ibn  Adi,  <me  of  his  disciples^  lie  yentared  to  rettiin 
to  Mecca.  The  gapematiiral  visitation  of  ^enii  in  the 
valley  of  Naklah«  -was  soon  ioUksmed  by  a  vision  or  ieye» 
lation  &p  more  extraordinaiT^  and  wlnm  has  ever  since  re- 
sumed a  th^ne  of  comment  and  ccmjeetore  among  devout 
Mahometans.  We  allnde  to  the  famons  ni^  j^™^'^  ^ 
JerasaTem,  and  thraice  to  the  seventh  heaven.  The  parti- 
cnlars  of  it,  liioiigh.  given  as  if  in  the  very  woras  of 
Mahomet,  rest  merehr  on  tradition;  some,  However,  cite 
textg  OQvroborative  or  it,  scattered  here  and  there  in  the 
Koran. 

W^  do  Tiot  pretend  to  give  this  vision  or  revelation  in 
its  ampUtode  and  vnld  extravagance,  bat  will  endeavour  t^ 
seise  npon  its  most  essential  features. 

The  night  on  which  it  occurred,  is  described  as  <me  of 
the  dazlcest  and  most  awfully  silent  that  had  eret  beea  ' 
known.  There  was  no  crowing  of  cocks,  nor  barking  of 
^bgs;  BO  Jiowling  of  wild  beasts,  nor  hooting  of  owls. 
The  very  waters  ceased  to  mnrmxir,  and  the  winds  to 
wystle;  all  nature  seemed  motionless  and  dead.  In  the 
mid-watches  of  the  night,  Mahomet  was  i^>used  by  a  voice 
oying,  **  Awake,  thou  sleeper !"    The  angel  Gabriel  stood 

gitized  by  Google 


60  Z'IFB  07  XAHOXBT* 

ibefore  l^m.  His  forehead  was  clear  and  serene,  his  com* 
plexion  white  as  snow,  his  hair  floated  on  his  shoulders ;  he 
had  wings  of  many  dazzling  hnes,  and  his  robes  were  sown 
wiUi  peaerls,  and  embroidered  with  gold. 

He  brought  Mahomet  a  white  steed,  of  wonderful  fomi 
and  qualities,  unlike  any  animal  he  had  ever  seen;  and,  in 
truth,  it  differs  from  any  animal  ever  before  described.  It 
had  a  human  face,  but  the  cheeks  of  a  horse:  its  eyes  were 
as  jacinths  and  radiant  as  stars.  It  had  eagle's  wings,  all 
glittering  with  rays  of  light;  and  its  whole  form  was  re- 
splendent with  gems  and  precious  stones.  It  was  a  female, 
and  firom  its  dazzling  splendour  and  incredible  Telocity  was 
called  Al  Borak,  or  Lightning. 

Mahomet  prepared  to  mount  this  supernatural  steed,  but 
as  he  extended  his  hand,  it  drew  back  and  reared. 

"  Be  still,  Oh  Borak!"  said  Gabriel;  '*  respect  the  prophet 
of  €rod.  Neyer  wert  thou  mounted  by  mortal  man  more 
honoured  of  Allah." 

"  Oh  Gabriel !"  replied  Al  Borak,  who  at  this  time  was 
miraculously  endowed  with  speech;  "  did  not  Abraham  of 
old,  the  friend  of  God,  bestriae  me  when  he  yisited  his  son 
IshmaelP  Oh  Gabriel !  is  not  this  the  mediator,  the  inter- 
cessor, the  author  of  the  profession  of  faith?" 

'<  Eyen  so.  Oh  Borak,  tnis  is  Mahomet  Ibn  Abdallah,  of 
one  of  the  tribes  of  Arabia  the  Happy,  and  of  the  true 
faith.  He  is  cluef  of  the  sons  of  Adam,  the  greatest  of  the 
divine  legates,  the  seal  of  the  prophets.  All  creatiures 
must  haye  his  intercession  before  they  can  enter  paradise. 
Heayen  is  on  his  right  hand,  to  be  the  reward  of  ihose  who 
belieye  in  him;  the  flre  of  Jehennam  is  on  his  left  hand, 
into  which  all  shall  be  thrust  who  oppose  his  doctrines." 

\'  Oh  Gabriel !"  entreated  Al  Borak;  '<  by  the  faith  ex- 
isting between  thee  and  him,  prevail  on  him  to  intercede 
for  me  at  the  day  of  the  resuin^ction." 

**Be  assured,  Oh  Borak!"  exclaimed  Mahomet,  ''that 
through  my  intercession  thou  shalt  enter  paradise." 

No  sooner  had  he  uttered  these  words,  than  the  animal 
approached  and  submitted  to  be  mounted;  then  rising 
with  Mahomet  on  its  back,  it  soared  aloft  far  above  the 
mountains  of  Mecca. 

As  they  passed  like  li^tning  between  heaven  and  earth, 
Gabriel  cned  aloud,  "Stop,  Oh  Mahomet!  descend  to 
the  earth,  and  make  the  prayer  with  two  inflections  of  tha 

Ihey  alighted  on  the  earth,  and  having  made  theprayer— 

gitized  by  Google 


THB  K0CTT7BKA1  JOITBVST.  61 

**  0%  Mend  andwell  beloved  of  my  soul!"  said  Maliomet ; 
^  why  dost  thou  commaDd  me  to  pray  in  this  place?" 

*'  iBecaxise  it  is  Mount  Sinai,  on  wnich  Goa  communed 
with  Moses." 

Mounting  aloft,  they  again  passed  rapidly  between 
heayen  and  earth,  nntil  Gabriel  called  out  a  second  time, 
"  Stop,  Oh  Mahomet!  descend,  and  make  the  prayer  with 
two  inflections." 

They  descended,  Mahomet  prayed,  and  again  demanded, 
*'  Why  didst  thou  command  me  to  pray  in  this  place?" 
•    "  Because  it  is  Bethlehem,  where  Jesus  the  son  of  Mary 
was  bom." 

^  They  resumed  their  course  through  the  air,  until  a 
yoice  was  heard  on  the  right,  exclaiming,  *'  Oh,  Mahomel^ 
tarry  a  moment  that  I  may  sneak  to  thee;  of  all  created 
beings  I  am  most  devoted  to  thee." 

But  Borak  pressed  forward,  and  Mahomet  forbore  to 
tarry,  for  he  felt  that  it  was  not  with  him  to  stay  hii 
course,  but  with  Gc(A  the  aU-powerful  and  glorious. 
'  Anolher  voice  was  now  heard  on  the  left,  calling  on 
Mahomet  in  like  words  to  tarry;  but  Borak  still  pressed 
forward,  and  Mahomet  tarried  not.  He  now  beheld  before 
him  a  damsel  of  ravishing  beauty,  adorned  with  all  the 
luxury  and  riches  of  the  earth.  She  beckoned  him  with 
alluring  smiles :  "  Tmj  a  moment.  Oh  Mahomet,  that  I 
may  t^  with  thee,  x,  who,  of  all  beings,  am  the  most 
devoted  to  thee."  But  still  Borak  pressed  on,  and  Ma- 
homet tarried  not ;  considering  that  it  was  not  with  him  to 
stay  his  course,  but  with  God  the  all-powerful  and  glorious. 

Addressing  himself,  however,  to  Grtibriel,  "  What  voices 
are  those  I  have  heard?"  said  he;  "and  what  damsel  ia 
this  who  has  beckoned  to  me?" 

"  The  first.  Oh  Mahomet,  was  the  voice  of  a  Jew;  hadst 
thou  listened  to  him,  all  thy  nation  would  have  been  won 
to  Judaism. 

"  Hie  second  was  the  voice  of  a  Christian:  hadst  thou 
Iktened  to  him,  thy  people  would  have  inclined  to  Chris- 
tianitv. 

"Tie  damsel  was  1^  world,  with  all  its  riches,  its 
vanities,  and  allurements;  hadst  thou  listened  to  her,  thy 
natiim  wcmld  have  chosen  the  pleasures  of  this  life,  rather 
tban  the  bliss  of  eternity,  and  all  would  have  been  doomed 
topen^^n." 

.    Continuing  their  aerial  course,  they  arrived  at  the  gate 
Of  the  holy  temple  at  Jerusalem,  where,  alighting  from  AI 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


63  LIFB  OV  KAHOMST. 

Borak,  Mahomet  fastened  her  to  the  rings  where  the  pro- 
phets before  him  had  fsistened  h^.  Then,  entering  tha 
temple,  he  found  there  Abraham,  and  Moses,  and  Isa 
(Jesus),  and  many  more  of  the  prophets.  Afl;er  he  had 
prajed  in  ocmipany  with  them  for  a  tone,  a  ladder  of  light 
was  let  down  from  heaven,  nntil  the  lower  end  rested  on 
the  ShaJcra,  or  fonndation-stone  of  the  sacred  house,  being 
the  stone  of  Jacob.  Aided  bj  the  angel  Grabriel,  Mahomet 
ascended  this  ladder  with  the  rapd%-  of  lightning. 

Being  arriyed  at  the  first  heaven,  Gabriel  knocked  at  the 
gate.  Who  is  th^reP  was  demanded  from  within.  CrabrieL 
Who  is  with  thee  P  Mahomet.  Has  he  received  his  mis- 
sionP  He  has.  Then  he  is  welcoine!  and  the  gate  waa 
opened. 

This  first  heaven  was  of  pure  silver,  and  in  its  re- 
splendent vault  the  stars  are  suspended  by  chains  of  gold. 
Ill  each  star  an  angel  is  placed  sentinel,  to  prevent  the 
demons  from  scaling  the  sacred  abodes.  As  Mahomet  en* 
tered,  an  ancient  man  approached  him,  and  Gabriel  said, 
**  Here  is  thy  father  Adam,  pay  him  reverence."  Ma- 
homet did  so,  and  Adam  embraced  him,  calling  him  the 
greatest  among  his  children,  and  the  first  among  the 
prophets. 

Sl  this  heaven  were  innumerable  animals  of  all  kinds, 
which  Gabriel  said  were  angds,  who,  under  these  forms, 
interceded  with  Allah  for  the  various  races  of  animals 
Tipon  eartii.  Among  these  was  a  cock  of  daazling  white- 
ness,  and  of  such  marvellous  height,  that  his  crest  touched 
the  second  heaven,  though  five  hundred  years'  journey 
above  the  first.  This  wonderful  bird  sahited  the  ear  of 
Allah  each  morning  with  lus  melodious  chant.  All  crea- 
tures on  earth,  save  man,  are  awakened  by  his  voice,  and 
all  the  fowls  of  his  kind  chant  hallelujahs  m  emulation  of 
his  note.* 

They  now  ascended  to  the  second  heaven.  Gabriel,  as 
before,  knodced  at  the  gate  s  the  same  questions  and  re- 
plies were  exchanged ;  the  doof  opened  and  they  entered. 

•  Then  aft  three  to  wldoii,  my  the  Modem  doeton,  God  ahntylm 
swUlfaig  ear:  thavoioe  d  him  who  leada  the  Koran;  of  him  who 
praji  for  pardon ;  and  of  this  oock»  who  crowa  to  the  gkxiy  of  the  Moat 
Hi^.  When  the  last  daj  is  near.  the7  add,  Allah  will  hid  tUa  bird  «a 
dose  his  wings  and  chant  no  more.  Ihen  all  the  oooka  on  earth  iHl 
oease  to  crow,  and  their  silence  will  he  a  sign  that  the  great  day  oC 
lodgment  is  impoiding. 

The  Ber.  Dr.  Humphrey  Fkideavz,  Dean  of  Korwioh,  in  hif  LUb  oC 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


Tax  KOCTUXKIL  J0171NET.  63 

This  hearoA  was  all  of  poHsKed  iteel,  and  ^*m1w^ 
gplendour.  Here  they  found  Noah,  who,  embracing  Ma« 
luxmel^  liailed  him  aa  the  greatest  among  ike  prophets. 

Aznred  at  the  tiiird  heaven,  thej  entered  with  the  same 
enemonies.  It  was  all  studded  with  preokms  stones,  and 
too  brilliant  for  mortal  eyes.  Here  was  seated  an  angel 
of  immeasurable  height,  whose  eres  were  serenty  thon- 
sand  days'  journey  apurt  He  nad  at  his  oommand  a 
hondred  thonsand  bat^dions  of  aimed  men.  Before  him 
was  spread  a  yast  book,  in  which  he  was  continnally 
^rriting  and  blotting  out. 

*"R^  Oh  Mahomet,"  said  Gabriel,  '*is  Asrael,  the 
angel  of  death,  who  is  in  the  oonfidenoe  of  Allah.  In  tibye 
book  before  him  he  is  ocmtmnally  writing  ihe  names  of 
those  who  are  to  be  bom,  and  blotting  out  tibe  names  of 
those  who  hare  hyed  their  allotted  time,  and  idio,  there- 
^nre,  instantly  die." 

They  now  mounted  to  the  fourth  heayen,  formed  of  tiie 
finest  silyer.  Among  Ihe  aa^ds  who  inhabited  it  was  one 
fiye  hundred  days'  journey  m  height,  ffis  eoimtenanoe 
was  kxTabled^'and  riyers  of  tears  ran  fromhis  eyes.  ''  This," 
said  Grabriel,  "is  the  angel  of  tean,  appointed  to  weep 
iOffer  the  sins  <^  the  ehildiren  of  men,  ana  to  pre^tict  the 
cyilB  whidi  await  them." 

The  fifth  heayen  was  ofthe  finest  gold.  Here  Mahcnnet 
was  received  by  Aaron  with  embraces  and  congratulations. 
The  ayenmng  angel  dwells  in  this  heayen,  and  presides 
oyer  the  dement  of  fire.  Of  all  the  angels  seen  loj  Ifik- 
homet,  he  was  the  most  hideous  and  ternfic  His  yisage 
seemed  of  ccmper,  and  was  coyered  witii  wens  and  warts. 
His  eyes  flashed  lighlning,  and  he  grasped  a  flaming  lance. 
fie  si^  <m  a  throne  surrounded  by  flames,  and  before  him 
was  a  heap  of  red-hot  chains.  Were  he  to  alight  upon 
earth  in  his  true  form,  the  mountains  would  be  consumed, 
the  seas  dried  up,  and  all  the  iohabitants  would  die  with 
tenor.     To  him,  and  tiie  angels  his  ministers,  is  in- 

lEihamet,  aeenses him  of  luiTiiig  ttolen  ibis  wondefftd  cockfrom  tbe 
Iraet  Bata  Barths  of  fhb  Ba^ytoEnWi  Tslamd,  ••  wbente,**  my  lie,  -wt 
ksreattorrofsoeiiai^odigioBt  Uid»  eaUed  Zif,  wliidi,  rtandincr  with 
ttf  fttit  OB  the  eaith,  leaeheth  op  to  the  heaTOM  with  his  head,  and 
with  the  ipreadhig  d  his  wings  dackeneth  the  whole  orfo  of  the  smw 
lad  canaeth  a  total  eclipse  thereof  This  bird  tiie  ChaMee  paraphrast 
on  tho  Psatans  says  is  a  cock,  and  that  he  erows  beibre  the  Lord;  and 
Oe  ChaMee  para^irast  on  Job  teOs  ns  of  his  crowing  eveiy  morning 
» tbs  Loid,  and  that  God  gtfeOi  Ua  wisdom  ftr  that  poipose." 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


ti  UFS  OF  HAHOKET. 

trusted  the  execntioii  of  divine  yengeance  on  infidels  and 
sinners. 

Leaving  this  awful  abode,  they  mounted  to  the  sixth 
heaven,  composed  of  a  transparent  stone,  called  Hasala, 
which  may  oe  rendered  carbuncle.  Here  was  a  great 
angel,  composed  half  of  snow  and  half  of  fire ;  yet  the 
snow  melted  not,  nor  was  the  fire  extinguished.  Around 
him  a  choir  of  lesser  angels  continually  exclaimed,  "  Oh 
Allah !  who  hast  united  snow  and  fire,  unite  all  thy  fai^- 
ful  servants  in  obedience  to  thy  law." 

**  This,"  said  Gabriel,  "  is  the  guardian  angel  of  heaven 
and  earth.  It  is  he  who  despatehes  angels  unto  indivi- 
duals of  thy  nation,  to  incline  them  in  favour  of  thy  mis- 
sion, and  call  them  to  the  service  of  Grod ;  and  he  will  con- 
tinue to  do  so  until  the  day  of  resurrection." 

Here  was  the  prophet  Musa  (Moses)  who,  however,  in- 
stead of  welcommg  Mahomet  with  joy,  as  the  other  pro- 
phets had  done,  shed  tears  at  sight  of  him. 

"Wherefore  dost  thou  weepP"  inquired  Mahomet. 
*'  Because  I  behold  a  successor  who  is  destined  to  conduct 
more  of  his  nation  into  paradise  than  ever  I  could  of  the 
backsliding  children  of  Israel." 

Mounting  hence  to  the  seventh  heaven,  Mahomet  was 
received  by  the  patriarch  Abraham.  This  blissful  abode 
is  formed  of  divine  light,  and  of  such  transcendent  glory 
that  the  toneue  of  man  cannot  describe  it.  One  of  its 
celestial  inhabitants  will  suffice  to  give  an  idea  of  the  rest. 
He  surpassed  the  whole  earth  in  magnitude,  and  had 
seventy  thousand  heads;  each  head  seventy  thousand 
mouths;  each  mouth  seventy  thousand  tongues;  each 
tonffue  spoke  seventy  thousand  different  lan^ages,  and 
aU  mese  were  incessantly  employed  in  chanting  the  praises 
of  the  Most  High. 

While  contemplating  this  wonderful  being,  Mahomet 
was  suddenly  transported  aloft  to  the  lotus-tree,  called 
Sedrat,  which  flourishes  on  the  right  hand  of  the  invisible 
throne  of  Allah.  The  branches  of  this  tree  extend  wider 
than  the  distance  between  the  sun  and  the  earth.  Angela 
more  nxunerous  than  the  sands  of  the  sea-shore,  or  of  the 
beds  of  aU  the  streams  and  rivers,  rejoice  beneath  its 
shade.  The  leaves  resemble  the  ears  of  an  elephant; 
thousands  of  immortal  birds  sport  among  its  branches, 
repeating  the  sublime  verses  of  the  Koran.  Its  fruits  are 
milder  man  milk,  and  sweeter  than  honey.  If  all  the 
creatures  of  Gbd  were  assembledi  one  of  thesQ  fruits  would 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THE  KOCTfTBlTAL  JOTTBNBT.  6ft 

be  sufficient  for  their  sustenance.  Each  seed  incloses  a 
houri,  or  celestial  virgin,  provided  for  the  felicity  of  true 
believers.  Erom  this  tree  issue  four  rivers ;  two  flow  into 
the  interior  of  paradise,  two  issue  beyond  it,  and  become 
the  Nile  and  Euphrates. 

Mahomet  and  his  celestial  ffuide  now  proceeded  to  AI 
Mamour,  or  the  House  of  Adoration;  formed  of  red 
jacinths  or  rabies,  and  surrounded  by  innumerable  lamps, 
perpetually  burning.  As  Mahomet  entered  the  portal, 
three  vases  were  o&red  him,  one  containing?  wine,  another 
milk,  and  the  third,  honey.  He  took  and  drank  of  the 
vase  containing  milk. 

"Well  hast  thou  done;  auspicious  is  thy  choice,"  ex- 
ckdmed  Grabriel.  "  Hadst  thou  drunk  of  the  wine,  thy 
people  had  all  gone  astray." 

The  sacred  nouse  resembles  in  form  the  Caaba  at 
Mecca,  and  is  perpendicularly  above  it  in  the  seventh 
heaven.  It  is  visited  every  day  by  seventy  thousand 
angels  of  the  highest  order.  They  were  at  this  very  time 
making  their  holy  circuit,  and  Mahomet,  joining  with 
them,  walked  round  it  seven  times. 

Gabriel  could  go  no  further.  Mahomet  now  traversed, 
quicker  than  thought,  an  immense  space;  passing  through 
two  regions  of  da^ding  light,  and  one  of  profound  dari^- 
ness.  ±!merging  &om  this  utter  gloom,  he  was  Med  with 
awe  and  terror  at  finding  himself  m  the  presence  of  Allah, 
and  but  two  bow-shots  m>m  his  throne.  The  face  of  the 
Deity  was  covered  with  twenlir  thousand  veils,  for  it 
would  have  annihilated  man  to  look  upon  its  glory.  He 
put  forth  his  hands,  and  placed  one  upon  the  oreast  and 
the  other  upon  the  shoulder  of  Mahomet,  who  felt  a  freez- 
ing chill  penetrate  to  lus  heart  and  to  the  very  marrow  Of 
his  bones.  It  was  followed  by  a  feeling  of  ecstatic  bhss, 
while  a  sweetness  and  fragrance  prevailed  around,  which 
none  can  understand,  but  those  who  have  been  in  the 
divine  presence. 

Mahomet  now  received  from  the  Deity  himself,  many 
of  the  doctrines  contained  in  the  Eoran:  and  fifty  prayers 
were  prescribed  as  the  daily  duty  of  all  true  believers. 

When  he  descended  from  the  divine  presence  and  acain 
met  with  Moses,  the  latter  demanded  what  Allah  had 
required.  "  That  I  should  make  fifty  prayers  every 
day." 

**  And  thinkest  thou  to  accomplish  such  a  task?    I  have 

V 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


96  hfs  ov  kavoxbt. 

msde  iiie  experiment  befoze  tihee.  I  tried  it  mA.  the 
children  of  Israel,  but  in  Tain;  return,  tfaen^  and  beg  & 
dimimitfton  of  iJie  task." 

Jlalioniet  retnmed  acoordingly,  and  obtained  a  diminu* 
tion  of  ten  prayers;  but  when  ne  related  bis  suecess  to 
Moees,  Hie  uttter  made  tlie  same  objection  to  tke  daily 
amount  of  £otty.  By  bis  adrice  Mabomet  returned  re- 
peatedly, until  the  number  was  reduced  to  five. 

Moses  still  objected.  "Thinkest  thou  to  exact  fi^o 
prayers  dailjr  from  thy  peopleP  By  AUab!  I  bare  bad 
experience  -with  the  children  of  Israelt  and  such  a  demand 
is  vain;  return,  therefore,  and  entreat  still  further  miti^ 
tion  of  the  task." 

*'  No,"  replied  Mahomet,  ^  I  bare  already  adced  iodiil- 

fence  until  1  am  ashamed."  Willi  these  woxds  he  sainted 
Coses  and  dq)arted. 

By  the  ladder  of  light  he  descended  to  the  temple  of 
Jerusalem,  where  he  found  Boank  fiEistened  as  be  had  left 
her,  and  mounting,  was  borne  back  in  an  instant  to  the 
place  whenee  he  luid  Sxst  been  taken. 

This  account  of  the  vision,  or  nootmnal  j<rameT,  ia 
chiefily  aocoidzng  to  the  words  c^  the  historians  AbuHeda, 
Al  Bokbari,  and  Abu  BJomra,  and  is  given  mote  at  large 
in  l&e  life  (^  Mabomet,  by  Gagnier.  The  joozney  itsdf 
bas  giFen  rise  to  endless  commentaries  anddispates  among 
tilie  doctors.  Some  affirm  tiiat  it  wae  no  more  than  a 
dream  or  vision  of  the  ni^;  and  support  their  assertMm. 
by  a  tradition  deriFed  from  Ayesha,  the  wife  of  Mabome^ 
wno  dedaied  that,  on  ihe  jngtA  in  qnestioD,  bis  body  re- 
mained perfeotty  still,  and  it  was  enl^  in  eprit  that  be 
made  bis  nocturnal  joorn^.  In  giving  tnis  tradition, 
however,  they  did  t^A  consider  that  at  <£e  time  the  jour- 
ney was  said  to  have  taken  place,  Ayesha  was  suU  a 
child,  andi  though  espoused,  had  not  beeome  the  wife  of 
Mahomet 

Others  insist  that  be  made  the  celestial  joimk^  bodily, 
and  that  the  whole  was  miracaloai^  effeoted  in  so  short  a 
•pace  of  time,  Ihat,  on  his  r^nm,  he  was  aUe  to  prevent 
tine  compete  o>v«rLum  of  a  vase  cf  wasbet,  wbaeh  the  angel 
Ghibriel  had  strudc  with  his  wing  on  his  departore. 

Oihers  say  tibat  Mahomet  only  pretended  to  have  made 
the  noetimud  journey  to  the  temple  of  Jerusalem,  and 
that  the  subsequent  ascent  to  heaven  was  a  vision.  Ae- 
aording  to  Ahmed  ben  Joseph,  Ihe  nootonial  visife  to  the 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THE  KOCTUSNIL  SOVESVT,  €7 

iemple  was  tesfified  by  the  patriardi  of  JensBalem  himself. 
"  At  the  time,"  sajs  he,  ^' tnat  Mahomet  sent  an  envoy  to 
'^e  emperor  Heraclins,  at  Constantinople,  inviting  him  to 
embrace  lalamism,  the  patriardi  was  in  the  presmoe  of 
the  emperor.  The  enToy  having  related  the  nootnmal 
jonmey  of  the  prophet,  the  patriarch  was  seized  with 
astomsmnent,  ana  informed  the  emperor  of  a  circmnstance 
coinciding  with  the  narrative  of  the  envoy.  *  It  is  my 
cnstom,'  said  he,  'never  to  retire  to  rest  at  night  nntil  I 
have  fastened  every  door  of  the  tenmle.  On  tiie  night 
here  mentioned,  I  closed  them  according  to  my  cnstom, 
but  there  was  one  which  it  was  impossible  to  move.  Upon 
this,  I  sent  for  the  carpenters,  who,  having  inspected  the 
door,  declared  that  thelintel  over  tibe  pOTtol,  and  the  edi- 
fice itself,  had  settled  to  such  a  degree,  that  it  was  out  of 
their  power  to  dose  the  door.  I  was  obliged,  therefore, 
to  leave  it  open.  Eaidy  in  the  morning,  at  the  break  of 
^y,  I  repaired  thither,  and  behold,  tl^  stone  placed  at 
ihe  comer  of  the  temple  was  perforated,  and  there  were 
vestigeB  of  the  place  where  AlBorak  had  been  foBteaed. 
TQien,  said  I,  to  those  present,  this  portal  would  not  hare 
remained  fixed  xmless  some  prophet  had  been  here  to 

Traditions  go  on  to  say,  that  when  Mahomet  narrated 
hk  noetnmal  journey  to  a  large  assembly  in  Mecca,  many 
marvelledTet  beliei^  some  were  perplexed  with  doubt, 
bnttiifi  fijoreishites  laughed  it  to  soom.  "Thou  sayest 
ihat  thou  hast  been  to  the  temple  of  Jerosalem,"  said  Abu 
Jahl;  *'  prove  the  troth  of  thy  words,  by  giving  a  desorip- 
iionc^it'* 

.fbr  aonoment  Mahomet  was  embarrassed  by  the  de- 
mand, for  he  had  visited  -die  temple  in  the  night,  when  its 
form  was  not  discernible;  suddenly,  however,  the  angel 
Grabriel  stood  by  his  side,  and  placed  before  his  eyes  an 
exact  impe  of  ike  sacred  edifice,  so  that  he  was  enabled 
instantly  to  answer  the  most  minute  questionB. 

The  story  still  transcended  the  belief  even  of  some  oi 
his  disciples,  until  Abu  Beker,  seeing  them  wavering  in 
their  faim,  and  in  danger  of  badcsHding,  roundly  vouched 
for  the  trutii  of  it;  in  reward  for  which  suprport,  Mahomet 
gave  him  the  title  of  Al  Seddek,  or  the  Testifier  to  the 
Tsaih^  by  which  he  was  tiienceforth  distinguished. 

As  we  have  already  observed,  liiis  nocturnal  journey 

—^  almost  eniarely  upon  tradition,  though  some  of  iti 
T  2 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


IirB  OF  MAHOHBT. 


circumstances  are  vaffuely  alluded  to  in  the  Koran.  Tbe 
whole  may  be  a  fanciM  superstructure  of  Moslem  fanatics 
on  one  of  these  visions  or  ecstasies  to*  which  Mahomet 
was  prone,  and  the  relation  of  which  caused  him  to  be 
stigmatized  by  the  Koreishites  as  a  madman. 


CHAPTEE  Xm. 

Kahomet  makes  conyerts  of  pilgrims  lh>m  Medina. — ^Determines  to  fly- 
to  that  city. — ^A  plot  to  slay  him. — His  miraculous  escape. — ^His 
Heghra,  or  flight. — His  reception  at  Medina. 

The  fortunes  of  Mahomet  were  becoming  darker  and 
darker  in  his  native  place.  Cadijah,  his  original  bene- 
factress, the  devoted  companion  of  his  solitude  and  seclu- 
sion, the  zealous  believer  in  his  doctrines,  was  in  her 
grave;  so  abo  was  Abu  Taleb,  once  his  faitliful  and  efficient 
protector.  Deprived  of  the  sheltering  influence  of  the 
latter,  Mahomet  had  become,  in  a  manner,  an  outlaw  in 
Mecca;  obliged  to  conceal  himself,  and  remain  a  burthen 
on  the  hospitality  of  those  whom  his  own  doctrines  had 
involved  in  persecution.  If  worldly  advantage  had  been 
his  object,  how  had  it  been  obtained?  Upwards  of  ten 
years  had  elapsed  since  first  he  annoimced  his  prophetic 
mission;  ten  long  years  of  enmity,  trouble,  and  misfortune. 
Still  he  persevered,  and  now,  at  a  period  of  life  when  men 
seek  to  enjoj  in  repose  the  fruition  of  the  past,  rather 
than  risk  all  m  new  schemes  for  the  friture,  we  find  him, 
after  having  sacrificed  ease,  fortune,  and  friends,  pre- 
pared to  give  up  home  and  country  abo,  rather  than  his 
religious  creed. 

As  soon  as  the  privileged  time  of  pilgrimage  arrived,  he 
emerged  once  more  from  his  concealment,  and  mingled 
with  the  multitude  assembled  from  all  parts  of  Arabia. 
His  earnest  desire  was  to  find  some  powerftd  tribe,  or  the 
inhabitants  of  some  important  city,  capable  and  willing  to 
receive  him  as  a  guest,  and  protect  hun  in  the  enjoyment 
and  propagation  of  his  faith. 

His  quest  was  for  a  time  unsuccessM.  Those  who  had 
come  to  worship  at  the  Caaba  drew  back  from  a  man 
•fttigmatized  as  an  apostate;  and  the  worldly-minded  were 

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PB0SSLYTB8  IN  MXDINJL.  69 

ttnwillmg  to  befriend  one  proscribed  by  the  powerful  of 
kis  native  place. 

At  length,  as  he  was  one  day  preaching  on  the  hill  Al 
Akaba,  a  little  to  the  north  of  Mecca,  he  drew  the  atten- 
tion of  certain  pilgrims  from  the  city  of  Yathreb.  This 
city,  since  called  Medina,  was  about  two  hundred  and 
seventy  miles  north  of  Mecca.  Many  of  its  inhabitants 
were  Jews  and  heretical  Christians.  The  pilgrims  in 
question  were  pure  Arabs  of  the  ancient  and  powerful 
tribe  of  Khazradites,  and  in  habits  of  friendly  intercourse 
with  the  Keneedites  and  Naderites,  two  Jewish  tribes 
inhabiting  Mecca,  who  claimed  to  be  of  the  sacerdotal 
line  of  Aaron.  The  pilgrims  had  often  heard  their  Jewish 
friends  explain  the  mysteries  of  their  faith,  and  talk  of  an 
expected  Messiah.  Thev  were  moved  by  the  eloquence 
of  Mahomet,  and  struck  with  the  resemblance  of  hit 
doctrines  to  ^ose  of  the  Jewish  law;  insomuch  that  when 
they  heard  him  proclaim  himself  a  prophet,  sent  by  heaven 
to  restore  the  ancient  faith,  they  said  one  to  another, 
*'  Surely  this  must  be  the  promised  Messiah  of  which  we 
have  been  told."  The  more  they  listened,  the  stronger 
became  their  persuasion  of  the  fact,  until  in  the  end  they 
avowed  their  conviction,  and  made  a  final  profession  of  the 
£dth. 

As  the  Khazradites  belonged  to  one  of  the  most  power- 
ful tribes  of  Yathreb,  Mahomet  sought  to  secure  their 
protection,  and  proposed  to  accompany  them  on  their 
return;  but  they  informed  him  that  they  were  at  deadly 
feud  with  the  Awsites,  another  powerful  tribe  of  that  city, 
and  advised  him  to  defer  his  coming;  xmtil  they  should  b© 
at  peace.  He  consented;  but  on  the  return  home  of  the 
pilgrims,  he  sent  with  them  Musab  Ibn  Omeir,  one  of  the 
most  learned  and  able  of  his  disciples,  with  instructions  to 
strengthen  them  in  the  faith,  and  to  preach  it  to  their 
townsmen.  Thus  were  the  seeds  of  Islamism  first  sown 
in  the  city  of  Medina.  For  a  time  they  thrived  but 
slowly.  Musab  was  opposed  by  the  idolaters,  and  his  hfo 
threatened;  but  he  persisted  in  nis  exertions,  and  gradually 
made  converts  among  the  principal  inhabitants.  Among 
these  were  Saad  Ibn  Maads,  a  prince  or  chief  of  the 
Awsites;  and  Osaid  Ibn  Hodheir,  a  man  of  great  authority 
in  the  city.  Numbers  of  the  Moslems  of  Mecca,  also^ 
driven  away  by  persecution,  took  refuge  in  Medina,  and 
aided  in  propoj^ting  the  new  faith  among  its  inhabitants^ 
unti]  it  found  its  way  into  almost  every  household. 

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Feeling  now  assured  of  being  able  to  give  M&bomet  ajk 
asylum  in  the  city,  upwards  of  seventy  of  the  converts  of 
Medina,  led  by  Mnsab  Ibn  Omeir,  repaired  to  Mecca  witk 
iAie  pilgrims  in  the  holy  month  of  the  thirteenth  year  of 
**  the  mission,"  to  invite  him  to  take  np  his  abode  m  their 
dty.  Mahomet  gav«  them  a  midnight  meeting  on  tiie  hill 
Ai  Akaba.  His  nnde  Al  Abbas,  who,  like  the  deceased 
Abu  Taleb,  took  an  affectionate  interest  in  his  welfare, 
though  no  convert  to  his  doctrines,  accompanied  him  ix> 
this  secret  conference,  which  he  feared  might  lead  him. 
into  danger.  He  ^itreated  the  pilgrims  from  Medina  not 
to  entice  his  nephew  to  their  city  until  more  able  to  protect 
him:  warning  them  that  their  open  adoption  oi  the  new 
£uth  would  bring  all  Arabia  in  arms  against  them.  His 
warnings  and  entreaties  were  in  vain — :a  solenm  compact 
was  made  between  the  parties.  Mahom^  demanded  that 
they  should  abjure  idolatry,  and  worship  the  one  true 
God  opnenly  and  fearles^y.  For  himself  he  exacted  obe* 
dience  in  weal  and  woe;,  and  for  the  disciples  who  might 
accompany  him,  protection;  even  such  as  they  would 
render  to  their  own  wives  and  children.  On  these  t&emB 
he  offered  to  bind  himsdf  to  remain  amon^  them,  to  be 
the  friend  of  l^eir  friends,  the  enemy  of  meir  enemies* 
"  But,  should  we  perish  in  your  cause,"  asked  they,  "  what 
will  be  our  rewara?"    "  Paradise !"  replied  the  prophet. 

The  terms  were  accepted;  the  emissaries  from  Medina 
placed  their  hands  in  the  hands  of  Mahomet,  and  swore  to 
abide  by  the  compact.  The  latter  tiien  singled  out  twelve 
from  among  them,  whom  he  designated  as  his  apostles ;  in 
imitation,  it  is  supposed,  of  the  example  of  our  Saviour. 
Just  then  a  voice  was  heard  from  the  summit  of  the  hill» 
denouncing  them  as  apostates,  and  menacang  them  with 
punishment.  The  sound  of  this  voice,  heard  in  the  darkness 
of  the  T^o^t,  inspired  temporary  dismay.  "  It  is  the  voice  of 
the  fienolblis,"  said  Mahomet,  scomfally ;  "  he  is  the  foe  of 
Qod:  fear  him  not."  It  was  probably  the  voice  of  some 
spy  or  evesdroj^r  of  the  £oreishites;  for  the  very  next 
morning  they  manifested  a  knowledge  of  what  had  taken 
place  in  the  night;  and  treated  the  new  confederates  with 
great  harshness  as  they  were  departing  from  the  city. 

It  was  this  early  accession  to  the  faith,  and  this  timely 
aid  proffered  and  subsequently  afforded  to  Mahomet  and 
his  disciples,  which  procured  for  the  Moslems  of  Medina 
the  appellation  of  Ansanans,  or  auxiliaries,  by  which  they 
were  aSberwards  distinguished. 

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▲  VLOT  fBUSTBKIXB.  71 

After  the  dieiparfciire  of  the  Aiiaaziaiis,  and  the  e^^iratioii 
of  the  holy  mcnith,  the  pMenecatkniB  of  the  Moslems  were 
Tesiuned  with  increased  Tirnlenee,  insomuch  that  Mahomet^ 
seeing  a  crisis  was  at  hand,  and  being  resolved  to  leatTB 
ike  city,  advised  his  adherents  ^enerallj  to  provide  for 
^eir  safety.  For  himself  he  still  lingered  in  Meoea  wiUi. 
a  few  devoted  followers. 

Abn  Sofian,  his  implacaUefoe,  was  at  this  time  gorentoc 
of  liie  dty.  He  was  both  incensed  and  alarmed  at  ^10 
^reading  growth  of  the  new  faith,  and  held  a  meeting  of 
the  chief  of  the  KoreiahbeB  to  devise  some  means  of 
efiectoally  putting  a  stop  to  it.  ScMPe  advised  thatiAf  ahomet 
should  be  banidied  the  city;  but  it  was  objected  that  Im 
might  gain  other  tribes  to  his  interest,  or  peshapt  the 
people  of  Medina,  and  return  at  tlrair  head  to  tauke  hif 
revenge.  Others  proposed  to  watt  him  up  in  a  dungeon^ 
and  supply  him  with  food  until  he  died;  but  it  was 
surmised  that  his  finends  mi^t  ifSoct  his  escape.  All 
these  objections  w«re  raised  oy  a  violent  and  pragmatieal 
old  man,  a  stranger  from  the  Brotrinoe  of  Nedia,  who^  say 
the  Moslem  writers,  was  no  other  than  the  devil  in  disguise^ 
breathing  his  ntalignant  spirit  into  those  present.  At 
lengtii  it  was  dedamd  by  Abu  JaU,  that  the  <mly  effectosl 
check  on  the  growing  evil  was  to  put  Mahomet  to  death. 
To  this  aJl  agreed,  ai^l  as  a  means  of  sharing  the  odium  of 
ike  deed,  and  withstanding  the  ves^ance  it  might  awaken 
among  the  relatives  of  the  victim,  it  was  arranged  that  a 
m^n^  of  eadi  family  should  ^unge  his  twoid  into  the 
body  of  Mahomet. 

It  is  to  this  conspiracy  that  allusion  is  made  in  the 
eidi^  chapter  of  the  Koran.  ''And  call  to  mind  how  the 
unbelievers  plotted  agaiDst  thee,  that  th^  might  either 
detain  thee  m  bonds,  or  put  thee  to  death,  or  expel  thee 
the  city;  but  God  laid  a  plot  against  tiiem;  and  €rod  is  the 
best  layer  of  plots." 

In  met,  by  the  tune  the  murderers  arrived  before  ^ 
dwelling  of  Mahomet^  he  was  apprised  of  the  impendiag 
danger.  As  usual,  the  warning  is  attributed  to  the  anj^ 
€rabriel,  but  it  is  probaUe  it  was  given  by  some  Korcidute^ 
less  Uoody-minded  than  h»  ccmfederates.  It  came  just 
IB  tme  to  save  Mahomet  &om  ihe  hands  of  his  enoniea. 
They  paused  at  his  door,  but  hesitated  toenter.  Looking 
ihrou^  a  crevice,  they  beheld,  as  they  thought,  Mahomet 
wrapt  in  his  green  mantle,  and  lying  asleep  on  his  couek 
Shey  waited  £ost  a  while,  consoltmg  whetharto  fall  on  hkm, 

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72  XI7E  07  XAHOlISr. 

wkile  sleeping,  or  wait  luitil  he  shoiQd  go  foriik.  At  length, 
Ihey  bnrst  open  the  door  and  rushed  toward  the  couch. 
The  sleeper  started  up;  but,  instead  of  Mahomet,  All 
stood  before  them.  Ajna^ed  and  confounded,  they  de- 
manded, "Where  is  Mahomet?"  " I  know  not,"  replied 
Ali,  sternly,  and  walked  forth;  nor  did  any  one  venture 
to  molest  him.  Enraged  at  the  escape  of  their  yictim, 
however,  the  Koreishites  proclaimed  a  reward  of  a  hun- 
dred camels  to  any  one  who  should  bring  them  Mahomet 
alive  or  dead. 

Divers  accounts  are  given  of  the  mode  in  which  Mahomet 
made  his  ^escape  from  the  house  after  the  faithM  Ali  had 
wrapped  himself  in  his  mantle  and  taken  his  place  upon 
the  couch.  The  most  miraculous  account  is,  that  he 
opened  the  door  silently,  as  the  Koreishites  stood  before 
it,  and,  scattering  a  handM  of  dust  in  the  air,  cast  such 
blindness  upon  them,  that  he  walked  through  the  midst  of 
them  without  being  perceived.  This,  it  is  added,  is  con- 
firmed by  the  verse  of  the  30th  chapter  of  the  Koran: 
*'  We  have  thrown  blindness  upon  them,  that  they  shall  not 
•ee." 

The  most  probable  account  is,  that  he  clambered  over 
the  wall  in  the  rear  of  the  house,  by  the  help  of  a  servant, 
who  bent  his  back  for  him  to  step  upon  it. 

He  repaired  immediately  to  the  house  of  Abu  Beker,  and 
they  arranged  for  instant  flight.  It  was  ag]^eod  that  they 
should  take  refoge  in  a  cave  in  Mount  Thor,  about  an 
hour's  distance  n'om  Mecca,  and  wait  there  untU  they 
could  proceed  safely  to  Medina:  and  in  the  meantime  the 
children  of  Abu  Beker  should  secretly  bring  them  food. 
Thev  left  Mecca  while  it  was  yet  dark,  making  their  way 
on  K>ot  by  the  light  of  the  stars,  and  the  day  dawned  as 
they  found  themselves  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Thor.  Scarce 
were  they  within  the  cave,  when  they  heard  the  sound  of 
pursuit.  Abu  Beker,  though  a  brave  man,  quaked  with 
fear.  "Our  pursuers,"  said  he,  "are  many,  and  we  are 
but  two."  "  Nay,"  replied  Mahomet,  "  there  is  a  third; 
God  is  with  us  1"  And  here  the  Moslem  writers  relate  a 
miracle,  dear  to  the  minds  of  all  true  believers.  By  the 
time,  say  they,  that  the  Koreishites  reached  the  mouth  of 
the  cavern,  an  acacia  tree  had  sprung  up  before  it,  in  the 

geon  had  made  its  nest, 

lole  a  spider  had  woven 
beheld  these  signs  of 
sndisturbed  quiet,  they  concluded  that  no  one  could  recently 

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THB  HXGIRA.  73 

hxve  entered  the  cavem;  so  they  tonied  awsj,  andptmoed 
their  search  in  another  direction. 

Whether  protected  hy  mirade  or  not,  the  fngitiTes 
remained  for  three  dm  undiscovered  in  the  cave,  and 
Asama,  the  daughter  ot  Ahu  Beker,  brought  them  food  in 
the  dusk  of  the  evenings. 

On  the  fourdi  dnj,  when  they  presumed  the  ardour  of 
pursuit  had  abated*  the  fugitives  ventured  forth,  and  set 
out  for  Medina,  on  camels  which  a  servant  of  AJbu  Beker 
had  brought  in  the  night  for  them.  Avoiding  the  main 
road  usuaSy  taken  by  the  caravans,  they  bent  their  course 
nearer  to  the  coast  of  the  Bed  Sea.  They  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far,  however,  before  they  were  overtaken  by  a 
troop  of  horse,  headed  by  Soraka  Ibn  Malec.  Abu  Beker 
was  again  dismayed  by  the  number  of  their  pursuers;  but 
Mahomet  repeated  the  assurance, "  Be  not  troubled ;  Allah 
is  with  us."  Soraka  was  a  grim  warrior,  with  shagged 
iron-gray  locks,  and  naked  sinewy  arms  rough  with  nair. 
As  he  overtook  Mahomet,  his  horse  reared  and  fell  with 
him.  His  superstitious  mind  was  struck  with  it  as  an 
evil  sign.  Mahomet  perceived  the  state  of  his  feelings, 
and  by  an  eloquent  appeal  wrought  upon  him  to  such  a 
degree,  that  Soraka,  nJled  with  awe,  entreated  his  foijgive- 
ness;  and  turning  back  with  his  troop,  suffered  him  to 
proceed  on  his  way  unmolested. 

The  fu^tives  continued  their  journey  without  further 
interruption,  until  they  arrived  at  Koba,  a  hill  about  two 
miles  from  Medina.  It  was  a  favourite  resort  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  ci^,  and  a  place  to  which  they  sent  their 
sick  and  infirm,  &r  the  aar  was  pure  and  salubrious. 
Hence,  too,  the  city  was  supplied  with  fruit:  the  hill  and 
its  environs  being  covered  with  vineyards,  and  with  ^ves 
of  the  date  and  lotus;  with  gardens  producing  citrons, 
oranges,  pomegranates,*  fi^^s,  peaches,  and  apri^iyts;  and 
being  irrijgated  with  limpid  streams. 

On  arriving  at  this  fruitful  spot,  Al  Kaswa,  the  camel  of 
Mahomet,  crouched  on  her  knees,  and  would  go  no  further. 
The  prophet  interpreted  it  as  a  favourable  sign,  and  de- 
termmea  to  remain  at  Koba,  and  prepare  for  entering  the 
city.  The  place  where  his  camel  knelt  is  still  pointed  out 
hy  pious  Moslems,  a  mosque  named  Al  Takwa  having 
been  built  there  to  commemorate  the  circumstance.  Some 
affirm  ih&t  it  was  actually  founded  by  the  prophet.  A  deep 
well  is  also  shown  in  the  vicinity,  beside  which  Mahomet 
reposed  imder  the  shade  of  the  trees,  and  into  which  h» 

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74  LIFH  09  KAEOKET. 

dropped  Ma  seal  rin^.  It  is  belieyed  still  to  remain  there, 
andlias  gireii  sanctity  to  tke  well;  the  waters  of  whkh are 
conducted  by  snbterra&eoxiB  conduits  to  Medinae  At 
!£oba  he  remained  four  days,  reading  in  the  house  of  an 
Awsite  named  Golthnm  Ibn  Hadem.  While  stihis  yilkge 
he  was  joined  by  a  distinguished  chief,  Bor^da  Irai 
Hoseib,  with  serenty  MlowerS)  all  of  the  tribe  of  Saham. 
These  made  profession  of  faith  between  the  hands  (^ 
Ihlahomet* 

Another  renowned  proselyte  who  repaired  to  the  prophet 
at  this  village,  was  Sabnaa  al  Parsi  (or  the  Persian).  He 
is  said  to  hare  been  a  native  of  a  sniaJl  plaee  near  Ispahan^ 
and  that,  on  passing  one  day  by  a  Cnristian  church,  he 
was  so  nmch  strack  by  the  devotion  of  the  people,  and 
the  solenmilrfr  of  the  wcnrship,  that  he  became  disgusted 
with  the  idolatrous  faith  in  wmch  he  had  been  brou^t  upw 
He  afterwards  wandered  about  the  east,  from  city  to  city, 
and  convent  to  convent,  in  quest  of  a  religion,  until  an 
ttident  monk,  fail  of  years  and  infirmities,  told  him  of  a 
prophet  who  had  arisen  in  Arabia  to  restore  the  pure  faith 
of  Abraham. 

This  Sahnan  rose  to  -power  in  after  years,  and  was 
related  by  the  unbelievers  of  Mecca  to  have  assisted 
Mahomet  m  compiling  his  doctrine.  This  is  alluded  to  in 
the  sixteenth  chapter  of  the  Koran.  "  Verily,  the  idolaters 
say,  that  a  certaon  man  assisted  to  compose  the  Koran;  but 
the  language  of  this  man  is  Ajami  (or  Persian),  and  the 
Koran  is  indited  in  the  pure  Arabian  tongue."* 

The  Moslems  of  Mecca,  who  had  ta£:en  refuge  seme 
time  before  in  Medina,  hearing  that  Mah<Hnet  was  at  hand^ 
came  forth  to  meet  hun  at  Kohst;  among  these  was  the 
early  convert,  Talha,  and  Zobeir,  the  nephew  of  Cadijah. 
These,  se^g  the  travel-stained  garments  of  Mahomet  and 
Abu  Beker,  gave  them  white  mantles,  with  which  to  make 
their  entrance  into  Medina.  I^umbers  of  the  Ansarians^ 
or  auxiliaries,'  of  Medina,  who  had  made  th^  compact 
with  Mahomet  in  the  praoeding  year,  now  hast«Ekea  to 
renew  their  vow  of  fidehty. 

Learning  firom  them  that  the  number  of  proselytes  ia 

*  The  rtDOwned  and  learned  Hvapbrej  Prideanx,  IH>etor  of  Bhriniftf 
and  Dean  of  Norwich,  in  his  Life  of  Mahomet,  ccHifsunds  this  Sahnaa 
tiie  Persian  with  Abdallah  Ibn  Salam,  a  learned  Jew ;  by  some  called 
Abdias  Ben  Salan  in  the  Hebrew  dialect,  and  by  others  Abdallah  Salen  ; 
Who  is  aceosed  by  Christian  writers  of  assistinv  Mahownt  in  ftbticating 
1m  rtvflattonab 

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BKTBANCE  IVTO  UMDISX.  75 

ike  dtf  was  rapidly  augmenting,  and  that  there  was  a 
gpnerai  dispcwntion  to  receive  him  &yoiirably,  he  appointed 
Friday,  the  Mosl^n  sabbath,  tiie  sixteendi  day  of  the 
month  E>abi,  for  his  public  entrance. 

Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  that  day  he  assembled 
all  his  followers  to  prayer;  and  after  a  sermon,  in  which  he 
expoimded  the  mam  principles  of  his  faith,  he  mounted  his 
camel  Al  Kaswa,  and  set  forth  for  that  city  which  was  to 
become  renowned  in  after  ages  as  his  city  of  reftige. 

Boreida  Ibn  al  Hoseib,  with  his  seventy  horsemen  of  the 
tribe  of  Sabam,  jiccompanied  him  as  a  guard.  Some  of  the 
disciples  took  turns  to  hold  a  canopy  of  palm-leaves  over 
liis  head,  and  by  his  side  rode  Abu  Beker.  "  Oh  apostle 
of  Gt)dr'  cried  Boreida,  "thou  shalt  not  enter  Medinft 
without  a  standard;"  so  saying,  he  unfolded  his  turban, 
and  tving  (me  end  of  it  to  we  point  <^  his  lance,  bore  it 
aloft  Defore  the  prophet 

The  city  of  Medina  was  fair  to  approach,  beiiiff  extolled 
for  beauty  of  siti^ktion,  salubrity  ca  dimate,  and  fertility 
of  soil;  for  the  luxuriance  of  iti  palm-trees,  and  tli^ 
fragrance  of  its  shrubs  and  flowers.  At  a  shc^  distance 
from  the  city  a  crowd  of  new  proselytes  to  the  faith  came 
ibrdi  in  sun  and  dust  to  meet  the  cavalcade.  Most  of 
them  had  never  seen  Mahomet,  and  paid  reverence  to  Abu 
B^er  through  mistake;  but  the  latter  put  aside  the  screen, 
of  palm-leaves,  and  pointed  out  the  real  object  of  homage, 
who  was  greeted  wiik  loud  acclamations. 

In  this  way  did  Mahomet,  so  reeently  a  fugitive  itom 
his  native  ciiy^  with  a  price  upon  his  head,  enter  Medina^ 
more  as  a  conqueror  in  triumi^  than  an  exile  seeking  an 
asylum.  He  alighted  at  the  house  of  a  £hairadite,  named 
Abu  Ayub,  a  devout  Modem,  to  whom  moreover  h&  was 
distantly  related;  here  he  was  hospitably  received,  and 
took  up  lus  abode  in  the  basement  story. 

Shortly  after  his  arrival  he  was  joined  by  the  faithful 
Ali,  who  had  fled  from  Mecca,  and  journeyed  on  foot, 
hiding  imnself  in  the  day  and  travelling  only  at  night,  lest 
he  should  fl&ll  into  the  hands  of  the  Koreishites.  He 
arrived  weary  and  wayworn,  his  feet  bleeding  with  the 
JQUghness  of  the  joxomey. 

Within  a  few  days  more  came  Ayesha,  and  the  rest  of 
Abu  Beker*s  household,  tog[ether  with  the  fiemiiH^  of  Ma- 
homet, conducted  by  his  faithful  freedman  Zeid,  and  by 
Abu  Beker's  servant  Abdallah. 

Such  is  the  story  of  ilie  memorable  Hegira,  or  "  Flight 

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76  IIFB  OF  MAHOMET. 

of  the  prophet;" — ^the  era  of  the  Arabian  kalendar  from 
which  time  is  calculated  by  all  true  Moslems:  it  corre« 
sponds  to  the  622iid  year  of  the  Chnstioa  era. 


CHAPTEE  XIV. 

MeslemB  in  Medina,  MohaAJerins  and  Ansarians. — The  party  of  Abdallah 
Ibn  Obba  and  the  Hypocrites. — ^Mahomet  builds  a  mosque ;  inreaches ; 
makes  converts  among  the  Christians. — The  Jews  slow  to  belieye.-— 
Brotherhood  established  between  fiigitiyes  and  allies. 

Mahomet  soon  fonnd  himself  at  the  head  of  a  ntunerotis 
and  powerM  sect  in  Medina;  partly  made  up  of  those  of 
his  disciples  who  had  fled  from  Mecca,  and  were  thence 
called  MTohadjerins,  or  Fugitives,  and  partly  of  inhabitants 
of  the  ^laee,  who  on  joining  the  faith  were  called  Ansarians 
or  Auxiliaries.  Most  of  these  latter  were  of  the  powerfol 
tribes  of  the  Awsites  and  Khazradites,  which,  though  de- 
scended from  two  brothers,  Al  Aws  and  Al  Eliazraj,  had 
for  a  hundred  and  twenty  years  distracted  Medina  by  their 
inyeterate  and  mortal  feuds,  but  had  now  become  united 
in  the  bonds  of  faith.  With  such  of  these  tribes  as  did 
Bot  immediately  adopt  his  doctrines  he  made  a  covenant. 

The  Blhazradites  were  very  much  under  the  sway  of  a 
prince  or  chief,  named  AbdaUah  Ibn  Obba;  who,  it  is  said, 
was  on  the  point  of  being  made  king,  when  the  arrival  of 
Mahomet,  and  the  excitement  caused  by  his  doctrines, 
gave  the  popular  feeling  a  new  direction.  Abdallah  was 
stately  in  person,  of  a  graceful  demeanour,  and  ready  and 
eloquent  tongue ;  he  professed  ^eatMendship  for  Maho- 
met, and  with  several  compamons  of  his  own  type  and 
character,  used  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Moslems. 
Mahomet  was  captivated  at  first  by  their  personal  appear- 
ance, their  plausible  conversation,  and  iheir  apparent  de- 
ference; but  he  found  in  the  end  that  Abdallah  was  jealous 
of  his  popularity,  and  cherished  secret  animosity  against 
him,  and  that  lus  companions  were  equally  false  in  their 
pretended  friendship ;  nence  he  stamped  them  with  the 
name  of  "  The  Hypocrites."  AbdaUah  Ibn  Obba  long 
continued  his  political  rival  in  Medina. 

Being  now  enabled  publicly  to  exercise  his  faith  and 
preach  his  doctrines,  Mahomet  proceeded  to  erect  a  mosque. 
The  place  chosen  was  a  graveyard  or  burying  ground. 

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SSSCT8  X  MOSQTTE.  77 

sliaded  by  date-trees.  He  is  said  to  have  been  guided  in 
his  choice  by  what  lie  considered  a  favourable  omen;  his 
camel  haying  knelt  opposite  to  this  place  on  lus  public 
entry  into  iSxe  city.  The  dead  were  removed,  and  the 
trees  cut  down  to  make  way  for  the  intended  edifice.  It 
was  simple  in  form  and  structure,  suited  to  the  unostenta- 
tious religion  which  he  professed,  and  to  the  scanty  and 
precarious  means  of  its  votaries.  The  walls  were  of  earth 
and  brick ;  the  trunks  of  the  palm-trees  recently  felled, 
served  as  pillars  to  support  the  roof,  which  was  muned  of 
their  branches  and  thatched  with  their  leaves.  It  was 
about  a  hundred  ells  square,  and  had  three  doors ;  one  to 
the  south,  where  the  Eebla  was  afterwards  established, 
another  called  the  gate  of  Gabriel,  and  the  third  the  gate 
of  Mercy.  A  part  of  the  edifice,  called  Sofiat,  was  assigned 
as  a  habitation  to  such  of  the  believers  as  were  without  a 
home. 

Mahomet  assisted  with  his  own  hands  in  the  construc- 
tion of  this  mosque.  With  all  his  foreknowledge,  he  little 
thought  that  he  was  building  his  own  tomb  and  monu- 
ment :  for  iu  that  edifice  his  remains  are  deposited.  It  has 
in  after  times  been  repeatedly  enlarged  and  beautified,  but 
still  bears  the  name  Mesjed  al  Nebi  (the  Mosque  of  the 
Prophet),  from  having  been  founded  by  his  bauds.  He 
was  for  some  time  at  a  loss  in  what  manner  his  followers 
should  be  summoned  to  their  devotions ;  whether  with- the 
sound  of  trumpets,  as  among  the  Jews,  or  by  lighting  fires 
on  high  places,  or  by  the  s&iking  of  timbrels.  Wmle  in 
this  perplexity,  a  form  of  words  to  be  cried  aloud,  was 
suggested  bv  Abdallah,  the  son  of  Zeid,  who  declared  that 
it  was  revealed  to  him  in  a  vision.  It  was  instantly  adopted 
by  Mahomet,  and  such  is  given  as  the  origin  of  the  follow- 
ing summons,  which  is  to  this  day  heard  from  the  lofty 
mmarets  throughout  the  East,  calling  the  Moslems  to  the 
place  of  worship:  **Qod  is  great!  God  is  great!  There 
18  no  €rod  but  God.  Mahomet  is  the  apostle  of  God. 
Come  to  prayers !  come  to  prayers !  God  is  ^at !  God 
is  great !  There  is  no  God  but  God."  To  which  at  dawn 
of  dav  is  added  the  exhortation,  "  Prayer  is  better  than 
sleep  I    Prayer  is  better  than  sleep !" 

liVerything  in  Hus  humble  mosque  was  at  first  con- 
ducted with  great  simplicity.  At  night  it  was  lighted  up 
by  splinters  of  the  date-tree;  and  it  was  some  time  before 
luQps  and  oil  were  introduced.  The  prophet  stood  on  the 
ground  and  preached,  leaning  with  his  back  against  the 

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7S  UFE  OT  KAHOXZT. 

tnmk  of  one  of  the  date-trees,  which  Beired  tm  pallara.  H« 
afterwardfi  had  a  pnlpit  or  tribune  erected,  to  whidi  he 
ascei^ed  by  three  steps,  so  as  to  be  eleyid»d  aboye 
the  oongreffation.  Tradition  asserts,  that  idien  he  fbnt 
ascended  tnis  pnlpit,  the  deserted  date-tree  uttered  a 
groan ;  wberenpon,  as  a  consolation,  he  ^ve  it  the  choice 
either  to  be  transplanted  to  a  garden  again  to  flonndi,  or 
to  be  transferred  to  paradise,  there  to  yield  £ruit,  in  after 
life,  to  tme  believers.  The  date-tree  wisely  dbiose  die 
latter,  and  was  subsequently  buried  beneath  the  pulpit, 
there  to  await  its  blissM  resurrection. 

Mabomet  preached  and  prayed  in  the  pulpifc,  sometimes 
flitting,  sometimes  standing  and  leaning  on  a  staff,  ffis 
precepts  as  yet  were  all  peaceful  and  benignant,  inculcat- 
ing devotion  to  God  and  numanity  to  man.  He  seems  to 
have  emxdated  for  a  time  the  benignity  of  the  Christian 
£Edth.  *'  He  who  is  not  affectionate  te  God's  creatures, 
and  to  his  own  children,"  would  he  say,  **  Gtod  will  not  be 
^affectionate  te  him.  Every  Moslem  who  clothes  the  naked 
of  his  faith,  will  be  clothed  by  Allah  in  the  green  robes  of 
paradise." 

In  one  of  his  traditional  sermons  transmitted  br  his  dis- 
ciples, is  the  following  apologue  on  the  subject  oi  chanty : 
''When  God  created  the  earth  it  shook  and  trembled^ 
imtil  he  put  mountains  upon  it,  to  make  it  fbm.  Then  the 
xngels  asked,  '  Oh  God,  is  there  anytiiing  of  thy  creation 
stronger  than  these  mountains  P'  And  (^od  replied, '  Iron 
is  stronger  tiban  the  mountains ;  for  it  breaks  them.'  '  And 
is  there  anything  of  thy  creation  stronger  than  iron?* 
*  Yes ;  fire  is  stronger  than  iron,  for  it  mehs  it.'  *  Is  there 
anythmg  of  thy  creation  stronger  than  fireP'  *Yes; 
water,  for  it  quenches  fire.'  '  Oh  Lord,  is  there  anything 
of  thy  creation  stronger  than  water  P*  '  Yes,  wind;  for  it 
overcomes  water  and  puts  it  in  motion.'  '  Oh,  our  Sus- 
tainer!  is  there  anythmg  of  thy  creation  stronger  than 
wind  P*  *  Yes,  a  good  man  giving  ahns ;  if  he  give  with 
his  right  hand  ana  conceal  it  from  his  left,  he  overcomes 
allthmgs.'" 

His  definition  of  charity  embraoed  tiie  wide  circle  of 
kindness.  Every  good  act,  he  would  say,  is  charity. 
Your  smiling  in  your  brother's  hee  is  chanty;  an  exhor- 
tation of  your  fellow  man  to  virtuous  deeds  is  equal  to 
•ahns-gtying ;  your  putting  a  wanderer  in  the  right  road 
is  (parity ;  your  assisting  the  blind  is  charity ;  your  re- 
moving stones  and  thorns  and  other  obstroetions  from 

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DEFIKinOW  OF  CHiAZTT.  79 

ike  load  is  cliarity ;  yoor  gmng  Tvmt^  to  the  tfaintj  it 
isharily. 

"  A  man's  true  wealth  hereafter  is  the  ffood  he  does  in 
iMs  world  to  his  £^low  mao.  When  he  cues,  pe^le  will 
any.  What  -property  has  he  left  bdiind  himP  ^ut  the 
a^ek,  who  examine  him  in  the  grare,  will  ask,  *  What 
good  deeds  hast  thon  sent  before  thee  P* " 

*'<!^  prc^^ietr'  said  one  oi  his  disciples,  "mj  mother, 
Omm-Said,  is  dead;  what  is  the  best  alms  I  can  send  for 
the  good  of  her  soul?"  "  Water!"  replied  Mahomet,  be- 
iJiinSinghimself  of  the  panting  heats  of  the  desert.  "Dig 
a  weUrar  her,  and  gire  water  to  ihe  thirsty."  The  man 
di^ed  a  well  in  his  mother's  name,  and  said, ''  This  well 
isTOT  mj  mother,  liiat  its  rewards  may  reach  her  sooL" 

C9iarity  of  the  tcmgne,  also,  tliat  most  important  and 
least  cnltivated  of  cli^ties,  was  likewise  earnestly  incul- 
cated bf  Mahomet.  Abu  Jaraiya,  an  inhabitant  of  Basrah, 
coming  to  Medina,  and  being  nersoaded  of  the  asostoHcal 
office  of  Mahomet,  entreated  or  him  some  great  nue  of  oon- 
daet.  **  Speak  evil  of  no  one,"  answered  the  prcmhet. 
**  Erom  thid;  time,"  says  Abn  Jaraiya,  "  I  never  did  abuse 
any  one,  whether  freeman  or  slaive." 

The  rules  of  IslamiBm  extended  to  the  comrtesies  c^life. 
Make  a  Bdhsoi  (or  salutation)  to  a  house  on  entering  and 
leaving  it.  Betam  the  salute  of  friends  and  acquaantanoea, 
and  wayfarers  on  tibie  road.  He  who  rides  must  be  the 
first  to  make  the  salute  to  him  who  walks ;  he  who  wilka 
to  him  who  is  sitting ;  a  anaXL  party  to  a  hffge  party;  and 
tibe  young  to  the  old. 

Cm  the  arrival  of  Mahomet  at  Medina,  some  of  the 
Christians  of  the  city  promptly  enrolled  themselves  among 
his  followers ;  they  were  prollably  of  those  sectarians  who 
heUd  to  the  human  nature  of  Christ,  and  found  nothing 
repugnant  in  Islamism,  which  venerated  Christ  as  the 
greatest  among  the  prophets.  The  rest  of  the  Christians 
resident  there  showed  but  little  hostility  to  the  new 
faith,  e^isideiing  it  far  better  than  the  old  idolatry.  In- 
deed, the  schisms  and  bitter  dissensions  among  the  Chris- 
tians of  the  East  had  impaired  their  orthodoxy,  weakened 
their  zeal,  and  disposed  them  easily  to  be  led  away  by  new 
doctrines. 

The  Jews,  of  which  there  were  rich  and  powerful  £uiii- 
hes  in  Medina  and  its  vicinity,  showed  a  less  favonrakde 
disposition.  With  some  of  them  Mahomet  made  cove- 
nants of  peace,  and  trusted  to  gain  them  in  time  to  accept 

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80  LIFE  OF  HiJEOMET. 

Idm  as  their  promised  Messiah  or  prophet.  Biased,  per- 
haps unconsciously,  by  such  views,  he  had  modelled  many 
of  nis  doctrines  on  the  dognuus  of  their  religion,  and  ob- 
served certain  of  their  fasts  and  ordinances.  He  allowed 
such  as  embraced  Islamism,  to  continue  in  the  observance 
of  iheir  Sabbath,  and  of  several  of  the  Mosaic  laws  and 
ceremonies.  It  was  the  custom  of  the  different  religions 
of  Ihe  East,  to  have  each  a  Kebla  or  sacred  point,  towards 
which  they  turned  their  faces  in  the  act  of  adoration;  the 
Sabeans  towards  the  North  Star;  the  Persian  fire-wOT- 
shipper  towards  the  east,  the  place  of  the  rising  sun ;  the 
Jews  towards  their  holy  city  of  Jerusalem.  Hitherto  Ma- 
homet had  prescribed  nothmg  of  the  kind :  but  now,  out 
of  deference  to  the  Jews,  he  made  Jerusalem  the  Kebla, 
toward  which  all  Moslems  were  to  turn  their  faces  when  in 
prayer. 

WMle  new  converts  were  daily  made  among  the  inha- 
bitants of  Medina,  sickness  and  discontent  began  to  pre- 
rajl  amon^  the  fiigitives  from  Mecca.  The^  were  not 
accustomed  to  the  climate;  many  sufifered  n*om  fevers, 
and  in  their  sickness  and  debilify  languished  after  the 
home  whence  they  were  exiled. 

To  give  them  a  new  home,  and  link  them  closely  with 
their  new  friends  and  allies,  Mahomet  established  a  bro- 
therhood between  fifty-four  of  them  and  as  many  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Medina.  Two  persons  thus  linked  together, 
were  pledged  to  stand  by  each  other  in  weal  and  woe;  it 
was  a  tie  which  knit  their  interests  more  closely  even  than 
that  of  kindred,  for  they  were  to  be  heirs  to  each  other 
in  preference  to  blood  relations. 

This  institution  was  one  of  expediency,  and  lasted  only 
until  the  new  comers  had  taken  nrm  root  in  Medina ;  ex- 
tended merely  to  those  of  the  people  of  Mecca  who  had 
fled  from  persecution ;  and  is  ailuaed  to  in  the  following 
verse  of  the  eighth  chapter  of  the  Xoran :  "  They  who 
have  believed  and  have  fled  their  country,  and  employed 
their  substance  and  their  persons  in  flghtmg  for  the  faiUv 
and  they  who  have  given  tne  prophet  a  refuge  among  them, 
and  have  assisted  him,  these  shall  be  deemed  the  one 
nearest  of  kin  to  the  other." 

In  this  shrewd,  but  simple  way,  were  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  that  power  which  was  soon  to  attain  stupendous 
strength,  and  to  shake  the  mightiest  empires  of  the  worlds 


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81 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Marriage  of  Mahomet  with  Ayesha. — Of  his  daoghter  Fatima  with  AUd— > 
Their  household  arrangements. 

The  family  relatdons  of  Mahomet  liad  been  mack  brokea 
up  by  tlie  hostility  brought  upon  him  by  his  religious 
zeal.  His  daughter  Sokaia  was  still  an  exile  with  her 
husband,  Othm^  Ibn  Affan,  in  Abyssinia ;  his  daughter 
Zeinab  had  remained  in  Mecca  with  her  husband,  Abul 
Aass,  who  was  a  stubborn  opposer  of  the  new  faith.  The 
family  with  Mahomet  in  Medina  consisted  of  his  recently 
wedded  wife  Sawda,  and  Fatima  and  Um  Coliiium,  daugh- 
ters of  his  late  wife  Cadijah.  He  had  a  heart  prone  to 
affection,  and  subject  to  female  influence,  but  he  had  never 
entertained  much  love  for  Sawda;  and  though  he  always 
treated  her  with  kindness,  he  felt  the  want  of  some  one  to 
supply  the  place  of  his  deceased  wife  Cadijah. 

"  Oh  Omar,"  said  he  one  day,  "  the  best  of  man's 
treasures  is  a  virtuous  woman,  who  acts  by  God's  orders^ 
and  is  obedient  and  pleasing  to  her  husband :  he  regards 
lier  personal  and  mental  beauties  with  delight:  when  he 
orders  her  to  do  anyiJiin^  she  obeys  him;  and  when  he 
is  absent  she  guards  his  right  in  property  and  honour." 

He  now  turned  his  eyes  upon  nis  betrothed  spouse 
Ayesha,  the  beautiful  daughter  of  Abu  Beker.  Two  years 
had  elapsed  siace  they  were  betrothed,  and  she  had  now 
attained  her  ninth  year;  an  infantine  age  it  would  seem, 
though  the  female  form  is  wonderfully  precocious  in  the 
quickening  climates  of  the  East.  Their  nuptials  took 
place  a  few  months  after  titieir  arrival  in  Medina,  and  were 
celebrated  with  great  simpliciiy;  the  wedding  supper  was 
of  milk,  and  ike  dowry  of  the  bride  was  twelve  okk  of 
silver. 

The  betrothing  of  Fatima,  his  youngest  daughter,  witih 
Ills  loyal  disciple  Ali,  followed  shortfy  after,  and  liieir 
marriage  at  a  somewhat  later  period.  Fatima  was  be- 
tween flfteen  and  sixteen  years  of  age,  of  great  beauty, 
and  extolled  by  Arabian  writers  as  one  of  the  four  perf^ 
women  with  whom  Allah  has  deigned  to  bless  the  earth. 
The  age  of  Ali  was  about  twenly-two. 

Heaven  and  earth,  say  the  Moslem  writers,  joined  in 
paying  honour  to  these  happy  espotisals.  Medina  resounded 

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82  LIFE  OF  ICIHOMET. 

with  festivity,  and  blazed  with  Oluiniiiations,  and  the  at* 
mosphere  was  laden  with  aromatic  odours.  As  Mahomet, 
on  the  nuptial  night,  eonducted  his  daughter  to  her  bride- 
groom, heaven  sent  down  a  celestial  pomp  to  attend  her: 
on  her  right  hand  was  the  archangel  Grabrid^  on  her  left 
was  Michael,  and  she  was  followed  by  a  train  of  seventy- 
thousand  angels,  who  all  night  kept  watch  round  the  man- 
sion of  the  youtibidl  pair. 

Such  are  the  vaunting  exaggerations  with  which  Mos- 
lem writers  are  prone  to  over&y  every  event  in  the  history 
of  the  prophet,  and  destroy  the  real  grandeur  of  his  career, 
which  consists  in  its  simpheity.  A  more  reliable  account 
states  that  the  wedding  roast  was  of  dates  and  olives;  that 
the  nuptial  couch  was  a  sheep-skin;  that  the  portion  of 
the  bnde  ccmsisted  of  two  skirts,  one  head-tire,  two  silver 
armlets,  one  leathern  pillow  stuffed  with  palm-leaves,  one 
beaker  or  drinking  cup,  one  handmill,  two  large  jars  for 
water,  and  one  pitcher.  All  this  was  in  unison  with  the 
simplicity  of  .^jrab  housekeemng,  and  with  the  eircum- 
stances  of  the  married  cou^e;  and  to  raise  the  dowry 
required  of  him,  AJi,  it  is  said,  had  to  sell  several  camels 
«ad  some  shirts  of  niail. 

The  style  of  living  of  the  prophet  himself  was  not  supe- 
rior to  that  of  his  disciple.  Ayesha,  speaking  of  it  in 
after  years,  observed:  "  For  a  wh<de  month  together  we 
did  not  light  a  £re  to  dress  victuals;  our  food  was  nothing 
but  dates  and  water,  unless  any  one  sent  us  meait.  The 
people  of  the  prophet's  household  never  got  wheat-bread 
two  successive  days." 

His  food,  in  general,  was  dates  and  barley-bread,  with 
milk  and  hxmej.  He  swept  his  chamber,  lit  his  fire, 
mended  his  clothes,  and  was,  in  fact,  his  own  servant^ 
Poreach  of  his  two  wives  he  provided  a  separate  house 
adjoining  the  mosque.  He  resided  with  them  by  turns, 
but  Avesha  ever  remained  his  favourite. 

Manomet  has  been  extoUed  by  Moslem  writers  for  the 
chastity  of  his  eariv  life;  and  it  is  remarkable  that,  with 
all  the  plurality  ojr  wives  indulged  in  by  the  Arabs,  and 
which  he  permitted  himself  in  subsequent  years,  and  wit^ 
all  that  constituticmal  fondness  which  he  evinced  for  the 
sex,  he  remained  single  in  his  devotion  to  Cadijah  to  her 
dying  day,  never  givmg  her  a  rival  in  his  house,  nor  in  his 
heart.  Even  the  fresh  and  budding  charms  of  Ayesha, 
which  soon  assumed  such  empire  over  him,  could  not 
cbhterate  the  deep  and  mingled  feeling  of  tenderness  and 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


BELISI^r  OV  TBE  SWOBD.  89 

^fstitode  for  Ids  esrh-  benefactress.  Ayeslia  was  piqued 
OBe  daj  flk  lieanng  lum  indalge  in  tiiese  food  recollec- 
tkHis:  ''Oh,  apostie  of  God,  demsnded  the  jouthM 
beautf,  **wm  not  Gadi|ah  stridc^a  m  yean?  Has  not 
Allah  giren  thee  a  better  wife  in  her  steadF*' 

"  l^&rerV  exdaimed  Mahomet,  with  an  honest  burst 
of  feeling — ^merer  did  God  attve  me  a  better !  When  I 
was  poor,,  she  eniiGhed  me;  when  I  was  pronooneed  a  liar, 
aike  EelieTed  in  me;  wkm  I  was  opposed  bj  all  the  worlds 
d&e  remaiBed  true  to  me ! '' 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  swopj  annmwnBd  as  the  imtwrnMnt  af  ftittL — Tkttfiin^agaiiMt 
tbe  Koraithitae.— Swyiaai  of  a  oaravaa. 

Wb  come  now  to  an  important  era  in  the  eareer  of  Ma«- 
komet.  Hitherto  he  had  rehed  on  avgumcait  and  pmua^ 
sion  to  make^voeeljtes;.  enjoiBed  the  same  en  his  disciples. 
His  exhortatKNas  to  them  to  bear  with  patienee^  and  long- 
su^erinc  the  violence  of  their  enemies^  ahnost  envalated 
the  meek  precept  of  oax  Sainoar,  "  if  thej  smke  thee  on 
the  one  eneek,  turn  to  Ihem  the  other  also."  He  no^r 
amred  at  a  point  where  he  completely  diveffged  from  the- 
c^stial  smut  of  the  Christian  doeteines,  and  stamped  hia 
religion  with  the  alloy  of  fiJlible  mortidity.  His  Jumum 
nature  was  not  ca§pable  of  maintaining  the  sabhme  for- 
bearance he  had  hitherto  inculcated.  Thirteen  years  of 
meek  endurance  had  beeai  rewarded  by  northing  but  agsfra* 
vated  injury  ai^  insult.  His  greatest  persecut(»B  had 
been  those  of  his  own  tribe,  tl^  Xoreisnites,  especially 
those  of  the  rival  line  of  Abd  Schems;  whose  vindictive 
chief,  Abu  Sofiai^  had  now  the  sway  at  Mecca.  By  their 
virulent  hostility  his  fortunes  had  be^i  Idasted;  his  fomilT 
degraded,  impoverished,  and  dispersed,  and  he  himself 
dnven  into  ^ile.  AU  &is  he  might  have  continued  to 
bear  with  invduntary  meekness,  had  not  the  means  of 
retaliation  unexpectedly  sprung  up  within  hk  reach.  He 
had  come  to  Medina  a^  fugitive  seddng  an  ai^lum,  and 


craving  merely  a  qidet  home.    In  a  httle  while,  and  pro- 
bably to  his  own  surprise,  he  found  an  army  ab  his  com- 
mand: for  among  the  many  converts  daily  maoe  in  Medina, 
o  2         .     gtized  by  Google 


S4  LIFE  OF  MAHOHET. 

the  foffitiyes  flocking  to  liim  from  Mecca,  and  proselytes 
from  the  tribes  of  the  desert,  were  men  of  resolute  spirit, 
sldlled  in  the  use  of  arms,  and  fond  of  partisan  warfore. 
Human  passions  and  mortal  resentments  were  awakened 
by  this  sadden  accession  of  power.  They  mingled  with 
that  zeal  for  religions  reform,  which  was  snll  his  predomi- 
nant motive.  In  the  exaltations  of  his  enthusiastic  spirit 
he  endeavoured  to  persuade  himself,  and  perhaps  dia  so 
effectually,  that  the  power  thus  placed  within  his  reach 
was  intended  as  a  means  of  effecting  his  great  purpose, 
and  that  he  was  called  upon  by  divine  command  to  use  it. 
Such,  at  least,  is  the  purport  of  the  memorable  manifesto 
which  he  issued  at  this  epoch,  and  which  changed  the 
whole  tone  and  fortunes  of  his  faith. 

"  Different  prophets,"  said  he,  "  have  been  sent  by  God 
to  illustrate  his  different  attributes:  Moses  his  clemency 
and  providence;  Solomon  his  wisdom,  majesty,  and  glory; 
Jesus  Christ  his  righteousness,  omniscience,  and  power; — 
his  righteousness  by  purity  of  conduct;  his  omniscience 
by  the  knowledge  he  msplayed  of  the  secrets  of  all  hearts; 
his  power  by  the  miracles  he  wrought.  None  of  these 
attributes,  however,  have  been  sufficient  to  enforce  convic- 
tion, and  even  the  miracles  of  Moses  and  Jesus  have  been 
treated  with  unbehef.  I,  therefore,  the  last  of  the  pro- 
phets, am  sent  with  the  sword !  Let  those  who  promul- 
gate my  faith  enter  into  no  argument  nor  discussion;  but 
slay  all  who  refuse  obedience  to  the  law.  Whoever  fights 
£or  the  true  faith,  whether  he  fall  or  conquer,  will  as- 
suredJy  receive  a  glorious  reward." 

"  The  sword,"  t^ded  he,  "is  the  key  of  heaven  and  heU; 
all  who  draw  it  in  the  cause  of  the  faith  will  be  rewarded 
with  tem})oral  advantages;  every  drop  shed  of  Iheir  blood, 
every  peril  and  hardship  endured  by  them,  wiU  be  regis- 
tered on  high  as  more  meritorious  than  even  fiEusting  or 
praying.  It  they  fall  in  battle,  their  sins  will  at  once  be 
blottea  out,  and  they  'will  be  transported  to  paradise, 
there  to  revel  in  eternal  pleasures  in  the  arms  of  black- 
eyed  houris." 

Predestination  was  brought  to  aid  these  belligerent 
doctrines.  Every  event,  according  to  the  Koran,  was  pre- 
destined from  eternity,  and  could  not  be  avoided.  No 
man  could  die  sooner  or  later  than  his  allotted  hour,  and 
when  it  arrived,  it  would  be  the  same,  whether  the  angel 
of  death  should  find  >iiTn  in  the  quiet  of  his  bed,  or  amid 
Ihc  storm  of  battle. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


FIB8T  WJLBLIEB  BNT1EFBI8B.  8S 

Such  were  the  doctrines  and  revelations  which  conrerted 
Islamism  of  a  sudden  from  a  religion  of  meekness  and  phi- 
lanthropy, to  one  of  violence  and  the  sword.  Thev  were 
peculiarly  acceptable  to  the  Arabs,  harmonizing  with  their 
nabits,  and  encouraging  their  predatory  propensities.  Yir* 
tuaUy  pirates  of  the  c&sert,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
that,  after  this  open  promulgation  of  the  Eeliffion  of  the 
Sword,  they  should  flock  in  crowds  to  the  standard  of  the 
prophet.  Still  no  violence  was  authorized  by  Mahomet 
agamst  those  who  should  persist  in  unbelief,  provided  they 
should  readily  submit  to  his  temporal  sway,  and  agree  to 
pay  tribute;  and  here  we  see  the  nrst  indication  of  worldly 
ambition  and  a  desire  for  temporal  dominion  dawning  upon 
his  mind.  Still  it  will  be  found,  that  the  tribute  thus  ex- 
acted was  subsidiary  to  his  ruling  passion,  and  mainly 
expended  by  him  in  the  extension  of  tne  futh. 

The  first  warlike  enterprises  of  Mskhomet  betray  the 
lurking  resentment  we  have  noted.  They  were  directed 
against  the  caravans  of  Mecca,  belonging  to  his  implacable 
^lemies  the  Koreishites.  The  three  firat  were  headed  by 
Mahomet  in  person,  but  without  any  material  result.  The 
fourth  was  confided  to  a  Moslem,  named  Abdallah  Ibn 
Jasch:  who  was  sent  out  with  eight  or  ten  resolute  fol- 
lowers on  the  road  toward  Soulh  Arabia.  As  it  was  now 
the  holy  month  of  Badjab,  sacred  from  violence  and 
rapine,  Abdallah  had  sealed  orders,  not  to  be  opened 
xmtil  the  third  day.  These  orders  were  vaguely  yet  signi- 
ficantly worded.  Abdallah  was  to  repair  to  the  valley  of 
I^aklan,  between  Mecca  and  Tayef  (the  same  in  which 
Mahomet  had  the  revelation  of  tne  Gemi),  where  he  was 
to  watch  for  an  expected  caravan  of  the  Koreishites. 
"  Perhaps,"  added  the  letter  of  instructions  shrewdly, — 
''perhaps  thou  mayest  be  able  to  bring  us  some  tidmgs 

Abdallah  understood  the  true  meaning  of  the  letter,  and 
acted  up  to  it.  Arrivinj^  in  the  valley  of  Naklah,  he  de- 
scried tne  caravan,  consistine;  of  several  camels  laden  with 
merchandise,  and  conducted  by  four  men.  Following  it 
at  a  distance,  he  sent  one  of  his  men,  disguised  as  a  pil- 
gim,  to  overtake  it.  From  the  words  of  the  latter  the 
£orei8hite8  supposed  his  companions  to  be  like  himself, 
pilgrims  bouna  to  Mecca.  Beside,  it  was  the  month  of 
lUdjab,  when  the  desert  might  be  travelled  in  security. 
Scarce  had  they  come  to  a  halt,  however,  when  Abdallah 
and  his  comrades  fell  on  them;  killed  one  and  took  two 

gitized  by  Google 


M  tIfS  07  XAHOiaBT. 

.pdsonen;  tbe  fonrtili  escaped.  I!ie  Tictors  iJien  retonied 
to  Medina  witli  tlieir  pneoners  and  booty. 

All  Medina  waa  scandalized  at  ttus  breacli  of  the  lioly 
month.  Mahomet,  &ding  i^at  he  had  Tentared  too  far* 
pretended  to  be  asngry  'wim  AbdaUah,  and  refosed  to  take 
Hie  diare  of  ^lae  bocrty  offered  to  him.  Confiding  in  the 
Tagneness  oS  his  instrnddoiifi,  he  isBifftedthat  he  had  not 
commanded  AbdaOah  to  shed  blood,  or  eosEunit  any  ykv 
lence  dmdng  the  holy  nion^. 

The  damour  stili  eontinning,  and  being  eehoed  hy  the 
Xcnreishitefi  of  Mecca,  prodncS  the  following  passage  of 
the£oran: 

"They  will  ask  thee  oonoeming  the  £Bcred  monith, 
wh^herih^  may  make  war  therein.  Aoswer:  To  war 
theorein  is  ^evons;  but  to  deny  God,  to  bar  tike  path  of  <jk»d 
against  his  people,  to  drire  true  belieFera  from  his  holy 
tempie,  and  to  worship  idols,  are  sins  £ar  moze  grievous 
than  to  kill  in  "flie  holy  months.*' 

Having  thus  prodaimed  divine  sanction  for  the  deed, 
Mahomet  no  long^  hesitated  to  taikehis  share  of  the  booty. 
fie  delivered  one  of  the  prisoners  on  ransom;  the  other 
embraced  Tfilamiflm. 

The  above  pafisaee  of  the  Koran,  however  satas&ctory  ib 
may  have  been  to  aevout  Moslems,  will  scaroety  serve  to 
exculpate  their  prophet  in  the  eyes  of  the  promne.  The 
es^emtioa  o£  Abdalkh  Ibn  Jasch  was  a  sad  pradical 
illustration  of  the  new  religion  of  the  sword.  It  contem- 
plated not  m^ely  an  act  of  idunder  and  revenge,  a  venial 
act  in  the  eyes  of  Arabs,  andjusti£ed  by  Ihe  new  doctrinee 
hf  being  exercised  afainstihe  enemies  of  the  £uth,  but  an 
outra^  also  on  the  noly  month,  that  period  saxnred  from 
time  mmieanc^ial  against  violence  and  bloodshed,  and 
which  Mahomet  himsdf  prc^essed  to  hold  in  reverence. 
The  craft  and  secrecy  also  with  which  the  whole  was 
devised  and  conducted,  the  sealed  le^r  of  instructions  to 
Abdallab,  to  be  opened  only  at  the  end  of  three  days,  at 
the  scene  of  projected  outrage,  and  couched  in  language 
vague,  equivocal,  yet  sufiicieBtly  significant  to  the  agent; 
aU  were  m  direct  opjBOsitioii  to  ihe  ooi^uct  of  Mahomet 
in  the  earher  part  cuLhis  career,  when  lie  dared  openlv  to 
pursue  the  path  of  dutnr  ''though  the  sun  shoida  be 
arrayed  against  him  on  tne  right  hand,  and  the  moon  on 
the  left; "  all  showed  that  he  was  conscious  of  the  turpitude 
of  the  act  he  was  authorizing.  TTiff  disavowal  of  the 
violence  committed  by  AbdaUahf  yet  his  bringing  the 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THB  SmZX  0¥  BKDBB.  97 

SccBn  to  Ms  aid  to  enaMe  liim  to  profit  hy  it  witli  impu- 
nity, give  still  darker  ^ades  to  uiis  transaotioa;  which 
aitogcShiOr  shows  how  immediately  and  widely  he  went 
wrong  the  moment  he  departed  from  the  benevolent  spirit 
of  Omistianity,  which  he  at  first  endeavonred  to  emobte. 
Worldly  pwsionB  and  worldly  intecests  were  fast  getting 
^e  asoendenoy  over  that  lehgioiis  enthusiasm  which  first 
inspired  him.  As  has  well  been  observed,  "the  first 
drop  of  blood  lAted  in  his  name  in  the  Holy  Week,  dis- 
played him  a,  man,  in  whom  the  slime  of  earth  had 
^enched  the  hoi^  fiame  of  projAecy/* 


CHAPTEE  XVIL 

Tbe  Battle  of  Beder. 

Ik  the  seccmd  year  of  the  He^ira  Mahomet  received  in- 
telligence that  his  arch  foe,  Aou  Sofian,  with  a  troop  of 
&rdy  horsemen,  was  conducting  back  to  Mecca  a  caravan 
of  a  thousand  camels,  laden  with  the  merchandise  of  Syria. 
Their  route  lay  through  the  country  of  Medina,  between 
&e  range  of  mountams  and  the  sea.  Mahomet  deter- 
mined to  intercept  them.  About  the  middle  of  the  month 
Hamadhan,  therefore,  lie  sallied  forth  with  three  hundred 
and  fourteen  men,  of  whom  eighty-three  were  Mohadjenns^ 
or  exiles  from  Mecca;  sixty-one  Awsites,  and  a  hundred 
and  seventy  Xhazradites.  Each  troop  had  its  own  banner. 
Ihere  were  but  two  horses  in  this  little  army,*  but  there 
were  seventy  fleet  camels,  which  the  troop  mounted  by 
turns,  so  as  to  make  a  rapid  march  without  much  fatigue. 
Othman  Ibn  Afian,  the  son-in-law  of  Mahomet,  was 
now  returned  with  his  wife  Eokaia  from  their  enle  in 
Abyssinia,  and  would  have  joined  the  enterprise,  but  his 
vme  was  ill  almost  unto  death,  so  that  he  was  obliged 
rductanUy  to  remain  in  Medina. 

*  **  The  Arabs  of  the  desert,**  says  Bnrekhardt,  '*  are  notiich  in  horses. 
Among  the  great  toibes  on  tiie  Bed  Sea,  between  Akaba  and  Keooa,  and 
to  the  south  and  southeast  of  Mecca,  as  far  as  Yemen,  horses  an  retf 
acaree,  especially  among  those  of  the  moontainons  districts.  The  settled 
inhabitants  of  He4jaz  and  Yemen  are  not  much  in  the  habit  of  keeping 
horses.  The  tribes  most  rich  in  horses  are  those  who  dwell  in  the 
comparattrely  fertile  plains  of  Mesopotamia,  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
Ei^rates,  and  on  the  Sjxiiin  plains."— jSun^fcAonft,  II.  ftO. 

gitized  by  Google 


fiS  LIFB  OF  ICAHOMST. 

Mahomet  for  a  while  took  the  main  road  to  Mecca»  ihen, 
leaving  it  to  the  left,  turned  toward  the  Bed  Sea  and 
entered  a  fertile  valley,  watered  by  the  brook  Beder. 
Here  he  laid  in  wait  near  a  ford,  over  whidi  the  caravans 
were  accustomed  to  pass.  He  caused  his  men  to  dig  a 
deep  trench,  and  to  divert  the  water  therein,  so  that  they 
mignt  resort  thither  to  slake  their  thirst,  out  of  reach  of 
the  enemy. 

Li  the  meantime,  Abu  Sofian  having  received  early  in- 
telligence that  Mahomet  had  saUied  forth  to  waylay  him 
with  a  superior  force,  despatched  a  messenger  named 
Omair,  on  a  fleet  dromedary,  to  summon  instant  relief 
from  Mecca.  The  messenger  arrived  at  the  Caaba  haggard 
and  breathless.  Abu  Jahf  mounted  the  roof  and  sounded 
the  alarm.  All  Mecca  was  in  concision  and  consternation. 
Henda,  the  wife  of  Abu  Sofian,  a  woman  of  fierce  and 
intrepid  nature,  called  upon  her  father  Otha,  her  brother 
Al  Walid,  her  imcle  Shaiba,  and  aU  the  warriors  of  her 
kindred,  to  arm  and  hasten  to  the  relief  of  her  husband. 
The  brothers,  too,  of  the  Koreishite  slain  by  Abdallah  Ibn 
Jasch,  in  the  valley  of  Naklah,  seized  their  weapons  to 
avenge  his  death.  Motives  of  interest  were  minded  with 
eagerness  for  vengeance,  for  most  of  the  Koreisnites  had 
property  embarked  in  the  caravan.  In  a  little  while  a 
force  of  one  hundred  horse  and  seven  hundred  camels 
hurried  forward  on  the  road  toward  Syria.  It  was  led 
by  Abu  Jahl,  now  threescore  and  ten  years  of  age,  a 
veteran  warrior  of  the  desert,  who  still  retained  the  &*e, 
and  almost  the  vigour  and  activity  of  youth,  combined  with 
the  rancour  of  old  age. 

While  Abu  Jahl,  with  his  forces,  was  hurrying  on  in 
one  direction,  Abu  Sofian  was  approaching  m  another. 
On  arriving  at  the  region  of  danger,  he  preceded  his 
caravan  a  considerable  distance,  carefuUy  regarding  every 
track  and  footprint.  At  length  he  came  upon  the  track  of 
the  little  army  of  Mahomet.  He  knew  it  from  the  size  of 
the  kernels  or  the  dates,  which  the  troops  had  thrown  by 
the  wayside  as  they  marched, — those  of  Medina  being  re- 
markable for  their  smallness.  On  such  minute  signs  do 
the  Arabs  depend  in  tracking  their  foes  through  the 
deserts. 

Observing  the  course  Mahomet  had  taken,  Abu  Sofian 
changed  his  route,  and  passed  along  the  coast  of  the  E^ed 
Sea  imtil  he  considered  himself  out  of  danger.  He  then 
«ent  another  messenger  to  meet  any  £oreishites  that 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


THB  BATTLB  07  BXDBB.  89 

migiit  have  sallied  forth,  and  to  let  them  know  that  the 
caravan  was  safe,  and  they  might  return  to  Mecca. 

The  messenger  met  the  Koreishites  when  in  fuJ  march. 
On  hearing  that  the  caravan  was  safe,  they  came  to  a  halt 
and  held  council.  Some  were  for  pushmg  forward  and 
'  inflicting  a  signal  pmiishment  on  Mahomet  and  his 
followers ;  others  were  for  turning  back.  In  this  dilemma, 
they  sent  a  scout  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy.  He  brought 
back  word  that  they  were  about  three  hundred  strong; 
this  increased  the  desire  of  those  who  were  for  battle. 
Others  remonstrated.  "  Consider,"  said  tiiey,  '*  these  are 
men  who  have  nothing  to  lose ;  they  have  nothing  but  their 
swords;  not  one  of  them  will  fall  without  slaying  his  man. 
Beside,  we  have  relatives  among  them;  if  we  ooncjuer,  we 
will  not  be  able  to  look  each  other  in  the  face,  having  slain 
each  other's  relatives."  These  words  were  producing  their 
effect,  but  the  brothers  of  the  Koreishite  who  had  been 
slain  in  the  vaUey  of  Naklah,  were  instigated  by  Abu  Jahl 
to  cry  for  revenge.  That  fiery  old  Arab  seconded  their 
appeal.  "Forward!"  cried  he;  "let  us  get  water  &om 
the  brook  Beder  for  the  feast  with  which  we  shidl  make 
merry  over  the  escape  of  our  caravan."  The  main  body  of 
the  troops,  therefore,  elevated  their  standards  and  resumed 
their  miuH^  though  a  considerable  number  turned  back  to 
Mecca. 

The  scouts  of  Mahomet  brought  him  notice  of  the  ap- 
proach of  this  force.  The  hearts  of  some  of  his  followers 
failed  them;  they  had  come  forth  in  the  expectation  of 
little  fighting  and  much  plunder,  and  were  dismayed  at 
the  thoughts  of  such  an  overwhelming  host;  but  Manomet 
bade  them  be  of  good  cheer,  for  All^  had  promised  him 
«n  easy  victory. 

The  Moslems  posted  themselves  on  a  rising  ground,  with 
water  at  the  foot  of  it.  A  hut,  or  shelter  of  we  branches 
of  trees,  had  been  hastily  erected  on  the  summit  for 
Mahomet,  and  a  dromedary  stood  before  it,  on  which  he 
might  fiy  to  Medina  in  case  of  defeat. 

The  vanguard  of  the  enemy  entered  the  valley  panting^ 
with  thirst,  and  hastened  to  the  stream  to  drink;  but 
TTamza,  the  uncle  of  Mahomet,  set  upon  them  with  a 
number  of  his  men,  and  slew  the  leader  with  his  owd 
hand.  Only  one  of  the  vanguard  escaped,  who  was  after- 
wards converted  to  the  faith. 

The  main  body  of  the  enemy  now  approached  with 
sound  of  trumpet.    Three  £oreishite  warriors  advancing 

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m  firant,  d^ed  tlie  bravest  of  the  MoBlems  to  emal 
combat.  Two  of  these  challengers  were  Otha,  the  father* 
rn-hiw  of  Abu  Sofiaa,  and  Al  Walid,  his  broiiieivm-law. 
ThB  thkd  challenger  was  Shaiba,  the  brother  of  Otha. 
These,  it  wfll  be  reoolleoted,  had  been  instipited  to  saUy 
forih  from  Mecca,  by  Henda,  the  wife  of  Abu  Sofian. 
Thejr  were  all  men  of  rank  in  ikeir  tribe. 

Three  warriors  of  Medina  stepped  forward  and  accepted 
their  challenge;  bnt  they  cried,  "  No !  Let  the  renegades 
of  onr  own  city  of*  Mecca  ad^unoe,  if  they  dare."  Upon 
this  Homza  and  AH,  the  imde  and  consin  of  Mahomet, 
and  Obeidah  Ibn  al  Hareth,  nndertook  the  fight.  After  a 
fi^HDc  and  obstinate  contest,  Hamsa  and  Ali  eaxh  slew  his 
antagonist.  They  then  went  to  the  aid  of  Obeidah,  who 
was  severely  woimded  and  nearly  oyerconu3  by  Otha. 
^ey  dew  me  Koreishite  and  bore  away  their  associate, 
but  ne  presently  died  of  his  wounds. 

The  battle  now  became  general.  The  Moslems,  aware 
of  the  inferiority  of  their  number,  at  first  merely  stood  on 
^kQ  de^msiye,  maintaining  their  position  on  the  rising 
ground,  and  galling  the  enennr  with  flights  <^  arrows 
whenever  they  sought  to  slake  tneir  intolerable  thirst  at 
the  stream  below.  Mahomet  remained  in  his  hut  on  the 
lull,  accompanied  by  Abu  Beker,  and  eamestfy  engaged 
in  prayer,  in  the  course  of  the  battle  he  had  a  paroxysm, 
or  fell  into  a  kind  of  trance.  Coming  to  lumself,  he 
declared  that  God  in  a  vision  had  promised  him  the 
victory.  Kushing  out  of  the  hut,  he  caught  up  a  handfiol 
of  dust  and  cast  it  into  the  air  toward  the  Koreieftiites,  ex- 
claiming, "  May  confusion  light  upon  their  faces."  Then 
ordering  his  followers  to  charge  down  upon  ihe  enemy: 
"Fight,  and  fear  not,"  cried  he;  "the  gates  of  paradise 
ore  under  the  diade  of  swords.  He  wul  assuredly  find 
instant  admission,  who  falls  fighting  for  the  faith.** 

In  the  shock  of  battle  which  ensued,  Abu  Jahl,  who 
was  urdnff  his  horse  into  the  thickest  of  tiie  conflict, 
received  a  blow  of  a  scimetar  in  the  thigh,  which  brought 
him  to  the  ground.  Abdallah  Ibn  Masoud  put  his  S>ot 
upon  his  breast,  and  while  the  fiery  veteran  was  BtOl 
uttering  imprecations  and  curses  on  Mahomet,  severed 
his  head  from  his  body. 

The  Koreishites  now  gave  way  and  fled.  Seventy 
remained  dead  on  the  field,  and  nearly  the  same  number 
were  taken  prisoners.  Fourteen  Moslems  were  slain, 
whose  names  remain  on  record  as  martyrs  to  the  fidtili. 

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TbiB  ngiud  TictoTy  was  ean^  ^  be  fteoooscted  ibr  oa 
satoralpmioiples;  i^ao  MoideiiiBDeiiig  fresh  asd  Tiiiweainedy 
and  haying  the  advantage  of  a  rising  gionndy  and  a  mcpplj 
of  water;  while  the  Koieidiites  w&te  fatigned  by  a  hasty 
march,  parched  with  thirst,  and  diminished  in  force,  by 
•Qie  loss  of  numbers  who  had  turned  back  to  Mecca. 
Moslem  writers,  however,  attribute  this  earfy  triumph  c€ 
ihe  futh  to  supernatural  agency.  When  Mahomet 
scattered  dnst  in  the  air,  say  i^ey,  uuee  thonsond  angeHo 
warriors  in  white  and  yellow  turbans,  and  long  dar.Biing 
robes,  and  mounted  on  Uadc  and  white  steeds,  came 
lushing  like  a  blast,  and  swept  the  Koroshites  b^ore 
them.  Nor  is  1Mb  affirmed  on  Moslem  testimony  alone, 
Imt  given  on  the  word  of  an  idcdt^or,  a  peasant  too  was 
attending  sheep  on  an  adjacent  lull.  **  I  was  with  a  com- 
IRmion,  my  cousin,^'  said  the  peasant,  *'  up<m  the  fold  of 
the  mountain,  watdiing  the  conflict,  and  waiting  to  join 
with  the  conquerors  and  share  the  spoil.  Sudaenly  w» 
l)dkeld  a  great  doud  sailing  toward  us,  and  wiihm  it  were  Hie 
neighing  of  steeds  and  braying  of  trumpets.  As  it  ap- 
proadied,  squadrons  of  angels  sallied  forth,  and  we  heard 
the  ternflc  voice  of  the  archangel,  as  he  urged  his  mare 
Hamon,  *  Speed!  speed!  OhSaizum!'  At  which  awful 
sound  the  heart  of  my  companion  burst  with  terror,  and 
he  died  on  tiie  spot;  and  I  had  well  nigh  diazed  his 
fete.*^ 

When  the  conflict  was  over,  AbdalhJi  Ibn  Masood 
brought  the  head  of  Abu  Jahl  to  Mahomet,  who  eyed 
the  grisly  trophy  with  exultation,  -exclaiming,  **  This 
man  was  the  Pharaoh  <^  our  nation."  The  true  name  of 
this  veteran  warrior  was  Amru  Ibn  Hasham.  llie  Ko- 
reishites  had  ^ven  him  the  surname  of  Abu  'Ihoem,  or 
Pather  of  Wisdom,  on  account  of  his  sagacity.  The 
Moslems  had  changed  it  to  Abu  Jahl,  Father  ^  Folly. 

^  ThiB  miraouloiis  aid  ia  repeatedly  mentioiied  in  the  Koran,  e.g. : 
"  God  had  already  given  yon  the  victory  at  Beder,  vdien  ye  were 
inferior  in  number.  When  thou  saidst  onto  the  faithfU,  Is  it  not  enough 
ibryon  that  your  Lord  should  assist  you  with  three  thousand  angeb,  sent 
down  firom  heaven?  Yerily,  if  ye  persevere,  and  fear  God,  and  your 
enemies  eome  upon  yon  suddenly,  your  Loid  will  assist  yon  with  five 
thoBsand  angds,  distij^guished  by  their  hones  and  attire— 

«  *  •  *      * 

**  O  true  believers,  ye  slew  not  those  who  were  slain  at  Beder  your- 
selves, but  God  slew  them.  Neither  didst  thou,  O  Hahomet,  cast  tiie 
gravel  into  their  eyes,  when  thou  didst  seem  to  cast  it;  but  God  cast  it.** 
^^SaUTs  Koran,  chap.  iii. 

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92  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

The  latter  appellation  has  adhered  to  him  in  history,  and 
he  is  never  mentioned  by  true  believers  without  the  ejacu- 
lation, "  May  he  be  accursed  of  .Grod.'* 

The  Moslems  who  had  fallen  in  battle  were  honourably 
interred;  as  to  the  bodies  of  the  Koreishites,  they  were 
contemptuously  thrown  into  a  pit  which  had  been  digged 
for  them.  The  question  was  how  to  dispose  of  the 
prisoners.  Omar  was  for  striking  off  their  heads ;  but  Abu 
^ker  advised  that  they  should  be  given  up  on  ransom. 
Mahomet  observed  that  Omar  was  like  Noah,  who  prayed 
for  the  destruction  of  the  guilty  by  the  deluge;  but  Abu 
Beker  was  like  Abraham,  who  interceded  for  the  guilty. 
He  decided  on  the  side  of  mercy.  But  two  of  the  prisoners 
wereput  to  death;  one,  named  ]N  adhar,  for  having  ridiculed 
the  £oran  as  a  collection  of  Persian  tales  and  fables;  the 
other,  named  Okba,  for  the  attempt  upon  the  life  of 
Mahomet  when  he  first  preached  in  the  Caaba,  and  when 
be  was  rescued  by  Abu  Beker.  Several  of  the  prisoners 
who  were  poor,  were  liberated  on  merely  makmg  oalh 
never  again  to  take  up  arms  against  Mahomet  or  his 
followers.  The  rest  were  detainea  until  ransoms  should 
be  sent  by  their  friends. 

Among  the  most  muportant  of  the  nrisoners  was  Al 
Abbas,  the  unde  of  Mahomet.  He  had  oeen  captured  by 
Abu  Yaser,  a  man  of  small  stature.  As  the  bystanders 
scoffed  at  the  disparity  of  size,  Al  Abbas  pretended  that 
be  really  had  surrendered  to  a  horseman  of  ^gantic  size, 
mounted  on  a  steed  the  like  of  which  he  had  never  seen 
before.  Abu  Yaser  would  have  steadily  maintained  the 
truth  of  his  capture,  but  Maliomet,  wUlmg  to  spare  the 
humiliation  of  his  uncle,  intimated  that  me  captor  had 
been  aided  by  the  anffel  Gabriel. 

Al  Abbas  would  nave  excused  himself  from  paying 
ransom,  alleging  that  he  was  a  Moslem  in  heart,  and  had 
only  taken  part  m  the  battle  on  compulsion;  but  his  excuse 
did  not  avail.  It  is  thought  by  many  that  he  really  had  a 
secret  understanding  with  his  nephew,  and  was  employed 
by  him  as  a  spy  in  Mecca,  both  before  and  after  the  battle 
of  Beder. 

Another  prisoner  of  great  importance  to  Mahomet  was 
Abul  Aass,  the  husband  of  his  daughter  Zeinab.  The 
prophet  would  fain  have  drawn  his  son-in-law  to  him  and 
enrolled  hun  among  his  disciples,  but  Abul  Aass  remained 
stubborn  in  unbelief.  Mahomet  then  offered  to  set  him  at 
liberty  on  condition  of  his  returning  to  him  his  daughter. 

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THE  BATTLE  OF  BEDEB.  03 

To  this  the  infidel  agreed ;  and  Zeid,  the  faithM  freedman 
of  the  prophet,  was  sent  with  several  companions  to  Mecca, 
to  bring  Zeinab  to  Medina;  in  the  meantime,  her  husband, 
Abnl  Ablbs,  remained  a  hostage  for  the  fulfilment  of  the 
compact. 

Before  the  army  returned  to  Medina  there  was  a  division 
of  the  spoil;  for  though  the  caravan  of  Abu  Sofian  had 
escaped,  yet  considerable  booty  of  weapons  and  camels  had 
been  t&ken  in  the  battley  and  a  large  sum  of  monejr  would 
accrue  from  the  ransom  of  the  prisoners.  On  this  occa* 
sion,  Mahomet  ordered  that  the  whole  should  be  equalfy 
divided  among  all  the  Moslems  engaged  in  the  enterprise; 
and  though  it  was  a  long-estabhsned  custom  amon^  the 
Arabs  to  give  a  fourth  part  of  the  booty  to  the  chief,  yet 
he  contented  himself  widi  the  same  snare  as  the  rest. 
Among  the  spoils  which  feU  to  his  lot  was  a  famous  sword 
of  admirable  temper,  called  Dhul  Fakar,  or  the  Piercer* 
He  ever  afterwards  bore  it  when  in  battle;  and  his  son-in- 
law  All  inherited  it  at  his  death. 

G^iis  equal  distribution  of  the  booty  caused  great  mur* 
murs  among  the  troops.  Those  who  had  borne  the  brunt 
of  the  fight,  and  had  been  most  active  in  tiddng  the  spoiU 
complained  that  they  had  to  share  alike  with  those  who 
had  stood  aloof  from  the  affiray,  and  with  the  old  men  who 
had  remained  to  guard  the  camp.  The  dispute,  observea 
Sale,  resembles  tmit  of  1^  soldiers  of  David  in  relation  to 
spoils  taken  from  the  Amalekites ;  those  who  had  been  in 
the  action  insisting  that  they  who  tarried  by  the  stuff 
should  have  no  share  of  the  spoil.  The  decision  was  the 
same — ^that  they  should  share  alikei  (1  Samuel,  ch.  zxr* 
21 — ^26.)  Mahomet,  from  his  Imowledge  of  bible  history, 
may  have  been  guided  by  this  decision.  The  division  of 
the  spoils  was  an  important  point  to  settle,  for  a  leader 
about  to  enter  on  a  career  of  predatory  warfiore.  Fortu* 
nately,  he  had  a  timely  revelation  ahoruy  after  his  return 
to  Mecca,  re^ulatiu^  for  the  friture  the  division  of  all 
booty  gained  m  fightmg  for  the  faith. 

Such  are  the  particu&rs  of  the  famous  battle  of  Beder, 
the  first  victory  of  the  Saracens  under  the  standard  of 
Mahomet ;  inconsiderable  perhaps  in  itself,  but  stupendous 
in  its  results ;  being  the  commencement  of  a  career  of  yio» 
tones  which  chang^  the  destinies  of  the  world. 


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94 


CHAPTEEXnn. 

Death  of  the  prophet's  daughter  Bokaia. — Restoration  of  hi»  daagfater 
Zeinab. — Effect  of  the  prophet's  maledictioii  on.  Abu  Lidiab  and  his 
family. — ^Frantic  rage  of  Henda,  the  wife  of  Abu  Sofian. — Hahonet 
nano^i^  escapes  assas^ati<m. — ^Bmbassy  of  the  Koreishites. — The 
Eiiigof  Ab^seiniB. 

Mahomst  retomed  ia  triumph  to  Medina  wii^  the  B})oils 
and  pis<Hiers  taken  in  his  first  battle.  His  exaltation^ 
howeyer,  wa&  checked  bj  doaotieBtic  grief.  Bokaia,  his  be- 
lored  danffhter,  so  reeentij-  restored  from  exile,  was  no 
BHBre.  The  mess^i^r,  who  preceded  Mahomet  wi& 
tiding  of  bis  yietorj^  met  the  foneral  train  at  1^  gate  of 
the  Qty,  bearing  her  bo(fy  to  the  tomb. 

The  affliction  of  the  prophet  was  soothed  i^orfily  after* 
ward  by  the  arriral  from  Mecca  of  his  daughter  Znnab, 
conducted  by  the  faithful  Zeid.  The  mission  of  Zeid  had 
been  aittended  with  <££BcuIties.  The  people  of  Mecca  were 
exasperated  l^  the  late  defeat,  and  me  necessity  of  ran- 
BQsnm^  the  prisoners.  Zeid  remained,  therefore,  without 
the  wh&s,  ami  sent  in  a  message  to  Kenanah^  the  brother 
of  Abol  Aass,  informing  him  of  the  compact,  and  a}^int- 
ing  a  place  where  Zemab  should  be  debrered  into  his 
hfflids.  Senonah  set  ou£t  to  eonduct  her  thither  in  a  litter. 
On  Ihe  way  he  was  beset  by  a  throne  of  Koreishites,  deter- 
m^bied  to  prevent  the  daughter  of  Mahomet  from  bein^ 
restored  to  him.  In  the  confrision,  one  Habbar  Ibn  Aswad 
made  a  thrust  at  Ihe  litter  with  a  lance,  which,  had  not 
¥enanah  parried  it  with  his  bow^  might  have  proved  fetal 
to  Zeinab.  Abu  Sofum  was  attracted  to  the  place  by  the 
noifie  and  tiunult,  and  rebuked  Kenanah  for  restoring 
Mahomet's  dau^ter  thus  publidhr,  as  it  rakght  be  con- 
strued into  a  weak  concession ;  Zeinab  was  ti^en  back, 
th^efore,  to  her  home,  and  iKenanah  delivered  her  up 
secretly  to  Zeid  in  the  course  of  the  following  night. 

Mahomet  was  so  execrated  at  hearing  of  me  attack 
on  his  daughter,  Ihot  he  ordered  whoever  idiould  take ' 
Habbar,  to  bum  him  abve.  When  his  n^  hod  subsided, 
he  modified  this  command.  ^It  is  for  Grod  alone,"  said 
he,  "  to  punish  man  with  fire.  If  taken,  let  Habbar  be 
put  to  death  with  the  sword." 

The  recent  triumph  of  the  Moslems  at  Beder  struck  the 
Koreishites  of  Mecca  with  astonishment  and  mortifica- 


y  Google 


UALEIHCnOK  09  ABU  LAHAB.  95 

tion.  The  man  so  recently  driren  a  fimtiye  firom  their 
walls,  had  suddenly  started  iip  a  powerfmfoe.  Seyend  oC 
their  bGravest  and  most  important  men  had  fidlen  beneath 
his  sword;  others  were  his  captives,  and  awaited  a  humi- 
liating ransmn.  Abu  Lahah,  the  unde  of  Mahomet,  and 
always  his  yehement  opposer,  had  been  unable,  from 
illness,  to  tf^ce  i^e  field.  Me  died  a  few  days  after  hearing 
ef  the  yictory,  his  death  being  hastened  by  the  exaspera^ 
tion  of  his  sprits.  Pious  Moslems,  however,  attribute  it 
to  the  curse  pronounced  by  Mahomet  aforetime  on  bim 
and  his  fcimfly,  when  he  raised  his  hand  to  hurl  a  stone  at 
tiie  {>rophet  on  the  hill  of  Safa.  That  ourse,  say  they,  fell 
heavily  also  on  his  eoa  Otho,  who  had  repudiated  the 
prophet's  daughter  Bokaia;  he  was  torn  to  pieces  by  a 
Bon,  in  the  presence  of  a  whole  caravan,  when  on  a  journey 
to  Syria. 

By  no  one  was  the  recent  defeat  at  Beder  felt  so 
severely  as  by  Abu  Sofian.  He  reached  Mecca  in  safety  with 
his  caravan,  it  is  true;  but  it  was  to  hear  of  the  triumph  of 
the  man  he  detested,  and  to  find  his  home  desolate.  His 
wife  Henda  met  him  with  frmtie  lamentations  icMt  the  death 
of  her  father,  her  unde,  and  her  brother.  Bage  mingled 
with  her  grief,  and  she  cried  night  and  day  for  vengeance 
on  Hamza  and  Ali,  by  whose  hamds  they  had  fallen.* 

Abu  Sofian  summoned  two  hundred  fleet  horsemen,  each 
with  a  sack  of  meal  at  his  saddle-bow,  the  scanty  provi- 
sions of  an  Arab  for  a  foray ;  as  he  sallied  forth  he  vowed 
neither  to  anoint  his  head,  perfume  his  beard,  nor  approach 
a  female,  until  he  had  met  Mahomet  face  to  fiioe.  ocouring 
the  country  to  within  three  miles  of  the  gates  of  Medina, 
he  slew  two  of  the  prophet's  followers,  ravaged  the  fields, 
and  burnt  the  date-trees. 

Mahomet  sallied  forth  to  meet  him  at  the  head  of  a 

*  It  is  a  received  law  among  all  the  Arabs,  tbat  wfaoerer  sheds  tha 
hlood  of  a  man,  owes  blood  on  tbat  aoeonnt  to  the  UMty  of  the  alaia 
penom.  This  aDdent  law  is  sanetioned  by  the  Koran.  **  O  true  be- 
lievers, the  law  of  retaliation  is  ordained  to  you  for  the  slain ;  the  free 
shall  die  for  the  free."  The  blood  revenge,  or  Thar,  as  it  is  termed  in 
Arabic  is  claimed  by  the  relatives  of  all  who  have  been  killed  in  open 
war,  and  not  merely  of  the  actual  homicide,  but  of  all  hit  relations.  For 
those  killed  in  wars  between  two  tribes,  the  price  of  blood  is  reqnifed. 
jfrmn  the  pecsons  who  were  known  to  have  aotnaUy  killed  them. 

The  Arab  regards  this  blood  revenge  as  one  of  his  most  sacred  rights, 
as  well  as  duties ;  no  earthly  consideration  coold  induce  him  to  give  it 
up.  He  has  a  proverbial  saying,  **  Were  hell-fire  to  be  my  lot,  I  would 
not  relln^piish  the  Thar-^-^See  Murdckmnk,  v.  i.,  Z14,  NotM. 

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^  LIFB  OF  HAHOUBT. 

superior  force.  Abu  Sofian,  refi^ardless  of  Ms  tow,  did  not 
iawftit  his  approach,  but  turned  bridle  and  fled.  His  troop 
clattered  after  him,  throwing  off  their  sacks  of  meal  in 
the  hurry  of  their  flight ;  wnence  this  scampering  affair 
was  derisiyelj[  called,  "  Tlie  war  of  the  meal  sacks." 

Moslem  writers  record  an  imminent  risk  of  t^e  prophet^ 
while  yet  in  the  field  on  this  occasion.  He  was  one  day 
sleeping  alone  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  at  a  distance  from  his 
camp,  when  he  was  awakened  by  a  noise,  and  beheld 
Durthur,  a  hostile  warrior,  standing  over  him  with  a  drawn 
sword.  "  Oh,  Mahomet,"  cried  he,  "  who  is  there  now  to 
save  thee  P"  "God!"  replied  the  prophet.  Struck  with 
conyiction,  Durthur  let  fall  his  sword,  which  was  instantly 
«ei2ed  upon  by  Mahomet.  Brandishing  the  weanon,  he 
exclaimed  in  turn,  **  Who  is  there  now  to  save  mee,  oh 
Durthur  P"  "  Alas,  no  one !"  replied  the  soldier.  "  Then 
learn  from  me  to  be  merciful."  So  saying,  he  returned 
the  sword.  The  heart  of  the  warrior  was  overcome ;  he 
acknowledged  Mahomet  aa  the  prophet  of  God,  and  em- 
braced the  faith. 

As  if  the  anecdote  were  not  sufficiently  marvellous,  other 
devout  Moslems  affirm  that  the  deliverance  of  Mahomet 
was  through  the  intervention  of  the  angel  Gabriel,  who,  at 
the  moment  Durthur  was  about  to  strike,  save  him  a  blow 
on  the  breast  with  his  invisible  hand,  which  caused  him  to 
let  fall  his  sword. 

About  this  time  the  £oreishites  of  Mecca  bethought 
themselves  of  tiie  relatives  and  disciples  of  Mahomet  ^o 
bad  tf^en  refuge  from  their  persecutions  in  Abyssinia; 
most  of  whom  still  remained  there  under  ihe  protection  of 
ike  Najashee,  or  Abyssinian  king.  To  this  potentate  the 
iKoreisnites  sent  an  embassy  to  obtdn  the  persons  of  the 
fimtives.  One  of  the  ambassadors  was  Abdallah  Ibn 
Sabia ;  another  was  Amru  Ibn  Al  Aass,  the  distin^shed 
poet  who  had  assailed  Mahomet  at  the  outset  of  ms  mis- 
sion with  lampoons  and*  madrigals.  He  was  now  more 
matured  in  years,  and  as  remarkable  for  his  acute  sasaciiy 
as  for  his  poetic  talents.  He  was  still  a  redoubtable  op- 
ponent of  the  faith  of  Islam,  of  which  in  after  years  her 
was  to  prove  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  distmguished 


Amru  and  Abdallah  opened  their  embassy  in  the  oriental 
■style  by  the  parade  of  nch  presents,  and  tnen  requested, 
in  the  name  of  the  Koreish  authorities  of  Mecca,  that  the 
fugitives  might  be  delivered  up  to  them.    The  king  was  a 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


OBOWINO  POWEl.  97 

just  man,  and  summoned  the  Moslems  before  him  to  ex- 
plain this  new  and  dangerous  heresy  of  which  they  we» 
accused.  Amon^  their  number  was  Giafar,  or  Janar,  the 
son  of  Abu  Taleb,  and  brother  of  Ali,  consequently  the 
cousin  of  Mahomet.  He  was  a  manof  persuasiye  eloquence 
and  a  most  prepossessing  appearance.  He  stood  forth  on 
this  occasion,  and  expound^  the  doctrines  of  Islun  with 
zeal  and  power.  The  king,  who,  as  has  been  observed, 
was  a  Nestorian  Christian,  found  these  doctrines  so  similar 
in  many  respects  to  those  of  his  sect,  and  so  opposed  to 
the  gross  idolatry  of  the  Koreishites,  that,  so  far  from 
giving  up  the  fugitires,  he  took  them  more  especially  into 
favour  and  protection,  and  returning  to  Amru  and  Abdal- 
lah  the  presents  they  had  brought,  dismissed  them  from 
his  court. 


CHAPTEB  XTX. 

Qiowing  power  of  Mahomet — ^His  reseDtment  against  the  Jews. — ^In- 
sult to  an  Arab  damsel  hj  the  Jewish  tribe  of  Kainoka.— A  tmnolt. 
— The  Beni  Kainoka  take  refhge  in  their  castle. — Subdued  and 
punished  by  confiscation  and  banishment. — Marriage  of  Othman  to 
the  prophet's  daughter,  0mm  Kolthum,  and  of  the  prophet  to 
Ha&a. 

'Thx  battle  of  Beder  had  oomi>letely  changed  the  position 
of  Mahomet ;  he  was  now  a  triumphant  cmef  of  a  growing 
power.  The  idolatrous  tribes  of  Arabia  were  easfly  con- 
verted to  a  faith  which  flattered  their  predatory  inclina- 
tions with  the  hope  of  spoil,  and  which,  after  all,  professed 
but  to  bring  them  back  to  the  primitive  reli^on  of  their 
ancestors ;  the  first  cavalcade,  therefore,  whicn  entered  tiiie 
gates  of  Medina  with  the  plunder  of  a  camp,  made  con- 
verts of  almost  all  its  heathen  inhabitants,  and  gave  Ma- 
homet the  control  of  the  city.  His  own  tone  now  became 
altered,  and  he  spoke  as  a  lawgiver  and  a  sovereign.  The 
first  evidence  of  this  change  of  feeling  was  in  his  treat- 
ment of  the  Jews,  of  whom  there  were  three  principal  and 
powerM  families  in  Medina. 

All  the  concessions  made  by  him  to  that  stiff-necked 
Tace  had  proved  fruitless :  they  not  only  remained  stubborn 
in  unbelief,  but  treated  him  and  his  doctrines  with  ridi- 
cule.   Assma,  the  daughter  of  Merwan,  a  Jewish  poetess. 


JZ 

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PB  LIFB  07  XAMOMBT. 

wrote  sfttires  a^amst  liim.  Ske  waspnt  to  death  by  one  of 
las  fanatie  disciples.  Abu  Afak,  an  Israelite,  one  hundred 
and  twenty-  years  of  age,  was  likewise  slain  for  indulging  in 
wtire  against  the  prophet.  £!aab  Ibn  Aschra£  anower 
Jewish  poet,  repaired  to  Mecca  after  the  battle  of  Beder, 
and  endeayonred  to  stir  np  the  Koreishites  to  yengeanoe« 
reciting  verses  in  which  he  extolled  the  yirtnes  fuid  be- 
wailed the  death  of  those  of  their  tribe  who  had  fallen  in 
the  battle.  Such  was  his  infatuation,  that  he  recited  these 
▼erses  in  public,  on  his  return  to  Medina,  and  in  the  pre- 
Bence  of  some  of  the  prophet's  adherents  who  were  related 
to  the  slain.  Stu^  oy  this  invidious  hostility,  Mahomet 
one  day  exclaimed  in  his  anger,  "  Who  will  rid  me  of  this 
son  of  Aschraf  P"  Within  a  &w  days  afterwards,  Xaab  naid 
for  his  poetry  with  his  life;  being  slain  by  a  zealous 
Ansarian  of  the  Awsite  tribe. 

An  event  at  length  occurred  which  caused  the  anger  of 
Mahomet  against  ike  Jews  to  break  out  in  open  hostility.  A 
damsel  of  one  of  the  pastoral  tribes  of  Arabs,  who  brought 
milk  to  the  city,  was  one  day  in  the  quarter  inhabitedlby 
the  Beni  Kainoka,  or  children  of  Kalnoka,  one  of  the  three 
principal  Jewish  families.  Here  she  was  accosted  by  a 
number  of  young  Israelites,  who,  having  heard  her  beauty 
extoUed,  besought  her  to  uncover  her  face.  The  damsel  re- 
fused an  act  contrary  to  the  laws  of  propriety  among  her 
people.  A  young  goldsmith,  whose  shop  was  hard  by, 
secretly  fastened  me  end  of  her  veil  to  the  bench  on  which 
she  was  sitting,  so  that  when  she  rose  to  depart,  the  garment 
remained,  and  her  £m^  was  exposed  to  view.  Upon  this 
there  was  laughter  and  sco£5n^  among  the  young  Israelites* 
and  the  damsel  stood  in  the  midst  confounded  and  abashed. 
A  Moslem  pres^it,  resenting  the  shame  put  upon  her, 
drew  his  sword,  and  thrust  it  through  the  body  of  the 
goldsmith;  he  in  his  turn  was  instantly  slain  by  ihe 
Israelites.  The  Mosl^ns  from  a  neighbouring  quarter  flew 
to  arms,  the  Beni  Kainoka  did  the  same,  but  being  inferior 
in  numbers,  took  refuge  in  a  stronghold.  Mahomet  inter- 
fered to  ^uell  the  tamult ;  but,  Being  generally  exaspe- 
rated against  the  Israelites,  insisted  timt  the  offendmff 
tribe  should  forthwith  embrace  Ihe  faith.  They  jdeaded 
the  treaty  which  he  had  made  with  them  on  his  coming 
to  Medina,  by  which  they  were  allowed  the  ^oyment 
of  their  religion;  but  he  was  not  to  be  moved.  For  some 
time  the  ^n  Emnoka  refused  to  yield,  and  remained 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


UA3XU&E  WITH  MATZA,  9^ 

obstinately  slitit  up  in  their  ftrondiold ;  but  famiiie  com- 
pelled them  to  SHirender.  Abda&ah  Ihn  Obba  Sol^  tke 
leader  of  the  !Khazradite8,  who  waa  a  protect<»r  of  this 
Jeindsh  tribe,  interfered  in  their  favour,  and  prevented 
their  being  put  to  the  sword ;  but  their  wealth  and  effects 
were  con£cated,  and  they  were  banished  to  Syria,  to  the 
number  of  seven  hundred  men. 

The  arms  and  riches  aceruing  to  the  prophet  and  his 
followers  from  this  confiscation,  were  of  great  avail  in  the 
ensuing  wars  of  the  faith.  Among  the  weapons  which  £b11 
to  the  share  of  Mahomet,^are  enumerated  three  swords; 
Medham,  the  'Keen,  Al  Battar,  the  Trenchant,  and  Hatef, 
the  Deadly.  Two  lances,  Al  Monthari,  the  Disperser,  and 
Al  Monthawi,  the  Destroyer.  A  cuirass  of  silver,  named  Al 
iFadha,  and  another  named  Al  Saadia,  said  to  have  been 
^en  by  Saul  to  David  when  about  to  encounter  Gohath. 
There  waa  a  bow,  too,  called  Al  Catdm,  or  the  Strong,  but 
it  did  not  answer  to  its  name,  for  in  the  first  batue  in 
whidi  the  prophet  used  it,  he  drew  it  with  sudi  force  that 
he  broke  it  in  pieoes.  In  general,  he  used  Hhe  Arabian 
kmd  of  bow,  with  appropriate  aifrows  and  lances,  and  for- 
bade his  followers  to  use  those  of  Persia. 

Mahomet  now  sought  no  longer  to  conciliate  the  Jews ; 
on  the  contrary,  Hmy  became  objects  of  his  religious 
hostility.  He  revoked  the  regulation  by  which  he  had 
made  Jerusalem  the  Kebla  or  point  of  prayer,  and  estab- 
lished Mecca  in  its  viace ;  towards  whidi,  ever  since,  the 
Mahometans  turn  ti^ir  faces  when  performing  their  de- 
votions. 

The  death  of  the  prophet*s  daughter  Bokaia  had  been 
properly  deplored  by  her  husband  Othman.  To  console 
the  latter  for  his  loss,  Omar,  his  brother  in  arms,  offered 
him,  in  the  course  of  the  y^ar,  his  daughter  Hafza  for 
wife.  She  was  the  widow  of  Hobash,  a  Sumunite,  eighteen 
years  of  age,  and  of  tempting  beauty,  yet  Othman  de- 
dined  the  match.  Omar  was  indignant  at  what  he  con- 
ceived a  slight  to  his  daughter  and  to  himself,  and  com- 
l^ained  of  it  to  Mahomet.  "  Be  not  jgrieved,  Omar," 
reined  the  rn^het,  "  a  better  wifift  is  <£stined  for  Oth- 
man, and  a  better  husband  for  thy  daughter."  He  in 
effect  gave  his  own  daughter,  Owam  KoLwrny  to  Othman» 
and  took  the  fair  Hafza  to  wife  himself.  By  these  politic 
^Hances  he  grappled  both  Othman  and  Omar  more 
strongly  to  his  side,  while  he  gratified  his  own  indinations 


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789737  A 


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100  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

for  female  beauty.  Hafza,  nexfc  to  Ayeslia,  was  the  most 
fiiToured  of  liis  wives,  and  was  entrusted  with  the  coflTer 
containing  the  chapters  and  yerses  of  the  Koran  aa  they 
were  revealed. 


CHAPTEE  XX. 

Hends  incites  Abu  Sofian  and  the  Koreishites  to  revenge  the  death  of 
her  relations  slain  in  the  battle  of  Beder. — The  Koreishites  sally 
forth,  followed  by  Henda  and  her  female  companions. — Battle  of 
Ohod. — Ferocious  triumph  of  Henda. — ^Mahomet  consoles  himself  by 
marrying  Hend,  the  daughter  of  Omeya. 

As  the  power  of  Mahomet  increased  in  Medina,  the 
hostiUty  of  the  Koreishites  in  Mecca  augmented  in  viru- 
lence. Abu  Sofian  held  command  in  the  sacred  ci^,  and 
was  incessantiiy  urged  to  warfare  by  his  wife  Henda, 
whose  fierce  spirit  could  take  no  rest,  untQ  "blood 
revenge"  had  been  wreaked  on  those  by  whom  her  father 
and  brother  had  been  slain.  Akrema,  also,  a  son  of  Abu 
Jahl,  and  who  inherited  his  father's  hatred  of  the  pK)phet, 
clamoured  for  vengeance.  In  the  third  year  of  the  Hegira, 
therefore,  the  year  after  the  battle  of  'beder,  Abu  Sofian 
took  the  field  at  the  head  of  three  thousand  men,  most 
of  them  Koreishites,  though  there  were  also  Arabs  of  the 
tribes  of  Kanana  and  Tehama.  Seven  hundred  were 
armed  with  corselets,  and  two  hundred  were  horsemen. 
Akrema  was  one  of  the  captains,  as  was  also  Kaled  Ibn  al 
Waled,  a  warrior  of  indomitable  valour,  who  aftierwards 
rose  to  great  renown.  The  banners  were  borne  in  front 
bv  the  race  of  Abd  al  Dar,  a  branch  of  the  tribe  of 
Koreish,  who  had  a  hereditary  right  to  the  foremost 
place  in  council,  the  foremost  rank  m  battle,  and  to  bear 
the  standard  in  the  advance  of  the  army. 

In  the  rear  of  the  host  followed  the  vindictive  Henda^ 
with  fifteen  principal  women  of  Mecca,  relatives  of  those 
slain  in  the  cattle  of  Beder;  sometimes  filling  the  air 
with  wailings  and  lamentations  for  the  dead;  at  other 
times  animating  the  troops  with  the  sound  of  timbrels 
and  warlike  chsmts.  As  tney  passed  through  the  village 
of  Abwa,  where  Amina  the  mother  of  Mahomet  was 
interred,  Henda  was  with  diflSculty  prevented  firom 
tearing  the  mouldering  bones  out  of  the  grave. 

Al  Abbaa,  the  uncle  of  Mahometi  who  still  resided  in, 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


BATTLE  OP  OnOD.  101 

Mecca,  and  was  considered  hostile  to  the  new  faith, 
seeing  that  destruction  threatened  his  nephew  should  that 
army  come  upon  him  by  surnrise,  sent  secretly  a  S¥nft 
messenger  to  inform  him  of  his  danger.  Mahomet  was 
at  the  village  of  Koba,  when  the  message  reached  him. 
He  immediately  hastened  back  to  Medina,  and  called  a 
council  of  his  principal  adherents.  Eepresenting  the 
insufficiency  of  their  force  to  take  the  fielo,  he  gave  it  as 
his  opinion  that  they  should  await  an  attack  in  Medina, 
where  the  very  women  and  children  could  aid  them  by 
hurling  stones  from  the  house-tops.  The  elder  among 
his  foflowers  joined  in  his  opinion ;  but  the  young  men, 
of  heady  valour  at  all  times,  and  elated  by  the  late  victory 
at  Beder,  cried  out  for  a  fair  fight  in  the  open  field. 

Mahomet  yielded  to  their  clamours,  but  his  forces, 
when  mustered,  were  scarce  a  thousand  men;  one 
hundred  only  had  cuirasses,  and  but  two  were  horsemen. 
The  hearts  of  those  recently  so  clamorous  to  sally  forth, 
now  misgave  them,  and  they  would  fain  await  the 
encounter  within  the  walls.  "No,"  replied  Mahomet, 
"  it  becomes  not  a  prophet  when  once  he  has  drawn  the 
sword  to  sheathe  it ;  nor  when  once  he  has  advanced,  to 
turn  back,  until  God  has  decided  between  him  and  the 
foe."  So  saving,  he  led  forth  his  army.  Part  of  it  wag  . 
composed  of  Jews  and  Xhazradites,  led  by  Abdallah  Ibn 
Obba  Solul.  Mahomet  declined  the  assistance  of  the 
Jews,  unless  they  embraced  the  faith  of  Islam,  and  as 
they  reftised,  he  ordered  them  back  to  Medina;  upon 
which  their  protector,  Abdallah,  turned  back  also  with 
his  Ehazradites  ;  thus  reducing  the  army  to  about  seven 
hundred  men. 

With  this  small  force  Mahomet  posted  himself  upon 
the  hill  of  Ohod,  about  six  miles  from  Medina.  His 
position  was  partly  defended  by  rocks  and  the  asperities 
of  the  hill,  and  archers  were  stationed  to  protect  nim  in 
fiank  and  rear  from  the  attacks  of  cavalry.  He  wa« 
armed  with  a  helmet  and  two  shirts  of  mail.  On  his 
sword  was  engraved,  "  Fear  brings  disgrace ;  forward 
lies  honour.  Cowardice  saves  no  man  &om  his  fate." 
As  he  was  not  prone  to  take  an  active  part  in  battle,  he 
confided  his  sword  to  a  brave  warrior,  Abu  Dudjana,  who 
Ewore  to  wield  it  as  long  as  it  had  edge  and  temper.  For 
himself,  he,  as  usual,  tooK  a  commanding  stand  whence  he 
mijrfit  overlook  the  field. 
The  Xoreishites,  confident   in   their  numbeirs,  came 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


102  LIFE  OF  KAHOUST. 

marcliing  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  with  banners  flying. 
A-bu  So&n  led  the  eentre ;  there  were  a  hundred  horse- 
men cm  eadi  wing ;  the  left  commanded  by  Akrema,  the 
son  of  Abu  Jahl,  the  nght  by  £haled  Ibn  al  Waled.  Aft 
i^y  adyaaeed,  Henda  and  bser  companions  struck  their 
timbrelB  and  chanted  their  war  song;  shrieking  out  at 
mterraifi  ^e  names  of  those  who  had  been  slain  in  the 
imUle  of  Beder«  ^*  Courage,  sons  of  Abd  al  Dar !"  cried 
iiiey  to  the  standard-bearers.  "Forward  to  the  flghtl 
dose  with  i3a.e  foe !  strike  home  and  spare  not !  Sharp  be 
your  swords  and  pitiless  your  hearts  !  * 

Mahomet  r^irmined  the  impatience  of  his  troops; 
ordering  them  not  to  commence  the  flght,  but  to  stand 
firm  and  T»fliTiiM.iTi  their  advantafe  of  iSe  rising  ground. 
Above  all,  the  ardbers  were  to  Eeep  to  their  p^,  let  the 
battle  go  as  it  might,  lest  the  cavalry  should  fall  upon  his 
rear. 

GHie  horsemen  of  the  left  wing,  led  by  Akrema,  now 
attempted  to  take  the  Moslems  in  flai^L,  but  were  repulsed 
by  the  archears,  and  retreated  in  confusion.  Upon  this 
ITaTOMi.  get  up  Ae  Moslem  war-cry,  Amit !  amit !  (Death ! 
death !)  and  rushed  down  with  his  forces  upon  the  centre. 
Abu  Dudjana  was  at  his  right  hand«  armed  with  the 
MTord  of  Mahomet,  and  havmg  a  red  band  round  his 
kead,  on  whidi  was  writt^i,  "Help  comes  &om  Grod! 
TOtory  is  ours !" 

The  enemy  were  staggered  by  the  shock.  Abu  Dud|ana 
daahed  into  the  midst  of  theni,  dealing  deadly  blows  on 
erery  aide,  and  exdiaiming,  *'  The  sword  of  Oiod  and  his 
raopheti"  Sev^i  standard-bearers,  of  the  race  of  Abd  el 
i)ar,  were,  one  after  the  other,  struck  down«  and  the 
centre  began  to  yield.  The  Moslem  archers,  thinking  the 
victory  secure,  ^cogot  the  cconmands  of  Mahomet,  and 
leaving  their  post,  du^ersed  in  quest  of  spoil,  crying 
"  Boofy]  booty!"  Upon  this  Khaled,  rallying  the  horse, 
got  possession  <^  the  ground  abandoned  iy  tne  archers* 
attaAed  the  Moslems  in  rear,  put  some  to  ffight,  and 
threw  the  rest  in  confusion.  lii  the  midst  of  the  confusion 
ft  horseman,  Obbij  Ibn  Chalaf  by  name,  pressed  through 
the  throng,  crying,  "Where  is  MahometP  There  is  no 
safety  whSe  he  hves."  But  Mahomet,  seizing  a  lance 
from  an  attendant,  thrust  it  through  ihe  throat  of  the 
idolator,  who  fell  dead  frcan  his  horse.  "  Thus,"  says  the 
pious  Al  Jannabi,  "  died  this  enemy  of  Grod,  who,  some 
years  before,  had  menaced  the  prophet,  saying,  '  I  shall 


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BXTTLB  07  OHOD«  103 

find  a  day  to  alar  tiiee.*    '  Hare  a  care,'  was  die  reply; 
*  if  it  please  Allali,  thou  tiiyself  shall  fiill  beneath  mv 

In  the  midst  of  the  m^l^  a  stone  ^tom  a  sling  struck 
Mahomet  on  the  month,  cutting  his  lip  and  knocking  oat 
xme  of  lus  front  teeth;  he  was  wonnaed  in  the  face  idso 
by  an  arrow,  ihe  iron  head  of  which  remained  in  the 
womod.  Hamea,  too,  while  slaying  a  XoreisJiite,  was 
transfixed  by  the  lance  of  Waksa,  an  Ethiopian  slaye,  who 
bad  been  promised  his  freedom  if  he  shonid  rerenge  the 
death  of  his  master,  slain  by  fiamca  in.  the  battle  of  Bedi^. 
Mosaab  Ibn  Omair,  also,  who  bore  the  standard  of  Ma- 
bomet,  was  laid  low,  bnt  Ali  seized  the  sacred  banner  and 
bore  it  aloft  amidst  the  storm  of  battle. 

As  Mosaab  resembled  the  prophet  in  person,  a  shout 
was  put  np  by  the  enany  that  Mahomet  was  slam.  The 
Xoreidiites  were  inspired  with  redoubled  ardonr  at  the 
ftonnd;  the  Moslems  ned  in  despair,  bearing  with  Hiem  Abu 
Beker  and  Omar,  who  were  wounded.  Kaab,  the  s<m  of 
Malek,howeTer,  beheld  Mahomet  lying  among  ^e  wounded 
in  a  ditch,  and  knew  him  by  his  armour.  "  Cm,  believers  !** 
(»ied  he,  "  the  prophet  of  God  yet  lives.  To  the  rescue  f 
to  the  rescuer  Mahomet  was  drawn  forth,  and  borne  up 
the  hill  to  the  summit  of  a  rode,  where  the  Moslems  pre- 
pared for  a  desperate  defence,  llie  Xoreishites,  howeFer, 
thinking  Mah<miet  slain,  Ibrbore  to  pursue  them,  ecm* 
tenting  themsdres  with  plundering  and  nmtnating  the 
dead.  Henda  and  her  female  companions  w^e  foremost 
in  the  savage  work  of  vengeance;  and  the  ferocious  hernae 
sought  to  tear  out  and  devour  the  heart  of  Hamza.  Abu 
8o&n  bore  a  part  of  the  mangled  bo^  upon  his  lanee^ 
and  descending  the  hill  in  taiumph,  exclaimed,  exoltinglTf 
"  War  has  its  vicissitudes.  The  battle  of  Ohod  suooeeaa 
to  the  battle  of  Bedrar.*; 

The  Koreishites  having  wi&drawn,  Mahomet  descended 
from  the  rock  and  visited  the  field  of  battle.  At  si^ht  of 
the  body  of  his  undo  Hamza,  so  brutally  mangled  and 
mutilated*  he  vowed  to  inflict  like  outrage  on  seventy  of 
the  enemy  when  in  his  power.  His  grie(  we  are  told, 
was  soothed  by  the  angel  Gabriel,  who  assured  him  that 
Hamza  was  enre^istered  an  inhabitant  of  the  seventh 
heaven,  by  the  title  of  **  The  lion  of  God  and  of  his 
prophet." 

The  bodies  of  the  slain  were  interred  two  and  two,  and 
three  and  three,  in  tJie  places  where  they  had  fallen.    Ma* 

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104  LIFE  OF  MAHOICXT. 

hornet  forbade  liis  followers  to  mourn  for  the  dead  by 
cutting  off  their  hair,  rending  their  garments,  aiid  the 
other  modes  of  Lunentation  usual  amons  the  Arabs ;  but 
he  consented  that  they  should  weep  for  tne  dead,  as  tears 
relieve  the  overladen  neart. 

The  night  succeeding  the  battle  was  one  of  great  dis- 
quietude, lest  the  Koreishites  should  make  another  attack; 
or  should  surprise  Medina.  On  the  following  day  he 
marched  in  the  direction  of  that  city,  hovering  near  the 
enemy,  and  on  the  return  of  night  lighting  numerous 
watch-fires.  Abu  Sofian,  however,  had  received  intelli- 
gence that  Mahomet  was  still  alive.  He  felt  himself  too 
weak  to  attack  the  city,  therefore,  while  Mahomet  was  in 
the  field,  and  mi^ht  come  to  its  assistance ;  and  he  feared 
that  the  latter  might  be  reinforced  by  its  inhabitants,  and 
seek  him  with  superior  numbers.  Contenting  himself, 
therefore,  with  the  recent  victory,  he  made  a  truce  with 
the  Moslems  for  a  year,  and  returned  in  triumph  to 
Mecca.  — 

Mahomet  sought  consolation  for  this  mortifying  defeat 
by  taking  to  himself  another  wife,  Hend,  the  daughter  of 
Omeya,  a  man  of  great  influence.  She  was  a  widow,  and 
had,  with  lier  husband,  been  among  the  number  of  the 
fugitives  in  Abyssinia.  She  was  now  twenty-eight  years 
of  age,  and  had  a  son  named  Salma,  whence  she  was  com- 
monly called  0mm  Salma,  or  the  Mother  of  Sabna.  Being 
distinguished  for  grace  and  beauty,  she  had  been  sought  by 
Abu  Beker  and  Omar,  but  without  success.  Even  Ma- 
homet at  first  met  with  difficulty.  "  Alas !"  said  she, 
"  what  happiness  can  the  prophet  of  God  expect  with  me  P 
I  am  no  longer  young;  I  have  a  son,  and  I  am  of  a  jealous 
disposition.  "  As  to  thy  age,"  replied  Mahomet,  "thou 
art  much  younger  than  I.  As  to  thy  son,  I  will  be  a 
father  to  him:  as  to  thy  jealous  disposition,  I  will  pray 
Allah  to  root  it  from  thy  heart." 

A  separate  dwelling  was  prepared  for  the  bride,  ad- 
jacent to  the  mosque.  The  household  goods,  as  stated  by 
a  Moslem  writer,  consisted  of  a  sack  of  barley,  a  hand- 
inill,  a  pan,  and  a  pot  of  lard  or  butter.  Such  were  as  yet 
the  narrow  means  of  the  prophet;  or  rather,  such  the 
frugaliiy  of  his  habits  and  the  simplicity  of  Arab  life. 


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106 


CHAPTEB  XXL 

Treachery  of  certain  Jewish  tribes ;  fheir  panidimeiit.— Derotton  of  tiie 
prophet* a  fireedman,  Zeid ;  divoroea  Ua  beantiftil  wift  Zetnah,  that 
she  may  become  the  wift  of  the  prophet. 

The  defeat  of  Makomet  at  the  battle  of  Ohod  acted  for  a 
time  xmfayoiirably  to  his  caose  among  some  of  the  Arab 
and  Jewish  tribes,  as  was  eyinced  by  certain  acts  of  perfidy. 
The  inhabitants  of  two  towns,  Adhal  and  Kara,  sent  a 
deputation  to  him,  professing  an  inclination  to  embrace  the 
faith,  and  requesting  missionaries  to  teach  them  its  doc- 
trines. He  accordingly  sent  six  disci{>les  to  accompany 
the  deputation ;  but  on  the  journey,  wmle  reposing  by  the 
brook  Kadje  within  the  boundaries  of  the  Hodseitites,  the 
deputies  fell  upon  the  unsuspecting  Moslems,  slew  four  of 
them,  and  earned  the  other  two  to  Mecca,  where  they  gave 
them  up  to  the  Koreishites,  who  put  them  to  death. 

A  similar  act  of  treacheiywas  practised  by  the  people  of 
the  province  of  Nadjed.  Fretending  to  be  Moslems,  they 
sought  succour  from  Mahomet  against  their  enemies.  Bfe 
sent  a  number  of  his  followers  to  their  aid,  who  were  at- 
tacked by  the  Beni  Suleim  or  Suleimites,  near  the  brook 
Manna,  about  four  days'  journey  from  Medina,  and  slain 
almost  to  a  man.  One  of  the  Moslems,  Amru  Ibn  Omeya, 
escaped  the  carnage  and  made  for  Medina.  On  the  way 
he  met  two  unarmed  Jews  of  the  Beni  Amir;  either  mis- 
taking these  for  enemies,  or  provoked  to  wanton  raf  e  by 
the  death  of  his  comrades,  he  fell  upon  them  and  slew 
them.  The  tribe,  who  were  at  peace  with  Mahomet, 
called  upon  him  for  redress.  He  referred  the  matter  to 
the  mediation  of  another  Jewish  tribe,  the  Beni  Nadher, 
who  had  rich  possessions  and  a  castle,  called  Zohra,  within 
three  miles  of  Medina.  This  tribe  had  engaged  by  treaty, 
when  he  came  a  fugitive  from  Mecca,  to  maintam  a  neu- 
trality between  him  and  his  opponents.  The  chief  of  this 
tribe  "being  now  ap^edto  as  a  mediator,  invited  Mahomet 
to  an  interview.  He  went,  accompanied  by  Abu  Beker, 
Omar,  Ali,  and  a  few  others.  A  repast  was  spread  in  the 
open  air  before  the  mansion  of  the  cnief.  Mahomet,  how- 
ever, received  private  information  that  he  had  been 
treacherously  decoyed  hither,  and  was  to  be  slain  as  he  sat 
at  the  repast:  it  is  said  that  he  was  to  be  crushed  by  a 

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106  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

mill-stone,  flung  from  the  terraced  roof  of  the  house. 
Without  intimating  his  knowledge  of  the  treason,  he  left 
the  company  abrupt^,  and  hastened  back  to  Medina. 

His  rage  was  now  kindled  against  the  whole  race  of 
Nadher,  and  he  ordered  them  to  leave  the  country  within 
ten  days  on  pain  of  death.  They  would  have  ^parted, 
but  Abdallah  the  Khaamdite  seozedy  persuaded  uiem  to 
stay  by  promising  them  aid.  He  failed  in  his  promise. 
The  Bern  Nadher,  thus  disappointed  by  the  "  Chief  of  the 
Hypocrites/'  shut  themselyes  up  in  th^  castle  of  Zohra» 
where  they  were  besieged  by  Mahomet,  who  cut  down 
and  burnt  the  date-trees,  on  which  they  depended  for  sup> 
pEes.  At  tibfi  euod  of  sic  days  they  capitulated,  and  were 
permitted  to  depart,  each  with  a  camel  load  of  eflectB» 
arms  excepted.  Some  were  bamshed  to  Syria»  others  to 
Xhaibar,  a  strong  Jewish  dty  and  fortress,  distant  several 
days*  journey  mim.  Medina.  As  the  tribe  was  wealthy^ 
Ihere  was  great  spoil,  which  Mahomet  took  entirely  to 
himself.  His  followers  demurred  that  this  was  oontnury 
to  the  law  of  parti^n  reyeided  in  the  Koran;  but  he  let 
them  know  that  aeeording  to  another  revelaticm,  all  booty 
gained,  like  the  present,  without  stnking  a  blow,  was  mat 
won  by  man,  but  was  a  gift  from  God,  and  must  be  deli* 
rered  over  to  the  prophet  to  be  expended  by  him  in  good 
mofA&i  and  the  relief  of  orphans,  of  the  poor,  and  the 
traveller.  Mahomet  in  effect  did  not  appropriate  it  to  his 
own  benefit,  but  shared  it  among  the  Mohadjerins,  or 
enles  from  Meoea;  two  ^adherite  Jews  who  had  embraced 
Islamism,  and  two  or  tiiiree  Ansarians  or  Auxiliaries  of 
Medina,  who  had  ^K>ved  themselves  worthy,  and  were 
poor. 

We  forbear  to  enter  into  details  of  various  petty  expe- 
ditions of  Mahcnnet  about  this  time,  one  of  which  extended 
to  the  neighbourhood  <^  Tabuk,  on  the  Syrian  frontier,  to 

Sunish  a  norde  which  had  plundered  the  caravans  of 
iedina.  These  expeditions  were  cheauered  in  their  re- 
sults, though  mostly  productive  of  oooty,  which  now 
began  to  occupy  tlie  minds  of  the  Moslems  almost  as 
much  as  the  propagation  of  the  fSutL  The  spoils  thus 
suddenly  gained  may  have  led  to  riot  and  debauchery,  as 
we  find  a  revelation  of  the  passage  of  the  K<»*an,  for- 
bidding wine  and  ffames  of  haaurd,  tiiose  fruitful  causes  of 
strife  uid  insubormnation  in  predaU^  camps. 

During  this  period  of  his  career,  Mahomet  in  xoxat  than 
OBe  instance  nazrowly  escaped  falliag  by  the  hand  of  an 

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DJEYOTXOir   OF  ZBID.  107 

assassiii.  He  liimself  is  duyiged  widi  ihe  use  of  inndioiu 
means  to  rid  himself  of  an  enemy ;  f<Mr  it  is  said  Uiat  he 
sent  Amra  Ibn  Omeya  on  a  secret  ^rand  to  Meoca,  to 
■annniriniitr  Aha  Sc^lan,  bat  that  the  piot  was  disoovered* 
and  the  assassin  only  escaped  by  rapid  flight.  The  charee, 
hioweyer,  is  not  well  sabstantiated,  and  is  contrary  to  his 
general  character  and  condnct. 

If  Mahomet  had  relentless  enemies,  he  had  devoted 
Mends,  an  instance  of  idiidi  we  hare  in  the  case  of  his 
freedmaa  and  adopted  son,  Zeid  Ibn  Horeth.  He  had 
been  one  of  the  fisst  eoQTerts  to  the  &ith,  and  one  of  its 
Bobost  Ta&nt  champions.  Mahomet  oonsolted  hxat  on  all 
occasions,  and  employed  him  in  his  domeslie  concerns. 
One  day  he  entered  his  house  with  the  freedom  with  which 
a  father  enters  the  dwelling  of  a  son.  Zeid  was  absent, 
but  Zeinab  his  wife,  whom  he  had  recently  married,  waa 
st  home.  She  was  the  danshter  of  Bjaseh,  of  the  conntry 
of  Sjubii,  and  considered  the  fairest  c^  her  tribe.  In  Ihe 
pnyacy  of  home  she  had  laid  aside  her  Teil  and  part  of  heft 
attire,  so  that  her  beaoty  stood  revealed  to  tbe  gaae  of 
Mahomet  on  his  sadden  entrance.  He  coold  not  refrain 
from  egressions  of  wonder  and  admiration,  to  which  she 
made  no  xepfy,  but  repeated  them  all  to  her  hnsbaiMl  <m 
bis  return.  2eid  knew  the  amoroos  sosoeptibility  of  Ma- 
homet, and  saw  that  he  had  been  captiyated  by  the  beaaty 
of  Zeinab.  Hastening  after  him,  he  offered  to  repodiate 
his  wife  ;  bat  the  prophet  forbade  it  as  eontrary  to  the  law. 
The  zeal  of  Zeid  was  not  to  be  chedked;  he  lored  his  beaa- 
tifol  wife,  bat  he  yenerated  Hie  pro^et,  and  he  diycaroed 
himself  without  dday .  "When  lie  requisite  term  of  sepa- 
ration had  elapsed,  Mahomet  accepted,  with  gratitude,  tibis 
pious  sacrifice.  His  nuptials  wim  Zeinab  surpassed  in 
splendour  all  his  other  maariages.    His  doors  were  tlurown 

rn  to  all  comers ;  tlwy  were  feasted  with  ike  flesh  of 
ep  and  lambs,  with  cakes  of  barley,  with  honey,  and 
fruits,  and  fayourite  beyerages;  so  ihej  ate  and  drank 
^eir  fin  and  then  departed—raOing  against  the  diyoroe  as 
shameful,  and  the  marriage  as  inceStuoua. 

At  this  critical  juncture  was  reyealed  that  part  of  the 
thirty-third  chapt«*  of  the  Koran,  £stingui^iing  r^lxyes 

S'  adoption  from  r^atiyes  by  blood,  according  to  which 
ere  was  no  sin  in  marryinff  one  who  had  been  the  wife  of 
an  adopted  son.  This  timefy  reyelation  pacified  the  faith- 
ful ;  but,  to  destroy  all  shadow  of  a  scruple,  Mahomet  re- 
yoked  his  adoption,  and  directed  Zeid  to  lennne  his 

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108  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

original  appellation  of  Ibn  Hareth,  after  Ids  natural  father. 
The  beautiful  Zeinab,  however,  boasted  thenceforth  a 
superiority  over  the  other  wives  of  the  prophet  on  the 
score  of  the  revelation,  alleging  that  her  marriage  was  or- 
dained by  heaven.* 


CHAPTEEXXn. 

Expedition  of  Mahomet  against  the  Beni  Moetalek. — ^He  espouses  Baira, 
a  captive. — Treachery  of  Abdallah  Ibn  Obba. — ^Ayesha  slandered.-- 
Her  vindication. — ^Her  innocence  proved  by  a  revelation. 

Among  the  Arab  tribes  which  ventured  to  take  up  arms 
against  Mahomet  after  his  defeat  at  Ohod,  were  the  Beni 
Mostalek,  a  powerM  race  of  Koreishite  origin.  Mahomet 
received  intelligence  of  their  being  assembled  in  warlike 
guise  under  their  prince  Al  Hareth,  near  the  wells  of  Mo- 
raasi,  in  the  territory  of  Xedaid,  and  within  five  miles  of 
the  Eed  Sea.  He  immediately  took  the  field  at  the  head 
of  a  chosen  band  of  the  faithful,  accompanied  by  numbers 
of  the  Khazradites,  led  by  their  chief  Abdallah  Ibn  Obba. 
By  a  rapid  movement  he  surprised  the  enemy ;  Al  Hareth 
was  kiUed  at  the  onset  by  the  flight  shot  of  an  arrow ;  his 
troops  fied  in  confusion  after  a  brief  resistance,  in  which  a 
few  were  slain.  Two  hundred  prisoners,  five  thousand 
sheep,  and  one  thousand  camels,  were  the  fruits  of  this 
easy  victory.  Amon^  the  captives  was  Barra,  the  daughter 
of  Al  Hareth,  and  wue  to  a  young  Arab  of  her  kin.  In 
the  division  of  the  spoil  she  fell  to  the  lot  of  Thabet  Ibn 
Eeis,  who  demanded  a  high  ransom.  The  captive  appealed 
to  Mahomet  against  this  extortion,  and  prayed  that  the 
ransom  might  be  mitigated.  The  prophet  regarded  her 
with  eyes  of  desire,  for  she  was  fair  to  look  upon.  '*  I  can 
serve  mee  better,"  said  he,  "  than  by  abating  thy  ransom: 
be  my  wife."  The  beautiful  Barra  gave  ready  consent ; 
her  ransom  was  paid  by  the  prophet  to  Thabet ;  her  kin- 
dred were  liberated  by  the  Moslems  to  whose  lot  they 
had  fallen ;  most  of  them  embraced  the  faith,  and  Barra 
became  the  wife  of  Mahomet  after  his  return  to  Medina. 

After  the  battle,  the  troops  crowded  round  the  wells  of 
MoraJLsi  to  assuage  their  thirst.    In  the  press  a  quarrel 

*  This  was  Mahomet's  second  wife  of  the  name  of  Zeinab ;  the  firtt, 
who  had  died  some  time  previous,  was  the  daughter  of  Chozeima. 

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TBBACHSBT  OF  ABDALLIH.  0^ 

Tose  between  some  of  the  Mohadjerins,  or  exiles  of  Mecca, 
and  the  Khazradites,  in  which  one  of  the  latter  received  a 
blow.  His  comrades  roshed  to  revenffe  the  insult,  and 
blood  wonld  hare  been  shed  but  for  me  interference  of 
Mahomet.  The  Khazradites  remained  incensed,  and  other 
of  the  people  of  Medina  made  common  cause  with  Ihem. 
AbdaUah  Ibn  Obba,  ea^er  to  take  advantage  of  every  cir- 
cumstance adverse  to  the  rising  power  of  Mahomet*  drew 
his  kindred  and  townsfolk  apart.  "Behold/'  said  he, 
"  the  insults  you  have  brought  upon  yourselves  by  har- 
bouring these  fugitive  Xoreisnites.  You  have  taken  them 
to  your  houses,  and  given  them  your  goods,  and  now  they 
turn  upon  and  nud&eat  you.  xhey  would  make  them- 
selves your  masters  even  in  your  own  house;  but  by 
Allah,  when  we  return  to  Medina,  we  will  see  wliich  of  us 
is  strongest." 

Secret  word  was  brought  to  Mahomet  of  this  seditious 
speech.  Omar  counselled  him  at  once  to  make  way  with 
AbdaUah ;  but  the  prophet  feared  to  excite  the  vengeance 
of  the  Idndred  and  adherents  of  the  powerful  Kha^adite. 
To  leave  no  time  for  mutiny,  he  set  off  immediately  on  the 
homeward  march,  although  it  was  in  the  heat  of  the  da^, 
and  continued  on  throughout  the  night,  nor  halted  until 
the  following  noon,  when  the  weary  soldiery  cared  for 
nothing  but  repose. 

On  arriving  at  Medina,  he  called  AbdaUah  to  account 
for  his  seditious  expressions.  He  flatly  denied  them,  pro- 
nouncing the  one  who  had  accused  him  a  Har.  A  revela- 
tion from  heaven,  however,  established  the  charge  against 
him  and  his  adherents.  ''These  are  tie  men,"  says  the 
Koran,  "who  say  to  the  inhabitants  of  Medina,  do  not 
bestow  anything  on  the  refugees  who  are  with  the  apostle 
of  God,  tliat  they  may  be  compeUed  to  separate  from  him. 
They  say,  verily,  if  we  return  to  Medina,  the  worthier  wiU 
e^^el  thence  the  meaner.  God  curse  them !  how  are  they 
turned  aside  from  the  truth." 

Some  of  the  friends  of  AbdaUah,  convinced  by  this  re- 
velation, advised  him  to  ask  pardon  of  the  prophet ;  but  he 
spumed  their  counsel.  "  xou  have  already,"  said  he, 
"persuaded  me  to  give  this  man  my  countenance  and 
friendship,  and  now  you  would  have  me  put  my  self  beneath 
his  very  feet." 

Nothing  could  persuade  him  that  Mahomet  was  not  an 
idolater  at  heart,  and  his  revelations  aU  imposture  and  de- 
ceit.   He  considered  him,  however,  a  formidable  rival. 

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110  nwm  cm  MAMQXWi, 

and  soofibt  m  ^werj  wmj  to  iajure  and  amifij  lum.  Totiib 
imi^acftble  hofltiMtjr  is  attarfibii^ted  a  acandalociB  stoj  whidk 
lie  propagated  abovt  Ayeoha,  tiie  fayonzite  mte  of  the 
p^I^et. 

It  was  the  enstom  witk  Mahomet  ahrays  to  hare  one  of 
his  wives  with  him,  on  his  wOitaxy  ezpediticms,  as  oom- 
panioa  and  sohiee;  she  wastaken  by  lot,  and  on  thereoent 
oecasicm  the  lot  had  hHea  <m  AyeaJia^  3te  trayelled  in  a 
litter,  inclosed  hj  cnortainay  and  boaaie  on  the  bade  of  s 
camel,  which  was  led  by  an  attendant.  On  the  return 
homeward,  the  anny,  on  one  oecasion,  coming  to  a  halt, 
the  attendants  of  Ayesha  were  astonished  to  find  the  l^ter 
empty.  Before  they  had  reeovered  from  their  surprise* 
she  arrived  on  a  camel,  led  by  a  youthful  Arab,  named 
Safwan  Ibn  al  Moatt^.  This  eireonrntance  having  ecana 
to  the  knowledge  of  Abdallali,  he  proclaimed  it  to  the 
world  after  his  retnm  to  Medina,  amnii^  thatt  Ayesha 
had  been  gmHy  of  wantcMmess  with  the  yonthlnl  Safwan. 

The  story  was  eagerb^  caught  np  and  circulated  by 
Hamna,  the  sister  of  the  Deantmd  Zemab,  whom  Mahomet 
had  recently  eeponsed,  and  who  hoped  to  benefit  her  sister 
by  the  downfallof  her  deadly  rival,  Ayesha;  it  was  echoed 
also  by  Mktah,  a  VinFmnan  of  Abu  iBfker,  and  was  cele- 
bratea  in  satirical  verses  by  a  poet  named  Hasan. 

It  was  some  time  before  Ayesha  knew  of  the  scandal  thus 
circulating  at  her  expense.  Sickness  had  confined  her  to 
the  house  on  her  retam  to  Medina,  and  no  one  ventured 
to  tell  her  of  what  she  was  accused.  She  r^narked,  how- 
ever, that  the  prophet  was  stem  and  sitent,.  and  no  longer 
treated  her  wiui  his  nsnal  tenderness.  On  her  recovery, 
she  heard  with  consternation  the  crime  alleged  against  her, 
and  protested  l^r  innoc^iee.  The  following  is  &r  version 
of  the  story. 

The  army,  on  its  homeward  march,  had  ^icamped  not 
far  from  Medina,  whexk  orders  were  given  in  Ihe  night  to 
march.  The  attendants,  as  usual,  brought  a  oamelbefore 
the  tent  of  Ayesha,  and  facing  the  litter  on  the  ground, 
retired  until  she  couM  take  her  seat  within  it.  As  she  was 
about  to  enter,  she  missed  her  necklaee,  and  returned  into 
the  t^t  to  seeJc  it.  In  the  meantime  the  attendants  lifted 
the  litter  upon  the  camel  and  strapped  it  fast,  not  per- 
ceiving that  it  was  empty,  she  being  slender  and  of  httle 
weight.  "When  she  returned  firom  seeking  the  necklace, 
the  camel  was  gone,  and  the  araiy  was  on  the  march; 
whereupon  she  wrapped  herself  m  her  manUe  and  sat 

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SCANBIX  AOACraT  1.TI8HA.  Ill 

down,  troitm^  Hiat,  when  L^  absence  shoiikl  be  dis- 
coreredy  some  persons  wouM  be  sent  back  in  quest  of  her. 

While  thns  seated,  Safwan  Ibn  al  Moatt^  the  young 
Arab,  being  one  of  the  rear-gnard,  came  up,  and,  reco- 
gnizing her,  accosted  her  with  the  nsual  Moslem  saluta- 
tion. "  To  Crod  we  belong,  and  to  God  we  must  return ! 
Wife  of  the  prophet,  why  dost  thou  remain  behind?" 

Ayesha  made  no  reply,  but  drew  her  yeil  closer  over  her 
face.  Sa^aa  iiien  alighted,  aided  her  to  mount  the  camel, 
and,  taking  the  bridle,  hastened  to  rejoin  the  army.  The 
sun  had  risen,  however,  before  he  overtook  it,  just  without 
the  walls  of  Medina. 

This  account,  given  by  Ayesha,  and  attested  by  Safwan 
Ibn  al  Moattel,  was  satisfactory  to  her  parents  and  par- 
ticular friends ;  but  was  scoffed  at  by  AbdaJlah  and  his 
adherents,  "  the  Hypocrites/*  Two  parties  thus  arose  on 
the  subject,  and  ^at  strife  ensued.  As  to  Ayesha,  she 
shut  herself  up  within  her  dwelling,  refusing  all  food,  and 
weeping  day  and  night  in  the  bitterness  of  her  soul. 

Mahomet  was  sorely  troubled  in  mind,  and  asked  counsel 
of  All  in  his  perplexity.  The  latter  made  light  of  the 
affair,  observing  tnat  his  misfortune  was  the  firequent  lot 
of  man.    The  projphet  was  but  little  consoled  by  this  sug- 

festion.  He  remamed  separated  &om  Ayesha  for  amcmth ; 
ut  his  heart  yearned  toward  her ;  not  merely  on  account 
of  her  beauty,  but  because  he  loved  her  society.  In  a 
paroxj^sm  of  grief,  he  fell  into  one  of  those  trances  which 
unbehevers  have  attributed  to  epilepsy ;  in  the  course  g£ 
which  he  received  a  seasonable  revelati<m,  which  will  be 
found  in  a  chapter  of  the  Koran.  It  was  to  this  effect  :— 
They  who  accuse  a  reputable  female  of  adultery,  and 
produce  not  four  witnesses  of  the  fact,  shall  be  scourged 
with  fourscore  stripes,  and  their  testimony  rejected.  As 
to  those  who  have  made  the  charge  against  Ayesha,  have 
they  produced  four  witnesses  thereof?  If  they  have  not, 
they  are  liars  in  the  sight  of  Grod.  Let  them  receive, 
therefore,  the  punishment  of  their  crime. 

The  innocence  of  the  beautiful  Ayesha  being  thus 
miraculously  made  manifest,  the  prophet  took  her  to  his 
bosom  with  augmented  affection.  Nor  was  he  slow  in 
dealing  ^e  prescribed  castigation.  It  is  true  Abdallah  Ibn 
Obba  was  too  powerful  a  personage  to  be  subjected  to  the 
scourge,  but  it  fell  the  heavier  cm  the  shoulders  of  his 
fellow  calumniators.  The  poet  Hasan  was  cured  £(xt  some 
time  of  his  propensity  to  make  satirical  verses,  nor  could 

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112  LIFB  OF  MAHOMET. 

Hamna,  thougli  a  female,  and  of  ^eat  personal  charms, 
escape  the  infliction  of  stripes;  for  Mahomet  observed 
that  such  beauty  should  have  been  accompanied  by  a 
gentler  nature. 
The  revelation  at  once  convinced  the  pious  Ali  of  the 

Eurity  of  Ayesha ;  but  she  never  forgot  nor  forgave  that 
e  had  doubted ;  and  the  hatred  thus  implanted  in  her 
bosom  was  manifested  to  his  great  detriment  in  many  of 
the  most  important  concerns  of  his  after  life. 


CHAPTER  XXm. 

The  battle  of  the  Moat. — ^Brayery  of  Saad  Ibn  MoaoL — ^Defeat  of  the 
Eoreishites. — Capture  of  the  Jewish  castle  of  Eoraida. — Saad  de- 
cides as  to  the  pmiishment  of  the  Jews. — Mahomet  espouses  Behana. 
a  Jewish  oaptiye. — ^His  life  endangered  by  sorcery ;  sayed  by  a  reye- 
lation  of  the  angel  Gabriel. 

During  the  year  of  truce  which  succeeded  the  battle  of 
Ohod,  Abu  Soflan,  the  restless  chief  of  the  Koreishites, 
formed  a  confederacy  with  the  Arab  tribe  of  Ghatafan  and 
other  tribes  of  the  desert,  as  well  as  with  many  of  the 
Jews  of  the  race  of  Nadher,  whom  Mahomet  had  driven 
from  their  homes.  The  truce  being  ended,  he  prepared 
to  march  upon  Medina  with  these  confederates,  their 
combined  forces  amounting  to  ten  thousand  men. 

Mahomet  had  early  intelligence  of  the  meditated  attack, 
but  his  late  reverse  at  Ohod  made  him  wary  of  taking  the 
field  against  such  munbers;  especially  as  he  feared  the 
enemy  might  have  secret  allies  in  Medma,  where  he  dis- 
trusted the  Jewish  inhabitants  and  the  Hypocrites,  the 
partisans  of  Abdallah  Ibn  Obba,  who  were  numerous  and 
powerful. 

Great  exertions  were  now  made  to  put  the  city  in  a  state 
of  defence.  Salman,  the  Persian,  who  had  embraced  the 
faith,  advised  that  a  deep  moat  should  be  digged  at  some 
distance  beyond  the  wall,  on  the  side  on  which  the  enemy 
would  approach.  This  mode  of  defence,  hitherto  unused 
in  Arabia,  was  eagerly  adopted  by  Mahomet,  who  set  a 
great  number  of  men  to  dig  the  moat,  and  even  assisted 
personally  in  the  labour.  Many  miracles  are  recorded  of 
Jiim  during  the  progress  of  this  work.    At  one  time,  it  is 

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BATTLE  OF  THE  KOAT.  113 

said,  he  fed  a  great  midtitade  from  a  single  basket  of 
dates,  wMch  remained  fiill  after  all  were  satisfied.  At 
another  time  he  feasted  a  thousand  men  upon  a  roasted 
lamb  and  a  loaf  of  barley  bread ;  yet  enough  remained  for 
all  his  feUow-labonrers  in  the  moat.  Nor  most  we  omit 
to  note  the  wonderftd  blows  which  he  gave  to  a  rock  witii 
an  iron  mallet,  striking  off  sparks  whicn  in  one  direction 
lighted  np'  all  Yemen,  or  Arabia  the  Happy :  in  another, 
revealed  the  imperial  palace  of  Constantmople ;  and  in  a 
third,  illnminea  the  towers  of  the  royal  residence  of 
Persia — all  signs  and  portents  of  the  future  conquest  of 
Islam. 
Scarcely  was  the  moat  completed,  when  the  enemy  ap- 

? eared  in  great  force  on  the  €ieighbouring  hills.  Leaving 
bn  0mm  Mactum,  a  trusty  omcer,  to  command  in  the 
city,  and  keep  a  vigilant  eye  on  the  disaffected,  Mahomet 
saUied  forth  with  three  thousand  men,  whom  he  formed  in 
battle  array,  having  the  deep  moat  in  front.  Abu  Sofian 
advanced  confidently  with  his  combined  force  of  Ko- 
reishites  and  Ghatafanites,  but  was  unexpectedly  checked 
by  the  moat,  and  by  a  galling  fire  from  the  Moslems  drawn 
up  beyond  it.  The  enemy  now  encamped ;  the  Koreishites 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  valley,  and  the  Ghatafanites  in 
the  upper;  and  for  some  days  the  armies  remained  on 
each  side  of  the  moat,  keeping  up  a  distant  combat  with 
slings  and  stones,  and  flights  of  arrows. 

In  the  meantime,  spies  brought  word  to  Mahomet  that 
a  Jewish  tribe,  the  Beni  Koraida,  who  had  a  strong  castle 
near  the  city,  and  had  made  a  covenant  ofpeace  with  him, 
were  in  secret  league  with  the  enemy.  He  now  saw  the 
difficulty,  with  his  scanty  forces,  to  man  the  whole  extent 
of  the  moat ;  to  guard  against  a  perfidious  attack  from  the 
Koraidites;  and  to  maintain  quiet  in  the  city  where  the 
Jews  must  have  secret  confederates.  Summonmg  a  council 
of  war,  he  consulted  with  his  captains  on  the  policy  of 
bribing  the  Ghatafanites  to  a  separate  peace,  by  ofiering 
them  a  third  of  the  date-harvest  of  Medina.  Upon  this, 
Saad  Ibn  Moad,  a  stout  leader  of  the  Awsites  of  Medina, 
demanded,  "Do  you  propose  this  by  the  command  of 
AHah,  or  is  it  an  idea  of  your  own  P"  "  If  it  had  been  a 
command  of  Allah,"  repned  Mahomet,  "  I  should  never 
have  asked  your  advice.  I  see  you  pressed  by  enemies 
on  every  side,  and  I  seek  to  break  their  confederacy." 
"  Oh  prophet  of  Gt)d !"  rejoined  Saad,  "  when  we  were 
fellow-idolaters  with  these  people  of  Ghatafan,  they  got 

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114  JXFE  OF  MAHOXXT. 

none  of  onr  diU;es  wiiiioat  paying  for  tkem ;  and  shall  ire 
Oive  them  np  gratnitouslT  now  that  we  tare  of  the  tme 
&i^,  and  led  by  thee  F  So,  by  Allah !  if  iiiey  want  our 
dates,  ih)&y  must  win  them  with  their  fswordB." 

The  Btont  Saad  had  his  eooraee  soon  put  to  the  proof. 
A  prowling  party  of  Xoredshite  norsemen,  among  whom 
was  Akrema  the  son  of  Abu  Jahl,  and  Amro,  unde  ai 
Xahomet's  firsrt  wife  Cadijah,  discovered  a  phtoe  where 
the  moat  was  narrow,  and  putting  spurs  to  their  steeds 
racoeecbd  in  leapmg  orer,  foUowed  by  some  of  their 
eomrades.  They  tlum  ehailenged  the  bravest  of  the 
Moslems  to  equal  combat.  The  challenge  was  acc^>ted 
by  Saad  Ilm  Moad,  by  Ali,  and  sever^  of  their  ocm- 
panions.  Ali  had  a  dose,  combat  with  Amru ;  they 
KWght  on  hor6d)aek  and  on  foot,  until,  grapjJing  wim 
ea(£  oHier,  Ihey  rolled  in  the  dust.  In  the  €^,  Ah.  waa 
victorious  and  slew  his  foe.  The  general  conflict  was 
maantaimed  wiiii  sreat  obstinacy;  several  were  slain  on 
bolii  sides,  and  Saad  Ibn  M oad  was  severely  wounded. 
At  length  the  Soreishites  gave  way,  and  spurred  their 
horses  to  reeross  the  moat.  The  steed  of  one  of  them, 
iN'awfal  Ibn  Abdallah,  leaped  short ;  his  rider  was  assailed 
with  stones  while  in  the  moat,  and  defied  ihe  Moslems 
to  attadc  him  with,  nobler  weapons.  In  an  instant  AH 
siprang  down  into  the  moat,  and  Naw&l  soon  fdll  beneaUi 
his  sword.  Ali  then  joined  his  companions  in  pursuit  of 
the  retreating  Ibe,  and  wounded  AJoi^ma  with  a  javdin. 
This  skirmish  was  dignified  with  the  name  of  the  Battle 
of  the  Moat. 

Mahomet,  stili  unwilling  to  v^ture  a  pitched  battle, 
sent  !Bueim,  a  se^etly  converted  Arab  of  the  tribe  <^ 
Ghata&n,  to  visit  the  camps  of  ibe  confederates,  and 
artfully  to  sow  dissensions  among  them.  Bueim  first 
repaired  to  the  Eoraidites,  with  whom  he  waa  in  old 
habits  of  friendship.  "  What  fdly  is  this,"  said  he,  *'  to 
suffer  yourselves  to  be  drawn  by  the  EJoreishites  <^ 
Mecca  into  their  quarrel.  Bethink  you  how  different  is 
jour  situaticm  from  theirs.  I£  defeated,  they  have  onlj 
to  retreat  to  Mecca,  and  be  secure.  Their  allies  from 
the  desert  will  also  retire  to  their  distant  homes,  and  you 
will  be  left  to  bear  the  whole  brunt  of  ike  vengeance  of 
Mahomet  and  the  people  of  Medina.  Before  you  make 
common  cause  witn  them,  therefore,  let  them  pledge 
themselves  and  give  hostages,  never  to  draw  back  until 
they  have  brdcen  the  power  of  Mahomet."* 

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TSNOSAKCB  OK  THB  BBVI  EOBAIDA.  119 

He  then  went  to  the  Eoreishites  and  tiie  tribe  <^ 
Ghata&n,  and  wmmed  them  affainst  confidmg  in  the 
Jews  of  Xoraida,  ^o  intended  to  eet  host^es  &om 
them,  and  delirer  ikem  up  into  the  haiKlB  of  Mahomet. 

The  distrust  thns  artfmlj  sown  anumpr  the  oonfederaies* 
soon  produced  its  effects.  Abu  So&n  sent  w<»d  on 
Friday  erenin^  to  the  Konddites,  to  be  ready  to  join 
next  morning  m  a  general  assault.  The  Jews  repued* 
that  the  f<^wing  day  was  their  Sabbath,  om.  which  they 
eoold  not  engage  in  battle;  at  the  same  time  they 
declined  to  join  in  any  hostile  act,  unless  their  aUiea 
should  ^ve  hostages  to  stand  hj  them  to  the  end. 

The  Sloreishites  and  Ghatafanites  were  now  oonyinced  of 
the  p^fidy  of  the  Koraidites,  and  dared  not  yentore  upoa 
the  meditated  attack,  lest  these  should  &U  npcm  them  ia 
tlie  rear.  While  therr  lay  idly  in  their  camp  a  cold  storm 
came  on,  with  drenching  rain  and  sweeping  blasts  firom 
the  desert.  Their  tents  were  blown  down ;  their  cainp> 
fires  were  extinguished ;  in  the  midst  of  the  iqnoar,  the 
alarm  was  giren  that  Mahomet  had  raised  the  storm  bj 
enchantment,  and  was  coming  upon  them  with  his  forces. 
All  now  was  panic  and  conrasion.  Abu  Sofian,  finding 
all  efforts  Tain  to  produce  order,  mounted  his  camel  in 
despair,  and  gaye  the  word  to  reti^at.  The  confederates 
hurried  off  firom  the  scene  of  tumult  and  terror,  the 
Koreishites  towards  Mecca,  the  others  to  their  homes  in 
ike  desert. 

Abu  Sofian,  in  rage  and  mortification,  wrote  a  letter  to 
Mahomet,  upbraiding  him  with  his  cowardice  in  lurking 
behind  a  ditdh,  a  thing  unknown  in  Arabian  war&re ; 
and  threatenmg  to  take  his  reyenge  on  some  future  day, 
when  they  mi^t  meet  in  open  &ht,  as  in  the  field  (^ 
Ohod.  Mahomet  hurled  back  a  defiance,  and  mredicted 
that  the  day  was  approadiing  when  he  would  nreak  in 
pieces  the  idCols  of  the  Xoreismtes. 

The  inyaders  haying  disappeared,  Mahomet  turned  to 
ttike  yengeance  on  the  Bern  Koraida;  who  shut  them« 
selyes  np  in  thor  castle,  and  withstood  a  siege  of  many 
days.  At  length,  pindied  by  famine,  they  impkoed  the 
intercession  of  their  andent  firiends  and  protectors,  the 
Awutes.  The  latter  entr^vted  the  prophet  to  grant  these 
Hebrews  the  same  terms  he  had  foimerij  granted  to  the 
Beni  Xainoka,  at  the  prayer  of  AbdaUah  tne  Khasradite. 
Mahomet  reflected  a  moment,  and  offered  to  leare  their 
fiite  to  tike  decision  of  Saad  Ibn  Moad,  the  Awsite  chief. 

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116  LIFE  OF  MAHOKET. 

The  Koraidites  gladly  agreed,  knowing  him  to  have  been 
formerly  their  friend.  They  accoraingly  surrendered 
themselyes,  to  the  number  of  seven  hundred,  and  were 
conducted  in  chains  to  Medina.  Unfortunately  for  them, 
Saad  considered  their  perfidious  league  with  the  enemy 
as  one  cause  of  the  recent  hostility.  He  was  still 
smarting  with  the  wound  received  in  the  battle  of  the 
Moat,  and  in  his  moments  of  pain  and  anger  had 
repeatedly  prayed  that  his  life  nught  be  spared  to  see 
vengeance  wreaked  on  the  Koraidites.  Such  was  the 
state  of  his  feelings  when  summoned  to  decide  upon  their 
fate. 

Being  a  gross,  Aill-blooded  man,  he  was  with  difficulty 
helped  upon  an  ass,  propped  up  by  a  leathern  cushion, 
and  supported  in  his  seat  until  he  arrived  at  the  tribunal 
of  justice.  Before  ascending  it,  he  exacted  an  oath 
from  all  present  to  abide  by  his  decision.  The  Jews 
readily  took  it,  anticipating  a  favourable  sentence.  No 
sooner  was  he  helped  into  the  tribunal,  than,  extending 
his  hand,  he  condemned  the  men  to  death,  the  women  ana 
children  to  slavery,  and  their  effects  to  be  shared  among 
the  victors. 

The  wretched  Jews  looked  aghast,  but  there  was  no 
appeal.  They  were  conducted  to  a  nublic  place  since 
caUed  the  Market  of  the  Koraidites,  wnere  great  graves 
had  been  digged.  Into  these  they  were  compelled  to 
descend,  one  by  one,  their  prince,  Hoyai  Ibn  Ahktab, 
among  the  number,  and  were  successively  put  to  death. 
Thus  the  prayer  of  Saad  Ibn  Moad  for  vengeance  on  the 
Koraidites  was  fully  gratified.  He  witnessed  the  execu- 
tion of  the  men  he  had  condemned,  but  such  was  his 
excitement  that  his  wound  broke  out  a&esh,  and  he  died 
shortly  afterwards. 

In  the  castle  of  Koraida  was  found  a  great  quantity  of 
pikes,  lances,  cuirasses,  and  other  armour ;  and  its  lands 
were  covered  with  flocks  and  herds  and  camels.  In 
dividing  the  spoil  each  foot-soldier  had  one  lot,  each 
horseman  three;  two  for  his  horse,  and  one  for  himself.  A 
fifth  part  of  the  whole  was  set  apart  for  the  pronhet. 

The  most  precious  prize  in  the  eyes  of  Manomet  was 
Bihana,  daugnter  of  Simeon,  a  wealthy  and  powerful  Jew; 
and  the  most  beautiful  female  of  her  tribe.  He  took  her 
to  himself,  and,  having  converted  her  to  the  faith,  added 
her  to  the  number  of  ms  wives. 

But,  though  thus  susceptible  of  the  dbaims  of  the 

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THE  AMITL1T8.  117 

Israelitisli  women,  Mahomet  became  «more  and  more  yiii« 
dictiye  in  his  hatred  of  the  men:  no  longer  putting  faith  in 
their  covenants,  and  sospectinj^  them  otthe  most  msidious 
attempts  npon  his  life.  Mos^m  writers  attribute  to  the 
spells  of  Jewish  sorcereis  a  long  and  languishing  illness, 
with  which  he  was  afflicted  alK>ut  this  tmie,  and  which 
seemed  to  defy  all  remedy.  They  describe  the  yeij  charm 
by  which  it  was  produced.  It  was  prepared,  say  they,  by 
a  Jewish  necromancer  from  the  mountains,  aided  by  his 
daughters,  who  were  equally  skilled  in  the  diabolical  art. 
They  formed  a  small  waxen  effigy  of  Mahomet ;  wound 
round  it  some  of  his  hair,  and  thrust  through  it  eleven 
needles.  They  then  made  eleven  knots  in  a  bow-string, 
blowing  with  their  breaths  on  each;  and,  winding  the 
string  round  the  effigy,  threw  the  whole  into  a  well. 

Under  the  influence  of  this  potent  spell  Mahomet  wasted 
away,  until  his  friend,  the  angel  Grabriel,  revealed  the 
secret  to  him  in  a  vision.  On  awaking,  he  sent  Ali  to  the 
well,  where  the  image  was  discovered.  Wlien  it  was 
brought  to  Mahomet,  continues  the  legend,  he  repeated 
oyer  it  the  two  last  chapters  of  the  Koran,  which  had  been 
communicated  to  him  m  the  recent  vision.  They  consist 
of  eleven  verses,  and  are  to  the  following  purport : 

In  the  name  of  the  aU-merciful  Q<xL  I  1  will  fly  for 
refoge  to  the  Lord  of  the  light  of  day. 

That  he  m&j  deliver  me  from  the  danger  of  beings  and 
things  created  by  himself. 

From  the  dangers  of  the  darksome  night,  and  of  the 
moon  when  in  ecEpse. 

From  the  danger  of  sorcerers,  who  tie  knots  and  blow 
on  them  with  their  breath. 

From  the  danger  of  the  envious,  who  devise  deadly 
harm. 

I  will  fly  for  refuge  to  Allah,  the  Lord  of  men. 

To  Allan,  the  King  of  men. 

To  Allah,  the  Goaof  men. 

That  he  may  deliver  me  from  the  evil  spirit  who  flies  at 
the  mention  of  his  holy  name. 

Who  suggests  evil  thoughts  into  the  hearts  of  the 
children  of  men. 

And  from  the  evil  genii,  and  men  who  deal  in  magic. 

At  the  repetition  of  each  one  of  these  verses,  says  the 
legend,  a  knot  of  the  bow-string  came  loose,  a  needle  fell 
from  tiie  effigy,  and  Mahomet  gained  strengtL  At  the 
end  of  the  eleventh  verse  he  rose,  renovated  m  health  and 

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118  UW»  or  KAMOUST* 

irigOTST,  as  one  restored  to  freedom  after  karmg  been  bound 
with.  oDrds* 

The  two  final  ebapters  oi  the  Xcn^an,  which  comprise 
these  yerses,  are  entitled  the  amulets,  and  ecmsidered  by 
tide  superstitions  Moslems  effectual  talismans  against  sov- 
eeiT  and  magic  charms. 

The  conduct  of  Mahomet  in  the  affiur  narrated  in  thk 
diapter,  has  been  censxured  as  weak  and  yascillating,  and 
deficient  in  military  decision,  and  his  measures  as  wanting 
in  true  greatness  <n  mind,  and  the  f<^owu^  circumstancea 
are  adduced  to  support  these  diarges.  mien  threatened 
with  violence  from  without,  and  perfidy  from  within,  he  is 
for  bribing  a  p^urt  of  his  confederate  foes  to  a  separate 
peace ;  but  suners  himself  to  be,  in  a  manner,  hectored 
out  of  tibis  crafty  polrcy  by  Saad  Ibn  Moad  ,*  yet,  subse* 
quentfy,  he  resorts  to  a  scheme  still  more  subtle  and 
crafty,  by  which  he  sows  dissension  among  his  enemies. 
Above  au,  his  conduct  towards  the  Jews  has  been  stron^y 
reprobated.  His  referring  the  appeal  of  the  Beni  Eloraid!a 
for  mercy^  to  the  decision  of  one  whom  he  knew  to  be 
bent  on  their  destruction,  has  been  stigmatized  as  cruel 
mockery;  and  the  massacre  of  those  nmortunate  men  in 
the  market-place  of  Medina  is  pronounced  one  of  the 
darkest  pages  of  his  history.  In  fact,  his  conduct  towards 
this  race  from  the  time  that  he  had  power  in  his  hands^ 
forms  an  exception  to  the  general  tenour  of  his  disposition, 
which  was  forgiving  and  humane.  He  may  have  been 
especially  prov(&ed  against  them  by  proofs  of  treachwy 
and  deadly  rancour  on  their  part;  but  we  see  in  this,  ae 
in  other  parts  of  his  policy  m  this  part  of  his  career,  in- 
stances of  that  worldly  aUoy  which  at  times  was  debasing 
his  spirit,  now  that  he  haa  become  tiie  Apostle  of  the 
Sword* 


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119 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

-If ahomet  undertaker  a  pflgrimafe  to  Mecca.— Sradet  Kbaled  and  a 
troop  of  bone  sent  against  bim. — ^Encamps  near  Mecca. — ^Nego- 
tiates wMi  tbe  Kereiflltftes  Ibr  permiMion  to  enter  and  eosplete  his 
I^grimage. — ^l^eatj-ftr  ten  jeai^bjrirtiiA  1m  is  permitted  to  make 
a  yearlj  visit  of  ttecedajs.— fie  retaraa  to  Medina. 

Six  years  had  now  ^psed  since  the  fii^t  of  Mahomet 
£rom  Mecca.  As  that  citj  was  sacred  in  the  ejes  of  liie 
Arabs,  and  their  great  pomt  of  pi^rimage,  his  long  exile 
finom  it»  and  his  open  warfare  with  the  Koreishites,  who  had 
charge  of  the  Caaha,  prejudiced  him  in  the  cminion  oi 
many  of  the  tnbes,  and  retarded  the  spread  oi  his  doc- 
trines. His  followers^  too,  wh^  had  aeccmipanied  him  in 
im  flight,  kngnished  once  more  to  see  their  native  home, 
and  there  was  danger  of  their  faith  becoming  enfeebled 
imder  a  protracted  exile. 

Mahomet  felt  more  and  moiv  tbe  impcNrtance  of  linking 
He  sacred  city  with  his  religion,  and  maintaining  the 
anei^ot  usages  of  his  race.  Besides,  he  claimed  but  to  be 
m  reformer,  anxions  to  restore  the  simj^citr  and  purity  of 
tile  patriarehal  faith.  The  month  DonLKaaoa  was  at  hand» 
the  month  of  pilgrimage,  when  there  was  a  truce  to  war^ 
£ire,  and  enemies  mi^it  meet  in  peace  within  the  holy 
boondanes.  A  timely  yision  assured  Mahomet  that  he 
and  his  fdiowers  m^t  safely  arail  themselTes  of  the  pro- 
tection of  this  venerable  custom  to  reyisit  the  ancient 
Murines  of  Arabian  wcmhip.  The  reyelatkm  was  joylally 
received  by  his  followers,  and  in  the  hoLj  month  ne  set 
forth  &om  Medina  on  his  pilgrimage,  at  the  head  of  four- 
teen hxmdred  men;  partly  Moha^erins  or  FugitiTes,  and 
partly  Ansarians  or  Auxiliaries.  They  took  with  them 
seventy  camels  to  be  slain  in  sacrifice  at  the  Caaba.  To 
manifest  pubMdr  that  ther  came  in  peace  and  not  in  war, 
titey  halted  at  Vsa  Hulei&,  avilla^  about  a  day's  journey 
from  Medina^  where  they  laid  aside  all  their  weapons,  ex- 

l  their  i^ieathed  swords,  and  thence  continued  on  in 

L  garb. 
L  the  meantime  a  conftised  rumour  of  this  movement 
had  reached  Mecca.     The  K<»eishites,  suspecting  hos- 
tihties,  sent  forth  Khaled  Ibn  Waled  with  a  powerful 
troop  oihone,  to  take  post  in  a  valley  about  two  days' 


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120  tIFE  OF  ICAHOHET. 

ioumey  from  Mecca,  and  clieck  the  advance  of  the  Mos* 
lems. 

Mahomet,  hearing  that  the  main  road  was  thus  barred 
against  him,  took  a  rugged  and  difficult  route  through  the 
defiles  of  the  monntams,  and,  avoiding  Khaled  and  his 
forces,  descended  into  the  plain  near  Mecca ;  where  he 
encamped  at  Hodeiba,  within  the  sacred  boundaries. 
Hence  he  sent  assurances  to  the  Koreishites  of  his  peace- 
able intentions,  and  claimed  the  immunities  and  rights  of 
pilgrimage. 

Envois  from  the  Koreishites  visited  his  camp  to  make 
observations.  They  were  struck  with  the  reverence  with 
which  he  was  regarded  bv  his  followers.  The  water  with 
which  he  performed  his  aolutions  became  sanctified;  a  hair 
falling  &om  his  head,  or  the  paring  of  a  nail,  was  caught 
up  as  a  precious  relic.  One  of  the  envoys,  in  the  course  of 
conversation,  unconsciously  touched  the  flowing  beard  of 
the  prophet;  he  was  thrust  back  by  the  disciples,  and 
warned  of  the  impiety  of  the  act.  In  making  his  report 
to  the  Koreishites  on  his  return,  "  I  have  seen  the  king  of 
Persia,  and  the  emperor  of  Constantinople,  surrounded  by 
their  courts,"  said  he;  "  but  never  did  I  oehold  a  sovereign 
so  revered  by  his  subjects  as  is  Mahomet  by  his  followers." 

The  Koreishites  were  the  more  loth  to  admit  into  their 
city  an  adversary  to  their  sect,  so  formidable  in  his  influ- 
ence over  the  minds  and  affections  of  his  fellow  men.  Ma- 
homet sent  repeated  missions  to  treat  for  a  safe  access  to 
the  sacred  shrines,  but  in  vain.  Othman  Ibn  Aflan,  his 
son-in-law,  was  his  last  envoy.  Several  days  elapsed  with- 
out his  return,  and  it  was  rumoured  that  he  was  slain. 
Mahomet  determined  to  revenge  his  fall.  Standing  under 
a  tree,  and  summoning  his  people  around  him,  he  exacted 
an  oatii  to  defend  him  even  to  the  death,  and  never  to 
desert  the  standard  of  the  faith.  This  ceremony  is  known 
among  Mahometans  by  the  name  of  the  Spontaneous 
Inauguration. 

The  reappearance  of  Othman  in  the  camp  restored  tran- 
fluillity.  He  was  accompanied  by  Solhail,  an  ambassador 
itom  the  Koreishites,  to  arranj^e  a  treaty  of  peace.  They 
perceived  the  impolicy  of  warrmg  with  a  man  whose  power 
was  incessantly  mcreasing,  and  who  was  obeyed  with  such 
fanatic  devotion.  The  treaty  proposed  was  for  ten  years ; 
during  which  time  Mahomet  and  his  adherents  were  to 
have  free  access  to  Mecca  as  pilgrims,  there  to  remain, 
three  days  at  a  time,  ia  the  exercise  of  their  religious 

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TEBATY  OF  PEACE.  121 

rites.  The  terms  were  readily  accepted,  and  Ali  was  em- 
ployed to  draw  up  the  treaty.  Mahomet  dictated  the 
words.  "  Write,"  said  he,  "  these  are  the  conditions  of 
peace  made  by  Mahomet  the  apostle  of  God."  "  Hold !" 
cried  Solhail,  the  ambassador,  "  had  I  believed  thee  to  be 
the  apostle  of  Grod,  I  should  never  have  taken  up  arms 
against  thee.  Write,  therefore,  simply  thy  name,  and  the 
name  of  thy  father."  Mahomet  was  fain  to  comply,  for 
he  felt  he  was  not  sufficiently  in  force  at  this  moment  to 
contend  about  forms ;  so  he  merely  denominated  himself 
in  the  treaty,  Mahomet  Ibn  Abdallah  (Mahomet  the  son 
of  Abdallah),  an  abnegation  which  gave  some  littie  scandal 
to  his  followers.  Thenr  discontent  was  increased  when  he 
ordered  them  to  share  their  heads,  and  to  sacrifice  on  the 
spot  the  camels  brought  to  be  offered  up  at  the  Caaba,  as 
it  showed  he  had  not  the  intention  of  entering  Mecca, 
these  rites  being  properly  done  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
ceremonials  of  pilgrimage.  They  reminded  him  of  his 
vision,  which  promised  a  safe  entrance  of  the  sacred  cit^ ; 
he  repHed,  that  the  present  treaty  was  an  earnest  of  its 
fulfilment,  which  would  assuredly  take  place  on  the  follow- 
ing year.  With  this  explanation  they  had  to  content 
themselves;  and  having  performed  the  ceremony,  and 
made  the  sacrifice  prescribed,  the  camp  was  broken  up, 
and  the  pilgrim  host  returned,  somewhat  disappointed  and 
dejected,  to  Medina. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Izpedition  against  the  city  of  Khaibar ;  siege. — Exploits  of  Mahomet's 
captains. — Battle  of  Ali  and  Marhab. — Storming  of  the  citadel.— 
Ali  makes  a  buckler  of  the  gate. — Capture  of  the  place. — Mahomet 
poisoned;  he  marries  Saflya,  a  captive;  also  0mm  Habiba,  a 
widow. 

To  console  his  followers  for  the  check  their  religious  devo- 
tion had  experienced  at  Mecca,  Mahomet  now  set  on  foot 
an  expedition  calculated  to  gratify  that  love  of  plunder 
which  began  to  rival  fanaticism  in  attaching  them  to  his 
standard. 

About  five  days'  journey  to  the  north-east  of  Medina 
was  situated  the  city  of  Ehaibar  and  its  dependent  terri- 
tory. It  was  inhabited  by  Jews,  who  had  grown  wealthy 
by  commerce  as  well  as  agriculture.    Their  rich  domain 

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12i  UPS  OF  MAHOMIT. 

WB8  poartff  enilifKted  widk  grain,  and  plaaled  wi&  gamtB 
of  palm-trees ;  pflDr%  devoted  to  pastorajfe  sad  ooveicd 
wi^  floekcr  ana  lierds ;  and  it  was  fortmed  by  sevanl 
castles.  So  remeirMe  was  its  aatiqmtj,  that  AboJleda,  tke 
Arabian  historian,  assures  us  tbot  Moses,  after  the  passag^e 
of  the  Eed  Sea,  sent  an  armj  against  the  Amaiekites, 
inhabiting  Grothreb  (Medbta),  and  the  strong  city  of 
Shaibar. 

This  region  had  become  a  pfause  of  refnge  lor  the  hostile 
Jews,  driren  by  Mahconet  fron  Medina  and  ita  enTirona, 
and  for  afi  those  who  had  made  thenselTes  obnoxious  to 
his  rengeance.  These  drcw&stances,  together  with  its 
teeming  wealth,  pointed  it  out  as  a  fit  and  ripe  object  for 
that  warfare  whieh  he  had  dedared  i^ainst  all  enemies  of 
thefart^. 

Li  the  beginning  of  the  serenthyear  <^the  Hesira,  he 
departed  on  an  expeditioQ  against  !Ottbar,  at  the  head  of 
twelve  hundred  foot  and  two  hundred  hcose,  accompanied 

SAba  Beker,  by  Ah,  by  Omar,  and  other  of  his  prmcipal 
cers.  He  had  two  standards ;  cme  reiHreaented  the  sun, 
the  other  a  black  ea^ ;  whi<^  hist  became  fEonoaa  is 
after  years  as  the  standard  of  Khaled. 

Entering  the  fertile  territory  of  £habar»  he  began  his 
wariai'e  by  assailing  the  infi^or  casties  with  whiek  it  was 
stndded.  S<nne  of  IJtese  capitulated  without  malring  re- 
sistance ;  in  which  cases,  being  considered  "  gifts  &om 
€rod,"  the  spoils  went  to  ^e  prophet,  to  be  disposed  of  by 
him  in  the  way  before  mentioned.  Others  of  more  strength, 
and  garrisoned  by  stonter  hearts,  had  to  be  taken  by 
storm. 

After  the  capture  of  these  minor  fortresses,  Mahomet 
advanced  against  the  dty  of  Xhaibar.  It  was  stronghr 
defended  by  ontworks,  and  its  dtadel,  Al  Xamns,  bmlt 
on  a  steep  rock,  was  deemed  impregnable,  insomiu^  that 
Senana  Ibn  al  Eabi,  the  chief  or  king  of  the  nation,  had 
made  it  the  depository  of  all  his  treasures. 

The  siege  of  this  dty  was  the  most  maportaaft  csitep- 
prise  the  Moslems  had  yet  undertaken.  When  Mahomet 
nrst  came  in  sight  of  its  stnmg  and  frowning  walls,  and  its 
rock-built  cita^l,  he  is  said  to  have  put  up  the  following 
prayer:— 

"Oh  AHah!  Lord  of  the  seven  heavens,  and  of  aQ 
things  which  they  cover  I  Lord  (d  the  seven  earths,  and 
all  which  they  su^ain !  Lord  of  the  evil  srorits,  and  of 
all  whom  they  lead  astray !    Lord  of  the  wincis>  and  of  all 

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aWSm  09  XKikiBAB.  123 

irfidB  ikej  scalier  and  digperse !  We  fiqmlied«  i^ee  to 
deihrer  into  oar  hmd  tibis  dfy,  and  all  uai  it  oontainSy 
and  tibe  riehes  of  all  its  lands.  To  tkee  we  look  for  aid 
agaizMst  ;3iia  people,  and  againsi  all  tiie  penk  by  whiek  we 
aore  enviruned." 

To  grre  more  ademniiy  to  hia  jirajen,  he  ehote  aa  hia 

5kM9e  of  wor^p  a  great  lock,  in  a  atony  place  called 
f  ansdla,  and,  during  all  tike  time  i^iat  he  remained  «i- 
cttmped  b^ore  KhsiMr,  made  daify  ser^i  eircoits  round  it, 
aa  are  made  roond  the  Caaba.  A  mosone  was  ereeted 
on  ^mr  rock  in  after  times  in  meHtorial  of  ^is  deTont  oere- 
moxnal,  and  it  became  on  ot^ect  of  Teneraticm  to  all  pioua 
Jtfoslems. 

The  siege  of  tibe  citadel  lasted  for  some  time,  and  tasked 
the  skill  and  patience  of  Mahomet  and  his  troops,  asyet 
but  little  practised  in  the  attadc  of  fortified  places.  Ttey 
suffered,  too,  from  want  of  provisions,  for  tilie  Arabs  in 
their  hasty  expeditions  seldom  burden  themselres  with 
supplies,  and  me  Jews  on  their  amnroaeh  bad  laid  waste 
the  ler^  country,  and  destrc^ed  the  palm-trees  round 
their  capital. 

Mah^et  directed  Ihe  attacks  in  person :  the  besie^esa 
protected  themselves  by  trenches,  and  brought  batterm^- 
rsms  to  play  upon  the  walls;  &  breach  was  at  lengm 
effected,  but  for  several  days  every  attempt  to  enter  was 
vigorous^  repelled.  Abu  Beker  at  one  time  led  the 
assault,  bearing  the  standard  of  the  prophet ;  but,  after 
^hting  with  great  bravery,  was  conmelled  to  retreat. 
l£e  next  atta^  was  headed  hj  Omar  Ibn  Khattab,  who 
fought  xmtil  the  close  of  day  with  no  bett^  sueeess.  A 
thira.  attack  was  led  by  Ali,  whom  Mahomet  armed  with 
his  own  scimetar,  eaQed  Dhul>Fakfbr,  or  the  Trenchant. 
On  confiding  to  his  hands  the  sacred  banner,  he  pro- 
nounced  hnn  "a  man  who  loved  Grod  and  his  projpaet^ 
and  whom  Grod  and  his  pophet  loved.  A  man  wno  knew 
not  fear,  nor  ever  turned  his  back  upon  a  foe." 

And  here  it  may  be  wdl  to  give  a  traditional  account  of 
the  person  and  character  of  An.  He  was  of  the  middle 
height,  but  robust  and  square,  and  of  prodigious  strength. 
He  had  a  smiling  countenance,  exceeding  florid,  with  a 
bushy  beard.  He  was  distinguished  for  an  amiable  dispo- 
sition, sagacious  intellect,  and  religious  zeal,  and,  from  nis 
Tm<hiunt^  courage,  was  surnamed  the  lion  of  God. 

Aral»an  writers  dw^  with  fond  exaggeration  on  the 
ttkploits,  at  Ehaibar,  of  this  their  favourite  h»o.    He  wbm 

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124  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

clad,  they  say,  in  a  scarlet  vest,  over  which  was  buekled- 
a  cuirass  of  steel.  Scrambling  with  his  followers  np  the . 
great  hea]^  of  stones  and  rubbish  in  front  of  the  breach,  he 
planted  his  standard  on  the  top,  determined  never  to  re- 
cede until  the  citadel  was  taken.  The  Jews  saUied  forth 
to  drive  down  the  assailants.  In  the  conflict  which  ensued, 
Ali  fought  hand  to  hand  with  the  Jewish  commander,  AI 
Hareth,  whom  he  slew.  The  brother  of  the  slain  advanced 
to  revenge  his  death.  He  was  of  gigantic  stature,  with 
a  double  cuirass,  a  double  turban  wound  round  a  helmet 
of  proof,  in  front  of  which  sparkled  an  immense  diamond. 
He  had  a  sword  girt  to  each  side,  and  brandished  a  three- 
pronged  spear  like  a  trident.  The  warriors  measured  each 
other  with  the  eye,  and  accosted  each  other  in  boasting 
oriental  sir^le. 

"  I,"  said  the  Jew,  "  am  Marhab ;  armed  at  all  points, 
and  terrible  in  battle." 

"And  I  am  Ali,  whom  his  mother  at  his  birth  sur- 
named  Al  Haidara  (the  rugged  lion)." 

The  Moslem  writers  nSe  short  work  of  the  Jewish 
champion.  He  made  a  thrust  at  Ali  with  his  three-pronged 
lance,  but  it  was  dexterously  parried;  and  before  he  could 
recover  himself,  a  blow  from  the  scimetar  Dhu'l-Fakar 
divided  his  buckler,  passed  through  the  helm  of  proof, 
through  doubled  turban  and  stubborn  skull,  cleaving  his 
head  even  to  his  teeth.  His  gigantic  form  fell  lifeless  to 
the  earth. 

The  Jews  now  retreated  into  the  citadel,  aud  a  general 
assault  took  place.  In  the  heat  of  the  action  the  shield  of 
Ali  was  severed  from  his  arm,  leaving  his  body  exposed ; 
wrenching  a  gate,  however,  from  its  hinges,  he  used  it  as 
a  buckler  through  the  remainder  of  the  nght.  Abu  Eafe, 
a  servant  of  Mahomet,  testifies  to  the  fact.  "I  after- 
wards," says  he,  "  examined  this  gate  in  company  with 
seven  men,  and  all  eight  of  us  attempted  in  vain  to 
wield  it."* 

The  citadel  being  captured,  every  vault  and  dungeon 
was  ransacked  for  me  wealth  said  to  be  deposited  there 
by  Kenana,  the  Jewish  prince.  None  being  discovered, 
Mahomet  demanded  of  nini  where  he  had  concealed  his 

*  This  stapendous  feat  is  recorded  by  the  historian  Abnlfeda,  c.  24. 
**  Aba  B&fe,**  observes  Gibbon,  **  was  an  eye-witness ;  but  who  will  be 
witness  for  Abu  B&fe?"  We  join  with  the  distinguished  historian  in 
his  doubt ;  yet,  if  we  scrupulously  question  the  testimony  of  an  eye- 
witness, what  will  become  of  hlaiory  ? 

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TBSATY  OV  EENiLHA,  125 

treamire.  He  declared  that  it  had  all  been  expended  in 
tlie  subsistence  of  bis  troops,  and  in  preparations  for 
defence.  One  of  bis  faitbless  subjects,  however,  revealed 
the  place  where  a  great  amount  had  been  hidden.  It  did 
not  equal  the  expectations  of  the  victors,  and  Kenana  was 
put  to  the  torture  to  reveal  the  rest  of  his  supposed 
wealth.  He  either  could  not  or  would  not  make  nirther 
discoveries,  so  he  was  delivered  up  to  the  veuf  eanoe  of  a 
Moslem,  whose  brother  he  had  crushed  to  death  by  a  piece 
of  a  millstone  hurled  from  the  wall,  and  who  struck  on  his 
head  with  a  single  blow  of  his  sabre.* 

While  in  the  citadel  of  Khaibar,  Mahomet  came  near 
falling  a  victim  to  Jewish  vengeance.  Demanding  some- 
thing to  eat,  a  shoulder  of  fimb  was  set  before  him. 
At  me  first  mouthful  he  perceived  scmiething  unusual 
in  the  taste,  and  spat  it  forth,  but  instantly  felt  acute 
internal  pain.  One  of  his  followers,  named  Baschar, 
who  had  eaten  more  freely,  fell  down  and  expired  in  con- 
vulsions. All  now  was  concision  and  consternation;  on 
diligent  iaouiry,  it  was  found  that  the  lamb  had  been 
cooked  by  Zamab,  a  female  captive,  niece  to  Marhab,  the 
gigantic  warrior  slain  by  Ali.  Being  brought  before  Ma- 
homet, and  charged  with  having  infused  poison  into  the 
viand,  she  boldly  avowed  it,  vindicating  it  as  a  justifiable 
revenge  for  the  uls  he  had  brought  upon  her  tribe  and  her 
family.  "  I  thought,"  said  she,  "  if  thou  wert  indeed  a 
prophet,  thou  wouldst  discover  thy  danger ;  if  but  a  chief- 
tain, thou  wouldst  fall,  and  we  should  be  dehvered  from  a 
tyrant." 

Arabian  writers  are  divided  as  to  the  fate  of  this  he- 
roine. According  to  some,  she  was  delivered  iip  to  the 
vengeance  of  the  relatives  of  Baschar,  who  haa  died  of 
the  poison.  According  to  others,  her  beauty  pleaded  in 
her  oehalf,  and  Mahomet  restored  her  unharmed  to  her 
family. 

The  same  writers  seldom  permit  any  remarkable  event 
of  Mahomet's  life  to  pass  without  a  miracle.  In  the 
present  instance,  they  assure  us  that  the  poisoned  shoulder 
of  lamb  became  miraculously  gifted  with  speech,  and 
warned  Mahomet  of  his  danger.     If  so,  it  was  rather 

*  The  Jews  inhabiting  the  tract  of  oonntiy  called  KhiObar,  are  still 
known  in  Arabia  by  the  name  of  Ben!  Kheibar.  They  are  diyided  into 
three  tribes,  under  independent  Sheikhf,  the  Beni  MeMiad,  Beni  Sohahan, 
and  Beni  Anaesse.  They  are  aooosed  of  pillaging  the  cararang.— /»•- 
hihr,  V.  iL,  p.  4S. 

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126  IiIFS  OF  MAHOMBT. 

slow  of  speecli,  far  he  had  imlnbed  soMewak  fomoa  to 
iajnre  his  ccmstitatioii  throughout  the  remainder  of  hk 
hfe,  a.ffecting  hjni  often  with  parozyBms  of  pain ;  «bm1  m 
his  lafit  moments  he  ocmiplained  that  the  Teins  of  his  heart 
throbbed  wiUi  the  pmson  of  Khaibar.  He  expeiienced 
kinder  treatment  at  the  hands  of  Sa%a  (or  Sophia), 
another  female  captire,  who  had  still  greater  motiiTes  foit 
vengeance  thanZfuoiab;  for  she  was  the  recently  espoused 
wife  of  Kenana,  who  had  just  been  sacrificed  for  his  wealth, 
and  she  was  Ihe  danshter  of  Hoja  Ibn  Akhtab,  prince  c^ 
-tiie  Beni  Koraida,  who,  with  seren  hundred  of  his  people, 
had  been  put  to  death  in  the  square  of  Medina,  as  nas 
been  related. 

l^iis  Safiya  was  of  ffreat  beautj ;  it  is  not  suiprbing^ 
therefore,  that  she  shoxdd  find  instant  faroor  in  the  ejea 
of  Mahomet,  and  that  he  should  seek,  as  usual,  to  add 
her  to  his  harem ;  but  it  maj  occasion  surprise  that  she 
should  contemplate  sudi  a  lot  with  ccnnplaomcY.  Moslem 
writers,  however,  explain  this  bj  assuring  us  tnat  she  was 
supernaturallj  prepsuned  for  the  event. 

\¥hile  Mahomet  was  je^  encamped  before  the  ctAj,  and 
canyinff  on  ihe  siege,  she  had  a  vision  of  the  night,  in 
whi^  me  sun  descended  fixjm  the  firmament  and  nestied 
in  her  bosom.  On  recounting  her  dieam  to  her  husband 
£enana  in  the  morning,  he  smote  her  on  the  £M)e,  ex- 
claiming, "  Woman !  jou  speak  in  parables  of  this  Arab 
chief  who  has  come  against  us." 

The  vision  of  Sa%a  was  made  true,  &r  having  eon- 
verted  her  with  all  decent  haste  to  the  faith  of  Islam, 
Mahomet  took  her  to  wife  before  he  left  Khaibar.  Iheir 
nuptials  took  place  on  the  homeward  mardi,  at  Al  Sahba, 
where  the  army  halted  for  three  days.  Abu  Ajub,  one  of 
the  prophet's  most  ardent  disciples  and  marshal  o£  his 
household,  patrolled  around  ike  nuptial  tent  throu^^umt  the 
night,  sword  in  hand.  Safiya  was  one  of  the  most  favoured 
wives  of  Mahomet,  whom  she  survived  to  forty  years  of 
widowhood. 

Besides  the  marriages  oi  affeeticm  whidi  we  have  re- 
corded, ihe  prophet,  about  this  time,  made  another  of 
policy.  Shortly  after  his  return  to  Medina,  he  was  e^- 
dened  by  the  arrival,  firom  Abyssinia,  of  the  residue  of  the 
fugitives.  Among  these  was  a  comely  widow,  tiiir^  years 
of  age,  whose  husband,  Abdallah,  had  died  while  in  exile. 
She  was  goiendly  known  by  the  name  of  0mm  Habiba, 
the  mother  of  Habiba^  from  a  daughter  to  whom  shQ  had 

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grwen  birdi.  This  wkbir  wss  tlie  dau^ter  of  Mahomet'i 
arch  enemj,  Abu  Sofian ;  and  the  prophet  oonoeired  thai 
a  mairia^  with  the  dangfater  xm^ist  sotten  tlie  hoatOity  of 
Hie  fatb^;  a  poiitic  oonsideTatkxi,  ivhioh  is  aaid  to  haTe 
heeiL  eitiier  aumsited  or  saDCtioned  b j  a  rerdatiom  of  a 
chapter  of  the  Koran. 

When  Aba  Sofian  heozd  of  ilie  esponsak,  "Byhearen," 
exckimed  he,  **  this  oamel  is  to  rampant  that  no  mnicle 
can  restrain  him." 


CHAPTEEXXVI. 

IGaiioiiBtOTviHupriBees:  toHendias;  toShosnill;  tothePrefeet 
«f  Egypt.— Zbeir  resolt. 

BuBivo  the  residue  of  the  year,  Mahomet  remained  at 
Medina,  sending  forth  his  trusty  disciples,  by  this  time 
experienced  captains,  on  various  mflitaiy  expeditions ;  by 
which  refractory  tr^es  were  r^idhr  brought  into  suhjec- 
iicm.  His  yiews  as  a  statesman  widened  as  his  territories 
increased.  Thou^  he  professed,  m  cases  of  necessity,  to 
propagate  his  reUgion  by  the  sword,  he  was  not  neglectful 
of  me  peaeeM  measures  oi  diplomacy,  and  sent  enTors  to 
yanous  iH*ince8  and  potentates,  whose  dominions  bordered 
OD.  his  pohtical  horizon,  urging  tbem  to  embrace  the  faith 
of  Islam ;  which  was  in  effect,  to  adcnowledge  him,  through 
his  apostolic  office,  their  superknr. 

Two  of  the  most  noted  oi  these  missions,  were  to  Eliosra 
IL,  king  of  Persia,  and  Heraclius,  the  Boman  emperor,  at 
Constantinople.  The  wars  between  ihe  Eomans  and  the 
Persians,  £ot  the  dominion  of  the  East,  which  had  pre- 
yailed  from  time  to  time  through  several  centuries,  had 
been  revived  by  these  two  potentates  with  varying  fortunes^ 
and  for  several  years  past  liiiEul  distracted  the  eastern  world. 
Countries  had  lie^i  overrun  by  either  power ;  states  and 
kii3gdoms  had  changed  hands  under  altemate  invasions, 
ana  according  to  the  conquests  and  defeats  of  the  warring 
parties.  At  one  time,  Elhosru,  with  three  armies,  one 
Tauntingly  called  the  'FiStv  Thousand  Gkdden  Spears,  had 
wrested  Palestine,  Caj^aaocia,  Armenia,  and  several  other 
great  and  wealthy  provinces,  from  the  Boman  emperor ; 
had  made  himself  mast^  of  Jerusalem,  and  carried  off  the 
SjgAj  Cross  to  Persia;  had  invaded  Africa^  conquered 

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128  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

Libya  and  Egypt,  and  extended  his  victories  even  to  Caj> 
thage. 

In  the  midst  of  his  triumphant  career,  a  Moslem  envoy 
arrived  bearing  him  a  letter  from  Mahomet.  EJiosra  sent 
for  his  secretary  or  interpreter,  and  ordered  him  to  read  it. 
The  letter  began  as  follows : 

*'  In  the  name  of  the  most  merciful  God !  Mahomet, 
son  of  Abdallah,  and  apostle  of  God,  to  Xhosru,  king  of 
Persia." 

"  What !"  cried  Khosru,  startmg  up  in  haughly  indig- 
nation, "  does  one  who  is  my  slave,  dare  to  put  his  name 
first  in  writing  to  me  P"  So  saying,  he  seized  the  letter 
and  tore  it  in  pieces,  without  seeking  to  know  its  contents. 
He  then  wrote  to  his  viceroy  in  Yemen,  saying,  "  I  am 
told  there  is  in  Medina  a  madman,  of  thetrilie  of  Koreish, 
who  pretends  to  be  a  prophet.  Eestore  him  to  his  senses, 
or  if  you  cannot,  send  me  his  head." 

When  Mahomet  was  told  how  Xhosru  had  torn  his 
letter,  "Even  so,"  said  he,  " shall  Allah  rend  his  empire 
in  pieces." 

The  letter  from  the  prophet  to  Heraclius  was  more 
favourably  received,  reaching  him  probably  during  his  re- 
verses. It  was  signed  in  diaracters  of  silver,  Mahomet 
Azzarel,  Mahomet  the  messenger  of  God,  and  invited  the 
emperor  to  renounce  Christiamty,  and  embrace  the  faith 
of  Islam.  Heraclius,  we  are  told,  deposited  the  epistle 
respectfully  upon  his  pillow,  treated  the  envoy  with  dis- 
tinction, and  dismissed  him  with  magnificent  presents. 
Engrossed,  however,  by  his  Persian  wars,  he  paid  no  fur- 
ther attention  to  this  mission,  from  one  whom  he  probably 
considered  a  mere  Arab  fanatic ;  nor  attached  sufficient 
importance  to  his  military  operations,  which  may  have  ap- 

of  the 


mere  predatory  forays  of  the  wild  tribes  of  the 
desert. 
Another  mission  of  Mabomet  was  to  the  Mukowkis,  or 

fovemor  of  Egypt,  who  had  originally  been  sent  there  by 
[eraclius  to  collect  tribute ;  but  who,  availing  himself  of 
the  confusion  produced  by  the  wars  between  me  Somans 
and  Persians,  nad  assumed  sovereign  power,  and  nearly 
thrown  off  all  allegiance  to  the  emperor.  He  received  the 
envoy  with  signal  nonour,  but  evaded  a  direct  reply  to  the 
invitation  to  embrace  the  faith,  observing  that  it  was  a 
^ve  matter,  requiring  much  consideration.  In  the  mean- 
time, he  sent  presenii  to  Mahomet  of  precious  jewels ; 
garments  of  Egyptian  linen ;  exquisite  honey  and  Dutter ; 


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PILaBIMAGS  TO  MECCA.  129. 

a  white  she-ass,  called  Yafhr ;  a  white  mule,  called  Daldal, 
and  a  fleet  horse,  called  Lazlos,  or  the  Pranoer.  The  most, 
acceptable  of  his  presents,  however,  were  two  Coptic 
damsels,  sisters,  called  Marijah  (or  Mary),  and  Shiren. 

The  beauty  of  Marijah  caused  great  perturbation  in  the 
mind  of  the  prophet.  He  would  fain  hare  made  her  his 
concubine,  but  was  impeded  by  his  own  law  in  the  seven- 
teenth chapter  of  the  Koran,  ordaining  that  f<)mication 
should  be  punished  with  stripes. 

He  was  relieved  from  his  mlemma,  by  another  revelation 
revoking  the  law  in  regard  to  himself  alone,  allowing  him 
intercourse  with  his  handmaid.  It  remained  in  full  force, 
however,  against  all  other  Moslems.  Still,  to  avoid 
scandal,  and  above  all,  not  to  excite  the  jealousy  of  his 
wives,  he  carried  on  his  intercourse  with  the  heautiful 
Mariyah  in  secret ;  which  may  be  one  reason  why  she 
remamed  long  a  favourite. 


CHAPTEEXXVIL 

Kahomet's  pilgrimage  to  Mecca;  hli  marriage  with  Malmmia. — ^Ehale4 
Ibn  U  Waled  and  Amra  Ibn  al  Aass  become  ptoeelytes. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  when,  by  treaty  with  the 
Koreishites,  Mahomet  and  his  followers  were  permitted 
to  make  a  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  and  pass  three  days 
unmolested  at  the  sacred  shrines.    He  departed  aocora- 
ingly  with  a  numerous  and  well-armed  host,  and  seventy 
camels  for  sacrifices.    His  old  adversaries  would  fedn  have 
impeded  his  progress,  but  they  were  overawed,  and  on  his 
approach  withdrew  silentiy  to  the  neighbouring  hills.    On 
entering  the  bounds  of  Mecca,  the  pilgrims,  according  to 
compact  and  usage,  laid  aside  all  their  warlike  accoutre- 
ments exceptim^  their  swords,  which  they  carried  sheathed. 
Great  was  their  joy  on  beholding  once  more  the  walls 
and  towers  of  the  sacred  city.    They  entered  the  gates  in 
pilgrim   garb,  with   devout  and  thankful  hearts,    and 
ilahomet  performed  all  Ihe  ancient  and  customary  rites, 
with  a  zeal  and  devotion  which  gratified  beholders,  and 
drew  to  him  many  converts.    When  he  had  oompUed 
with  all  the  ceremonials,  he  threw  aside  the  Iram  or 
pilgrim'f  garb,  and  withdrew  to  Sari^  a  hamlet  two 

X 

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laO  LI71  OV  XIHOKBT. 

lea^oes  cBttant,  and  witihooi  the  sacred  boimdarieB.  Hero 
he  iiad  a  cMemonial  of  a  different  kind  to  perform,  but 
one  in  wMdi  1m  wba  prone  to  act  with  un^gned  devotion. 
It  yna  to  eom^ete  his  miniate  with  Mainmna,  the 
dsa^kber  of  Al  Hareth,  tibe  H^dite.  He  had  become 
betiraihed  to  her  <m  his  amyal  at  Meoca»  but  had  post- 
poned the  nuptials  until  after  he  had  concluded  the  rites 
of  pilgna^age.  This  was  doubtless  another  marriage  of 
pohcy,  for  Maimuna  was  fiftf-one  years  of  a^e,  and  & 
widow,  but  the  coonezioiL  gdned  him  two  powerftd 
proae^tes.  One  was  Suhaledlbn  al  Waled,  a  nephew  of 
the  widow,  an  intrepid  wanior,  who  had  come  near 
destroying  Mahomet  at  tiie  battle  of  Ohod.  He  now 
became  one  of  iiie  most  victorious  chamj^ons  of  Islamism, 
and  by  his  prowess  obtained  the  aroellation  c^  ''The 
Sword  of  Goi" 

The  other  proselyte  was  Elialed's  friend  Amm  Ibn  id 
Aass ;  the  same  who  assailed  Mahomet  with  poetry  and 
satire  at  the  commencement  of  hispro^hetic  career ;  who 
had  been  an  ambassador  from  the  luoreishites  to  the  king 
of  Abyssinia,  to  obtain  the  surrender  of  the  frigitive 
Moslems,  and  who  was  henceforth  destined  with  his 
sword  to  cany  yictoriously  into  foreign  lands,  the  faith 
his  had  oaee  so  rtrenuously  opposed. 

KoTB.>-MaiiiMma  was  the  last  spouse  of  the  prophet,  and,  old  as  she 
was  at  kffmaidace»surviTed  all  bis -other  wives.  JShe  died  maiij  yean 
after  Um,  in  a  pavflion  at  9etiS,  under  the  same  tree  In  the  shade  of 
which  her  niptial  tent  had  been  pitched,  and  was  then  intenod.  l%e 
pfons  BisloriaB,  Jkl  JannaU,  win  atylas  faiiBseif  «  apoerMrrant of  Attalu 
hoping  ftr  Ike  paidon  ef  his  sias  tfaitnvh  the  Kerey^  cf  Qod»*  visited  her 
tomb  OB  wtoniinf  ftom  *  pMgrfwage  t»-Meoca,  in  the  year  cf  the  Hc- 
fira  9<8,  AJ).  15^.  **  I  saw  there,"  said  hsb  <<  a  dome  of  black  maiMo 
eieoted  in  meuKwy  of  Haimmia,  on  the  very  spot  on  which  the  apostle 
of  God  had  Teposed  with  her.  God  knows  the  troth !  and  also  the 
reason  of  the  Uaokeoloar  of  OetfeoM.  tloe  Is  a  place  af  aUnttOB, 
aadsBonrtoty   tank  the  bailitefli»lliaent»dee^r.* 


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131 


CHAPTEE  JQLVILL 

A  Hbdem  enyoy  daixt  ia  Syiia^— B^eAtiim  to  sfvage  hit  dotlL"^ 
Battle  «f  l[iitte.—itg  fesnUfl. 

AxoBe  the  £ffer«Q[t  misskms  wluch  Lad  been  sent  by 
Mahomet  beyond  the  bounds  of  Arabia  to  invite  the 
seigMnmiing  princes  to  embrace  his  religion,  was  one  to 
the  ^remor  ca  Bosra,  ike  great  nuuii  on  tiie  confines  of 
Sym,  to  whidsL  lie  had  made  bis  £rst  caravan  journey  in 
the  days  of  his  youth.  Syria  had  been  alternately  luSder 
Bomon  and  Persian  domination,  but  was  at  tliat  time 
fnbjeet  to  the  emperor,  ihoiiffb  probably  in  a  ^eat  state 
of  confusion.  The  envoy  of  mahomet  was  skm  at  Muta, 
ft  town  about  three  days'  journey  eastward  from  Jeru- 
ndem.  The  (me  who  slew  him  was  an  Arab  of  the 
Ghristzsn  tnbe  of  Crassaa,  and  son  to  Shorhail,  an  emir, 
idio  governed  Muta  in  the  name  of  Heraclius. 

To  revenge  the  deatii  of  his  legate,  and  to  insure 
leiq^eet  to  Bs  envoys  in  future,  llJ^omet  prepared  to 
send  axL  amy  of  three  th<»isand  men  against  tne  offending 
city.  It  was  a  momentous  expedition,  as  it  mi^bt,  for 
ibe  first  time,  bring  tke  arms  of  Islam  in  cdlision  with 
those  <^  the  Soman  Empire;  but  Mahomet  presumed 
upon  his  growii^  power,  the  energ^^  of  his  troops,  and 
the  diaosr&red  state  of  Syrian  amiirs.  The  eommand 
mm  intrc»ted  to  his  freedman  Zeid,  who  had  given  such 
signal  proof  ei  devotion  in  surrendering  to  him  his  beau- 
tinil  wife  Zeinab.  Several  ehosen  ofScers  were  associated 
with  him.  One  was  Mahomet's  cousin  Jaafar,  son  of 
Aba  l^b,  and  brother  of  AH ;  the  same  who,  by  his 
eloquence,  had  vindicated  the  doctrines  of  Ishmi  before 
the  king  oiAbymaauA,  and  defeated  the  Koreish  embassy. 
He  was  now  in  the  prime  of  hfe,  and  noted  for  great 
eonrage  and  manfy  Dea«ty.  Another  of  the  associate 
officers  was  Abdallah  Ibn  Xawaha,  the  poet,  but  who  had 
mgnalized  himself  in  amis  as  well  as  poetry.  A  ^hird 
was  the  new  prosdyte  Ehaled,  who  joined  the  expedition 
tt  a  vohmteer,  bemg  eager  to  prove  by  his  sword  the 
moetiij  of  Ms  eonversion. 

The  orders  to  Z^were  to  march  n^pidly,  so  as  to  come 
vpen  Mota  by  surprise,  to  summon  the  inhabitants  to 
unbrace  the  £mv«adto  treat  them.wiihlemty.  Women^ 
K  2 


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132  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

children,  monks,  and  the  blind,  were  to  be  spared  at  all 
eyents ;  nor  were  anj  houses  to  be  destroyea,  nor  trees 
oat  down. 

The  little  army  sallied  &om  Medina  in  the  Ml  confi- 
dence of  coming  npon  the  enemy  unawares.  On  theix 
march,  however,  they  learned  that  a  greatly  superior  force 
of  Bomans,  or  rather  Greeks  and  Arabs,  was  adFancing  to 
meet  them.  A  council  of  war  was  called.  Some  were  fot 
pausing,  and  awaiting  further  orders  from  Mahomet :  but 
Abdallah,  the  poet,  was  for  pushing  fearlessly  forward 
without  regard  to  numbers.  "  We  fight  for  the  faith !" 
cried  he ;  "if  we  fall,  paradise  is  our  reward.  On,  then,, 
to  victory  or  martyrdom !" 

All  caM^t  a  spark  of  the  poet's  fire,  or  rather,  fana- 
ticism. Thej  met  the  enemy  near  Muta,  and  encountered 
them  with  fury  rather  than  valour.  In  the  heat  of  the 
conflict,  Zeid  received  a  mortal  wound.  The  sacred  banner 
was  falling  from  his  grasp,  but  was  seized  and  borne  aloft 
by  Jaafar.  The  batue  thickened  round  him,  for  the  ban- 
ner was  the  object  of  fierce  contention.  He  defended  it 
with  desperate  valour.  The  hand  by  which  he  held  it  was 
struck  on;  he  grasped  it  with  the  other.  That,  too,  was 
severed ;  he  embraced  it  with  his  bleeding  arms.  A  blow 
ftom.  a  scimetar  cleft  his  skull ;  he  sank  dead  upon  the 
field,  still  clinging  to  the  standard  of  the  faith.  Abdallah 
the  poet  next  reared  the  banner ;  but  he,  too,  fell  beneath 
the  sword.  £haled,  the  new  convert,  seeing  the  three 
Moslem  leaders  slain,  now  grasped  the  fatal  stondard,  but 
in  his  hand  it  remained  aloft.  His  voice  raUied  the  waver- 
ing Moslems:  his  powerftd  arm  cut  its  way  through  the 
thickest  of  the  enemy.  If  his  Own  account  maybe  credited, 
and  he  was  one  whose  deeds  needed  no  exaggeration,  nine 
Bcimetars  were  broken  in  his  hand  by  the  fury  of  the  blows 
given  by  him  in  this  deadly  conflict. 

Night  separatedthe combatants.  In  the  momiog,  Khaled,. 
whom  the  army  acknowledged  as  their  commander,  proved 
himself  as  wary  as  he  was  valiant.  By  dint  of  marches 
and  counter-marches,  he  presented  his  forces  in  so  manj 
points  of  view,  that  the  enemy  were  deceived  as  to  his 
number,  and  supposed  he  had  received  a  strong  reinforce* 
ment.  At  his  wnt  charge,  therefore,  they  retreated :  their 
reiireat  soon  became  a  ^ht ;  in  which  they  were  pursued 
with  ^at  slaughter.  lOuiled  then  plundered  their  camp, 
in  which  was  found  great  booty.  Among  the  slain  in  the 
^eld  of  battle  was  found  the  body  of  Jaa£ur,  covered  with. 

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HOTJBKINa  FOB  JAAFAB.  133 

wounds,  but  all  in  front.  Oat  of  respect  to  bis  yalour, 
and  to  his  relationship  with  the  prophet,  !Khaled  ordered 
that  his  corpse  should  not  be  buried  on  the  spot,  but  borne 
back  for  honourable  interment  at  Medina. 

The  arm^,  on  its  return,  though  laden  with  spoil,  en- 
tered the  ci^  more  like  a  funeral  train  than  a  triumphant 
pageant,  and  was  received  with  mingled  shouts  and  lamen- 
tations. While  ihe  people  rejoiced  in  the  success  of  their 
Anns,  they  mourned  the  loss  of  three  of  their  favourite 
generals.  All  bewailed  the  fate  of  Jaafar,  brought  home  » 
ghastly  corpse  to  that  city  whence  they  had  so  recently 
seen  him  sally  forth  in  all  the  pride  of  valiant  manhoocU 
the  admiration  of  every  beholder.  He  had  left  behind 
him  a  beautiM  wife  and  infant  son.  The  heart  of  Ma- 
homet was  touched  by  her  affliction.  He  took  the  orphaa 
child  in  his  arms  and  bathed  it  with  his  tears.  But  most 
be  was  affected  when  he  beheld  the  young  daughter  of  his 
faithM  Zeid  approaching  Him.  He  fell  on  her  neck  and 
wept  in  speechless  emotion.  A  bystander  expressed  sur- 
prise that  he  should  give  way  to  tears  for  a  death,  which, 
according  to  Moslem  doctnne,  was  but  a  passport  to 
paradise.  "Alas!"  replied  the  profjhet,  "these  are  the 
tears  of  finendship  for  the  loss  of  a  friend !" 

The  obsequies  of  Jaafar  were  performed  on  the  third 
<day  after  the  arrival  of  the  army.  By  that  time,  Mahomet 
had  recovered  his  self-possession,  and  was  again  the  pro- 
phet. He  gently  rebuked  the  passionate  lamentations  of 
the  multitude,  taking  occasion  to  inculcate  one  of  the  most 
politic  and  consolatory  doctrines  of  his  creed.  "Weep 
no  more,"  said  he,  "  over  the  death  of  this  my  brother. 
In  place  of  the  two  hands  lost  in  defending  the  standard 
of  me  faith,  two  wiogs  have  been  given  him  to  bear  him  to 
paradise ;  there  to  enioy  the  endless  delights  insured  to  all 
believers  who  fall  in  battle." 

It  was  in  consequence  of  the  prowess  and  generalship 
displayed  by  Khaied  iu  this  pemous  fight,  tmit  he  wai 
honoured  by  Mahomet  with  the  appeBation  of  "The 
Sword  of  God,"  by  which  he  was  afterwards  renowned* 


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134 

CHAPTEB  XXTX. 

Designs  upon  Heooa.— ICbiIob  of  Aba  Soian^— Tts  re&sSt. 

Majiombt,  bj  fotee  eitiber  of  arms  or  eloquence,  liad  now 
mcqnired  dominion  over  a  great  number  of  the  Aralnazi 
tribes.  He  had  many  i^ooMiid  warriors  under  his  com- 
mand ;  s<ms  of  Hie  desert,  inured  to  hnnger,  thirst,  and 
iiie  scorching  rays  of  the  snn,  and  to  whom  war  was  a 
sport,  rather  than  a  tcHi.  He  had  corrected  tiieir  intem- 
perance, di«;iplined  their  Talonr,  and  subjected  them  to 
role.  Eepeated  yictories  had  giren  ^^n  confidence  in 
tii^nsdyes  and  in  their  leader,  whose  stan^^d  they  fol- 
lowed wii^  the  implicit  obedience  c^  sddiers,  aad  t^ 
blind  fanadoism  of  disciples. 

The  yiews  of  Mahomet  expanded  wilii  his  means,  and  a 
^;rand  enterxnrise  now  opened  upon  his  nund.  Mecca,  Ym 
fiatrye  city,  the  abode  of  his  mmily  for  ffen^raiions,  tiie 
scene  of  his  happiest  years,  was  stiu  in  t£e  hands  of  h» 
implacable  foes.  The  Caaba,  the  object  of  devotion  sod. 
pilgrimage  to  all  liie  children  of  Ishmael,  the  i^irine  of  his 
earnest  worship,  was  still  profaned  by  the  emblems  end 
rites  of  idolatry.  To  plant  the  standard  of  the  {aith  cm 
the  walls  of  his  native  city,  to  rescue  ^e  holy  house  horn 
profanation,  restore  it  to  the  spiritual  worship  of  -Hie  one 
true  God,  and  make  it  the  rallying  point  of  Islamism,  £[Hrmed 
now  the  leading  object  of  his  ambition. 

The  treaty  of  peace  existing  with  the  Soreishites  was 
an  impediment  to  any  military  enterprise ;  but  some  casual 
feuds  and  skirmishings  soon  gave  a  pretext  for  chargmg 
them  with  having  violated  the  treaty  stipulati(ms.  The 
Soreishites  had  oy  this  time  learned  to  appreciate  and 
dread  the  rapidly  increasing  power  of  the  Moslems,  and 
ware  eager  to  explain  away,  or  atone  for,  the  quarrels  and 
misdeed  of  a  few  heedless  individuals.  They  even  pre> 
vailed  on  their  leader,  Abu  Sofian,  to  repair  to  Medina  as 
ambassadoir  of  peace,  trusting  that  he  might  have  some 
influence  with  the  prophet  uirough  his  <&ughter,  Onun 
Habiba. 

It  was  a  sore  trial  to  this  haughty  chief  to  come  almost 
a  suppliant  to  the  man  whom  he  had  scoffed  at  as  an 
impostor,  and  treated  with  inveterate  hostility ;  and  hia 

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uiasioir  OF  ABtr  sofuiT.  13$ 

proud  spirit  was  doomed  to  still  further  mortification,  for 
Mahomet,  judging  from  his  errand  of  the  weakness  of  his 
party,  and  oeing  seeretl^  b^t  <m  wsr»  vouchsafed  him  no 
reply. 

^pressing  his  rage,  Abu  Sofian  sought  the  intermedia- 
tion of  Abu  Seker,  of  Omar,  and  Ali  j  but  they  all  rebuked 
and  repulsed  him;  for  they  knew  the  secret  wishes  of 
Mahomet.  He  next  endeavour^  to  secure  the  favoor  of 
^tima,  the  daughter  of  Mahomet  and  wife  of  AH,  bj^- 
flattering  a  motlier*s  jpide,  entreating  her  to  let  her  son^ 
ISbtsan,  a  child  but  six  years  old,  be  his  protector ;  but 
^atima  answered  haughtdy,  **  My  son  is  too  younff  to  b0 
ftprdtector;  and  no  protection  can  avail  against  tnewiE 
of  the  prophet  of  Qoa,**  Even  his  daughter,  OmmHabibav 
liie  wife  of  Mahomet,  on  whom  Abu  ^fian  had  calculated 
for  influence,  added  to  his  mortification,  for  on  his  oi&rins^ 
to  seat  himself  on  a  mat  in  her  dwelHne,  she  hastily  foldea 
it  up,  exclaiming,  **  It  is  the  bed  of  me  prophet  of  God* 
and  too  sacred  to  be  made  l^e  resting-place  of  an  idolater," 

The  cup  of  humiliation  was  full  to  OTerflowing,  and  in 
the  bitterness  cf  his  heart  Abu  Sofian  cursed  his  &Ujghter. 
He  now  turned  afain  to  Ali^  beseeching  his  advice  in  the 
desperate  state  of  his  embassy. 

"I  can  advise  nothing  better," replied  Ali,  " tiban for 
^ee  to  promise,  as  the  head  of  the  inloreishites,  a  conli- 
nuance  of  thy  protection,  and  then  to  return  to  thy  home.* 

*'  But  thinkest  thou  that  promise  wiH  be  of  ai^  avail  P" 

"I  think  not,"  replied  Ali,  drily ;  **but  I  know  not  to 
the  contrary.** 

In  pursuance  of  tibds  advice,  Abu  Sofian  r^aired  to  the 
mosque,  and  made  public  dedaration,  in  Behalf  of  the 
Koreishites,  that  on  meir  part  the  treaty  of  peace  should 
be  Idthfally  maintained ;  after  which  he  returned  to  Mecca* 
deeply  humiliated  by  the  imperfect  result  of  his  mission. 
He  was  received  with  bcoSb  by  the  Koreishites,  who  ob- 
served that  his  declaration  of  peace  availed  nothing  with* 
out  the  concurrence  of  Mahomet; 


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136 

CHAPTEE  XXX 

Bnrpiise  and  Capture  of  Mecca. 

Mahohet  now  prepared  for  a  secret  expedition  to  take 
Hecca  by  surprise.  His  allies  were  summoned  from  all 
quarters  to  Medina ;  but  no  intimation  was  ^yen  of  the 
object  lie  had  in  view.  All  the  roads  leadmg  to  Mecca 
were  barred  to  prevent  anj  intelligence  of  his  movements 
being  carried  to  the  Koreishites.  With  all  his  precautions, 
the  secret  c>ame  near  being  discovered.  Among  his  fol- 
lowers, fugitives  from  Mecca,  was  one  named  Hateb, whose 
ikmilj  had  remained  behind,  and  were  without  connexions 
or  friends  to  take  an  interest  in  their  welfare.  Hateb  now 
thought  to  gain  favour  for  them  among  the  Koreishites, 
by  betraying  the  plans  of  Mahomet.  He  accordingly 
wrote  a  letter  revealing  the  intended  enterprise,  and  gave 
it  in  charge  to  a  singing  woman,  named  Sara,  a  Haschemite 
slave,  who  undertook  to  carry  it  to  Mecca. 

She  was  already  on  the  road  when  Mahomet  was  ap- 
prised of  the  treachery.  Ali  and  five  others,  well  mounted, 
were  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  messenger.  They  soon  over- 
took her,  but  searched  her  person  in  vain.  Most  of  them 
would  have  given  up  the  search  and  turned  back,  but  Ali 
was  confident  that  the  proiJiet  of  God  could  not  be  mis- 
taken nor  misinformed.  Drawing  his  scimetar,  he  swore 
to  strike  off  the  head  of  the  messenger,  imless  the  letter 
were  produced.  The  threat  was  effectual.  She  drew  forth 
the  letter  from  among  her  hair. 

Hateb  on  being  taxed  with  his  perfidy,  acknowledged 
it ;  but  pleaded  Hs  anxiety  to  secure  favour  for  his  des- 
titute family,  and  his  certainty  that  the  letter  would  be 
harmless,  and  of  no  avail  against  the  purposes  of  the 
apostle  of  God.  Omar  spumed  at  his  excuses,  and  would 
have  struck  off  his  head ;  but  Mahomet,  calling  to  mind 
that  Hateb  had  fought  bravely  in  support  of  the  faith 
in  the  battle  of  Beder,  admitted  his  excuses  and  for- 
gave him. 

The  prophet  departed  with  ten  thousand  men  on  this 
momentous  enterprise.  Omar,  who  had  charge  of  regu- 
lating the  march,  and  appointing  the  encampments,  led 
the  army  by  lonely  passes  of  the  mountains ;  prohibiting 

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CAPTITBB  OF  ABTT  SOPIAK.  137 

the  soTmd  of  attabal  or  tjrompet,  or  aaytibing  else  that 
could  betray  their  moTements.  While  on  me  inarch, 
Mahomet  was  joined  by  his  uncle  Al  Abbas,  who  had 
come  forth  with  his  fiamily  from  Mecca,  to  rally  under  the 
standard  of  the  faith.  Mahomet  received  him  graciously, 
yet  with  a  hint  at  his  tardiness.  '*  Thou  art  the  last  of  the 
emigrants,"  said  he,  *'  as  I  am  the  last  of  the  prophets." 
Al  Abbas  sent  his  family  forward  to  Medina,  wnile  he 
turned  and  accompanied  the  expedition.  The  army- 
reached  the  valley  of  Marr  Azzahran,  near  to  the  sacred 
city,  without  bemg  discovered.  It  was  nightfall  when 
they  silently  pitched  their  tents,  and  now  Omar  for  the 
£rst  time  permitted  them  to  light  their  watch-jQres. 

In  the  meantime,  thongrh  Al  Abbas  had  joined  the 
standard  of  the  faith  in  all  sincerity,  yet  he  was  sorely  dis- 
quieted at  seeing  his  nephew  advancing  against  Mecca, 
witii  such  a  powerful  force  and  such  hosti^  intent ;  and 
feared  the  entire  destruction  of  the  Koreishites,  iinless 
they  could  be  persuaded  in  time  to  capitulate.  In  the 
dead  of  the  night,  he  mounted  Mahomet's  white  mtde 
Padda,  and  rode  forth  to  reconnoitre.  In  skirting  the 
camp,  he  heard  the  tramp  of  men  and  sound  of  voices.  A 
scouting  ^arty  were  bringing  in  two  prisoners  captured 
near  the  city.  Al  Abbas  approached,  and  found  the  cap- 
tives to  be  Abu  Sofian,  and  one  of  his  cantains.  They 
-were  ccmducted  to  the  watch-fire  of  Omar,  wno  recognised 
Abu  Sofian  by  the  light.  "  Grod  be  praised,"  cried  he, 
**  that  I  have  such  an  enemy  in  mj  hands,  and  without 
conditions."  His  ready  scimetar  mieht  have  given  fatal 
significance  to  his  words,  had  not  Al  Abbas  stepped  for- 
ward and  taken  Abu  Sofian  under  his  protection,  until  the 
wiU  of  the  prophet  should  be  known.  Omar  rushed  forth 
to  ascertain  that  will,  or  rather  to  demand  the  life  of  the 
prisoner ;  but  Al  Abbas,  taking  the  latter  up  behind  him, 
put  spurs  to  his  mule,  and  was  the  first  to  reach  the  tent 
of  the  prophet,  followed  hard  by  Omar,  clamouring  for  the 
head  of  Abu  Sofian. 

Mahomet  thus  beheld  in  his  power  his  inveterate 
enemy,  who  had  driven  him  £rom  his  home  and  country, 
and  persecuted  his  family  and  friends ;  but  he  beheld  m. 
him  the  father  of  his  wife  Onmi  Habiba,  and  Mt  in- 
clined to  demeney.  He  postponed  all  decision  in  the 
matter  until  mommg ;  giving  Abu  Sofian  in  charge  of  Al 
Abbas. 
,   Wiien  the  captain  was  brought  before  him  the  following 

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136  LIFE  OF  MIHOMSV. 

^y,  "  Well  Aim  S<^mi,''  eried  be,  ''k  it  sot  «t  Im^ 
time  to  know  tliat  there  is  no  other  god  but  GodP' 

**  Tkat  I  already  knew,^  implied  Aba  So&m. 

"  Good !  and  is  it  not  time  for  tbee  to  aeknowledge  me 
as  the  aposi^  of  GodF" 

''Defff^r  art  ikcn.  to  me  ^msd.  my  father  and  mjr 
mother,"  repMed  Abu  Sofiaa,  usuig  an  oriental  phrase  of 
oomplimeHt ;  **  bat  I  am  not  yet  prepared  to  aclnowlednie 
thee  a  prophet.** 

'*  Oat  atK>n  l^iee  P  cried  Omar;  *'  testify  iistanth^  to  tlie 
trath,  or  tny  bead  shall  be  severed  from  my  body. 

To  these  threats  were  added  1^  coonsels  and  entreaitieB 
of  Al  Abbas,  who  showed  hims^  a  real  friend  in  need. 
The  ranooor  <^  Aba  Sofian  had  already  been  partly  sab- 
doed  by  ib«  onexpeoted  mildness  of  Mahomet;  so,  making 
a  m«it  of  neeesi^,  he  acknowledged  the  diTinity  of  his 
DQ^sion ;  ibraisyi]^  an  ilktstratifm  of  tlie  Moslem  maxim, 
^  To  coBfinoe  stubborn  onbelieT^ni,  ik&e  is  no  argnmeiiib 
like4he  swomL" 

Harins  now  embraeed  tiie  faith,  Aba  Sofian  obtained 
faToorahle  terms  for  iho  peon^e  of  Mecca,  in  ease  of  ^eir 
eabmisskm.  Kone  were  to  be  harmed  who  i^oold  remam 
^edyin  HieirhoaseBi  or  shoiald  take  refu^in  the  hoasee 
of  Aba  Sofian  and  Hi^dm ;  or  onder  I^ls  Daoner  of  Aba 
JEtawaiha. 

That  Aba  Sofian  might  take  back  to  the  oi^  a  proper 
idea  of  ihe  fbree  Inroaght  against  it,  he  was  stained  ^th 
Al  Albas  at  a  narrow  d^e  whwe  the  whole  army  passed 
in  review.  As  the  Tarioas  Arab  tribes  marched  by  wiA 
their  different  arms  and  ensigns,  Al  Abbas  explained  ti© 
name  and  coontry  of  each.  Aba  Sofian  was  sorprised  at 
the  nomber,  discipline,  and  eqoipment  of  the  troops  ;  f<w 
the  Moslems  had  been  rapd^  improTing  in  the  means 
and  art  of  war ;  bat  when  Mahomet  approached,  in  the 
midst  of  a  chosen  goard,  armed  at  aQpomts  and  guttering 
with  steel,  his  astonishment  passed  afi  boands.  **  There 
is  no  withstanding  this !"  cned  he  to  Al  Abbas,  with  an 
oath — "  truly  thy  nephew  wields  a  mighty  power." 

"Even  so,**  replied  Uie  ottier;  "rctem  then  to  thy 
-people,  provide  for  ttieir  safety,  and  warn  iJiem  not  to 
oppose  tilie  aposile  of  God." 

Aba  Sofian  hastened  bade  to  Mecca,  and,  assembling  tiie 
inhabitants,  told  i^em  of  lire  mighty  host  at  hand,  led  on 
bv  Mahomet;  of  the  favoarable  terms  offered  in  ease  of 
meir  sabmission,  and  <xf  the  vanity  of  sfi  resistance.    Ai 

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JOfTiJSGS  OV  lOBCGA.  139 

Abu  Bofian  had  heet  &e  mqI  of  tbe  oppoeitioa  to  Ma- 
liomet  and  kis  dootriiiM,  kis  wards  had  uutant  effect  in 
pirodiicii^  aoquiesoeiiee  in  an  erent  irhiek  aeei»edto  leaire 
no  altenmtive.  Ilie  greater  part  of  ihe  inkabitante,  tliere- 
fore,  prepaored  to  wiiaieas,  without  wawtaaoe,  tiie  entrj  of 
tkepropnet. 

ifdbLoniet,  in  the  meantime,  wiio  knew  not  what  leaift- 
imce  ke  might  meet  wiHi,  made  a  oareM  distribntioii  of 
kis  f<»ces  aa  ke  spproacked  ike  city.  Wkile  ike  main 
body  mareked  direcdj  forwaord,  strong  detadiments  ad- 
Tanced  ovot  Ike  kills  on  eack  side.  To  Ali,  wko  com- 
manded a  hacme  body  of  eayalij',  was  confided  tke  sacred 
banner,  wkiif  ke  was  to  plant  on  Mount  Hadjon,  and 
maintain  it  there  nntil  joined  bj  tke  propket.  ISxmm 
orders  were  givm  to  all  tke  generals  to  praetiBe  fornear- 
anee  and  in  no  instance  to  make  tke  first  attack ;  for itwaa 
tke  earnest  desire  <^  Makmnet  to  win  Meoca  It  modera- 
tkm  and  cl^nen!^,  ratker  tkan  sdbdne  it  hj  Tiolence.  it 
is  true,  all  wko  <mered  armed  redstanee  were  to  be  cot 
down,  bat  xK)ne  were  to  be  karmedwko  aubmittedqnieti]^. 
Overkearing  one  of  kis  captains  exclaim,  in  ihe  keatef  luB 
eeal,  that  **no  pkoe  was  nusred  on  tke  day  of  battle,"  he 
instantly  appointed  a  oooler-keaded  commander  in  kas 
j^aoe. 

Tke  main  body  of  Ike  army  adranoed  witkout  molesta- 
laon.  Makon^  bron^tt  up  tke  rear-guard,  dad  in  a 
scarlet  Test,  and  mounted  on  nis  &FOurite  camel  AL  Kaswa. 
He  proceeded  but  slowly,  kowcTer,  kis  morements  beisf 
impeded  by  tke  imm^ise  muititode  wkick  tknmged  around 
kim.  Amved  on  Mioimt  Hadjmi,  wkere  Ak  kad  pkuxted 
tke  standard  of  tke  Mtk,  a  tent  was  pitcked  for  kim.  Here 
ke  aligkted,  put  off  kis  scarlet  garment,  md  assumed  tke 
Uaek  turban  and  tke  pilgrim  ffarb.  Casting  a  lode  dows 
into  tke  plain,  ko  wev  er,  ne  beneld,  witk  grief  and  indigna- 
tiim,  ike  gleam  of  swords  and  lances,  imd  Ekabd,  who 
commanded  Ike  left  wing,  in  a  full  career  of  carnage.  His 
troops,  composed  of  Arab  tribes  conrerted  to  tke  faiik,  kad 
been  galled  by  a  fii^t  of  arrows  from  a  body  of  Kordish- 
ites ;  wkerenpon  tke  fieiy  wanior  ekarged  into  tke  tkiokest 
of  ikem  witk  sword  ana  lance ;  kis  troops  pressed  afber 
kim;  tkey  put  tke  enemy  to  fligkt ;  entered  Ike  gates  of 
Meoca  p^-meU  wilki  tnem,  and  notking  but  tke  swift 
oconmanGb  of  Makomet  preserved  tke  city  firam  a  general 
massacre. 

Tke  carnage  being  stopped,  and  no  furtker  opposition 

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140  ZJFB  OF  XAHomrr. 

manifested,  the  prophet  descended  from  the  monnt'  and 
tipproaclied  the  ^teis,  seated  on  his  camel,  accompanied  by 
Abu  Beker  on  his  right  hand,  and  followed  bj  Osama,  the 
son  of  Zeid.  The  snn  was  just  rising  as  he  entered  the 
gates  of  his  natiTe  city,  with  the  glory  of  a  conqueror,  but 
Sie  garb  and  humility  of  a  pilgrim.  He  entered,  repeating 
Terses  of  the  Koran,  which  he  said  had  been  revealed  to 
him  at  Medina,  and  were  prophetic  of  the  event.  He 
triumphed  in  i^e  spirit  oi  a  religious  zealot,  not  of  a 
warrior.  "Unto  God,"  said  he,  "belong  the  hosts  of 
heaven  and  earth,  and  Otod  is  mighty  and  wise.  Now  hatli 
Ood  verified  unto  his  apostle  the  vision,  wherein  he  said, 
ye  shall  surely  enter  the  holy  temple  of  Mecca  in  full 
security.'* 

Without  dismounting,  Mahomet  repaired  directly  to  the 
Caaba,  the  scene  of  his  early  devotions,  the  sacred  shrino 
of  worship  since  the  days  of  the  patriarchs,  and  which  he 
regarded  as  the  primitive  temple  of  the  one  true  God, 
Here  he  made  the  seven  circuits  round  the  sacred  edifice, 
41  reverential  rite  firom  the  daj^  of  religious  purity ;  with 
the  same  devout  feeling  he  each  time  touched  the  black 
stone  with  his  staff;  regarding  it  as  a  holy  relic.  He 
would  have  entered  the  Caaba,  but  Othman  Ibn  Talha,  the 
ancient  custodian,  locked  the  door.  Ali  snatched  the  keys, 
hat  Mahomet  caused  them  to  be  returned  to  the  venerable 
officer,  and  so  won  him  by  his  kindness,  that  he  not  merely 
threw  open  the  doors,  but  subsequently  embraced  the  faith 
of  Islam,  whereupon  he  was  continued  in  his  office. 

Mahomet  now  proceeded  to  execute  the  great  object  of 
his  religious  aspirations,  the  puriMnff  of  the  sacred  edifice 
£x>m  the  symbols  of  idola^,  with  wnich  it  was  crowded* 
All  the  idols  in  and  about  it,  to  the  number  of  three  hun- 
dred  and  sixty,  were  thrown  down  and  destroyed.  Among 
these,  the  most  renowned  was  Hobal,  an  idol  Drought  from 
\BaIka>  in  Syria,  and  fabled  to  have  the  power  of  granting 
rain.  It  was,  of  course,  a  great  object  of  worship  among 
the  inhabitants  of  the  thirsty  desert.  There  were  statues 
of  Abraham  and  Ishmael  also,  represented  with  divining 
arrows  in  their  hands ;  "  an  outrage  on  their  memories, 
said  Mahomet,  "being  symbols  of  a  diabolical  art  which 
they  had  never  practised."  In  reverence  of  their  memo- 
ries, therefore,  these  statues  were  demolished.  There 
were  paintings,  also,  depicting  angels  in  the  guise  of  beau- 
tiful women.    "  The  angels,"  said  Mahomet,  indignantly. 

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XBUaiOtJS  BITS8.  141 

"  are  no  such  beings.  There  are  celestial  houris  projided 
in  paradise  for  the  solace  of  true  believers ;  but  angels  are 
ministering  spirits  of  the  Most  Hi^  and  of  too  nure  a 
nature  to  adinit  of  sex.''  The  paintmgs  were,  acoorainglj, 
obliterated. 

Even  a  dove,  curionsly  carved  of  wood,  he  broke  with 
his  own  hands,  and  cast  upon  the  ground,  as  savouring  of 
idolatry. 

From  the  Caaba,  he  proceeded  to  the  well  of  Zem  Zem. 
It  was  sacred  in  his  eyes,  from  his  belief  that  it  was  the 
identical  well  revealed  by  the  angel  to  Hagar  and  Ishmael. 
in  their  extremity ;  he  considered  the  rite  connected  with 
it  as  pure  and  holy,  and  continued  it  in  his  faith.  As 
he  approached  the  well,  his  uncle,  Al  Abbas,  presented 
h\m  a  cruise  of  the  water,  that  he  might  drink,  and  make 
the  customary  ablution.  In  commemoration  of  this  pious 
act,  he  appointed  his  uncle  guardian  of  the  cup  of  the 
well ;  an  office  of  sacred  di^ty,  which  his  descendants 
retain  to  this  day. 

At  noon  one  of  Ms  followers,  at  his  command,  sum- 
moned the  people  to  prayer  from  the  top  of  the  Caaba — ^a 
custom  continued  ever  since  throughout  Mahometaa 
countries,  fit)m  minarets  or  towers  provided  in  every 
mosque.  He  also  established  the  Kebla,  towards  which 
the  mithM  in  every  part  of  the  world  should  turn  their 
faces  in  prayer. 

He  a^rwards  addressed  the  people  in  a  kind  of  sermon,, 
setting  forth  his  principal  doctrines,  and  amiouncing  the 
iTiumph  of  the  faith  as  a  fulfilment  of  prophetic  promise. 
Shouts  burst  from  the  multitude  in  rei>ly.  **  AJlah  Achbar  I 
God  is  great !"  cried  they.  "  There  is  no  Gt)d  but  Grod, 
and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet." 

The  religious  ceremonials  beinff  ended,  Mahomet  took 
his  station  on  the  hill  Al  Safa,  ana  the  people  of  Mecca, 
male  and  female,  passed  before  him,  taking  the  oath  of 
fidelity  to  him  as  the  prophet  of  God,  and  renouncing^ 
idolatry.  This  was  in  comj^liance  with  a  revelation  in  the 
Koran:  "God hath  sent  his  apostle  with  the  direction^ 
and  the  religion  of  truth,  that  he  may  exalt  the  same 
over  every  r3igion.  Verily,  they  who  swear  fealty  to  him, 
swear  fesity  unto  G^ ;  the  hand  of  God  is  over  their 
hands."  In  the  midst  of  Ms  triumph,  however,  he  rejected 
aU  homage  paid  exclusively  to  Jbdmself,  and  all  regal 
authority.    **  Why  dost  thou  tremble  P"  said  he^  to  a  miUL 

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14d  LIFB  CEP  ILUSOSBT. 

ir)K>a|ffroaoliedwxthtuxudm]klfiidfcen^  "Ofwliai 

dost  mou  stand  in  awe  F  I  am  no  kin^^  bat  tiie  son  of  a 
K<»^NBh^  woman,  wlio  ate  flei^  dried  m  tiie  SBn." 

His  leni^  was  eqoally  oonqncuons.  The  <Ace  haogk^ 
chiefs  of  the  Koreishites  appeared  with  abjeet  eonnte- 
Banees  before  the  man  they  had  perseeoted,  nt  their  lires 
wen  in  his  pow«r. 

"What  can  you  expect  at  my  hand?"  demanded  he, 
•teraly. 

"Merer,  <^  generous  brotiherl  Mercy,  <^  son  of  « 
feneroos  line  r 

" Be  it  so!"  cried  he,  with  a  ndxtore  of  ioocn  and  |Hty. 
♦  Away  t  beffonel  ye  are  fireel** 

Some  of  his  fc^owers  who  had  shared  his  persecutions, 
w«TO  disappomted  in  tlwir  antidpsifeioifes  <^a  H<K>dT  revenge^ 
md  murmured  at  hk  dj^neney ;  but  he  persistea  in  it,  ^id 
^stabMshed  Mecca  as  an  inrioiahie  sanctiuary,  or  place  of 
tefage,  so  to  ocmtmue  until  tibe  final  rastizrectk)n.  He  re* 
served  to  himself,  however,  the  right  on  the  present  oo- 
-oaftkm,  and  dining  that  especial  day  to  pnnish  a  few  of  the 
pec^le  of  the  citr,  who  had  grieroady  offended,  and  been 
expressly  proscriONBd ;  yet  CfFen  these,  for  the  most  part, 
were  tdtamately  foi^ren. 

Among  the  Kor<B8lnte  w(«ien.who  adraaeed  to  take  the 
<wth,  he  deeeried  Henda,  the  wife  of  Aba  Sofian ;  the 
savage  woman  who  had  animated  the  infidels  at  the  batde 
<^  Ohod,  and  had  gnawed  ^  heart  of  Hamaa,  in  rev^if  e 
fer  the  deal^  of  her  feti^r.  On  the  presoit  oocaaicni,  she 
had  dissoked  herself  to  escape  detection;  but  seeing  the 
e^  oT  l^e  TO0{>het  fixe4  on  her,  Ae  threw  herself  at 
his  feet,  exf^dming,  "I  am  Henda:  pardon!  paxdcm!" 
Mahomet  pardoned  her,  and  was  regmted  for  his  clemency 
by  her  maJdng  his  doctrines  the  sol^eet  of  o(»itemptuoas 


Among  Ihose destmed  toromijAiaient,  was  Waoksa,  the 
Sths^an,  w^  had  i^aia  Hamaa;  bot  ha  had  fled  firom 
Mecca  <m  the  entrance  of  the  army.  At  a  subse^pient 
penod  he  presented  himsdf  b^ore  tiie  pn^het,  and  Biade 
m  precession  of  feM  before  he  waa  reoognised.  He  was 
fsrmren,  and  made  torriate  the  psrticakrs  of  the  death 
of  Hamza;  afterwhich  Mahomet  dismissed  him  with  an 
injnnction  never  again  to  oome  into  nis  presence.  He 
stervivedaiitil  the  time  of  theOaliphai  et  Omaat,  ^xanng 
Yi^eee  reign  he  was  repeatedly  soov^^  for  dronhsMMfs. 

Another  of  the  proscribed  was  Abdallah  Ibn  Saad,  a 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


well  fts  f^  warlike  aceomf^kkmentf.  As  ke  kdd  the  pen 
of  a  ready  writear,  Makionet  had  empkjed  kia  to  reduce 
tlie  rerelatioQB  oi  i^  Koran  to  wrilnf  .  In  •»  doings  he 
kad  often  altered  and  amended  the  tcfxt ;  nay,  it  was  dis- 
ooT^n^  thai,  tiirough  eaielesBneaB  or  desiffn,  he  had  oeea^ 
moraXkf  &lsified  it,  and  rendered  it  abeud.  Bid  had  eren 
nadeufi  alterations  and  mendmentamatterofseoff  and  jest 
among  hise(HQpaniODS,obaeiTin^,  that  if  the  Sloran  proVed 
Mskhomet  to  be  a  projo^bet,  ke  himadf  mnat  be  half  a  pro* 
phet.  His  interpolations  be^  detected,  he  had  fled  mm 
tiie  wrath  ci  Hie  prophet  and  retained  to  Mecca,  where 
he  relapsed  into  idt^try.  Ot  tihe  captnre  of  tke  city,  Ida 
Ji9Bter-bro4her  ooneealea  him  m  his  house  nntil  the  tumult 
had  subsided,  when  he  led  kki  into  the  presence  of  the 
privet,  and  supplicated  for  his  pardon.  This  was  the 
severest  faint  of  the  lenity  of  Mahomet.  The  (lender  had 
betrayed  hk  confidence ;  held  him  up  to  ridicule ;  ques- 
tioned his  ^Dstolic  mission,  and  strudc  at  the  rery 
frandation  ofnis  fai&.  F<»r  some  time,  he  maintained  a 
stem  siknoe;  hoping,  as  he  afterwards  dedared,  some 
aealous  dtsc^e  n^ht  strike  off  the  offender's  head.  No 
(me,  howeyer,  stimd;  so,  Tieidin£  to  the  entreaties  of 
Otlunan,  he  sranted  a  paroon.  Abdallah  inataui^  re- 
newed Ids  jmfession  of  fakh  ;  and  centinned  a  food  Mus- 
sulman. His  name  will  be  found  in  the  wars  of  the 
(M^hs.  He  was  <me  <^  tl»  moat  dexterous  horsemen  of 
bra  tribe,  and  eyinced  his  ruling  passiim  to  ihe  last,  for 
he  died  repeating  the  hun<ked&  ^nptear  <^  ihe  Koran, 
entitled,  *'  The  war  steeds."  Periiapt  it  was  <me  which 
had  ^tperienced  his  interpoktioiffi. 

Anooier  of  Hub  proscribed  was  Akrema  Ibn  Abu  Jahl, 
who  on  many  occasions  had  manifested  a  deadly  hostihty 
to  the  prophet,  inherited  from  hie  fidher.  On  tiie  entrance 
dMjaHoBomet  into  Mecca,  Akrema  threw  hmself  upon  a  fleet 
horse,  and  escaped  by  on  opposite  gate,  leaving  behind  him 
n  beautiftd  wife,  Onun  Hakem,  to  y^hism  he  was  recently 
married.  Sheendbracedthefidlhoflidun,  but  soon  after 
learnt  that  her  husband,  in  attempting  to  escape  by  sen 
t6  Yemen,  had  been  drrren  badr  to  povt.  Hastening  to 
Hic  presence  of  the  Br<y^iet,  she  ibrem  hersetf  on  her  kneea 
before  him,  loose,  cnshevdled,  and  naveBed,  and  im^ored 
grace  for  ber  husband  The  pro^Mt,piobai^y  more  moved 
EyihMsr  beoubr  ihan  her  grux,  raised  ner  g«D%  from  tiie 
earth,  and  told  her  her  prayer  was  granted*    Hunying  ta. 

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144  XJFB  OF  XAHOXBT. 

the  seaport,  she  arriyed  just  as  the  vessel  in  wluoh  hst 
husbana  had  embarked  was  about  to  sail.  She  returned, 
mounted  behind  him,  to  Mecca,  and  brought  him,  a  true 
believer,  into  the  presence  of  the  prophet.  On  this  occa- 
sion, however,  she  was  so  closely  veiled  that  her  dark  eves 
alone  were  visible.  Mahomet  received  Akrema's  nrofes- 
sion  of  faith ;  made  him  commander  of  a  battauon  of 
Hawazenites,  as  the  dower  of  his  beautiM  and  devoted 
wife,  and  bestowed  liberal  donations  on  the  youthful 
couple.  Like  many  other  converted  enemies,  Akrema 
proved  a  valiant  soldier  in  the  wars  of  the  faith,  and  after 
signalizing  himself  on  various  occasions,  fell  in  battle^ 
hm^ked  and  pierced  by  swords  and  lances. 

The  whole  conduct  of  Mahomet  on  gaining  possession 
of  Mecca,  showed  that  it  was  a  religious,  more  than  a 
military  triumph.  His  heart,  too,  softened  toward  hi» 
native  place,  now  that  it  was  in  his  power ;  his  resent- 
ments were  extinguished  by  success,  and  his  inclinations 
were  all  toward  forgiveness. 

The  Ansarians,  or  Auxiliaries  of  Medina,  who  had  aided 
him  in  his  campai^,  began  to  fear  that  its  success  might 
prove  fatal  to  their  own  interests.  Thev  watched  mm. 
anxiously,  as  one  day,  after  praying  on  tne  hill  Al  Safa, 
he  sat  gazing  down  wistfully  upon  Mecca,  the  scene  of 
his  early  struggles  and  recent  glory :  ''  Yerily,"  said  he, 
**  thou  art  the  best  of  cities,  and  the  most  beloved  of 
Allah !  Had  I  not  been  driven  out  from  thee  by  my  own 
tribe,  never  would  I  have  left  thee !"  On  hearing  this, 
the  Ansarians  said,  one  to  another,  "  Behold !  Mahomet 
is  conqueror  and  master  of  his  native  city;  he  will, 
doubtless,  establish  himself  here,  and  forsake  Medina !" 
Their  words  reached  his  ear,  and  he  turned  to  them  with 
reproachful  warmth :  "  No  I"  cried  he,  "  when  you  plighted 
to  me  your  allegiance,  I  swore  to  live  and  die  with  vou. 
I  should  not  act  as  the  servant  of  God,  nor  as  his  amoas- 
sador,  were  I  to  leave  you." 

He  acted  according  to  his  words,  and  Medina,  which 
had  been  his  city  of  refuge,  continued  to  be  his  residence 
to  his  dying  day. 

Mahomet  did  not  content  himself  with  purifying  the 
Caaba,  and  abolishing  idolatry  from  his  native  city ;  he 
sent  forth  his  captains  at  the  head  of  armed  bands,  to 
cast  down  the  idoiB  of  different  tribes  set  up  in  the  nei^]^ 
bouring  towns  and  villages,  and  to  convert  their  worship* 
pen  to  his  faiUku 

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ZEAL  or  EHAIED. 


jit 


Of  all  tlicse  military  apostles,  none  was  so  zealous  as 
Khaled;  whose  spirit  was  still  fermenting  with  recent 
conversion.  Arrivm^  at  Naklah,  the  resort  of  the  idola- 
trous Koreishites,  to  worship  at  the  shrine  of  XJzza,  he 
penetrated  the  sacred  grove,  laid  waste  the  temple,  and 
cast  the  idol  to  the  ground.  A  horrible  hag,  black  and 
naked,  with  dishevelled  hair,  rushed  forth,  smieking  and 
wringinff  her  hands;  but  Khaled  severed  her  through 
the  middle  with  one  blow  of  his  scimetar.  He  reported 
the  deed  to  Mahomet,  expressing  a  doubt  whether  she 
were  priestess  or  evil  spirit.  "  Of  a  truth,"  replied  the 
prophet, "  it  was  Uzza  herself  whom  thou  hait  destroyed." 

On  a  similar  errand  into  the  neighbouring  province  of 
Tehama,  Xhaled  had  with  him  tlu?ee  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  some  of  them  of  the  tribe  of  Suleim,  and  was  accom- 
panied by  Abda'lrahman,  one  of  the  earliest  proselytes  of 
the  faith.  His  instructions  from  the  prophet  were  to 
preach  peace  and  good  will,  to  inculcate  the  faith,  and  to 
abstain  from  violence,  unless  assailed.  When  about  two 
days'  loumey  on  his  wav  to  Tehama,  he  had  to  pass 
through  the  country  of  the  tribe  of  Jadsima.  Most  of 
the  iimabitants  had  embraced  the  faith,  but  some  were 
still  of  the  Sabean  religion.  On  a  former  occasion 
this  tribe  had  plundered  and  slain  an  uncle  of  iChaled, 
also  the  father  of  Abda'lrahman,  and  several  Suleimitei, 
as  they  were  returning  from  Arabia  Felix.  Dreading 
that  Khaled  and  his  host  might  take  vengeance  for  these 
misdeeds,  they  armed  themselves  (m  their  approach. 

Ehaled  was  secretly  rejoiced  at  seeing  them  ride  forth 
to  meet  him  in  this  military  array.  Hailing  them  with 
an  imperious  tone,  he  demandea  whether  they  were 
Moslems  or  infidels.  They  replied,  in  faltering  accents, 
"  Moslems."  "  Why,  then,  come  ye  forth  to  meet  us 
with  weapons  in  your  himdsP"  "Because  we  have 
enemies  among  some  of  the  tribes  who  may  attack  ua 
unawares." 

Khaled  sternly  ordered  them  to  dismoxmt  and  lay  by 
their  weapons.  Some  complied;  and  were  instantly  seized 
and  bound ;  the  rest  fled.  Taking  their  flight  as  a  con- 
fession of  guilt,  he  pursued  them  with  great  slaughter ; 
laid  waste  the  coun^,  and  in  the  eflerrescence  of  his 
zeal,  even  slew  some  or  the  prisoners. 

Mahomet,  when  he  heard  of  this  unprovoked  outrage, 
raised  his  hands  to  heaven,  and  called  Grod  to  witnesa 
that  he  was  innocent  of  it    Khaled,  when  upbraided  with. 

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146  KITE  OF  HAHOMET. 

it  <m  his  retmn,  would  fain  have  shiiBked  the  blame  on 
Abdalrahman,  but  Mahomet  rejected  indignantlj  an 
imputation  against  one  of  the  earliest  and  worthiest  of 
his  followers.  The  generous  Ali  was  sent  forthwith  to 
restore  to  the  people  of  Jadisma  what  Elhaled  had  wrests 
from  them,  and  to  make  pecuniary  compensation  to  the 
relatives  of  the  slain.  It  was  a  mission  congenial  with  his 
nature,  and  he  executed  it  faithfully.  Inquiring  into  the 
losses  and  sufferings  of  each  indindual,  he  paid  him  to 
his  fdl  content.  When  eevery  loss  was  made  good,  and 
mil  blood  atoned  for,  he  distributed  the  remaining  mon^ 
amon^  the  x>«ople,  gladdening  er-ery  heart  bj  his  bounty. 
80  Ah  received  the  thanks  and  praises  of  the  prophet,  but 
the  vindictive  Exhaled  was  rebuked  even  by  those  whom 
he  had  tiiought  to  please. 

*'  Behold! '  said  he,  to  Abdalrahman,  "  I  have  avenged 
ike  death  of  thy  falser."  *'  Bather  say,"  replied  the  ot£^, 
mdignantly,  *'thou  hast  av^aged  the  death  of  thine  uncleu. 
9I10U  hacrt  disgraced  the  fioim  by  an  act  worthy  of  a& 
idolater/' 


CHAPTEE  XXXL 

Hostilities  in  the  mountains.— Enemy's  camp  in  the  ralley-  of  Antas.— 
Battle  at  the  pass  of  Honein.— Capture  of  the  enemy's  camp. — ^In- 
terview of  Mahomet  with  the  nurse  of  his  childhood. — ^Division  of 
q^il. — ^Mahomet  at  his  mother^  grara. 

While  the  military  apostles  of  Mahomet  were  spreading 
his  dootrines  at  the  point  of  the  sword  in  the  plains,  a 
hostile  storm  was  garnering^  in  the  mountains.  A  league 
was  formed  among  the  GHiakefites,  the  Hawazins,  the 
Joshmites,  the  SaiSlites,  and  several  other  of  the  haxdr 
mountain  tribes  of  Bedouins,  to  check  a  power  which, 
tiireatened  to  subjugate  all  Arabia.  The  Sai^tes,  or  Beni 
Sad,  here  mentionea,  are  the  same  j^astoral  Arabs  amon^ 
whom  Mahomet  had  been  nurtured  m  his  childhood ;  and 
in  whose  valley,  aceordine  to  tradition,  his  heart  had  been 
plucked  forth  and  purified  by  an  angel.  The  Thakefites^ 
who  were  foremost  in  the  toague,  were  a  powerful  tribe, 
potsesfling  i^e  strongmountaintown  of  Tavef  and  its  pro- 
dftetive  territory.  5Phey  were  bigoted  idolaters ;  nuun- 
taining  at  their  capital  we  far-famed  shrine  of  ^e  female 

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idol  Al  Lat.  The  leader  wiE  iememl>er  the  igaomiiiioas 
treatment  of  Mahomet,  idien  he  attempted  to  preach  his 
doctrines  at  Tajef  ;  bdng  stoned  in  the  public  sqnsre,  and 
tdtimately  driren  with  inralt  from  the  gates.  It  was  proi- 
bablj  a  oread  of  vengeance  at  his  hands,  whidi  now  made 
the  Thakefites  so  active  in  forming  a  lea^e  against  him. 

Malec  Ibn  Anf,  the  diief  of  the  l&kemes,  had  tibie 
general  command  of  ike  confederacy.  He  appointed  the 
ya&ey  of  Autas,  between  Honein  and  Tayef,  as  the  plaoe 
of  assemblage  and  encampment ;  and  as  he  knew  the  nckle 
nature  of  the  Arabs,  ana  tiieir  proneness  to  retam  hcnne 
on  the  least  caprice,  he  orderea  them  to  bring  with  ^em 
their  families  and  effects.  Thej  assemUed,  aooorc&igly, 
from  yarions  parts,  to  l&e  number  of  fonr  tiionsand  fight- 
ing men;  but  the  camp  was  crowded  with  womeai  and 
duldren,  and  encombered  with  flocks  and  herds. 

The  expedient  of  Malec  Ibn  Anf  to  secore  the  adhesion 
of  the  warriors,  was  strongly  disapproved  by  Doraid,  the 
ddef  (^the  Joshmites.  ^us  was  an  ancient  warrior,  up- 
wards of  a  hundred  years  old ;  meagre  as  a  dc^etoo, 
almost  bHnd,  and  so  feeble  that  he  h^d.  to  be  borne  in  s 
Hiter  on  the  back  of  a  camet  Still,  thou^  unable  to 
mingle  in  battle,  he  was  potent  in  council  from  Ids  military 
experience.  This  reteran  of  the  desert  advised  that  m 
women  and  children  should  be  sent  home  forthwith,  and 
.the  army  relieved  frrmi  aH  unnecessary  inouiribraBoes. 
His  advice  was  not  taken;  and  the  valley  of  Autas  oott- 
tinued  to  present  rather  ihie  pastoral  encam^nent  of  a 
tribe,  than  the  hasty  levr  of  an  army. 

In  the  meantime*  Manomet,  hearing  of  die  gaUiering 
'storm,  had  sallied  forth  to  anticipate  it,  at  the  head  ex 
about  twelve  thousand  troops,  parOT  fugitives  from  Mecca, 
and  auxiliaries  from  Medina,  partfy  Jl^bs  of  the  desert^ 
some  of  whom  had  not  yet  embraced  the  fieodi. 

In  taking  the  field  he  wore  a  polished  cuirass  and  hornet, 
and  rode  his  favourite  white  mule  Daldal,  seldom  mouniii^ 
a  charger,  as  he  rarelj  mingled  in  actual  fight.  His 
recent  successes  and  his  superiority  in  numbers,  making 
him  confident  of  an  easy  victory,  he  entered  the  mountains 
without  precaution,  ana  pushing  forward  for  the  ^iemy*s 
camp  at  Mutas,  came  to  a  deep  gloomy  valley  on  the  con- 
fines of  Honein.  The  troops  marched  without  order 
through  the  rugged  defile,  ea(^  one  choosing  his  own  path. 
Suddenly  they  were  assafled  by  showers  of  darts,  stones, 
and  arrows,  wtdch  lay  two  or  wee  of  Mahonet's  soldiefs 

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148  UPE  OF  MAHOXST. 

dead  at  his  feet,  and  wounded  several  others.  Malec,  in 
fact,  had  taken  post  with  his  ablest  warriors  about  the 
heights  commanding  this  narrow  gor^e.  Every  cliff  and 
cavern  was  garrisoned  with  archers  and  slingers,  and  some 
rushed  down  to  contend  at  dose  quarters. 

Struck  with  a  sudden  panic,  the  Moslems  turned  and 
£ed.  In  vain  did  Mahomet  call  upon  them  as  their  ge- 
neral, or  appeal  to  them  as  the  prophet  of  God.  Each 
man  sought  out.  his  own  safety,  and  an  escape  &om  this 
horrible  valley. 

For  a  moment  aU  seemed  lost,  and  some  recent  but  un- 
willing converts  betrayed  an  exultation  in  the  supposed 
reverse  of  fortune  of  the  prophet. 

"  By  heavens !"  cried  Abu  Sofian,  as  he  looked  after 
the  flying  Moslems,  '*  nothing  will  stop  them  until  they 
reach  the  sea." 

"  Ay,"  exclaimed  another,  "  the  magic  power  of  Ma^ 
homet  is  at  an  end !" 

A  third,  who  cherished  a  lurking  revenge  for  the  death 
of  his  father,  slain  by  the  Moslems  m  the  battle  of  Ohod, 
would  have  killed  the  prophet  in  the  confusion,  had  he  not 
been  surrounded  and  protected  by  a  few  devoted  fol- 
lowers. Mahomet  himself,  in  an  impulse  of  desperation, 
spurred  his  mule  upon  the  enemy;  out  Al  Abbas  seized 
we  bridle,  stayed  lum  firom  rushing  to  certain  death,  and 
at  the  same  time  put  up  a  shout  that  echoed  through  the 
narrow  valley.  Al  Aboas  was  renowned  for  strength  of 
lungs,  and  at  this  critical  moment  it  was  the  salvation 
of  3ie  army.  The  Moslems  rallied  when  they  heard  his 
well-known  voice,  and  finding  they  were  not  pursued,  re- 
turned to  the  combat.  The  enemy  had  descended  from 
the  heights,  and  now  a  bloody  conflict  ensued  in  the  deflle. 
"  The  mmace  is  kindling,"  cried  Mahomet,  exultingly,  as 
he  saw  the  glitter  of  arms  and  flash  of  weapons.  Stoop- 
ing from  his  saddle,  aud  grasping  a  handml  of  dust,  he 
scattered  it  in  the  air  toward  tne  enemy.  "  Confusion  on 
their  faces !"  cried  he ;  "  may  this  dust  blind  them !" 
They  were  blinded  accordingly,  and  fled  in  confusion,  say 
the  Moslem  writers :  though  their  defeat  may  rather  be 
attributed  to  the  Moslem  superiority  of  force,  and  the  zeal 
inspired  by  the  exclamations  of  the  prophet.  Malec  and 
the  Thakentes  took  refuge  in  ilie  distant  city  of  Tayef,  the 
rest  retreated  to  the  camp  in  the  valley  of  Autas. 

While  Mahomet  remamed  in  the  valley  of  Honein,  he 
ieat  Abu  Amir  with  a  strong  foroey  to  attadc  the  camp. 

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THB  F0STEB-8ISTEB  07  MAHOHET.  149 

The  Hawazins  made  a  brave  defence.  Abu  AthiV  was 
slain:  but  bis  nephew,  Abu  Musa,  took  the  command,  and 
obtained  a  complete  rictory,  kiUing  many  of  the  enemy* 
The  camp  afforded  great  booty  and  many  captives,  from 
the  unwise  ei^dient  of  Malec  Ibn  Auf,  in  encumbering  it 
with  the  famines  and  effects,  the  flocks  and  herds,  of  the 
confederates;  and  from  his  disregard  of  the  sage  advice  of 
the  veteran  Doraid.  The  fate  of  that  ancient  warrior  of 
the  desert  is  worthy  of  mention.  While  the  Moslem 
troops,  scattered  through  the  camp,  were  intent  on  booty, 
lUbia  Ibn  Rafi,  a  young  Suleimite,  observed  a  litter  borne 
off  on  the  back  of  a  camel,  and  pursued  it,  supposing  it  to 
contain  some  beautiful  female.  On  overtatmg  it  and 
drawing  the  curtain,  he  beheld  the  skeleton  form  of  the 
ancient  Doraid.  Vexed  and  disappointed,  he  struck  at 
him  with  his  sword,  but  the  weapon  broke  in  his  hand. 
"Thy  mother,"  said  the  old  man,  sneeringly,  **  has  ftir- 
nished  thee  with  wretched  weapons;  thou  wilt  find  a  better 
one  hanging  behind  my  saddle." 

The  youth  seized  it,  but  as  he  drew  it  from  the  scab- 
bard, Doraid  perceiving  that  he  was  a  Suleimite,  ex- 
daimed,  "  Tell  thy  momer,  thou  hast  slain  Doraid  Ibn 
Simma,  who  has  protected  many  women  of  her  tribe  in 
the  day  of  battle."  The  words  were  ineffectual ;  the  skull 
of  the  veteran  was  cloven  with  his  own  scimetar.  When 
Itabia,  on  his  return  to  Mecca,  told  his  mother  of  the 
deed,  "  Thou  hast  indeed  slain  a  benefactor  of  thy  race," 
said  she,  reproachftdly.  "  Three  women  of  thy  family  has 
Doraid  Ibn  Simma  freed  from  captivity." 

Abu  Amir  returned  in  triumph  to  Mahomet,  making  a 
great  display  of  the  spoils  of  me  camp  of  Autas,  and  the 
women  and  children  whom  he  had  captured.  One  of  the 
female  captives  threw  herself  at  the  feet  of  the  prophet, 
and  implored  his  mercyas  his  foster-sister  Al  Shuna,  the 
dau^ter  of  his  nurse  HalSma,  who  had  nurtured  him  in 
the  Saadite  valley.  Mahomet  sought  in  vain  to  recognise 
in  her  withered  features  the  bright  playmate  of  his  in- 
fancy, but  she  laid  bare  her  back,  and  showed  a  scar  where 
he  had  bitten  her  in  their  childish  gambols.  He  no  longer 
doubted ;  but  treated  her  with  kmdness,  giving  her  me 
choice  either  to  remain  witli  him  and  under  nis  protection, 
or  to  return  to  her  home  and  kindred. 
'  A  scruple  rose  among  the  Moslems  with  respect  to 
their  female  captives.  Could  they  take  to  themselves  such 
as  were  marriea,  without  committing  the  sin  ofadulteryF 

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1^  LIFE  OP  HAHOMBT. 

The  rerektion  of  a  text  of  the  Koran  put  an  end  to  ibe 
difficnltf .  "  Ye  shall  not  take  to  Trife  free  women  wiio  ar# 
married,  nnless  yonr  rifht  hand  shall  have  made  ihea 
slaves.*'  Accormn^  to  &s  all  women  taken  in  war  may- 
be made  the  wives  of  the  captors,  Hiongh  their  former 
husbands  be  Hying.  The  victors  of  Honein  failed  not  to 
take  immediate  advantage  of  this  law. 

Leaving  the  cimtives  and  the  booty  in  a  secure  placoy 
and  properly  guarded,  Mahomet  now  proceeded  in  pursuit 
of  the  lliakentes  who  had  taken  refuge  in  Tayef.  A  sen- 
timent of  vengeance  mingled  with  his  pious  a^our  as  he 
aj^roadied  tms  iddlatrous  place,  the  scene  of  former  in- 
jury and  insult,  and  b^ield  the  sate  whence  he  had  once 
be^  i^ominioualy  driven  forth.  The  walls  were  too 
strongjnowever,  to  be  stormed^  and  there  was  a  protecting 
castle;  for  the  first  time,  therefore,  he  had  recourse  to 
cataptdts,  batterinff-rams,  and  other  engines  used  in  sieges, 
but  unknown  in  Arabian  warfare.  These  were  prepared 
under  the  direction  of  Salmlin  al  Farsi,  the  converted 
fessian. 

The  besieged,  However,  repulsed  every  attack,  galling 
the  assailaots  with  darts  and  arrows,  and  pouring  down 
melted  iron  upon  the  ^elds  of  bull-hides,  under  covert  of 
whidi  tlibey  i^roached  the  walls.  Mahcmiet  now  laid 
waste  the  fiekls,  the  orchards,  and  vineyardiy  and  pro- 
claimed freedom  to  all  slaves  who  should  desert  from  tiie 
dty.  For  twenty  days  he  carried  on  an  inefiGBctoal  siege 
*-<ljuly  offering  up  prayers  midway  between  the  tents  of 
his  wives  0mm  Salama  and  Zeinab,  to  whom  it  had  MlssxL 
l^  lot  to  accompany  him  in  this  campaign.  His  hopes  of 
success  be^an  to  fail,  and  he  was  frirther  discouraged  by  a 
dream,  which  was  unfavourably  interpreted  by  Abu  Beker« 
renowned  f<Hr  his  skill  in  expounding  visions.  He  would 
have  raised  the  dege,  but  Iub  troops  murmured;  where- 
upon be  ordered  an  assault  upon  one  of  the  gates*  As 
usual,  it  was  obstinately  defended;  numbers  were  slain  on 
both  sides;  Abu  Sofian,  who  fought  valiantly  on  the  occa- 
sion, lost  an  eye,  and  the  Moslems  were  finally  r^ulsed. 

Mahomet  now  broke  up  his  camp,  pr<musing  his  troops 
to  renew  the  siege  at  a  future  day,  and  proceeded  to  the 
pkce  where  were  collected  the  spoils  of  his  expedition. 
These,  say  Arabian  writers,  amounted  to  twenty-four 
l^usand  camels,  forty  thousand  sheep,  four  thousand 
ounces  of  silver,  and  six  thousand  captives. 

In  a  little  while  appeared  «  deputation  from  the  Hawa- 

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POLITIC  aXNBXOSITT.  151 

zins,  dedaring  the  submission  of  their  tribe,  and  begging 
the  restoration  of  their  ikmilies  and  effects.  With  them 
came  HalSma,  Mahomet's  foster-nurse,  now  well  stricken 
in  years.  The  recollectiona  of  his  childhood  again  pleaded 
with  his  heart.  "  Which  is  dearest  to  you/'  said  he  to  the 
Hawazins,  "  your  families  or  your  gooas  P"  They  replied, 
**  Our  families." 

"  Enoi^h,"  rejoined  he,  "  as  four  as  it  ocmcems  Al  Abbas 
and  myseF,  we  are  ready  to  gire  up  our  share  of  the  pri^ 
soners ;  but  there  are  others  to  be  mored.  Come  to  mo 
after  noontide  prayer,  and  say,  *  We  implore  the  ambas- 
sador offGtod  that  he  counsel  Ms  followers  to  return  us  our 
wives  and  children ;  and  we  implore  his  followers  that  they 
intercede  with  him  in  our  favour.* " 

The  envoys  did  as  he  advised.  Mahomet  and  Al  Abbas 
immediately  renounced  their  share  of  the  captives ;  their 
example  was  followed  by  all  excepting  the  tribes  of  Tamim 
said  Fazara,  but  Mahomet  brought  them  to  consent  by 
Promising  tJiem  a  sixfold  share  of  the  prisoners  taken  in 
the  next  expedition.  Thus  ihe  intercession  of  HalSma 
procured  the  deliverance  of  all  the  captives  of  her  tribe. 
A  traditional  anecdote  shows  the  deference  with  which 
Mahomet  treated  this  humble  protector  of  his  infancy. 
*'  I  was  sitting  with  the  prophet,  said  one  of  his  disciples, 
"when  all  of  a  sudden  a  woman  presented  herself,  and  he 
rose  and  spread  his  cloth  for  her  to  sit  down  upon.  When 
she  went  away,  it  was  observed,  '  that  woman  suckled  the 
prophet.* " 

Mahomet  now  sent  an  envoy  to  Malec,  who  remained 
shut  up  in  Tayef,  offerinj^  the  restitution  of  all  the  spoils 
taken  from  him  at  Honein,  and  a  present  of  one  himared 
camels,  if  he  woidd  submit  and  embrace  the  faith.  Maleo 
was  conquered  and  converted  by  this  liberal  offer,  and 
brought  several  of  his  confederate  tribes  with  him  to  the 
standard  of  the  prophet.  He  was  immediately  made  their 
chief;  and  proved,  subsequ^itly,  a  severe  scourge  in  the 
cause  of  the  faith  to  his  late  associates  the  Thakentes. 

The  Moslems  now  began  to  fear  that  Mahomet,  in  these 
magnanimous  impulses,  might  squander  away  aU  the  gains 
of  meir  recent  battles ;  thronging  around  hun,  thereforCr 
they  clamoured  for  a  division  oi  the  spoils  and  caj^tives. 
Begarding  them  indignantly,  "  Have  you  ever,"  said  he, 
**  found  me  avaricious,  or  false,  or  disloyal  P"  Then  plucking 
a  hair  from  the  back  of  a  camel,  and  raising  his  voice, 
"By  .Allah  I"  cried  he,  "I  have  never  taken  from  the 

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152  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

common  spoil  the  value  of  that  camel's  hair  more  than  my 
£fth ;  and  that  fifth  has  always  been  expended  for  your 
good.** 

He  then  shared  the  booty  as  usual :  four-fifths  among 
the  troops ;  but  his  own  fiifth  he  distributed  among  those 
whose  fidelity  he  wished  to  insure.  The  Xoreishites  he 
considered  dubious  allies ;  perhaps  he  had  overheard  tho 
exultation  of  some  of  them  in  anticipation  of  his  defeat ; 
he  now  sought  to  rivet  them  to  him  by  gifts.  To  Abu 
Sofian  he  gave  one  hundred  camels  and  forty  okks  of  silver^ 
in  compensation  for  the  eye  lost  in  the  attack  on  the  ^ate 
of  Tayef.  To  Akrema  Ibn  Abu  Jahl,  and  others  of  like 
note,  he  gave  in  due  proportions,  and  all  firom  his  owa 
share. 

Among  the  lukewarm  converts  thus  propitiated,  was 
Abbas  Ibn  Mardas,  a  poet.  He  was  dissatisfied  with  his 
share,  and  vented  his  discontent  in  satirical  verses.  Ma^ 
homet  overheard  him.  "  Take  that  man  hence,**  said  he, 
**  and  cut  out  his  tongue."  Omar,  ever  ready  for  rigorous 
measures,  would  have  executed  the  sentence  literally,  and 
on  the  spot ;  but  others,  better  instructed  in  the  prophet*s 
meaning,  led  Abbas,  jail  trembling,  to  the  public  square 
where  me  captured  cattle  were  collected,  and  bade  him 
choose  what  he  liked  from  among  them. 

*'  What  !**  cried  the  jjoet,  joyously,  relieved  from  the 
horrors  of  mutilation,  "  is  this  the  way  the  prophet  woidd 
silence  my  tongue?  By  Allah!  I  will  take  nothing.** 
Mahomet,  however,  persisted  in  his  politic  generosity,  and 
sent  him  sixty  camels.  From  that  tmie  forward  the  poet 
was  never  weary  of  chanting  the  liberality  of  the  prophet. 

While  thus  stimulating  the  good-will  or  lukewarm  uro- 
selytes  of  Mecca,  Mahomet  excited  the  murmurs  or  his 
auxiharies  of  Mecdna.  "  See,"  said  they,^ "  how  he  lavishes 
gifts  upon  the  treacherous  Koreishites,  while  we,  who  have 
been  loyal  to  him  through  all  dangers,  receive  nothing  but 
our  naked  share.  What  have  we  done  that  we  should  be 
thus  thrown  into  the  background  ?'* 

Mahomet  was  told  of  their  murmurs,  and  summoned 
their  leaders  to  his  tent.  "  Hearken,  ye  men  of  Medina,** 
said  he ;  "  were  ye  not  in  discord  among  yourselves,  and 
have  I  not  brought  you  into  harmony?  Were  ye  not  in 
error,  and  have  X  not  brought  you  into  the  path  of  truth  ? 
Were  ye  not  poor,  and  have  I  not  made  you  rich?'* 

They  acknowledged  the  truth  of  his  words.  **  Look  ye  I" 
continued  he,  "  I  came  among  you  stigmatized  as  a  liar. 

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THE  pbophbt's  appial.  153 

jet  jou  beliered  in  me ;  persecuted,  yet  you  protected  me ; 
a  fugitive,  yet  you  sheltered  me ;  Lelpless,  yet  you  aided 
me.  Think  you  I  do  not  feel  this  P  Think  vou  I  can  be' 
ungrateful  P  You  complain  that  I  bestow  gifts  upon  these 
people,  and  give  none  to  you.  It  is  true,  I  give  them 
worldly  gear,  but  it  is  to  win  their  worldly  hearts.  To 
Tou,  who  have  been  true,  I  give — ^myself!  They  return 
tome  with  sheep  and  camels  j  j^e  return  with  the  prophet 
of  Grod  among  you.  For,  by  him  in  whose  hands  is  the 
eoul  of  Mahomet,  though  the  whole  world  shouldjjo  one 
way  and  ye  another,  I  would  remain  with  you !  Which  of 
you,  then,  have  1  most  rewarded  P" 

The  auxiliaries  were  moved  even  to  tears  by  this  appeal. 
•*  Oh,  prophet  of  Gt)d,"  exclaimed  they,  "  we  are  content 
with  our  lot  I" 

The  booty  being  divided,  Mahomet  returned  to  Mecca, 
not  with  the  parade  and  exaltation  of  a  conqueror,  but  in 
pilgrim  garb,  to  complete  the  rites  of  his  pilgiimage.  All 
these  being  scrupulously  performed,  he  appointed  Moad 
Ibn  Jabal  as  iman,  or  pontiff,  to  instruct  the  people  in  the 
doctrines  of  Islam,  and  gave  the  government  of  the  city 
into  the  hands  of  Otab,  a  youth  but  eighteen  years  of  age; 
after  which  he  bade  farewell  to  his  native  place,  and  set 
out  with  his  troops  on  the  return  to  Medina. 

Arrivinff  at  the  village  of  Al  Abwa,  where  his  mother 
was  buried,  his  heart  yearned  to  pay  a  filial  tribute  to  her 
memory,  but  his  own  revealed  law  forbade  any  respect  to 
the  grave  of  one  who  had  died  in  unbelief.  In  the  strong 
flotation  of  lus  feelings,  he  implored  from  heaven  a  relaxa- 
tion of  this  law.  If  there  was  any  deception  on  an  occa- 
sion of  this  kind»  one  would  imagine  it  must  have  been 
self-deception,  and  that  he  really  believed  in  a  fancied 
intimation  from  heaven  relaxing  the  law,  in  part,  in 
the  present  instance,  and  permitting  him  to  visit  the 
grave.  He  burst  into  tears  on  arriving  at  this  trying  filial 
place  of  the  tenderest  affections ;  but  tears  were  ail  the 
tribute  he  was  permitted  to  offer.  "  I  asked  leave  of  God/* 
said  he,  mournfully,  "to  visit  my  mother's  grave,  and  it 
was  granted ;  but  when  I  asked  leave  to  pray  for  her,  it 
was  denied  me  I" 


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lU 


CHAPTEEXKXn. 

Death  of  the  prophet's  daughter  Zeinab. — Birth  of  his  son.  Ibrahim^— 
Deputations  from  distant  tribes. — Poetical  contest  in  presence  of  the 
prophet. — His  susceptibility  to  the  charms  of  poetry.— Seduction  of 
the  dty  of  Tayef ;  destmetioii  of  its  idols.— Negotiation  with  Aair 
Ibn  Tafid,  a  proud  Bedonm  ehirfv4ndependent  qiurit  of  tha  latter. 
— InttfTiew  of  Adi,  another  chie^  with  Mahomet. 

Shobtlt  afberllis  return  to  Medina,  Mahomet  was  a£9icted 
by  the  death  of  his  daughter  Zeinab,  the  same  who  had 
been  given  up  to  him  in  exchange  for  her  husband  Abul 
Aass,  the  unbeliever,  c{»tured  at  the  battle  of  Beder. 
The  domestic  affections  of  the  prophet  were  strong,  and 
he  felt  deeply  this  bereavement;  he  was  consoled,  how- 
ever, by  the  oirth  of  a  son,  by  his  favourite  concubine 
Mmriyah.  He  called  the  child  Ibrahim,  and  rejoiced  in 
the  lK>pe,  that  this  son  of  his  old  age,  his  only  male  issue 
living,  would  continue  his  name  to  after  generations. 

His  £une,  either  as  a  prophet  or  a  conqueror,  was  now 
spreading  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  Arabia,  and  deputa- 
laons  fipom  distant  tribes  were  continually  arriving  at 
Medina,  some  acknowledging  him  as  a  |)rophet,  and  ema 
bracing  Tslamiam ;  others  submitting  to  him  as  a  temporal 
sovereign,  and  agreeing  to  pay  tribute.  The  talents  of 
Mahomet  rose  to  the  exigency  of  the  moment ;  his  views 
e]^anded  with  his  fortimes,  and  he  now  proceeded,  with 
statesmanlike  skill,  to  regnlate  the  fiscal  concerns  of  his 
rwidly  growing  empire.  Under  the  specious  appellation 
or  alms,  a  contribution  was  levied  on  true  DelieverSy 
amounting  to  a  tithe  of  the  productions  of  the  earth,  where 
it  was  ferwized  by  brooks  and  rain ;  and  a  twentieth  part 
where  its  futility  was  the  result  of  irrigation.  For  every 
ten  camelfi,  two  sheep  were  required ;  for  forty  head  of 
cattle,  one  cow;  for  thirty  head,  a  two  years*  calf;  for 
every  forty  sheep,  one ;  whoever  contributed  more  than 
at  tnis  rate,  would  be  considered  so  much  the  more 
devout,  and  would  gain  a  proportionate  favour  in  the  eyes 
of  God. 

The  tribute  exacted  from  those  who  submitted  to  tem- 
poral sway,  but  continued  in  unbelief,  waa  at  the  rate  of 
one  dinar  in  money  or  goods,  for  each  adult  person,  bond 
or  free. 

Some  difficulty  occurred  in  collecting  the  charitable 


y  Google 


TOWaCAh  COSTIST.  166 

contrilmtioiifl ;  ike  proud  tribe  of  Tamiai  openly  resisted 
ihem,  a&d  drore  away  the  collector.  A  troop  of  Arab 
bone  was  sent  against  them,  and  l^ou^t  away  a  number 
of  men,  women,  and  <^dre&  captives.  A  deputation  of 
tiie  Tamimites  came  to  redaim  the  prisoners.  Four  of  the 
deputies  were  renowned  as  orators  and  poets,  and  instead 
of  humbling  th^neelres  before  Mah(miet,  proceeded  to 
dedaim  in  prose  and  Terse,  defying  the  Moslems  to  a 
poetical  ccmtest. 

**  I  am  not  sent  by  God  u  a  poet,"  replied  Mahomet, 
^neither  do  I  seek  fame  as  an  orator." 

Some  of  his  followers,  however,  accepted  the  chaUenge^ 
sad  a  war  of  ink  ensued,  in  which  Uie  Tamimites  acknow* 
kdged  themselves  vanquished.  So  well  pleased  was  Ma* 
hornet  with  the  spirit  of  their  defiance,  with  their  poetry, 
and  with  tbeir  finmk  a^AOwledgment  of  defeat,  that  he 
not  merely  gave  them  up  the  prisoners,  but  dismissed 
Hiem  with  jpresents. 

Another  mstance  of  his  susceptihihty  to  the  charms  of 
poetry,  is  recorded  in  the  case  of  Caab  Urn  Zohair,  a  cela» 
orated  poet  of  Mecca,  who  had  made  him  the  subject  <^ 
satirical  verses,  and  had,  coi^equently,  been  one  of  the 
inroseribed ;  but  had  fied  on  ihe  capture  of  the  sacred  city. 
Caab  now  eanro  to  Medina  to  make  his  peace,  and  ap- 
proaclung  Mahomet  when  in  the  mosque,  Beffan  chanting 
Bis  praise  in  a  poem,  afterwards  renowned  among  the 
Arabs  as  a  masterpiece.  He  concluded  by  eroecialfy  ez- 
teOing  his  clemency,  ^  for  with  the  prophet  of  God,  the 
pardon  of  injuries  is,  of  aU  his  virtues,  that  on  which  one 
can  rely  wim  the  greatest  certainty." 

Captivated  wit&  the  verse,  and  soothed  by  the  flattery, 
Mahomet  i^ule  good  the  poet's  words,  for  he  not  merely 
fin^ttve  him,  but  taking  otfhis  own  mantle,  threw  it  upon  his 
shoulders.  The  poet  preserved  the  sacred  j^arment  to  the 
^y  of  his  d€«ith,  refusmg  golden  offers  for  it.  The  Caliph 
J^awyah  purchased  it  of  his  heiis  for  ten  thousand 
drachmas,  and  it  continued  to  be  worn  by  the  Caliphs  in 
mtocesfflxms  and  solemn  ceremonials,  until  the  thirty-sixth 
Ual^)hat,  when  it  was  torn  ham  the  back  of  the  Caliph 
Al-Most*asem  Billah,  byHolagu,  the  Tartar  conqueror, 
md  burnt  to  ashes. 

"While  town  after  town,  and  castle  after  castle  of  the 
Arab  tribes  were  embracing  the  faith,  and  professing 
idleeiaDiCe  to  Midkcmiet,  Tayef,  the  stronghold  of  the 
Hu&efltes,  remained   obstinate  in  the  worship   of  its 

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d6  UPS  Of  ICAHOICET,  ^ 

boasted  idol  Al  Lat.  The  inliabitants  confide  in  theic 
mountain  position,  and  in  the  strength  of  their  walls  and 
castle.  But,  though  safe  from  assault,  they  found  them^ 
^selves  gradually  hemmed  in  and  isolated  by  the  Moslems, 
so  Hiat  at  length  they  could  not  stir  beyond  their  walla 
without  beinff  attacked.  Thus  threatened  and  harassed^i 
they  sent  ambassadors  to  Mahomet  to  treat  for  peace. 

The  prophet  cherished  a  deep  resentment  against  this 
stiS-necked  and  most  idoktrous  city,  which  had  at  one 
time  ejected  him  from  its  eates,  and  at  another  time  re- 
pulsed him  from  its  walls.  Sis  terms  were  conversion  and 
unqualified  submission.  The  ambassadors  readily  con- 
sented to  embrace  Islamism  themselves,  but  pleaded  the 
danger  of  sudd^y  shocking  the  people  of  Ta^ef,  by  a 
demand  to  renounce  their  ancient  udtn.  In  their  name, 
therefore,  they  entreated  ]^rmission  for  three  years  longer, 
to  worship  their  ancient  idol  Al  Lat.  The  request  waa 
peremptorily  denied.  They  then  asked  at  least  one  month's 
delay  to  prepare  l^e  pubhc  mind.  This  likewise  was  re* 
fused,  all  idolatry  being  incompatible  with  the  worship  of 
God.  Thev  then  entreated  to  be  excused  from  the  ob* 
servance  of  the  daily  prayers. 

"  There  can  be  no  true  religion  without  prayer,"  replied 
Mahomet.  In  fine,  they  were  compelled  to  make  tmcoQ- 
ditional  submission. 

Abu  Sofian  Ibn  Harb,  and  Al  Mogheira,  were  sent  to 
Tayef,  to  destroy  the  idol  Al  Lat,  which  was  of  stone^ 
Abu  Sofian  struck  at  it  with  a  pickaxe,  but  missing  his 
blow,  fell  prostrate  on  his  face.  The  populace  set  up  a 
shout,  considering  it  a  good  augury,  out  Al  Mogheira 
demolished  their  nopes,  and  the  statue,  at  one  blow  of  a 
sledge-hammer.  He  then  stripped  it  of  the  costly  robes, 
the  bracelets,  the  necklace,  the  ear-rings,  and  otiber  orna* 
ments  of  gold  and  precious  stones  wherewith  it  had  been 
decked  by  its  worshippers,  and  left  it  in  fragments  on  the 
groimd,  with  the  women  of  Tayef  weeping  and  lamenting 
over  it.* 

Among  those  who  still  defied  the  power  of  Mahomet, 
was  the  Bedouin  chief  Amir  Ibn  Tufiel,  head  of  the  power- 

*  The  Thakefites  continue  a  powerful  tribe  to  this  day,  possessing  the 
tame  fertile  region  on  the  eastern  dedivitj  of  the  Heij^as  chain  of 
moantains.  Some  inhabit  the  ancient  town  of  Tayef,  others  dwell  ia 
tents  and  hare  flocks  of  goats  and  sheep.  They  can  raise  two  thousand 
matchlocks,  and  defended  their  stronghold  of  Tayef  in  the  wm  niXk 
the  W$hAhf9.^BurcIchardf9  Nottt,  r,  S. 

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VEGOTIATIOK  WITH  AHIB  IBN  TAFIBL.  167 

fal  tribe  of  Amir.  He  was  renowned  for  personal  beauty 
and  princely  magnificence ;  but  was  of  a  hanffhty  spirit, 
and  his  magnificence  partook  of  ostentation.  At  tlie  great 
fair  of  Okaz,  between  Tayef  and  Naklah,  where  merdi^tSy 
pilgrims,  and  poets  were  accustomed  to  assemble  irom  all 
parts  of  Arabia,  a  herald  would  proclaim :  "  Whoso  wants 
a  beast  of  burden,  let  him  come  to  Amir;  is  any  one 
hungry,  let  him  come  to  Amir,  and  he  will  be  fed ;  is  he 
persecuted,  let  him  fly  to  Amir,  and  he  will  be  protected." 

Amir  had  dazzled  every  one  by  his  generosiw,  and  hia 
ambition  had  kept  pace  with  his  popularity,  ihe  rising 
power  of  Mahomet  inspired  him  with  jealousy.  When 
advised  to  make  terms  with  him ;  "  I  nave  sworn,"  re- 
plied he,  haughtily,  "never  to  rest  until  I  had  won  all 
Arabia;  and  shall  I  do  homage  to  this  KoreishiteF" 

The  recent  conquests  of  the  Moslems,  however,  brought 
him  to  listen  to  the  counsels  of  his  Mends.  He  repaired 
to  Medina,  and  coming  into  the  presence  of  Mahome^ 
demanded  frankly,  "  Wilt  thou  be  my  friend?" 

"Never,  by  Allah!"  was  the  reply,  "unless  thou  dost 
embrace  the  faith  of  Islam." 

"And  if  I  do;  wilt  thou  content  thyself  with  the  sway 
over  the  Arabs  of  the  cities,  and  leave  to  me  the  Bedouins 
of  the  deserts  r 

Mahomet  replied  in  the  negative. 

"  What  then  will  I  gain  by  embracing  thy  faith  P" 

"  The  fellowship  of  all  true  believers. 

"  I  covet  no  such  fellowship !"  replied  the  proud  Amir: 
and  with  a  warlike  menace  he  returned  to  his  tribe. 

A  Bedouin  chieftain  of  a  different  character  was  Adi,  a 
prince  of  the  tribe  of  TaL  His  father  Hatim  had  been 
famous,  not  merely  for  warlike  deeds,  but  for  boundless 
generosity,  insomuch  tliat  ike  Arabs  were  accustomed  to 
say,  "  as  generous  as  Hatim."  Adi  the  son  was  a  Chris- 
aia ;  and  however  he  mi^ht  have  inherited  his  father's 
generosity,  was  deficient  m  his  valour.  Alarmed  at  the 
ravagine  expeditions  of  the  Moslems,  he  ordered  a  yotmg 
Arab,  wno  tended  his  camels  in  the  desert,  to  have  several 
of  the  strongest  and  fleetest  at  hand,  and  to  give  instant 
notice  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy. 

It  happened  that  Ali,  who  was  scouring  that  part  of  the 
country  with  a  band  of  horsemen,  came  in  sight,  bearing 
.  with  lum  two  banners,  one  white,  the  other  black.  The 
youn^  Bedouin  beheld  them  from  afar,  and  ran  to  Adi, 
^Tc1a.iming,  "  The  Moslems  are  at  hand.  I  see  their  ban- 
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158  LIFE  OF  HiLHOMBT. 

ners  at  a  distance  !*'  Adi  instaiitik  placed  his  wife  and 
c^dren  <m  the  camels,  and  fled  to  oyna.  His  sister,  sur- 
named  Saffana,  or  the  Pearl,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Moslems,  and  was  carried  with  other  captives  to  Medina* 
Seeing  Mahomet  pass  near  to  the  place  of  her  conflnement, 
she  cned  to  him: 

"Have  pity  upon  me,  oh  ambassador  of  God!  My 
Either  is  dead,  and  he  who  should  have  protected,  has 
abandoned  me.  Have  pity  upon  me,  oh  ambassador  of 
Ood,  as  God  may  have  pi^  upon  ihee  V* 

"  Who  is  thy  protector?'*  asked  Mahomet. 

"  Adi,  the  son  of  Hatim." 

"  He  is  a  fugitive  fitjm  God  and  his  prophet,"  replied 
Mahomet,  and  ^sed  on. 

On  the  following  day,  as  Mahomet  was  passing  by,  AH, 
who  had  been  touched  by  the  woman's  beauty  and  her 
grief,  whispered  to  her  to  arise  and  entreat  the  prophet 
once  more.  She  aoocordingly  repeated  her  prayer—"  Oh 
prophet  of  Gt)d !  my  father  is  dead ;  my  brotiier,  who 
should  have  been  my  protector,  has  abandoned  me.  Have 
mercy  upon  me,  as  God  will  have  mercy  upon  thee." 

MiJiomet  turned  to  her  benignantly.  "  Be  it  so,"  said 
he ;  and  he  not  <mly  set  her  wde,  but  gave  her  raiment 
and  a  camel,  and  sent  her  by  the  first  caravan  bound  to 
Syria. 

Arriving  in  ^esence  of  her  brother,  she  upbraided  him 
with  his  desertion.  He  acknowledged  his  fault,  and  was 
forfflven.  She  then  urged  him  to  make  hib  peace  with 
Mahomet ;  "  he  is  truly  a  prophet,"  said  she,  "  and  wfll 
floon  have  universal  sway  ,•  hasten,  ther^ore,  in  time  to 
win  his  favour. 

The  politic  Adi  listened  to  her  counsel,  and  hastening  to 
Medina,  greeted  the  prophet,  who  was  in  the  mosque. 
His  own  account  of  the  interview  presents  a  striking  pic- 
ture of  the  simple  manners  and  mode  of  life  of  Mahomet, 
now  in  the  full  exercise  of  sovereign  power,  and  the  career 
of  rapid  conquest.  "  He  asked  me,"  says  Adi,  "  my  name, 
and  when  I  gave  it,  invited  me  to  accompany  him  to  his 
home.  On  the  way,  a  weak,  emaciated  woman  accosted 
him.  He  stopped  and  talked  to  her  of  her  affidrs.  This, 
thought  I  to  myself,  is  not  very  kingly.  When  we  arrivea 
at  his  house,  he  gave  mte  a  leathern  cushion  stuffed  with 

C -leaves  to  sit  upon,  while  he  sat  upon  the  bare  ground, 
thought  I,  is  not  very  princely ! 
**  He  th^  asked  me  three  tiaes  to  embraoe  TdMwj^nw- 

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ADi'S  INTBRVIBW  WITH  THE  PROPHET.  159 

I  replied,  I  have  a  fidth  of  my  own.  *  I  know  thy  faith,' 
Baid  he,  '  better  than  thou  dost  thyself.  As  prinoe,  ^oa 
takest  one-fonrth  of  the  booty  from  thy  people.  Ib  tlda 
Christian  doctrine  ?*  Bj  these  words  I  perceived  him  to 
be  a  prophet,  who  knew  more  ikan  other  men. 

" '  Thon  dost  not  incline  to  Islamism,'  continued  he, 
'because  thou  seestwe  are  poor.  The  time  is  at  hand 
when  true  believers  will  have  more  wealth  Ihan  they  will 
know  how  to  manage.  Perhaps  thou  art  deterred  by 
seeing  the  small  nunSber  of  the  Moslems  in  comparison 
with  the  hosts  of  their  enemies.  By  Allah !  in  a  little 
while,  a  Moslem  woman  will  be  able  to  make  a  pilgrimage 
on  her  camel,  alone  and  fearless,  from  Kadesia  to  Goas 
temple  at  Mecca.  Thou  thinkest,  probably,  that  the  might 
is  in  the  hands  of  tiie  unbelievers ;  know  that  the  time  is 
not  far  off  when  we  will  plant  our  standards  on  the  white 
oastles  oi  Babylon.* "  * 

The  p<^itic  Adi  believed  in  the  prophecy,  and  forthwith 
embraced  the  faith. 


CHAPTER  XXXm. 

ftepaimtions  itar  an  expectttioa  against  Syria. — Intrigues  of  Abdallah 
Smi  Obba. — Contributkuis  of  the  faithfiil. — ^Maroh  of  the  amy. — The 
accursed  region  of  Ha}ar. — Encampment  at  Tabuc. — iSuluugation  of 
the  ndghbouring  provinces. — Kbaled  surprises  Okaidor  and  Ua 
easQt. — Return  ^the  army  to  Medina. 

Mahomet  had  now,  either  by  conversion  or  conquest, 
made  himself  sovereign  of  almost  all  Arabia.  The  scat- 
tered tribes,  heretofore  dangerous  to  each  other,  but  by 
their  disunion  powerless  against  the  rest  of  the  world,  he 
had  united  into  one  nation,  and  thus  fitted  for  external 
eonquest.  His  prophetic  character  gave  him  absolute 
4K>ntrol  of  the  formidable  power  thus  conjured  up  in  the 
-desert,  and  he  was  now  prepared  to  lead  it  forth  for  the 
propagation  of  Hie  faith,  and  tiie  extension  of  the  Moslem 
power  in  foreign  lands. 

His  numerous  victories,  and  the  recent  affair  at  Muta, 
had  at  length,  it  is  said,  roused  the  attention  of  the  Em- 
peror Heraclius,  who  was  assembling  an  army  on  the  con- 
-fiaes  of  Arabia  to  crush  this  new  enemy.    Mahomet  de- 

«  WaUM  Mohammed,  p.  347. 

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160  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

tennined  to  anticipate  liis  liostilities,  and  to  carry  the 
standard  of  the  faim  into  the  very  heart  of  Syria. 

Hitherto  he  had  undertaken  his  expeditions  with  secresy ; 
imparting  his  nlans  and  intentions  to  none  but  his  most 
confidential  omcers,  and  beguiling  his  followers  into  enter- 
prises of  danger.  The  present  campaig^,  however,  so  dif- 
ferent from  the  brief  predatory  excursions  of  the  Arabs, 
would  require  great  preparations ;  an  unusual  force  was  to 
be  assembled,  and  all  kinds  ofprovisions  made  for  distant 
marches,  and  a  long  absence.  uj&  proclaimed  openly,  there* 
fore,  the  object  and  nature  of  the  enterprise. 

There  was  not  the  usual  readiness  to  flock  to  his  stan- 
dard. Many  remembered  the  disastrous  aflair  of  Muta, 
and  dreaded  to  come  again  in  conflict  with  discip^Uned 
Soman  troops.  The  time  of  year  aJso  was  impropitious 
for  such  a  distant  and  prolonged  expedition.  It  was  the 
season  of  summer  heat ;  the  earth  was  parched,  and  the 
iSprings  and  brooks  were  dried  up.  The  date-harvest,  too, 
was  approaching,  when  the  men  should  be  at  home  to 
gather  the  fruit,  rather  than  abroad  on  predatory  enter- 
prises. 

All  these  things  were  artftilly  urged  upon  the  people  by 
Abdallah  Ibn  Obba,  the  Elhazradite,  -f^ho  continued  to  be 
the  covert  enemy  of  Mahomet,  and  seized  every  occasion 
to  counteract  his  plans.  **  A  fine  season  this/'  would  he 
cry,  ''to  undertake  such  a  distant  march  in  defiance  of 
dearth  and  drought,  and  the  fervid  heat  of  the  desert! 
Mahomet  seems  to  think  a  war  with  Greeks  Qtiite  a  matter 
of  sport ;  trust  me,  you  will  find  it  very  dim^rent  from  a 
war  of  Arab  against  Arab.  By  Allah !  methinks  I  already 
see  you  all  in  chains.'' 

By  these  and  similar  80o£&  and  su|^e8tion8,  he  wrought 
upon  the  fears  and  feelings  of  the  iLnazradites,  his  par- 
tisans, and  rendered  the  enterprise  generally  impopular. 
Mahomet,  as  usual,  had  resort  to  revdation.  **  Those  who 
would  remain  behind,  and  refuse  to  devote  themselves  to 
the  service  of  God,"  said  a  timely  chapter  of  the  Xoran» 
*'  allege  the  summer  heat  as  an  excuse.  Tell  ti^em  the  fire 
of  heU  is  hotter !  They  may  hug  themselves  in  the  enio^r- 
ment  of  present  safety,  but  endless  tears  will  be  their 
punishment  hereafter. 

Some  of  his  devoted  adherents  manifested  their  zeal  at 
iliis  lukewarm  moment.  Omar,  Al  Abbas,  and  Abda'lrah- 
man,  gave  large  sums  of  mone3r ;  several  female  devotees 
brought  their  ornaments  and  jewels.    Othman  delivered 

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P5BVIBT  OF  ABOAI.IAH.  161 

(meihotisaEid,  some  say  ten  thoufand,  dinara  to  Mahomet^ 
and  was  absolved  firom  his  sins,  past,  present,  or  to  eome«. 
Abn  Beker  gave  fonr  thousand  <uadimas ;  Mahomet  hesi- 
tated to  accept  the  offer,  knowing  it  to  be  all  that  he  pos* 
sessed.  "^  What  will  remain,"  said  he,  "  for  ti^ee  and  thjr 
family  P"    "  Grod  and  his  prophet,"  was  the  reply. 

Tliese  devout  examnlesliaa  a  powerful  effect ;  yet  it  waa 
with  much  difficulty  tnat  an  army  of  ten  thousand  horse 
and  twenty  thousand  foot  was  assembled.  Mahomet  now 
appointed  Ali  governor  of  Medina  during  his  absence,  and 
gaardian  of  both  their  families.  He  accepted  the  trust 
'  with  great  reluctance,  having  been  accustomed  always  to 
accompany  the  prophet,  and  share  all  his  perils.  All  ar- 
rangements bemg  completed,  Mahiomet  marched  fortib. 
from  Medina  on  this  momentous  expedition.  A  part  of 
his  army  was  composed  of  Khazradites  and  their  confede- 
rates, led  by  AbdaUah  Ibn  Obba.  This  man,  whom  Ma- 
homet had  wdl  denominated  the  Chief  of  the  Hypocrites^ 
encamped  separately  with  his  adherents  at  night,  at  somo 
distance  in  tiie  rear  of  the  main  aimv ;  and  when  the 
latter  marched  forward  in  the  morning,  lagged  behind  and 
led  his  troops  back  to  Medina.  Repairing  to  Ali,  whose> 
dominion  in  the  dty  was  irksome  to  hun  and  his  adherents, 
he  endeavoured  to  make  him  discontented  with  his  position, 
alleging  that  Mahomet  had  left  him  in  charge  of  Medina 
solely  to  rid  himself  of  an  incumbrance.  Stung  by  the 
suggestion,  AH  hastened  after  Mahomet,,  and  demanded  if 
wlmt  AbdaUah  and  his  followers  said  were  true. 

''  These  men,"  repUed  Mahomet,  *^  are  Hars..  They  are 
ihe  jrarty  of  Hypocrites  and  Doubters,  who  would  breed 
sedition  in  Medma.  I  left  thee  behind  to  keep  watch 
over  them,  and  to  be  a  guardian  to  both  our  fieunilies.  I 
lirould  have  thee  to  be  to  me  what  Aaron  was  to  Moses  ; 
excepting  that  thou  canst  not  be,  like  him,  a  prophet ;  I 
being  the  last  c^  the  prophets."  With  this  explanation, 
Ali  returned  contented  to  Medina. 

Many  have  inferred  from  the  foregoing,  that  Mahomet 
intended  Ali  for  his  Caliph  or  successor ;  that  being -the 
signification  of  the  Arabic  word  used  to  demote  the  rela-' 
tion  of  Aaron  to  Moses. 

The  troops  who  had  continued  on  with  Mahomet  soon 
be^B.to  eosperience  the  difficulties  of  braving  the  desert 
in^^  9Q)t^  season.  Many  turned  back  on  tiie  second 
day;  a^d  others  on  the  third  and  fourth.  Whenever 
irotd  was  brought  to  Ihe  prophet  of  their  desertion*  "  Lei 

^  Digitized  by  Google 


them  gOt"  wouiU  be  the  reph*;  "  if  they  aze  good  te  anj- 
thiiig>  G<)d  witt  brizig  tkem  oiiek  to  us ;  if  thej  are  not» 
we  ftre  r^ktred  fixna  so  huulj  inewnhnmeee." 

Whik  aooBie  i^Tis  lost  heart  xxj^n  the  march,  othevs  "^^lo 
had  remaiE&ed  at  Medina  repented  of  their  faint-hearted- 
ness.  Oiie»  named  Abu  Khaithama,  entering  his  garden 
daring  tiie  sidtry  heat  of  the  day,  beheld  a  repast  of 
Tiandfi  aibd  fresh  water  spread  for  mm  hf  his  two  wires 
in  the  cool  shade  of  a  tent.  I^nsisg  at  the  threshold, 
'5  At  this  moment,"  exdabned  he,  '"^the  prophet  of  Gk>d  is 
eiroosed  to  the  winds  and  heats  of  the  desert,  and  shall 
iKhaithama  sit  h»re  in  the  shade  beside  his  beantifid  * 
wiTesP  By  Allah!  I  will  not  enter  the  tent!"  He 
immediately  armed  himself  with  sword  and  lanee,  and, 
monnting  lus  camel,  hastened  off  to  join  ^e  standard  of 
tis«  faith. 

In  the  meantime,  ishe  army,  after  a  weary  march  of 
aeven  days,  entered  t^  momitaiiioas  district  of  Hajar, 
inhabited  in  days  of  dd  by  t&e  Thamndites,  one  of  the 
k>st  tribes  of  AraHa.  It  was  the  aoevrsed  regioB,  the 
tradition  eoneerning^  which  has  already  been  related.  The 
advance  of  tiie  am^,  knowing  nothing  of  this  tradidony 
and  being  heated  and  &tigtied,  behttd,  widi  delight,  • 
brook  ranning  tinrongh  a  yecvbniTaUey,  and  eotA  esres 
ei^  in  the  sid^  of  tibe  neiehbovring  hills,  osace  the  abodes 
of  the  hMuren-sadtten  Thamndites.  Haltmg  alon^  the 
brool:,  some  prepared  to  bathe,  otJuevs  began  to  cook  and 
make  bread,  while  all  promised  &emsd:ve8  cool  quarters 
for  the  night  in  the  caves. 

Mahoittet,  in  mardiing,  had  kept,  as  was  his  wtait;,  in 
the  rear  <^  the  army,  te  assist  the  weak ;  oceasionailj 
Itakin^  np  a  wayworn  laggard  behind  him.  Anmring  at 
the  pkce  where  tlM  troof»s  had  halted,  he  reeoUected  it 
•f  old,  and  tiie  traditions  oonoeising  it,  whaoii  had  been 
told  to  him  when  he  passed  here  in  the  days  of  Ids  boT« 
hood.  Fear^l  of  inciirrinr  the  ban  whioh  hmif  over  tne 
neighbourhood,^  he  <»rdered  his  troops  to  throw  away  the 
meat  cooked  with  the  water  of  the  brook,  to  give  the 
liread  kneaded  witii  it  to  the  caioaels,  and  to  hvnf^r  away 
£rom  the  heaven-accorsed  place.  Then  wra^itiff  his  faee 
in  the  folds  of  his  mantle^  and  setting  Bpiir|rto  Ids  miale, 
he  hastened  thromgh  tlMbt  sialbl  region  r^^  anny  fcdkiw- 
ingMm  as  if  %ing  from  an  enemy. 

The  sncceecung  night  was  one  of  great  suffering  ;  the 
army  had  to  eneanqi  witfaont  waiter  ^  the  weather  was 

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xNOiimcm  Mr  tabuc.  liB 

iBteiiMlT  liot,  witii  a  parching  wind  from  th6  desert ;  aa 
intolerame  thint  prerailed  throoglioat  ihe  eamp,  ai 
thou^k  the  ThamncUte  ban  still  Isamg  oyer  it.  The  next 
day,  nfowerer,  an  abundant  rain  refr^ed  and  inyigorated 
both  man  and  beast.  The  march  was  resumed  wi<^  new 
ardour,  and  the  arm j  arriTed,  witiiont  fvaHJufit  hardship^ 
at  Tabue,  a  small  town  on  the  ccmfines  of  tiie  Soman 
empire,  about  half  way  between  Medina  and  Damascus, 
ana  about  ten  days'  journey  from  either  city. 

Here  Mahomet  pitched  nis  camp  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  a  fountain,  and  in  ike  midst  of  groves  and  pasturage. 
Arabian  traditions  affirm  that  the  fountain  was  neany 
dzy ;  XBSOBM^  iJiat,  when  a  small  yase  was  filled  fat  the 
prophet,  not  a  drop  was  left :  hayine  assuaged  his  thirst, 
Aoweyer,  and  made  lus  ablutions,  Mahomet  threw  what 
r^nained  in  the  yase  bade  into  the  fountain ;  whereupon 
a  stream  gudied  forth  sufficient  for  the  troops  and  all  the 
oattl& 

From  this  encampment  Mahomet  sent  out  his  captains 
to  proclaim  and  enforce  the  faith,  or  to  exact  tnbute. 
Soane  of  the  neighbouring  princes  sent  embassies,  either 
aeiaK)wiedgiBg  the  diyinity  of  his  mission,  or  submitting 
to  his  temporal  sway.  One  of  these  was  Johanna  Ibn 
Buba,.  prinoe  of  Eyla,  a  Christian  city,  near  the  Bed  Sea. 
This  was  tiie  same  city  about  which  the  tradition  is  told, 
l^uit  in  days  of  old,  w&n  its  inhabitants  were  Jews,  the  old 
men  were  turned  into  swine,  and  the  yotmg  men  into 
mcmkeys^  £9r  fishing  on  the  Sabbath,  a  judgment  solemnly 
TOeorded  in  the  Koran. 

The  pnnoe  ot  Eyla  made  a  coyenaat  of  peace  with 
Mahomet,  agreeing  to  pay  an  annual  tribute  of  three 
thousand  dimurs  or  crowlis  of  gold.  The  form  of  the 
ooy^iant  became  a  precedent  in  treating  with  other 
powers.       * 

Amon^  the  Arab  princes  who  professed  the  Christian 
flnth,  and  reused  to  pay  homage  to  Mahomet,  was  Okaider 
Ibn  Maiec,  of  the  tribe  <^  Kenda.  He  resided  in  a  castle 
at  the  foot  of  a  mountain,  in  the  n^dst  of  lus  domain. 
Khaled  was  sent  with  a  troop  of  horse  to  bring  him  to 
terms.  Seeing  the  castle  was  too  strong  to  be  carried  by 
assault,  he  hM  recourse  to  stratagem.  One  moonlight  * 
nighit,  as^kaider  and  his  wife  were  enjoying  the  fresh  air 
on  the  terraced  roof  of  the  castle,  tJ^y  beheld  an  animal 
gzazinf^  which  they  supposed  to  be  a  wild  ass  from  the 
neighbouring  mountains.  Okaider,  who  was  a  keen  hunts- 

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164  LIFE  OF  MAHOMET. 

man,  ordered  horse  and  lance,  and  sallied  forUi  to  the 
chace,  accompanied  by  his  brother  Hassan  and  seyeral  of  his. 
]>eople.  The  wild  ass  proTed  to  be  a  decoy.  Th^  had  not 
ridden  far  before  Xhaled  and  his  men  rosned  frt^  ambnsh 
and  attacked  them.  They  were  too  lightly  armed  to  make 
mnch  resistance.  Hassan  was  killed  on  the  spot,  and 
Okaider  taken  prisoner;  the  rest  fled  back  to  the  oasUe ; 
which,  however,  was  soon  surrendered.  The  prince  was 
tdtimately  set  at  liberty  on  paying  a  heavy  ransom,  and 
becoming  a  tributary. 

As  a  trophy  of  the  victory,  Khaled  sent  to  Mahomet 
the  vest  stripped  from  the  tody  of  Hassan.  It  was  of 
silk,  richly  embroidered  with  gold.  The  Moslems  gathered 
round,  and  examined  it  with  admiration.  **  Do  you  admire 
this  vestP"  said  the  prophet.  "  I  swear  by  him  in  whose' 
hands  if<  the  soul  or  Mahomet,  the  vest  which  Saad,  the: 
son  of  Maadi,  wears  at  this  moment  in  paradise,  is  far. 
more  precious."  This  Saad  was  the  jud^e  who  passed  sen- 
tence of  death  on  seven  hundred  Jewish  captives  at  Me- 
dina, at  the  conclusion  of  a  former  campaign. 

His  troops  being  now  refreshed  by  the  sojourn  at  Tabue, 
and  the  neighbouring  country  being  brought  into  sub- 
jection, Mahomet  was  bent  upon  prosecuting  the  object  of 
his  campaign,  and  pushing  forward  into  the  heart  of  Syria» 
His  ardour,  however,  was  not  shared  by  his  followers.  In-' 
telligence  of  immense  bodies  of  hostile  troops,  assembled 
on  me  Syrian  borders,  had  damped  the  spirits  of  the. 
army.  Mahomet  remarked  the  general  discouragement, 
yet  was  loth  to  abandon  the  campaign  when  but  hiuf  com-, 
pleted.  Calling  a  council  of  war,  he  propounded  the 
ouestion  whether  or  not  to  continue  forward.  To  Ihia. 
Omar  replied,  drily,  "  If  thou  hast  the  command  of  God 
to  proceed  frirther,  do  so.*'  "  If  I  had  the  command  of 
God  to  proceed  further,"  observed  Mahomet,  "  I  should 
not  have  asked  thy  counsel." 

Omar  felt  the  rebuke.  He  then,  in  a  respectful  tone, 
represented  the  impolicy  of  advancing  in  the  face  of  the 
overwhelming  force  said  to  be  collected  on  the  Syrian 
frontier;  he  reiHre^ented,  also,  how  much  Mahomet  had. 
already  eflected  in  this  campai^.  He  had  checked  the 
threatened  invasion  of  the  imperial  arms,  and  had  received, 
the  homage  and  submission  of  various  tribes  and  people,: 
from  the  head  of  the  Bed  Sea  to  the  Euphrates:  he  ad- 
Tised  him,  ti^reforo,  to  be  content  for  the  -pteseut  year 

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TSIT7HFHJLL  fiKTST  IKTO  KSDIKA.  .    165 

witli  what  he  had  achieved,  and  to  defer  the  completion  of 
the  enterprise  to  a  future  campaign. 

His  counsel  was  adopted :  u>t,  whenever  Mahomet  was 
not  under  strong  excitement,  or  fancied  inspiration,  he 
-was  rather  prone  to  yield  up  his  opinion  in  nulitary 
matters  to  that  of  his  generals.  After  a  sojourn  of  ahout 
twenty  days,  therefore,  at  Tabuc,  he  broke  up  his  camp» 
Imd  conducted  his  army  back  to  Medina. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Triumphal  entry  into  Medina.— Punishment  of  those  who  had  reftiied 
to  join  the  campaign. — Effects  of  excommunication. — ^Death  of 
Abdallah  Ibn  Obba. — ^Dissensions  in  the  prophet's  harem. 

The  entries  of  Mahomet  into  Medina  on  returning  from 
his  warlike  triumphs,  partook  of  the  simpHcity  and  ab- 
sence of  parade  which  characterized  all  his  actions.  On 
approaching  the  city,  when  his  household  came  forth  with, 
the  multitude  to  meet  him,  he  would  stop  to  greet  them, 
andrtake  up  the  children  of  the  house  behind  him  on  his 
horse.  It  was  in  this  simple  way  he  entered  Medina,  on 
i^etuniing  from  the  campaign  agamst  Tabuc. 

The  arrival  of  an  army  laden  with  spoil,  gathered  in  the 
most  distant  expedition  ever  undertaken  by  the  soldiers  of 
Islam,  was  an  event  of  too  great  moment  not  to  be  hailed 
with  triumphant  exultation  by  the  commxmity.  Those 
alone  were  cast  down  in  spirit,  ^o  had  refrisea  to  march 
forth  with  the  army,  or  nad  deserted  it  when  on  the 
march.  All  these  were  at  first  placed  imder  an  interdict ; 
Mahomet  forbidding  his  faithful  followers  to  hold  any  in- 
tercourse with  them.  Mollified,  however,  by  their  con- 
trition or  excuses,  he  gradually  forgave  the  greater  part  of 
them.  Seven  of  those  who  continued  under  interdict, 
finding  themselves  cut  off  from  communi(m  with  their  ac- 
quaintance, and  marked  with  opprobrium  amid  an  exult- 
ing community,  became  desperate,  and  chained  themselves 
to  the  walls  ot  the  mosque,  swearing  to  remain  there  until 
piffdoned.  Mahomet,  on  the  other  Jiand,  swore  he  would 
leave  tiiem  there  unless  otherwise  commanded  by  God. 
fortunately  he  received  the  command  in  a  revealed  verse 

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Jt6  LXTB  OT  SUXOIEBT. 

of  i^  Koraa;  but,  in  freem^  them  from  their  Belf-xo^posed 
fetters,  he  exacted  OAe-third  of  their  possessions,  to  be  ex- 
pended in  i^e  serriee  of  1h»  ffdth. 

Among  those  stiU  «nder  interdict  were  llaab  Ihn  Make, 
Mnrara  Ibn  Sohia,  and  Hilal  Ibn  Omeja.  Hiese  had 
(Huse  been  among  ike  most  zealous  of  professing  Moslems; 
.  their  defection  was,  therefore,  ten  times  more  heinous  in 
the  eyes  of  the  profdiet,  than  that  of  their  neighboorsy 
whose  faith  had  been  lukewarm  and  dubious.  Toward 
them,  therefore,  he  continued  implacable.  Forty  days 
they  remained  interdicted,  and  the  interdict  extended  to 
communication  with  their  wives. 

The  account  given  by  £aab  Ibn  Malec  of  his  situation, 
while  thus  excommunicated,  presents  a  vivid  picture  of  the 
power  of  Mahomet  ever  the  minds  of  his  adherents.  "Ksaib 
declared  that  everybody  shunned  hini,  or  regarded  him 
with  an  altered  mien.  His  two  companions  m  disgrace 
did  not  leave  llieir  homes ;  he,  however,  went  about  from 
place  to  place,  but  no  one  spake  to  him.  He  sought  the 
mosque,  sat  down  near  the  pfoohet,  and  saluted  him,  but 
his  salutation  was  not  retumeo.  On  the  forty-first  day 
came  a  conmiftnd,  that  he  should  separate  from  his  wile. 
He  now  left  the  ciiy,  and  pitched  a  tent  on  the  lull  of 
fiala,  determined  ibire  to  tmdergo  in  its  severest  ngoar 
the  pusushment  meted  out  to  him.  His  heart,  however, 
was  dying  away;  the  wide  world,  he  said,  appeared  to 
grow  narrow  to  him.  On  ^e  fifty-first  dinr  came  a  mes- 
temser  holding  out  the  hope  of  pardon.  He  hastened  to 
Medina,  and  sought  the  prophet  at  the  mosq^ue,  who  re- 
ceived him  with  a  radiant  countenance,  and  said  that  €rod 
had  forgiven  him.  Hie  soul  of  £aab  was  lifted  up  from 
the  deptiiis  of  dee^ondeney,  and  in  the  transports  of  his 
cratittude,  he  gave  a  portion  of  his  wealth  in  atonement  of 
ms  error. 

Not  long  after  the  return  of  the  army  to  Medina,  Ab» 
dallah  Ibn  Obba,  the  Khazradite, "  the  chief  of  the  Hypo- 
crites," fell  ill,  so  that  his  life  was  despaired  ofl  Although 
Mahomet  was  well  aware  of  the  perfidy  of  this  man,  and 
ihd  secret  arts  he  had  coDBtanHj  practised  against  him,  he 
visited  him  repeatedly  during  ms  illness ;  was  with  him  at 
his  dying  hour,  and  followed  his  body  to  tiie  grave.  There, 
at  the  urgent  entreaty  of  the  son  of  the  deceased,  he  put 
up  prayers  Ihat  his  mns  might  be  f<»-given. 

Omar  privately  remonstrated  with  Mahomet  for  praving 
for  a  hypocrite;  reminding  him  how  often  he  had  been 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


DissBSSioin  nr  thb  xabbm.  1^ 

tlflzutoed  bj  AbcUUah;  but  he  wbs  simirdlf  anflwered 
by  a  text  of  tiie  Koran :  "  Thou  mayest  pray  for  ^e  *  Hy* 
pocrites/  or  not,  as  thou  wilt ;  but  though  thou  fihouldett 
pray  ser^ity  tiites,  yet  will  ihej  not  bo  fbrgiren." 

The  prayers  at  Abdallah's  ^rave,  therefore,  were  put  up 
out  of  policgr,  to  win  favour  with  the  Khazradites,  and  the 
powerml  finends  of  the  deceased ;  and  in  this  respect  the 

Srayers  were  successful,  for  most  of  the  adherents  of  the 
eceased  became  devoted  to  the  prophet,  whose  swav  was 
thenceforth  undisputed  in  Medina.  Subsequendfy  he 
announoed  toother  revelation,  which  fcNrbade  him  to  pray 
by  the  death-bed  or  «ta»d  by  the  grave  of  any  one  who  died 
in  unbelief. 

But  though  Mahomet  ez^ctsed  such  dominion  over  his 
^disciples,  and  the  community  at  large,  he  had  great  dif> 
^ultf  in  governing  his  wives,  and  maintaining  tranquillity 
in  his  harem.  He  appears  to  have  acted  with  tolerabfo 
ecpity  in  his  connubuu  conoemB,  as8i£;mng  to  each  of  lus 
Wives  a  separate  habita<aon^  of  whidiBhewas  sole  mistress, 
and  passing  the  twenty-four  hours  wil^  than  by  turns. 
It  so  happened,  that  on  one  occasion,  when  he  was  sojouin^ 
in^  wi<ii  Ma&a,  the  latter  lefl;  her  dwelling  t6  visit  her 
&mer.  Betuming  unexpectedly,  she  surprised  the  prophet 
with  his  favourite  and  fortunate  slave  Mariyah,  the  mother 
of  his  s<m  Ibrahim.  The  j  ealousv  of  Hafka  was  vociferous. 
Mahomet  endeavoured  to  pacify  her,  dreading  lest  her 
outcries  should  rouse  his  wWe  harem  to  rebellion ;  but 
she  was  only  to  be  appeased  by  an  oath  on  his  part  never 
more  to  ooliabit  with  Marrfah.  On  these  terms  she  for- 
gave the  past  and  promised  secresy. 

She  broke  her  promise,  however,  and  revealed  to  Ajesha 
the  infideHly  of  the  prophet ;  and  in  a  little  while  it  was 
known  throughout  the  luirem.  His  wives  now  united  in  a 
storm  of  reproaches ;  until,  his  patience  being  exhausted, 
he  repudiated  Hidfea,  and  renounced  all  intercourse  with 
the  rest.  For  a  month  he  lay  al<me  on  a  mat  in  a  separate 
apartment ;  but  Allah,  at  length,  in  consideration  of  his 
lonely  state,  sent  down  the  firot  and  sixth  chapters  of  the 
Koran,  absolving  him  from  the  oath  respecting  Mariyah, 
who  forthwith  became  the  companion  of  his  solitary 
chamber. 

The  refractoiy  wives  were  now  brought  to  a  sense  of 
their  error,  and  apprised  by  the  same  revelation,  that  the 
restrictions  imposed  on  ordinary  men  did  not  apply  to  the 
prophet*    In  tne  end  he  took  back  Hi^sa,  who  was  peni- 

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16$  lilFS  OF  HAHOMBT* 

tent ;  and  he  was  reocmeiled  to  Ajeeha,  whom  he  tendedy 
loTed,  and  all  the  rest  were  in  due  lime  received  into 
favour ;  but  he- continued  to  cherish  Mariyah,  for  she  wm 
^ir  to  look  upon,  and  was  the  mother  of  his  only  eon. 


CHAPTEEXXXV. 

Altai  Bdnr  oondncta  the  yearly  pilgrimage  to  M««ea.— HMqii 
of  All  to  annoiinoe  a  reydatioii. 

The  sacred  month  of  yearly  pilgrimage  was  now  at  hand, 
but  Mahomet  was  too  much  occupied  with  pubHc  and 
domestic  concerns  to  absent  himself  from  Medina:  he 
deputed  Abu  Beker,  therefore,  to  act  in  his  place  as  emir 
or  commander  of  the  pilgrims,  who  were  to  resort  from 
Medina  to  the  holy  city.  Abu  Beker  accordingly  departed 
at  the  head  of  three  hundred  pilgrims,  with  twenty  camels 
{(xi^  sacrifice. 

I^ot  long  afterwards,  Mahomet  summoned  his  son-in-law 
and  devotM  disciple  Ali,  and,  mounting  him  on  Al  Adha, 
or  the  slit-eared,  the  swiftest  of  his  camels,  urged  him  to 
hasten  with  all  speed  to  Mecca,  there  to  promu&ate  befbre 
^e  multitude  of  pilgrims  assembled  from  all  parts,  an 
important  sura»  or  chapter  of  the  Koran,  just  received 
from' heaven. 

Ali  executed  his  mission  with  his  accustomed  zeal  and 
fidelity.  He  reached  the  sacred  city  in  the  height  of  the 
great  religious  festivaL  On  the  day  of  sacrifice,  when  the 
ceremonies  of  pilgrimage  were  completed  by  the  slaying 
of  the  victims  in  uie  valley  of  Mina,  and  when  Abu  TSeker 
had  preached  and  instructed  the  people  in  the  doctriner 
and  rites  of  Islamism,  Ali  rose  before  an  immense  multi« 
tude  assembled  at  the  hill  Al  Akaba,  and  announced  him- 
self a  messenger  from  the  prophet,  bearing  an  important 
revelation.  Me  then  read,  tne  sura,  or  chapter  of  the 
Koran,  of  which  he  was  the  bearer,  in  which  the  reli^on 
of  the  sword  was  declared  in  all  its  rigour.  It  absolved 
Mahomet  from  all  truce  or  league  with  idolatrous  and 
other  unbelievers,  should  they  in  any  wise  have  been  false 
to  their  stipulations,  or  given  aid  to  his  enemies.  It  allowed 
unbelievers  four  months  of  toleration  from  the  time  of  this 
Announcement,  during  which  months  they  might  "  go  to 

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ZHP0BT1K9  BXTELATIOK.  169 

and  fro  about  ^e  earth,  secnrely/'  but  at  tbe  expiration  of 
tliat  time  all  indulgence  would  cease ;  war  would  then  be 
made  in  cTery  way,  at  every  time  and  in  every  place,  by 
open  force  or  by  stntagem,  against  those  who  persisted  in 
tmbelief :  no  alternative  would  be  leit  them  buttoembraee 
the  faith,  or  pay  tribute.  The  holy  months  and  the  holy 
places  would  no  longer  afford  them  protection.  "  When 
the  months  wherein  ye  are  not  allowed  to  attack  them 
shall  be  passed,"  said  the  revelation,  "  kill  the  idolatrous 
wherever  ye  shall  find  them,  or  take  them  prisoners; 
besiege  them,  or  lay  in  wait  for  them."  The  ties  of  blood 
and  mendship  were  to  be  alike  disregarded;  the  faithM 
were  to  hold  no  communion  with  their  nearest  relatives 
and  dearest  friends,  should  they  persist  in  idolatiy.  After 
the  expiration  of  the  current  year,  no  unbeliever  was  to 
be  permitted  to  tread  the  sacred  bounds  of  Mecca,  nor  to 
enter  the  temple  of  Allah,  a  prohibition  which  continues 
to  the  present  day. 

This  stringent  chapter  of  the  Koran  is  thought  to  have 
been  provoked,  in  a  great  measure,  by  the  conduct  of  some 
of  the  Jewish  and  id&latrous  Arabs,  with  whom  Mahomet 
had  made  covenants,  but  who  had  repeatedly  played  him 
false,  and  even  made  treacherous  attempts  upon  his  life. 
It  evinces,  however,  the  increased  conndence  he  felt  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  his  insidious  and  powerftd  foe, 
Abdallah  Ibn  Obba,  and  the  rapid  conversion  or  subjuga* 
tion  of  the  Arab  tribes.  It  was,  in  fact,  a  decisive  blow 
for  the  exclusive  domination  of  his  faith. 

When  Abu  Beker  and  Ali  returned  to  Mecca,  the  former 
expressed  surprise  and  dissatisfaction  that  he  had  not  been 
made  the  promulgator  of  so  important  a  revelation,  as  it 
seemed  to  be  connected  with  Ids  recent  mission,  but  he 
was  pacified  by  the  assurance  that  all  new  revelations 
must  be  announced  by  the  prophet  himself,  or  by  some 
one  of  his  immediate  family. 


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170 


CHAPTER  XXXVL 

ICilmmet  B^ds  fais  eaptaiiw  on  dirtant  enteipiiew.— i^poiiits  UeirteiiMitt 
to  gorem  iH  AraMa  Felix.— ^Sends  Ali  to  suppress  an  insnirection  im 
fh^  province.— Death  of  tbe  prophet's  only  son,  Ibrahim.— His 
oondact  at  the  deathbed  and  the  grave. — ^His  growing  infirmities.-* 
fiis  valedictory  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  and  his  conduct  and  preaching 
wMle  there. 

Tffs  promulgatioii  of  tilie  last^i^eiitioiied  chapteor  of  the 
Koran,  with  die  aocompanyiiiff  deoLunciation  <^  exteimi- 
oatin^  war  a^amst  all  who  sEould  refuse  to  believe  or 
submit,  produced  hosts  c^  converts  and  tributanes;  so 
ihaJb,  towards  the  close  of  the  month,  and  in  the  beginning 
of  the  teni^  year  of  the  Hegira,  the  gates  of  Medina  were 
thronged  with  envoys  horn  distant  tribes  and  princes. 
Among  those  who  l)owed  to  the  temporal  power  of  the 
prophet  was  Farwa,  lieutenant  of  Heradius,  m  Syria,  and 
ffov^nor  of  Amon,  the  anoient  capitol  of  the  Ammonites* 
His  act  of  submission,  however,  was  disavowed  by  the 
en^ev<Hr,  and  punished  with  imprisonm^it.  ,^ 

Mi^omet  felt  and  acted  more  and  more  as  a  sovereign, 
but  his  grandest  schemes  as  a  conqueror  were  always 
sanctified  by  his  zeal  as  an  apostle.  His  captains  were 
s^it  on  more  distant  expediticms  than  formerly,  but  it  was 
always  with  a  view  to  destroy  idols,  and  luring  idolatrous 
tribes  to  subjection ;  so  thatnis  teniporal  power  but  kept 
•pace  with  the  propi^ati<m  of  his  faith.  He  appoinjtedtwo 
lieutenants  to  govern  in  his  name  in  Arabia  Vehx ;  but  a 
portion  of  that  rich  and  important  countiy  having  shown, 
itself  refractory,  Ali  was  ordered  to  repair  thitiber  at  the 
head  of  three  hundred  horsemen,  and  bring  the  inhabitanfts 
to  reason. 

The  youthM  disciple  expressed  a  becoming  diffidence  to 
undertake  a  mission  where  He  would  have  to  treat  with 
men  far  older  and  wiser  than  himself;  but  Mahomet  laid 
one  hand  upon  his  lips,  and  the  other  upon  his  breast,  and 
raising  his  eyes  to  heaven,  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  Allah !  loosen 
his  tongue  and  guide  his  heart!"  He  gave  him  one  rule 
for  his  conduct  as  a  judge.  "  When  two  parties  come 
before  thee,  never  pronounce  in  favour  of  one  until  thou 
hast  heard  the  other."  Then  giving  into  his  hands  the 
standard  of  the  faith,  and  placing  the  turban  on  his  head, 
he  bade  him  farewell. 


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DEATH  OV  1!HB  FBOTSIT'S  SON.  171 

WLeDL  ihe  mfiitatj  mistionsrv  anmd  in  the  heretieid 
region  of  Ynnen,  lus  men,  in&lgiiig  ihdr  uudent  Arab 
ptropendties,  began  to  sack,  to  phmder,  and  destroy.  All 
cheeked  thek  excesseB,  and  arreBiing  ikke  fa^re  inhabi- 
tantt,  begin  to  exponad  to  them  tl»  doctnnes  of  Iilam. 
His  tongue,  thongn  so  reoenihr  oonwcrsfced  by  the  prof^et, 
i&iled  to  canj  o(mviction,for  ne  waa  answered  l>7  durts  and 
arrows ;  wholenptm  he  retained  to  the  ddaigmnentof  the 
aword,  wiidi  he  nijped  with  anch  efficacy,  iliat,  a,ftest  twenty 
nnbelievers  had  been  slain,  the  rest  arowed  themaelvea 
ihoroiiekly  eonyinoed.  Hiss  sealons  abhieyement  was  fol- 
iowed  by  othera  <€  a  similar  kind,  after  eadi  o£  whidi  he 
dispa^idied  meBB«Qra»  to  the  prophet,  anwwineiag  a  new 
tritim^  of  the  &im. 

WMle  Mahomet  was  eznlfcinj^  in  ihe  tidings  of  atteeess 
horn,  every  qoarter,  he  was  stneken  to  the  heart  by  one 
ci  the  soFerest  of  domestie  berearements.  Ibrahim,  his 
aon,  by  his  fsronrite  oancnbine  Muiyah,  a  child  but 
£fteen  mondis  old,  his  only  male  iasne,  on  wiumi  reposed 
his  hope  of  transmitting  his  nMoe  to  posterity,  was  s^zed 
with  a  mortal  malady,  and  expired  befoiie  hia  effes.  Ma- 
homet eonld  m^  contpol  a  fisctner's  feehnge  as  he  bent  in 
ag<my  arer  this  blighted  bloasom  of  his  hq>es.  Yet  even 
in  this  tryii^  hoar  ne  showed  that  sohmission  to  the  will 
<ifGk>dwluohiiD]3ned  the  fenndatiim  ctf  his  fait^  "My 
heart  k  sad,"  mnrnmred  he,  "  andmine  eyes  overflow  with 
tears  at  parting  witli  thee,  ch  my  son !  And  atill  greater 
woold  be  my  gried^  did  I  m>t  know  that  I  must  soon  foDow 
thee ;  for  we  are  of  God;  from  him  we  came,  tJki  to  him 
we  mnst  retorn." 

Abda'lrahmaa  seeing  him  in  tears,  demanded :  *'  Hast 
thon  not  forbidden  ns  to  weep  for  the  dead?"  "No,*' 
replied  the  prophet.  "  I  have  forbidden  ye  to  utter  shrieks 
and  outcries,  to  beat  your  faces,  and  rend  your  garments ; 
these  are  suggestions  of  the  evil  one ;  out  tears  shed 
for  a  calamiiy  are  as  bahn  to  the  heart,  and  are  aent  in 
mercy." 

He  followed  his  child  to  the  grave,  where  amidst  the 
agonies  of  separation,  he  gave  another  proof  that  the  ele- 
ments  of  his  religion  were  ever  present  to  his  mind.  "  My 
aon !  my  son !"  exclaimed  he,  as  the  body  was  committed 
to  the  tomb,  "  say  Grod  is  my  Lord !  the ,  prodbet  of  God 
was  my  fether,  and  Islamism  is  my  faith  I"  This  was  to 
prepare  his  child  for  the  questioning  by  examining  angels^ 

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ITS  XJVB  ov  MABoiarCt 

as  to  religious  belief,  which,  aceordiiig  to  lioslem  creed* 
the  deceMed  would  undergo  while  in  the  ji^ye.* 

An  eclipse  of  the  snn  which  happened  about  that  time, 
was  interpreted  by  some  of  his  zealous  followers  as  a  c^es- 
tial  sign  of  mourning  for  the  death  of  Ibrahim ;  but  ^e 
afflicted  fiither  rejected  such  obsequious  flattery.  *'  The 
4nm  and  the  moon/'  said  he,  **Bie  among  the  wonders  of 
Ood,  through  which  at  times  he  signifies  his  will  to  his 
servants ;  but  their  eclipse  has  nothing  to  do  either  With 
the  birth  or  death  of  any  mortaL" 

The  death  of  Ibrahim  was  a  blow  which  bowed  him  to- 
ward the  grave.  His  constitution  was  already  impaired  br 
the  extraordinary  excitements  and  paroxysms  of  nisnmKU 
and  the  physical  trials  to  which  he  nad  l>een  exposed ;  the 
poison,  too,  administered  to  him  at  Khaibar,  had  tainte4{ 
the  springs  of  life,  subjected  him  to  excrudating  painsr 
and  brought  on  a  premature  old  age.  His  religious  zeal 
took  the  uarm  from  the  increase  of  bodily  infirmities,  and 
he  resolved  to-  expend  his  remaining  strength  in  a  final 
pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  intended  to  serve  as  a  model  for  all 
future  CMMcrvances  of  the  kind. 

The  announcement  of  his  pious  intention  brought  devo- 
tees from  all  parts  of  Arabia,  to  follow  the  pilgrim-prophet. 
T^e  streets  ot  Medina  were  crowded  with  the  various  tribe^ 
from  the  towns  and  cities,  from  the  fastnesses  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  the  remoto  parts  of  the  desert,  and  the  sur- 
nonnding  yalleys  were  studded  with  their  tents.  It  was  a 
striking  picture  of  the  triumph  of  a  faith,  these  recently 
disunitoa,  barbarous,  and  warring  tribes,  brou^dbt  togeUier 
as  brethren,  and  inspired  hj  one  sentiment  of  rdigious  zeal. 

Mahomet  was  acc(mipanied  on  this  oocasion  by  his  nine 

*  One  of  1;he  fimeral  rites  of  the  Koelems  is  for  the  Mulakken,  or 
priest,  to  llddress  the  deceased,  when  in  the  grave,  in  the  foliowinf 
words :  -  Oh.  servant  of  God  I  O  son  of  a  handmaid  of  God  I  know  that, 
at  this  time,  there  will  oome  down  to  thee  tw6  angels  commissioaea 
Mspeoting  thee  and  the  like  of  thee ;  when  thej  say  to  thee,  *  Who  is 
thy  lA)rd  ?*  answer  them,  *  God  is  my  Lord,'  in  truth ;  and  when  they 
ask  thee  concemhig  thy  prophet,  or  the  man  who  hath  been  sent  unto 
you,  say  to  them,  *Kahomet  is  the  apostle  of  God,*  Mrith  veracity ;  and 
when  they  fwk  thee  eonceming  thy  religion,  say  to  them,  *  Islamism  is 
my  religion.'  And  when  they  a^  thee  coacmdag  thy  book  of  dhrec- 
tion,  say  to  them,  *  The  Koran  is  my  book  of  dhrection,  and  tlie  Hoslemp 
«re  my  brothers ;'  and  when  they  ask  thee  concerning  thy  Kebla.  say 
to  them, :  The  Caaba  is  my  Kebla,  and  I  have  lived  and  died  in  the 
assertion  that  there  is  no  deity  but  God,  and  Mahomet  is  God's  apostle,* 
and  they  wiU  say,  *  Sleep,  O  servant  of  God,  in  the  protection  of  God  r  * 
—See  Lam^i  Modem  Egypiian$,y<jL  iL  p.  S38. 

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THS  TALBDICTOIY  PILGBIMAGB.  173 

wives,  who  were  transported  on  litters.  He  departed  at 
the  head  of  an  immense  train,  some  say  of  fifby-fiye,  others 
ninety,  and  others  a  hundred  and  fourteen  thousand 
pUgnms.  There  was  a  large  number  of  camels  also,  deco- 
rated with  garlands  of  flowers  and  fluttering  streamer^ 
intended  to  be  offered  up  in  sacrifice. 

The  first  night's  halt  was  a  few  miles  from  Medina,  at 
the  Tillage  of  Dhul  Holaifa,  where,  on  a  former  occasion, 
he  and  his  followers  had  laid  aside  their  weapons,  and 
assimied  the  pilgrim  garb.  Early  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, after  praying  in  the  mosaue,  he  mounted  his  camel 
Ai  Aswa,  ana  entering  the  plain  of  Baida,  uttered  the 
prayer  or  invocation  cafied  in  Arabic  Tidbijah,  in  which  he 
was  joined  by  all  his  followers.  The  following  is  the  im- 
port of  this  solemn  invocation:  *'  Here  am  I  in  my  service, 
oh  Qod  I  Here  am  I  in  thy  service !  Thou  hast  no  com- 
panion. To  thee  alone  belongeth  worship.  'From  thee 
oometh  all  good.  Thine  alone  is  the  kingdom.  There  is 
none  to  share  it  with  thee." 

This  prater,  according  to  Moslem  tradition,  was  uttered 
by  the  patriarch  Abrahiun,  when,  from  the  top  of  the  hill 
€$  Kubeis,  near  Meeca,  he  preached  the  true  faith  to  the 
whole  human  race,  and  so  wonderfrd  was  the  power  of  his 
voice,  that  it  was  heard  by  every  living  being  throughout 
the  worid;  insomuch,  that  the  very  child  in  the  womb 
responded,  "  Here  am  I  in  thy  service,  oh  Gbd !" 

Li  this  way  the  pilgrim  host  pursued  its  course,  winding 
i|i  a  l^i^ened  train  of  miles,  over  mountain  and  valley, 
and  makmg  the  deserts  vocal  at  times  with  united  prayers 
and  ejaculations.  There  were  no  longer  any  hostile  armies 
to  impede  or  molest  it,  for  by  this  time  the  Islam  faith 
reigned  serenely  over  all  Arabia.  Mahomet  approached 
the  sacred  city  over  the  same  heights  which  he  iiad  tra* 
versed  in  capturinsr  it,  and  he  entered  through  the  gate 
Beni  Scheiba,  whicn  still  bears  the  name  of  The  'H.ofy, 

A  few  days  after  his  arrival,  he  was  joined  by  Ah,  who^ 
had  hastened  back  from  Yemen ;  and  who  brought  with 
him  a  number  of  camels  to  be  slain  in  sacrifice. 

As  this  was  to  be  a  model  pilgrimage,  Mahomet  rigor- 
ously observed  all  the  rites  which  he  had  cimtinued  in 
compliance  with  patriarchal  usage,  or  introduced  in  oom- 
plimce  with  revelation.  Being  too  weak  and  infirm  to  go 
on  foot,  he  mounted  his  camel,  and  thus  performed  the 
circuits  round  the  Caaba,  and  the  joumeyings  to  and  fro> 
between  the  hills  of  Safa  and  Merwa. 

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174  mSS  OF  MJkHOMXT, 

When  tke  camels  were  to  be  offered  up  in  sacrifice^  he 
dew  sixty-tbree  with  his  own  hand,  one  for  eadi  year  of 
his  age,  and  Ali,  at  the  same  time^  slew  Ihirty-seTcn  on  his 
own  account. 

^Mahconet  then  shayed  his  head,  beginning  on  the  right 
side  and  ending  on  the  1^^  The  locks  ihxia  shorn  away 
were  equally  £rided  among  his  diseij^s,  and  treasured  up 
as  sacred  relics.  Khaled  ever  afterwards  wore  eoe  in  his 
turban^  and  affirmed  that  it  gave  him  si^emataral  strength 
in  battle. 

CoBsdous  that  life  was  waning  away  within  him,  Ma- 
homet, during  this  last  sojourn  m  the  seered  city  of  his  ' 
faith,  soi^ht  to  ^igrave  his  doctrines  deeply  in  thie  minds 
and  hearts  of  his  mUowers.  F(nr  this  purpose  he  preached 
frequently  in  the  Caaba  from  the  pxdpit,  or  in  the  open  air 
from  the  back  of  his  camd.  **  Listen  to  my  words," 
would  he  say,  "  for  I  know  not  whether,  after  this  yeaav 
we  shall  ever  meet  here  again.  Oh,  my  hearors^  I  am  but 
a  man  like  yourselves ;  the  angel  of  desoh  may  at  any  time 
appear,  and  X  must  obey  his  iunmuNis." 

He  would  then  proceed  to  inculcate  not  merely  religioua 
doctrines  and  ceremonies,  but  rules  for  oondoct  in  au  the 
ooiscems  of  hh,  public  and  domestie ;  Mid  the  precepts 
laid  down  and  enforced  on  iMa  oceaoon,  hwre  haii  a  ymt 
and  durable  mfloence  <m  the  morals,  manners,  and  habi- 
tudes of  the  whole  Modon  woiid. 

It  was  doubtless  in  view  of  his  approaching  end,  and  in 
solicitude  for  the  wd&re  of  his  relatives  and  friends  after 
his  death,  and  especially  of  his  favourite  All,  who,  he  per- 
ceived, luul  ^ven  dissatisfaction  in  the  c<mduct  of  his 
recent  campaign  in  Yemen,  that  he  took  occasicm,  darin|Br 
a  moment  of  strong  excitement  and  enthusiasm  among  his 
hearers,,  to  address  to  them  a  solann  adjuration^ 

"  Ye  believe,"  said  he,  "  that  there  is  but  one  God;  that 
Mahomet  is  his  prc^het  and  apostle;  that  paradbe  and 
hell  ar&  truths ;  that  death  and  the  resurrection  are  cer- 
tain ;  and  that  there  is  an  appointed  time  when  all  who 
rise  from  the  grave  must  be  brou^t  to  judgment." 

Th^  all  answered,  "  We  bdieve  these  things."  He 
then  adjured  them  solemnly  by  these  dogmas  of  their  futh 
ever  to  hold  his  frmily,  and  espedially  Ali,  in  love  and 
reverence.  "  Whoever  loves  me,"  said  he,  "  let  him  re- 
ceive All  as  his  friend.^  May  God  uphold  those  who  b«>- 
friend  him,  and  may  he  turn  from  his  enemies." 

It  was  at  the  concluAon  of  one  of  hia  discQuises  in  the 

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THE  YIXSMCTOIT  VIK0BIUAOB.  175 

apen  air,  from  the  back  oi  Hb  eamel,  thai  the  £10110110 
Terse  of  the  Koran  is  said  to  have  eo»e  down  firom  heayen 
m  the  Tery  voice  oi  the  Deity.  "  Evil  to  those,  this  day, 
wha  have  denied  your  region.  Fear  tiiem  not ;  fear  me. 
This  day  I  haye  p^ected  your  rdigion,  and  accom^ished 
in  yon  m^  grace.  It  is  my  good  i^easmre  that  Tslainisin 
be  your  faith." 

On  hearing  these  words,  say  the  Arabian  historians,  the 
camel  Al  Karwa,  on  which  the  preset  was  seated,  fell  on 
its  knees  in  adoration.  These  words,  add  they,  were  the 
seal  and  condnsion  of  the  law,  fbr  after  them  there  were 
no  fo*dier  revelations. 

Having  thua  fnlfiHed  all  ike  rites  and  ceremonies  of 
pilgrimage,  and  made  a  fiill  exposition  of  his  fiuth,  Ma- 
homet bade  a  last  farewell  to  his  native  city,  and,  putting 
himself  at  the  head  of  his  pilgrim  army,  set  out  on  his 
return  to  MecBna. 

As  he  came  in  sight  of  it,  he  lifted  up  his  voice  and 
^churned,  "Qod  is  great!  G^  is  great!  There  is  but 
one  God ;  he  has  no  companion.  His  is  the  kingdom.  To 
him  akme  belongeiii  praise.  He  is  ahnighty.  He  hath 
fbl^led  his  promise.  He  has  stood  by  his  servant,  and 
alone  dispersed  his  enemies.  Let  us  return  to  our  homee, 
and  worsnm  and  praise  him  I" 

Thus  ended  what  has  been  termed  the  valedictory  pil* 
fiimage,  hemg  the  last  made  by  tiie  prophet. 


CHAPTEE  XXXVn. 
Of  the  two  fiilse  prophets,  Al  Aswsd  and  Moseilma. 

The  health  of  Mahomet  continued  to  decline  after  his 
return  to  Medina ;  neverthdiess,  his  ardour  to  extend  his 
rdigious  empire  was  unabated,  and  he  prepared,  on  a 
great  scale,  for  the  invasion  of  Syria  and  Paleffidne.  While 
he  was  meditating  foreign  conquest,  however,  two  rival 
prophets  arose  to  dispute  his  sway  in  Arabia.  One  was 
named  Al  Aswad,  the  other  Moseilma;  they  received 
from  the  faithM  the  well-merited  appellation  of  "The 
two  liars." 

Al  Aswad,  a  quick-witted  man,  and  jnfled  with  per- 
vuasiTe  eloquence,  was  originally  an   Kldater,  i^en   a 

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176  IIFE  OW  MABOMBT, 

eoTLYert  to  Idamism,  from  wliich  he  aposiatbed  ia  set  np^ 
for  a  prophet,  and  establish  a  religion  of  his  own.  Hia 
fickleness  in  matters  of  faith  gained  him  the  appellation 
of  Ailhala,  or  "The  Weathercock."  In  emulatioa  of 
Mahomet  he  pretended  to  reoeiye  revelations  from  heavea 
thronjgh  the  medinm  of  two  angels.  Being  versed  in. 
jugglmg  arts  and  natural  magic,  ne  astonish^  and  con- 
founded the  mnltitade  with  spectral  illusions,  which  he 
passed  off  as  miracles,  insomuch  that  certain  Moslem, 
writers  believe  he  was  really  assisted  by  two  evil  genii  or 
demons.  His  schemes,  for  a  time,  were  crowned  with 
^eat  success,  which  shows  how  imsettled  the  Arabs  were 
m  those  days  in  matters  of  religion,  and  how  ready  to 
adopt  any  new  faith. 
BudhAn,  the  Persian  whom  Mahomet  had  continued  as 
'  vicerov  of  Arabia  Felix,  died  in  this  year;  wheretmon  Ai 
Aswaa,  now  at  the  head  of  a  powenul  sect,  slew  nis  son 
and  successor,  espoused  his  widow  after  putting  her 
father  to  death,  and  seized  upon  the  reins  of  ^ovem^ 
mcnt.  The  people  of  Najran  mvited  him  to  their  city  ;. 
the  gates  or  Sanaa,  the  capital  of  Yemen,  were  likewise 
tiirown  open  to  him,  so  that,  in  a  little  while,  all  Arabia 
Felix  submitted  to  his  sway. 

The  news  of  this  usurpation  found  Mahomet  suffennfi^ 
in  the  first  stages  of  a  dangerous  malady,  and  en^poMed 
by  preparations  for  the  Syrian  invasion.  Impatient  oC 
any  interruption  to  his  plans,  and  reflecting  that  the 
whole  danger  and  difficulty  in  question  depended  upon 
the  life  of  an  individual,  he  sent  orders  to  certain  of  his 
adherents,  who  were  about  Al  Aswad,  to  make  wuj  with  ' 
him  openly  or  by  stratagem,,  either  waj  being  jusnfiable 
against  enemies  of  the  faith,  according  to  the  recent 
revelati<m  promulgated  by  Ali.  Two  persons  undertook 
the  task,  less,  however,  through  motives  of  religion  than 
revenge^  One,  named  Eais,  had  received  a  mortol  offence 
from  the  usurper ;  the  other,  named  Firuz  the  Dailemite, 
was  cousin  to  Al  Aswad's  newly-espoused  wife,  and 
nephew  of  her  murdered  feither..  They  repaired  to  the 
woman,  whose  marriage  wiih  the  usurper  had  probably 
been  compulsory,  and  urged  upon  her  the  duty,  according 
to  the  Arab  law  of  blood,  of  Kven^Tog  the  deaths  of  her 
father  and  her  former  husband.  iVith  much  difficulty 
they  prevailed  upon  her  to  facilitate  their  entrance  at  the 
dead  of  i^ght  into  the  chamber  of  Al  Aswad,  who  waa 
asleep.    FSuz  stabbed  him  in  the  throat  with  a  poniard 

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7AL8B  PBOPH^TS.  177 

The  blow  was  not  •ffectoal.  AI  Aswad  started  up,  and 
his  cries  alanned  the  guard.  His  wife,  however,  went 
forth  and  ^nieted  them.  "  The  prophet,"  said  she,  **  is 
under  the  influence  of  divine  inspuration."  Bv  this  time 
the  cries  had  ceased,  for  the  assassins  had  stricken  off  the 
head  of  their  victim.  When  the  day  dawned,  the  standard 
of  Mahomet  floated  once  more  on  the  walls  of  the  city, 
and  a  herald  proclaimed,  by  sound  of  trumpet,  the  death 
of  Al  Aswad,  otherwise  called  the  Liar  and  Impostor. 
His  career  of  power  began,  and  was  terminated,  within 
the  space  of  four  months.  The  people,  easy  of  faith, 
resumed  Islamism  with  as  much  facility  as  they  had 
abandoned  it. 

MoseiQma,  the  other  impostor,  was  an  Arab  of  the  tribe 
of  Honeifa,  and  ruled  over  the  city  and  province  of 
Yam  am  a,  situated  between  the  Bed  Sea  and  the  Gulf  of 
Persia.  In  the  ninth  year  of  the  Hegira  he  had  come  to 
Mecca  at  the  head  of  an  embassy  from  his  tribe,  and  had 
made  profession  of  faith  between  the  hands  of  Mahomet ; 
but,  on  returning  to  his  own  country,  had  proclaimed 
that  God  had  guted  him  likewise  with  ]frophecy,  and 
appointed  him  to  aid  Mahomet  in  converting  the  numan 
race.  To  this  effect  he  likewise  wrote  a  Koran,  which  he 
gave  forth  as  a  volume  of  inspired  truth.  His  creed  was 
noted  for  giving  the  soul  a  humiliating  residence  in  the 
region  of  the  abdomen. 

Being  a  man  of  influence  and  address,  he  soon  made 
hosts  of  converts  among  his  credulous  countrymen.  Een- 
dered  confident  by  success,  he  addressed  an  epistle  to 
Mahomet,  beginniog  as  follows  : 

**  From  Moseilma  the  prophet  of  Allah,  to  Mahomet  the 
jrrophet  of  Allah  I  Come,  now,  and  let  us  make  a  parti- 
tion of  the  world,  and  let  half  be  thine  and  half  be  mme.*' 

This  letter  came  also  to  the  hands  of  Mahomet,  while 
bowed  down  by  infirmities  and  engrossed  by  military  pre- 
parations. He  contented  himself  for  the  present  with  the 
lollowing  reply: 

"  Prom  Mahomet  the  prophet  of  God,  to  Moseilma  the 
liiar !  The  eartii  is  the  Lord's,  and  he  giveth  it  as  an 
inheritance  to  such  of  his  servants  as  find  favour  in  his 
sight.    Happy  shall  those  be  who  live  ia  his  fear." 

In  the  urgency  of  other  afiairs,  the  usurpation  of 
Moseilma  remained  xmchecked.  His  punishment  was  re- 
served for  a  fixture  day. 

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.    178 


CHAPTEE  XXXVnL 

Am.  wrmj  prepared  to  march  againit  Sjrifa.— Oonunaiid  girea  to  Osaina. 
— The  prophet^s  £uewell  address  to  the  troopB^ — ^His  last  Alness.-^ 
His  sermons  in  the  mosque. — ^His  death  and  the  attending  drcom* 
stances. 

It  was  early  in  the  eleTenthyear  of  the  Hegira  that,  after 
unuBual  preparations,  a  powerful  army  was  ready  to  march 
for  the  invasion  of  Syria.  It  would  ahuost  seem  a  proof 
of  the  failing  powers  of  Mahomet's  mind»  that  he  ^re  ike 
command  of  such  an  army,  on  such  an  expedition,  to 
Osama,  a  youth  but  twenty  years  of  a^  instead  of  some 
one  of  his  veteran  and  well-tried  generals.  It  seems  to 
have  been  a  matter  of  fftvour,  dictated  by  tender  and  grate* 
fill  recollections.  Osama  was  the  sonof  Zeid,  Mahomet's 
devoted  freedman,  who  had  given  the  prophet  such  a 
signal  and  acceptable  jm^pf  of  devotion  in  relmquishing  to 
hmi  his  beautiful  wife^inab.  Zeid  had  continued  to  the 
last  the  same  zealous  and  self-sacrificing  disciple,  and  had 
fidlen  bravely  fighting  for  the  faith  in  the  battle  of  Muta. 

Mahomet  was  aware  of  the  hazard  of  the  choice  he  had 
made,  and  feared  the  troojM  might  be  insubordinate  under 
so  ycrang  a  commander,  xn  a  general  review,  iliereforey 
he  exhorted  them  to  obedience,  reminding  them  that 
Osama's  father,  Zeid,  had  commanded  an  expedition  of 
tiiis  very  kind,  against  the  very  same  people,  and  had 
fallen  by  their  himds ;  it  was  but  a  just  tribute  to  his 
memory,  therefore,  to  give  his  son  an  opj^rtunity  of 
avenging  his  death.  Then  placing  his  banner  m  the  hands 
of  the  youthful  general,  he  called  upon  him  to  fight 
valiantly  the  fight  of  the  faith  against  all  who  should  deny 
the  unitv  of  &)d.  The  army  marched  forth  that  very 
day,  and  encamped  at  Djorf,  a  few  miles  firom  Medina; 
but  circumstances  occurred  to  prevent  its  further  progress. 

That  very  nkht  Mahomet  nad  a  severe  access  of  the 
malady  which  for  some  time  past  had  idSected  him,  and 
whidi  was  ascribed  by  some  to  the  lurking  effects  of  the 
poison  given  to  him  at  Ehaibar.  It  commenced  with  a 
violent  pain  in  the  head,  accompanied  by  vertigo,  and  the 
delirium  which  seems  to  have  mingled  with  aU  his  pa* 
loxysms  of  iUness.  Startinf^  up  in  the  mid-watches  of 
the  night  from  a  troubled  dream,  he  called  upon  an  at- 
tendant slave  to  accompany  him ;  saying  he  was  summoned 


y  Google 


LAST  ILUrm  07  IBM  7B0PHET.  If9 

by  the  dead  who  lay  interred  in  the  pdblic  bnrjing-plaoe 
oJr  Medina  to  come  and  pray  for  ikem,  F<^owed  oy  tiie 
Blare,  he  paired  throogh  the  dark  and  silent  city,  where 
all  were  sunk  in  sleep,  to  the  great  burying-gronnd,  onft- 
eide  of  the  walls. 

Arrired  in  the  midst  c^the  tombs,  he  lifted  np  his  r€m 
and  made  a  solemn  apostrophe  to  their  tenants.  "B*- 
joiee,  ye  dwellers  in  ihe  grav'e  V*  exclaimed  he. ''  More 
peaceml  is  tiie  mominff  to  i^doh  yc  shall  awakeii,  than 
that  which  attends  the  uring.  Happier  is  vonr  condition 
tiian  theirs.  God  has  delivered  you  fi*am  me  storms  with 
which  th^  are  threatened,  ana  which  shall  follow  one 
another  like  the  watches  of  a  stormy  night,  each  darker 
thaxi  that  whi«^  weoit  before." 

After  praying  fi>r  the  dead,  he  tamed  and  addressed  his 
slaye.  **  The  clKHce  is  giren  me,"  said  he,  "  either  to  re- 
main in  this  world  to  the  end  of  tLme,  in  the  enjoyment  of 
all  its  delights,  or  to  return  socm^  to  the  presence  of  God; 
and  I  have  chosen  the  latter." 

From  this  time  his  illness  rapidly  increased,  though  hs 
endearoured  to  go  about  m  usual,  andshiftedhis  resiaence 
&om  day  to  day,  with  his  different  wives,  as  he  had  besa 
accustomed  to  do.  ^He  was  in  the  dwelling  of  Maiimana, 
when  the  violence  <^  his  malady  became  so  great,  tiiat  he 
saw  it  must  soon  prove  fatal.  &is  heart  now  yearned  to  be 
wilh  his  favourite  wife  Ayesha,  and  pass  with  her  the 
fleeting  residue  of  life.  With  his  head  Dound  up,  and  his 
tottering  frtmie  supported  by  Ali  and  Fadhl,  Ihe  son  of  Al 
Abbas,  he  repaired  to  her  abode.  She,  likewise,  was  sof* 
fering  with  a  vident  pain  in  the  head,  and  entreated  of 
him  a  remedy. 

"Wherefbre  ar^i^yP*  said  he.  «<  Better  that  tho« 
shouldst  die  before  me.  I  could  then  dose  thme  eyes ; 
wrap  4hee  in  thy  fioneral  garb ;  lay  tiiee  in  Hie  tOmb,  and 
pray  for  thee." 

**  Yes,**  replied  she,  *'  and  then  return  to  my  house  and 
dwell  wrth  one  of  thy  other  wives,  who  would  profit  by 
nqr  death." 

Mahxnnet  oniled  at  this  eipresaon  of  jealous  fimdne^ 
and  resigned  himself  into  her  care.  Bis  ooly  remajning 
child,  Fatima,  l^e  wife  ol  Ah,  eame  ^presently  to  see  him. 
Ayeflha  used  to  say  Ihat  she  aersr  saw  any  one  resemUe 
the  prophet  more  in  sweetness  of  temper  than  this  InB 
daughter.  He  treated  hof  always  with  respeotM  tsader- 
ness.    When  she  came  to  him,  he  used  to  rise  up,  go  to- 

^    2  gtized  by  Google 


180  LX7X  OF  MAHOUET. 

wards  her,  take  her  by  the  hand,  and  kiss  it,  and  would 
seat  her  in  his  own  place.  Their  meeling  on  this  occasion 
is  thns  related  by  Ayesha,  in  the  traditions  preserred  by 
Abnlfeda. 

« <  Welcome,  my  child,'  said  the  prophet,  and  made  her 
^t  beside  him.  He  then  whispered  something  in  her  ear, 
lit  whidi  she  wept.  Perceiymg  her  affliction,  he  whis- 
pered something  more,  and  her  countenance  bri^tened 
with  joy.  '  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  P'  said  I  to  Fatima. 
*  The  prophet  honours  thee  with  a  mark  of  confidence 
never  bestowed  on  any  of  his  wives.'  '  I  cannot  discloM 
the  secret  of  the  prophet  of  Grod,'  repHed  Fatima.  NeyeT" 
theless,  i^Eter  his  death  she  declared  that  at  first  he  an« 
nounced  to  her  his  impending  death ;  but,  seeing  her  weep, 
consoled  her  with  the  assurance  that  she  would  shortly 
foUow  1dm,  and  become  a  prinoess  in  heaven,  among  the 
faithful  of  her  sex.". 

In  the  second  day  of  his  illness,  Mahomet  was  tormented 
by  a  burning  fever,  and  caused  vessels  of  water  to  be 
emptied  on  his  head  andbver  his  body ;  exclaiming,  amidst 
his  paroxisms, "  ]N^ow  I  feel  the  poison  of  Kluubar  rending 
my  entrails." 

When  somewhat  relieved,  he  was  aided  in  repairing  to 
the  mosque,  which  was  adjacent  to  his  residence.  Here, 
seated  in  his  chair,  or  pulpit,  he  prayed  devoutly ;  after 
which,  addressing  the  congregation,  wnich  was  numerous, 
**  If  any  of  you,"  said  he,  "  have  aught  upon  his  con- 
science, let  lum  speak  out,  that  I  may  ask  Orod's  pardon 
for  him." 

Upon  this  a  man,  who  had  passed  for  a  devout  Moslem, 
stood  forth  and  confessed  himself  a  hjpocrite,  a  liar,  and  a 
weak  disciple.  *'  Out  upon  thee !"  cned  Omar,  "  why  dost 
thou  make  known  what  God  had  suffered  to  remain  con- 
cealed P"  But  Mahomet  turned  rebukin^ly  to  Omar. 
*'  Oh,  son  of  EJiattab,"  said  he,  "  better  is  it  to  blush  in 
this  world,  than  suffer  in  the  next."  llien  Hftinff  his  eyes 
to  heaven,  and  praying  for ,  the  self-accused,  "  Oh  God," 
exclaimed  he,  "  give  him  rectitude  and  faith,  and  takefirom 
him  all  weakness  in  fulfilling  such  of  thy  ccmmiands  as  his 
conscience  dictates." 

Again  addressing  the-ecmgrenition,  "  Is  there  any*  one 
amonff  you,"  said  he,  "whom  I  have  stricken;  here  is  my 
back.  Jet  him  strike  me  in  return.  Is  there  any  one  whose 
character  I  have  aspersed;  let  him  nam  cast  reproach  upon 

"      ••  Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


SBsncss;  nr  tHA  hosqtts.  181 

me.    Is  tliere  any  one  from  whom  I  h^ye  taken  Koght  nn* 
justly ;  let  him  now  oome  forward  and  be  indemnined." 

Upon  this,  a  man  among  the  throns  reminded  Mahomet 
of  a  debt  of  three  dinars  of  silver,  ana  was  instantly  repaid 
with  interest.  "  Much  easier  is  it»"  said  the  propnet,  *'  to 
bear  punishment  in  this  world  thui  throuffhout  eternity." 

He  now  grayed  fervently  for  the  faithfbl,  who  had  fallen 
by  his  side  m  the  battle  or  Ohod,  and  for  those  who  had 
suffered  for  the  faith  in  other  battles ;  interceding  with 
them  in  virtue  of  the  pact  which  exists  between  the  Uviog 
and  the  dead. 

Ailer  this  he  addressed  the  Mohadjerins  or  Exiles,  wk> 
had  accompanied  him  from  Mecca,  extorting  them  to  hold 
in  honour  the  Ansanans,  or  allies  of  Medina.  ''The 
number  of  believers,"  said  he,  "  will  increase,  but  that  of 
the  allies  neverxan.  They  were  my  family,  with  whom  I 
found  a  home.  Do  good  to  those  who  do  good  to  them, 
and  break  friendship  with  those  who  are  hoitile  to  them." 

He  thenffave  three  parting  commands : 

JBh-gt, — ^Expel  all  idolaters  from  Arabia. 

Second, -^Aliiow  all  proselytes  equal  privileges  with  your* 
selves. 

2^mf.— Devote  yourselves  incessantly  to  prayer. 

His  sermon  and  exhortation  being  finished,  he  was  affec« 
tionately  supported  back  to  the  mansicm  of  Ayesha,  but 
was  so  exhausted  on  arriving  there  that  he  fiunted. 

His  malady  increased  from  day  to  day,  apparently  wi1& 
intervals  of  delirium ;  for  he  nwSke  of  receivmg  visits  frt>m 
the  angel  Gabriel,  who  came  m>m  God  to  inquire  aftear  the 
state  of  his  health ;  and  told  him  that  it  rested  with  him* 
self  to  fix  his  dying  moment ;  the  angel  of  death  being 
forbidden  by  Allah  to  enter  his  presence  without  his  per- 
mission. 

.  In  one  of  his  paroxysms  he  called  for  writing  imple^ 
ments,  that  he  might  leave  some  rules  of  conduct  for  his 
followers.  His  attendants  were  troubled,  fearing  he  might 
do  something  to  impair  the  authority  of  the  Koran. 
Hearing  them  debate  among  themselves,  whether  to  com- 
ply with  his  request,  he  or&red  them  to  leave  the  room» 
and  when  they  returned  said  nothing  more  on  the  subjects 

On  IVicUy,  the  day  of  religious  assemblaffe,  heprepared^ 
notwithstanding  his  illness,  to  officiate  in  tne  mosque,  and 
had  water  again  poured  over  him  to  refresh  and  strengthen, 
hin^  but  on  makmg  an  effort  to  go  forth,  fainted.    On  re* 

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182  ura  ew  iuxombt. 

eovenn^,  he  reqiieftod  Aba  Btket  to  peifoim  ike  public 
prayers ;  obeemnff,  '*  AJlih  has  ^^  his  serviiit  the  right 
to  araoint  whom  he  pleases  in  ma  liaoe."  It  was  after- 
wards maintained  hy  soma  that  he  tians  intended  to  de6i||^ 
sate  tiliiskiDi^ taried  friend  and'adheitent  as  his  saeeessoirni 
office ;  but  Abn  BAer  dirank  irom  eoostraing  the  words 
toodos^. 

Wc»rd  was  soon  broneht  to  Mahomet,  that  the  appear- 
snoe  of  Aba  Beker  in  uie  poMt  had  caused  great  agita* 
tion,  a  romoar  beinf|r  eiroolated  ihat  the  prophet  was  ckad. 
Exerting  his  remainmg  stren^,  therefore,  and  leaning  on 
the  shomders  of  Ali  and  Alphas,  he  made  his  way  mto 
the  mosque,  ^Hiere  his  appearance  spread  joy  throi^^hoat 
tiie  congregation.  Aba  Beker  ceased  to  pray,  bat  Ma- 
homet rade  him  proceed,  and  taking  his  sc«t  behind  him 
in  the  pnJpit,  r^leaied  the  prayers  afUr  him.  Then  ad- 
dressing the  congregation,  ''I  liaTe  heard,"  said  he,  "  that 
a  nunoor  of  Ihe  £ath  of  yoor  prophet  filled  yon  with 
alarm ;  bat  has  any  pronhet  belbre  me  lived  to  ever,  that 
ye  think  I  would  nerer  Wfc  youP  Ererything  happens 
according  to  the  will  <^  God,  amd  haa  its  appointed  tmie, 
which  is  not  to  be  hastened  nor  ayoided.  I  return  to  him 
who  sent  me ;  and  my  last  eoxmiand  to  you  is,  that  ye 
remain  onitedi  that  ye  love,  honoar,  and  i^old  each 
other ;  that  ye  eahort  eadi  other  to  fahh  end  constancy  in 
belief,  and  to  the  perlbrmance  of  piois  deeds ;  by  these 
alone  men  prosper ;  all  else  leads  to  destructian." 

in  concluding  his  exhortation,  he  added,  "  I  do  but  ffO 
before  yoa;  you  will  soon  fc^ow  me.  Death  awaits  us  aSj 
let  no  one  Ihen  seek  to  turn  it  aside  item  me.  My  life 
has  been  f(w  your  good ;  so  will  be  my  death." 

lliese  were  the  last  words  he  spake  in  publio;  he  was 
again  conducted  back  by  Ali  and  Abbas  to  the  dwdling  of 
Ayesha. 

On  a  succeeding  day  there  was  an  interyal  during  whidi 
he  appeared  so  well,  that  Ali,  Abu  Beker,  Omar,  and  the 
rest  of  those  who  had  been  c<mstantly  about  hnn,  absented 
themsehres  for  a  time,  to  attend  to  their  af&irs.  Ayesha 
alone  remained  with  him.  The  interval  was  but  illusive. 
His  pains  returned  with  redoubled  violence.  Finding 
death  approaching,  he  gaye  orders  that  all  his  slaves 
should  be  restor^  to  freedom,  and  all  ihe  money  in  the 
house  distributed  among  the'pow;  th^i  raising  nis  eyes 
to  heaven,  **  God  be  with  me  in  the  death  stmgpe," 
exclaimed  he. 

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DSA.TS.  18S 

Ajesli*  nofw  seat  in  kaite  for  her  h^er  and  Hafza* 
I«eft  ftlose  with  If  ahom  6t»  die  Biistaiiied  his  head  on  her 
lap,  watching  oyer  him  with  tender  aaaidnity,  and  endea- 
Tomng  to  soothe  his  dying  agonies.  From  time  to  time 
he  would  din  his  hand  in  a  yase  of  water,  and  with  it 
^eeblj  sprinkle  his  face.  At  length  raising  his  eyes,  and 
meing  n|rward  for  a  time  with  nnmoying  eyelios,  "  Oh 
Allah  I"  ejaeolated  he,  in  broken  accents,  "  oe  it  so!-*- 
mnong  the  ^oriacu  associates  in  paradise !" 

"  llmew by  this," said  Ajesha,  who  related  the  dying 
aeene,  "  that  his  last  moment  had  arriyed,  and  that  he  had 
aoade  dioiee  of  supernal  existence." 

In  a  iem  moments  his  hands  were  odd,  and  life  was 
extinct.    Ayei^  laid  his  head  np<m  the  pillow,  and  beat* 

Sg  her  head  and  breast,  gave  W9,j  to  kmd  lamentations, 
er  ontories  broo^t  the  oth»  wwes  of  Mahomet,  and 
their  clamorons  grief  80<m  made  the  eyent  known 
thronghout  the  eitf .  Constematicm  seised  npcm  the  people, 
as  if  someprodigy  had  Ivanpened.  All  bnsiness  was  sns- 
p^ided.  Tne  army  which  had  slamck  its  tents  was  ordered 
to  halt,  and  Osama,  whose  foot  was  in  ihe  stirmp  for  Ihe 
march,  turned  his  steed  to  the  gates  <^  Medina,  and 
planted  his  standard  at  the  prophet^  door. 

The  multitade  crowded  to  contemplate  the  corpse,  and 
agitation  and  dispnte  preyailed  eyen  in  the  chamber  of 
d^th.  Some  discredited  the  eyidenee  of  their  senses. 
**  How  can  he  be  dead  P"  cried  they.  "  Is  he  not  onr  me- 
diator withGodP  How  l^en  can  he  be  deadP  Impos- 
sible !  He  is  bnt  in  a  trance,  and  earned  np  to  heayen  like 
Isa  (Jesns)  and  the  other  prophets." 

The  thrmig  angmented  alxnit  the  honse,  declaring  with 
damonr  that  tl^  body  shonld  not  be  interred;  when 
Omar,  who  had  nist  heard  the  tidings,  arriyed.  He  drew 
his  scimitar,  ana  pressing  through  me  crowd,  threatened 
to  strike  off  the  hands  and  feet  of  any  one  who  should 
afSrm  that  the  prophet  was  dead.  "  He  has  bnt  departed 
for  a  time,"  said  he,  ^  as  Musa  (Moses)  the  son  of  Lnram 
went  np  forty  days  into  the  mountain  -,  and  like  him  he 
will  return  again.  * 

Abu  Beker,  who  had  been  in  a  distant  part  of  the  city, 
arriyed  in  time  to  soothe  the  despair  or  the  people  and 
cahn  the  transports  of  Omar.  Passing  into  the  chamber  he 
raised  the  cloth  which  coyered  the  corpse,  and  kissing  the 
pale  face  of  Mahomet,  "Oh  thou!"  exclaimed  he,  "who 
wert  to  me  as  my  father  and  my  mother ;  sweet  art  thorn 

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184  LIFE  OF  MAHOMBT. 

even  in  de&ih,  and  livrng  odoTirs  dost  thou  exliale !  Now 
Hvest  thou  in  everlasting  bliss,  for  never  wiU  Allah  subject 
tiiee  to  a  second  death.' 

'  Then  coyering  the  corpse  he  went  forth,  and  endea- 
TOured  to  silence  Omar,  but  finding  it  impossible,  he  ad- 
dressed the  multitude :  *'  Truly,  if  Mahomet  is  tiie  sole 
object  of  your  adoration,  he  is  dead ;  but  if  it  be  God  you 
worship,  ne  cannot  die.  Mahomet  was  but  the  prophet^ 
of  Groa,  and  has  shared  the  fate  of  the  apostles  and  holy 
men  who  have  gone  before  him.  Allah,  himself,  has  said 
in  his  Zoran  Siat  Mahomet  was  but  his  ambassador, 
and  was  subject  to  death.  TV  hat,  then!  will  you  ttau 
the  heel  upon  him,  and  abandon  his  doctrine  because  he 
is  dead?  Eemember  your  ajjostasy  harms  not  God,  but 
insures  your  own  condemnation;  while  the  blessings  of 
God  will  be  poured  out  upon  those  who  continue  foithful 
to  him." 

The  people  listened  to  Abu  Beker  with  tears  and  sob- 
bings, and  as  they  listened  their  despair  subsided.  Even 
Omar  was  convinced,  but  not  consoled,  throwing  hunsdf 
on  the  earth  and  bewailing  the  death  of  Mahon^,  whom 
he  remembered  as  his  commander  and  his  friend. 

The  death  of  the  prophet,  accordiog  to  the  Moslem  his- 
torians, Abulfeda  and  Al  Jannabi,  took  place  on  his  birth- 
day, wheh  he  had  completed  his  sixty-third  year.  It  was 
in  the  eleventh  year  or  the  Hegira,  and  the  632nd  year  of 
the  Christian  era. 

The  body  was  prepared  for  sepulture  by  several  of  the 
dearest  relatives  and  disciples.  They  afiBjnned  that  a  mar- 
vellous fragrance  which,  according  to  the  evidence  of  his 
wives  and  daughters,  emanated  from  his  person  during 
life,  still  continued;  so  that,  to  use  the  words  of  Ah, 
**  it  seemed  as  if  he  were,  at  the  same  time,  dead  and 
livk^." 

The  body  haviog  been  washed  and  perfumed,  was 
wrapped  in  three  coverings ;  two  white,  and  the  tiurd  of 
the  striped  cloth  of  Yemen.  The  whole  was  then  per- 
fumed with  amber,  musk,  aloes,  and  odoriferous  herbs. 
After  this  it  was  exposed  in  public,  and  seventy-two 
prayers  were  offered  up. 

l!lie  body  remained  three  days  unburied,  in  compjliance 
with  oriental  custom,  and  to  satisfy  those  who  still  be- 
lieved in  the  possibili^  of  a  trance.  When  the  evidences 
of  mortality  coidd  no  longer  be  mistaken,  preparations 
were  made  for  interment.    A  dispute  now  arose  as  to  the 

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BVBUI..  185 

plaee  of  sepnltuTe.  The  Moliadjerms,  or  disciples  irom 
Mecca,  contended  for  that  city,  as  bein^  the  place  of  his 
nativity;  the  Ansarians  cbumedfor  Medina,  as  his  asjlmn 
and  tiie  place  of  his  residence  during  the  last  ten  years  of 
his  life.  A  third'  party  advised  that  his  remains  shonld 
be  transported  to  Jerasalem,  as  the  place  of  sepulture  of 
the  projects.  Abn  Beker,  whose  word  had  aiways  the 
greatest  weight,  declared  it  to  have  been  the  expressed 
oronion  of  Mahomet  that  a  prophet  shonld  be  buried  in 
the  place  where  he  died.  This,  in  the  preseiit  instance, 
was  c(»aplied  with  to  the  very  letter,  for  a  grave  was 
d^jgred  in  the  house  of  Ayesha»  beneath  the  very  bed  on 
which  Mahomet  had  expired. 

KoTE. — The  hocue  of  Afesha  wts  immediatdy  a^fMent  to  the 
moeqiie,  wfaieh  was  at  that  time  a  humble  edifice  wHh  daj  wallt,  and  a 
roof  thatched  with  pahn-leares,  and  tvpported  bj  the  trunki  of  trees. 
It  baa  since  been  Inohided  in  a  spacioiu  temide,  on  the  plan  of  a  colon- 
nade, enclosing  an  oblong  square,  165  paces  bf  130,  open  to  the 
beavens,  with  four  gates  of  entrance.  The  colonnade,  Gt  sereral  rows 
of  idUars  of  rarions  sizes,  covered  with  stucco,  and  gaily  painted,  sup- 
ports a  succession  of  small  white  cupolas  on  the  ibur  sides  of  the  square. 
At  the  Ibur  comers  are  Icrfty  and  tapering  minarets. 

Near  the  south-east  comer  of  the  square  is  an  incloeure,  surroundect 
by  an  iron  railing,  pahited  green,  wrought  with  filigree  work  and  inter- 
woven with  brass  and  gilded  wire  t  admitting  no  view  of  the  interior 
excepting  through  small  windows,  about  six  inches  square.  Thisin- 
doeure,  the  great  resort  of  pilgrims,  is  called  the  Hadgira,  and  contains 
the  tombs  of  Mahomet,  and  his  two  friends  and  early  successors.  Aba 
Bdcer  and  Omar.  Above  this  sacred  indosure  rises  a  lofty  dome, 
sarmonnted  with  a  gilded  globe  and  crescent,  at  the  first  sight  of 
which,  pilgrims,  as  they  approach  Medina,  salute  the  tomb  of  the  prophet 
with  profound  inclinations  of  the  body,  and  appropriate  prayers.  The 
marvellous  tale,  so  long  considered  veritable,  that  the  coflbi  of  Mahomet 
remained  suspended  in  the  air  wittiont  any  support,  and  which  Christian 
writers  accounted  tax  by  supposing  that  it  was  of  bon,  and  dexterously 
placed  midway  between  two  msgnets.  is  proved  to  be  an  idle  fiction. 

The  mosque  has  undergone  changes.  It  was  at  one  time  partially 
thrown  down  and  destroyed  in  an  awftal  tempest,  but  was  rebuilt  by  the 
Soldan  of  Egypt.  It  has  been  enlarged  and  embellished  by  various 
caliphs,  and,  in  particular,  by  Waled  I.,  under  whom  Spain  was  invaded  • 
and  conquered.  It  was  laundered  of  its  immense  votive  treasures  by 
the  Wahabees,  when  they  took  and  pillaged  Medina.  It  is  now  main- 
tained, though  with  diminished  splendour,  under  the  care  of  about 
thirty  Agas,  whose  chief  is  called  Sheikh  Al  Haram,  or  chief  <^  the 
Holy  House.  He  is  the  prindpal  personage  in  Medina.  Pilgrimage  to 
Medina,  though  considered  a  most  devout  and  meritorious  act,  is  not 
imposed  on  Mahometans,  like  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  as  a  religious  duty 
and  has  much  declined  in  modem  days. 

The  foregoing  particulars  aro  from  Burckhardt,  who  gained  admission 
into  Medina,  as  well  as  into  Mecca,  in  disguise  and  at  great  peril }  ad- 
mittance into  those  dties  being  prohibited  taall  but  Modems. 


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196 


CHAPTEE  XXXIX. 

Person  and  character  of  Mahomet,  and  peculations  on  hte 
prophetic  career. 

Mahomet,  according  to  acconnts  handed  down  by  traditkxa 
&om  his  contemporaries,  was  oi  the  middle  stature,  sqnare 
bnilt  and  sinewy,  with  large  hands  and  feet.  In  his  youth 
he  was  uncommonly  strong  and  Timorous;  in  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  he  mclined  to  corpnleney.  His  head  wat 
capacious,  well  shaped,  and  well  set  <m  a  neck  which  rose  like 
a  pillar  from  his  ample  chest.  His  forehead  was  high,  broad 
at  the  temples,  and  crossed  by  yeins  extending  down  to  thft 
eye-brows,  which  swelled  wnenever  he  was  angry  or  ex- 
cited. He  had  an  oval  face,  marked  and  e:qnnes8iye 
features,  an  aquiline  nose,  black  eyes,  arched  eyebrows 
which  nearly  met,  a  mouth  large  and  flexible,  indicative  of 
eloquence ;  very  white  teeth,  somewhat  parted  and  irre- 
gular; black  liair,  which  wayed  without  a  curl  on  his 
shoulders,  and  a  long  and  yery  fall  beard. 

His  deportment,  in  general,  was  calm  and  equable ;  he 
sometimes  indulged  in  pleasaniary,  but  more  commonly  was 
grave  and  dignified ;  though  he  is  said  to  have  possessed 
A  smile  of  captivating  sw^tness.  His  complexion  was 
more  ruddy  than  is  usual  with  Arabs,  and  in  his'  excited 
and  enthusiastic  moments  there  was  a  glow  and  radiance 
in  his  countenance,  which  his  disciples  magnified  into  the 
suppnatural  Hght  of  prophecy. 

His  intellectual  qualities  were  undoubtedly  of  an  extra* 
ordinary  kind.  He  had  a  <juick  apprehension,  a  retentiye 
memory,  a  vivid  imadnation,  and  an  inventive  genius. 
Owing  but  little  to  education,  he  had  quickened  md  in- 
formeid  his  mind  hj  close  observation,  and  stored  it  with 
'  a  great  variety  of  knowledge  concerning  the  systems  of 
religion  current  in  his  day,  or  handed*  down  by  tradition 
from  antiquity.  His  ordinary  discourse  was  grave  and  sen- 
tentious, abounding  with  those  aphorisms  and  a^ogues 
so  popular  among  the  Arabs ;  at  times  he  was  excited  and 
eloquent,  and  his  eloquence  was  aided  by  a  voice  musical 
and  sonorous. 

He  was  sober  and  abstemious  in  his  diet,  and  a  rigorous 
observer  of  fasts.  He  indulged  in  no  magnificence  of 
apparel,  the  ostentation  of  a  petty  mind ;  neither  was  his 


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CHAXjLCTBSHTICS.  187 

Bisqpliaiij  ui  dieas  aflfeoted ;  b«t  the  renUtt  of  a  real  dis- 
regard to  diBtinetion  fiDm  so  invial  a  souroe.  Hk  jgar* 
oobents  were  somethiies  of  wool ;  smnetimes  of  the  stnped 
ooiton  ci  Yemeo^  and  were  often  patched.  He  wore  a 
turban,  for  he  said  turbans  were  worn  by  the  angels ;  and 
in  arranging  it,  he  let  one  end  hang  down  betireen  his 
shonldeTs,  which  he  said  was  the  way  ^nej  wore  it.  He 
forbade  tiie  wearing  of  clothes  entirely  of  silk ;  but  pep- 
nutted  a  mixture  of  ttunead  and  ailk.  He  forbade,  lOso, 
red  dothes  and  the  use  of  gold  rings.  He  wore  a  seal 
ring  of  sily  er,  the  engrayed  purt  under  his  finger  dose  to 
the  pabn  of  his  hand,  bearing  the  inscription,  **  Mahomet, 
the  messeager  of  Ctod."  He  was  scrupulous  as  to  personal 
cleanliness,  and  obseryed  frequent  ablutk)ns.  In  some 
respects  he  was  a  yohqituary.  "  There  are  two  things  in 
this  world,"  would  he  say,  **  which  delight  me,  women  and 
perfumes.  These  two  wings  rejoice  mj  eyes,  and  render 
me  more  fervent  in  deyotion."  From  his  extreme  clean- 
liness, and  the  use  of  perfumes  and  of  sweet-scented  oil 
for  his  hair,  probably  aroae  that  sweetness  and  fragrance 
of  person  which  his  disciples  considered  immte  and  mira- 
culous. His  passion  for  the  sex  had  an  iniBuence  oyer  all 
his  affairs.  It  is  said  that  when  in  the  presence  of  a 
beautiful  female,  he  was  ocmtinually  smoothing  his  brow 
and  adjusting  his  hair,  as  if  anxious  to  appear  to  ad- 
yantage. 

Hie  number  of  his  wives  is  uncertain.  Abulfeda,  who 
writes  with  more  caution  than  other  of  the  Arabian 
historians,  limits  it  to  fifteen,  though  some  make  it  as 
much  as  twenty-five.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had 
nine,  each  in  her  separate  dwelling,  and  all  in  the  vicinity 
of  Ihe  mosque  at  Medina.  The  plea  alleged  for  his  in- 
dulgpnff  in  a  greater  number  of  wives  than  he  permitted 
to  ms  lollowers,  was  a  desire  to  beget  a  race  or  prophets 
for  his  people.  If  such  indeed  were  his  desire,  it  was 
disappomtea.  Of  all  his  children,  Fatima,  the  wife  of  Ali, 
alone  survived  him,  and  she  died  within  a  short  time  after 
his  death.  Of  her  descendants,  none  exceptiujg  her  eldest 
soft,  Hassan,  ever  sat  on  the  throne  of  the  Caliphs. 

In  his  ][»rivate  dealings  he  was  just.  He  treated  friends 
and  strangers,  the  rich  and  poor,  the  powerful  and  the 
weak,  wifli  equity,  and  was  bdoved  by  the  common 
WGpie  for  the  affalMlily  with  which  he  received  them,  and 
listened  to  their  complaints. 

He  was  naturally  irritable,  but  had  brought  his  temper 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


188  LIFS  OV  MAHOHST. 

imder  great  control,  so  that  eyen  in  the  self-indnlgent 
intercourse  of  domestic  life  he  was  kind  and  tolerant. 
"  I  served  him  from  the  time  I  was  eieht  years  old,"  said 
his  servant  Anas,  "  and  he  never  scolded  me  for  anything^ 
though  things  were  spoiled  by  me." 

The  question  now  occurs,  was  he  the  unprincipled  im- 
postor uiat  he  has  been  represented  P  Were  all  his  visions 
and  revelations  deliberate  falsehoods,  and  was  his  whdb 
system  a  tissue  of  deceit?  In  considering  this  question, 
we  must  bear  in  mind,  that  he  is  not  chargeable  with  many 
extravagances  ^hich  exist  in  his  name.  Many  of  the 
visions  and  revelations  handed  down  as  having  been  given 
by  him  are  spurious.  The  miracles  ascribed  to  hun  are  all 
fabrications  of  Moslem  zealots.  He  expressly  and  repeat* 
edly  disclaimed  all  miracles  exceptuig  the  Zoran ;  which, 
considering  its  incomparable  ment,  and  the  way  in  which 
it  had  come  down  to  nim  from  heaven,  he  pronounced  the 
greatest  of  miracles.  And  here  we  must  indulge  a  few 
observations  on  this  famous  document.  While  zealous 
Moslems  and  some  of  the  most  learned  doctors  of  the 
faith  draw  proofs  of  its  divine  origin  from  the  inimitable 
excellence  of  its  style  and  composition,  and  the  avowed 
illiteracy  of  Mahomet,  less  devout  critics  have  pronoimced 
it  a  chaos  of  beauties  and  defects ;  without  method  or 
arrangement ;  full  of  obscurities,  incoherencies,  repetitions, 
false  versions  of  scriptural  stories,  and  direct  contra- 
dictions. The  truth  is  that  the  Koran,  as  it  now  exists, 
is  not  the  same  Koran  delivered  by  Mahomet  to  his  dis- 
ciples, but  has  undergone  many  corruptions  and  interpola- 
tions. The  revelati<ms  contained  in  it  were  given  at  various 
times,  in  various  places,  and  before  various  |>ersons ;  some- 
times they  were  taken  down  by  his  secretaries  or  disciples 
on  parchment,  on  palm-leaves,  or  the  shoulder-blades  of 
sheep,  and  thrown  together  in  a  chest,  of  which  one  of 
his  wives  had  charge ;  sometimes  they  were  merely  trea- 
sured up  in  the  memories  of  those  who  heard  thei^  iSo  care 
appears  to  have  been  taken  to  systematize  and  arrange  them 
during  his  life;  and  at  his  death  they  remained  in  scattered 
fragments,  many  of  them  at  the  mercy  of  fiillacious  me- 
mories. It  was  not  imtil  some  time  after  his  death  that 
Abu  Bekerundertook  to  have  them  gathered  together  and 
transcribed.  Zeid  Ibn  Thabet,  who  nad  been  one  of  the 
secretaries  of  Mahomet,  was  employed  for  the  purpose. 
He  professed  to  know  many  parts  of  the  Koran  by  heart, 
having  written  them  down  under  the  dictation  of  the  pro- 
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NOnCB  OF  THX  KOBAK.  189 

pliet;  other  parts  he  collected  piecemeal  from  rarious 
hands,  written  down  in  the  nide  way  we  have  mentioned, 
and  many  parts  he  took  down  as  repeated  to  him  by  yarions 
disciples  who  professed  to  have  heard  them  nttered  by  the 

I>ropnet  himself.  The  heterogeneous  fragments  thus  col- 
ected  were  thrown  together  without  sekction ;  without 
eluronological  order,  and  without  system  of  any  land.  The 
Tolume  mus  formed  during  the  Cafiphat  of  Abu  Beker  was 
transcribed  by  different  hands,  and  many  professed  conies 
put  in  circulation  and  dispersed  throughout  the  Moslem 
cities.  So  many  errors,  interpolations,  and  contradictory 
readings  soon  crept  into  these  copies,  that  Othman,  the 
third  Caliph,  callea  in  the  various  manuscripts,  and  forming 
fvhat  he  pronounced  the  genuine  Xoran,  caused  all  the 
^  ctibers  to  be  destroyed. 

This  simple  statement  may  account  for  many  of  the 
inooherencies,  repetitions,  and  other  discrepancies  charged 
upon  this  singular  document.  Mahomet,  as  has  justly 
been  observed,  may  have  given  the  same  precepts, 
or  related  the  same  apologue  at  different  times,  to  dif- 
ferent persons  in  difi^ent  words;  or  various  persons 
3uay  have  been  present  at  one  time,  and  given  various 
versions  of  his  words ;  and  reported  his  apologues  and 
ficriptural  stories  in  different  ways,  according  to  their 
imperfect  memoranda  or  fallible  recollections.  Many  re- 
Temtions  siven  by  him  as  having  been  made  in  foregone 
times  to  me  prophets,  his  pre&cessors,  may  have  been 
reported  as  havmg  been  given  as  revelations  made  to 
himself.  It  has  wen  intimated  that  Abu  Beker,  in  the 
early  days  of  his  Caliphat,  may  have  fotmd  it  politic  to 
interpolate  many  things  in  the  Xoran,  calculated  to  aid 
him  m  emergencies,  and  confirm  the  empire  of  Islamisnu 
What  corruptions  and  interpolations  may  have  been  made 
by  other  and  less  scrupulous  hands,  aft^  the  prophet's 
death,  wo  may  judge  by  the  daring  liberties  of  the  kind 
taken  by  AbcUiIlah  fibn  Saad,  one  of  his  secretaries,  during 
his  lifetime. 

Prom  all  these  circumstances  it  will  appear,  that  even 
the  documentary  memorials  conceminj^  Mahomet  abound 
with  vitiations,  while  the  traditional  are  full  of  fable. 
These  increase  the  difficulty  of  solving  the  enigma  of  his 
character  and  conduct.  His  history  appears  to  resolve 
itself  into  two  grand  divisions.  During  the  first  part,  up 
to  -the  period  of  middle  Hfe,  we  cannot  |>erceive  what 
adequate  object  he  had  to  gain  by  the  impious  and  stu- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


190  LIFS  OF  lUHOKXT. 

fendovLB  hapostoro  wi£k  whkk  he  Btftuds  charged.  Was 
it  riches  P  Mia  marriage  with  Oa<Hjah  had  ah^ady  made 
him  wealtbj,  and  for  years  preceding  his  pretended  yision 
he  had  manifested  no  dedre  to  increase  his  st(»*e.  Was 
it  distinction  P  He  alreadj  stood  hi^h  in  his  natire 
place,  as  a  man  of  intelligence  and  promty.  He  was  of 
the  iUnstrioos  tribe  of  Koreish,  and  of  the  most  honoured 
branch  of  that  tribe.  Was  it  power  P  The  goardianship 
of  the  Caaba,  and  with  it  the  command  of  the  sacred  citj, 
had  been  for  generations  in  his  immediate  fimuly,  and  lua 
situation  and  circumstances  entitled  him  to  Iook  forward 
with  confidence  to  that  exalted  trust.  In  attempting  to 
subvert  the  faith  in  whidti  he  had  been  brought  np,  he 
ttmdc  at  the  root  of  all  these  advantages.  On  that  fiuth 
were  founded  the  fortunes  and  dignities  of  his  fiEumlj.  To 
assail  it  must  draw  on  himself  the  hostOitr  of  his  kindred,  ^ 
the  indi^iaticm  of  his  fellow-citizens,  ana  the  horror  and 
odium  of  all  his  countrymen,  who  were  worshippers  at  the 
Caaba. 

Was  there  anything  brilliant  in  the  outset  of  his  pro* 
phetic  career  to  repay  hun  for  these  sacrifices,  and  to  lure 
Idm  on  P  On  the  contrary,  it  was  begun  in  doubt  and 
•eoresy.  For  years  it  was  not  attended  by  any  material 
iuooess.  In  proportion  as  he  made  known  his  doctrines 
and  proclaimed  Ids  revelations,  they  subje^ed  him  to 
ridicule,  scorn,  oHo^uy,  and  finally  to  an  mveterate  per- 
secution, which  rumed  the  fortunes  of  hims^  and  his 
friends ;  compelled  some  of  his  £Eanily  and  fDllowers  to 
take  reftise  in  a  foreij^  land;  obliged  him  to  hide  from 
sight  in  bis  native  city,  and  finaify  drove  him  forth  a 
fugitive  to  seek  an  uncertain  home  elsewhere.  Why 
should  he  persist  for  years  in  a  course  ci  imposture 
which  was  thus  prostrating  all  his  worldly  fortunes,  at 
a  time  of  life  when  it  was  too  late  to  build  them  up 
«newP 

In  the  absence  of  sufficient  w<Mddl]^  motives,  we  are 
compelled  to  seek  some  other  explanation  of  his  conduct 
in  this  stage  of  his  most  enigmatical  history ;  and  this  we 
have  endeavoured  to  set  forth  in  the  early  part  of  this 
woi^ ;  where  we  have  shown  his  entirasiastic  and  visionary 
spirit  gradually  wrought  up  by  solitude,  fasting,  ^yer, 
and  meditation,  and  irritated  by  bodily  disease  into  a 
state  of  temporary  delirium,  m  whion  he  fancies  he 
receives  a  rev^tion  from  heaven,  and  is  declared  a 
prophet  of  the  Most  ffigh.    We  cannol  but  think  these 

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CONDUCT  Dmura  his  mamly  caxsmh.         191 

iras  8df«deception  in  this  instanee ;  and  thi^  lie  believed 
in  Hbe  reality  of  the  dream  or  Tision ;  especially  after  liis 
doubta  kad  oeen  combated  by  the  aealous  ana  confiding 
Cadijali,  and  the  learned  and  crafty  Waraka. 

Once  p^ramaded  of  hia  diyine  mission  to  go  forth  and 
pmch  the  £uth»  all  subsequent  dreams  and  impulses 
mii^t  be  construed  to  the  same  j^urport ;  all  mignt  be 
o<^ndered  intimations  of  the  divme  wilt  imparted  in 
their  several  ways  to  him  as  a  prophet.  We  find  him 
repeatedly  subject  to  trances  and  ecstasies  in  times  of 
peculiar  agitation  and  excitement,  when  he  may  have 
fancied  himself  again  in  communication  with  the  Deity, 
and  these  were  almost  always  followed  by  revelations. 

The  general  tenour  of  his  conduct  up  to  the  time  of  his 
fiight  mm  Mecca,  is  that  of  an  enthusiast  actinfi"  under  a 
Bpeeies  of  mental  delusion;  deeply  imbued  wiw  a  con- 
Tidion  of  his  bein^  a  divine  agent  for  religious  rdbrm: 
and  ilifire  is  something  striking  and  sublime  in  the  lumi- 
nous path  which  his  enthusiastic  spirit  struck  out  for 
itself  tnrough  the  bewildering  maze  of  advene  faiths  and 
wild  traditions ;  the  pure  and  spiritual  worship  of  the  one 
true  God,  which  he  sought  to  substitute  for  the  blind 
idolatry  of  his  duldhood. 

All  the  ports  of  the  Koran  supposed  to  have  be^  pro- 
mulgated Dy  him  at  this  time,  incoherently  as  they  nave 
oome  down  to  us,  and  marred  as  their  pristine  beauty 
must  be  in  ^sing  through  various  hands,  are  of  a  pure 
and  elevated  character,  imd  breathe  poetical,  if  not  reli* 
gious,  inspiration.  They  show  that  ne  had  drunk  deep 
d  iJie  living  waters  of  Cnristianitj^,  and  if  he  had  Mlea 
to  imbibe  t&m  in  their  crystal  puriiy ,  it  might  be  bemuse 
be  had  to  drink  from  broken  cisterns,  and  stroams  troubled 
and  perverted  by  those  who  should  have  been  their 
gnarGoans.  The  faith  he  had  hitherto  inculcated  was 
{rarer  than  that  beld  forth  by  some  of  the  pseudo  Ohris- 
tians  of  Arabia,  and  his  life,  so  far,  had  been  regulated 
according  to  its  tenets. 

Such  IS  our  view  of  Mahomet  and  his  ccmduct  during 
the  early  nart  of  his  career,  while  he  was  a  persecuted 
and  ruinea  man  in  Mecca.  A  si^mal  chan^,  however, 
took  place,  as  we  have  dhown  in  8ie  foregomf  chapters* 
after  liis  fii|^  to  Medina,  wben,  in  place  of  the  mere 
shelter  and  protection  which  lie  sougbt,  he  finds  himself 
revered  as  a  prophet,  implicitly  obeyed  as  a  chief,  and  at 
the  head  of  a  powerful*  growing,  and  warlike  host  of 

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192  XITX  OF  HJlHOXBT. 

Totaries.  Eiom  tliiB  tune  worldly  paBSioiia  and  worldly 
schemes  too  often  give  the  impulse  to  his  actions,  instead 
of  that  yisionaiy  enthnsiasm  which,  even  if  mistaken, 
threw  a  glow  of  piety  on  his  earher  deeds.  The  old 
doctrines  of  forbearance,  long-snjSering,  and  resignation, 
are  suddenly  dashed  aside;  he  oecomes  yindictiye  towards 
those  who  have  hitherto  oppressed  him,  and  ambitious  of 
extended  role.  His  doc&rmes,  precepts,  and  conduct, 
become  marked  by  contradictions,  and  his  whole  coarse 
is  irregular  and  xmsteady.  His  revelations,  henceforth, 
are  so  often  opportune,  and  fitted  to  particular  emer- 

fencies,  that  we  are  led  to  doubt  his  sincerity,  and  that 
e  is  any  longer  under  the  same  delusion  concerning 
them.  Still,  it  must  be  remembered,  as  we  have  shown, 
that  the  records  of  these  reyelations  are  not  always  to  be 
depended  upon.  What  he  may  have  uttered  as  from  his 
own  will,  may  have  been  reported  as  if  giyen  as  the  will 
of  God.  Often,  too,  as  we  haye  alrea^  suggested,  he 
may  haye  considered  his  own  impulses  as  divine  intima- 
tions ;  and  that,  being  an  agent  oidained  to  propagate  the 
faith,  all  impulses  and  conceptions  toward  that  end  might 
be  part  of  a  continued  and  diyine  inspiration. 

IT  we  are  far  from  considering  Mahomet  the  gross  and 
impious  impostor  that  some  haye  represented  him,  so  also 
are  we  indisposed  to  giye  him  credit  for  yast  forecast,  and 
for  that  deeply  concerted  scheme  of  uniyersal  conquest 
which  has  been  ascribed  to  him.  He  was,  undoubtedly,  a 
man  of  great  genius  and  a  suggestiye  imagination,  but  it 
appears  to  us  niat  he  was,  in  a  great  degree,  Ihe  creature 
of  unpulse  and  excitement,  and  yery  much  at  the  mercy  of 
circumstances.  His  schemes  grew  out  of  his  fortunes,  and 
not  his  fortunes  out  of  his  s^emes.  He  was  forty  years 
of  age  before  he  first  broached  his  doctrines.  He  suffered 
year  after  year  to  steal  away  before  he  promulgated  them 
out  of  his  own  family.  When  he  fled  from  Mecca,  thir- 
teen years  had  elapsed  fiom  the  announcement  of  his 
mission,  and  from  being  a  wealthy  merchant  he  had  sunk 
to  be  a  ruined  fiigitiye.  When  he  reached  Medina  he  had 
no  idea  of  the  worldly  power  that  awaited  him ;  his  only 
thought  was  to  build  a  humble  mosque  where  he  might 
preadi ;  and  his  only  hope  that  he  might  be  sufiered  to 
preach  with  impunity.  When  power  suddenly  broke  upon 
nim,  he  used  it  for  a  time  in  {Hstty  forays  and  local  feuds. 
His  military  plans  expanded  with  his  resources,  but  were 
by  no  means  masterly,  and  were  scnnetunes  nnsoocessfuL 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


They  were  not  strook  out  with  boldness,  nor  executed 
with  decision ;  but  were  often  changed  in  deference  to  the 
^^inions  of  wariike  men  about  him,  and  sometimes  at  the 
suggestion  of  inferior  minds,  who  occasionally  led  him 
wrong.  Had  he,  indeed,  conceiyed  from  the  outset  tho 
idea  of  binding  up  the  scattered  and  conflicting  tribes  of 
Anj6ia  into  one  nation  by  a  brotherhood  cf  faith,  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  out  a  scheme  of  external  conquest,  he 
would  haye  been  one  of  the  first  of  military  projectors ; 
but  tiie  idea  of  extended  conquest  seems  to  haye  oeen  an 
after-thought,  produced  by  success.  The  moment  he  pro- 
claimed tl^  reugion  of  the  sword,  and  gaye  the  predatory 
Arabs  a  taste  of  foreign  plunder,  that  moment  he  was 
launched  in  a  career  of  conquest,  which  carried  him  for- 
ward with  its  own  irresistible  impetus.  The  £uiatic  zeal 
with  which  he  had  inspired  his  followers  did  more  for  hia 
success  than  his  military  science;  their  belief  in  his  doc-> 
trine  of  predestination  produced  yictories  which  no  mili- 
tary calculation  could  haye  anticipated.  In  his  dubious 
outset,  as  a  prophet,  he  had  been  encouraged  hj  the  crafty 
counsels  of  his  scriptural  oracle  Waraka;  in  ms  career  as 
a  conqueror,  he  had  Omar,  £haled,  and  other  fiery  spirits 
by  his  side  to  urge  him  on,  and  to  aid  him  in  managing 
the  tremendous  power  which  he  had  eyoked  into  action. 
Eyen  with  all  their  aid,  he  had  occasionally  to  ayail  him- 
self of  his  supernatural  machinery  as  a  prophet,  and  in  so 
doin^  may  haye  reconciled  himself  to  the  firaud  by  oon< 
sidenng  tne  pious  end  to  be  obtained. 

His  military  triumphs  awakened  no  pride  ncKr  yaioglory^ 
as  they  woula  haye  done  had  they  been  effected  for  selfish 
purposes.  In  the  time  of  his  greatest  power,  he  main* 
tained  the  same  simplicity  of  manners  and  appearance  as 
in  the  days  of  his  adyersity.  So  &r  from  anecting  regal 
state,  he  was  displeased  u,  on  entering  a  room,  an^r  un- 
usual testimonial  of  respect  were  shown  nim.  If  he  aimed 
at  uniyersal  dominion,  it  was  the  dominion  of  the  faith : 
as  to  the  temporal  rule  which  grew  up  in  his  hands,  as  he 
Used  it  without  ostentation,  so  he  took  no  step  to  perpetuate 
it  in  his  family. 

The  riches  which  poured  in  upon  him  from  tribute  uid 
tiie  spoils  of  war,  were  expended  m  promoting  the  yictories 
of  the  faith,  and  in  relieying  the  poor  among  its  yotaries ;. 
insomuch  that  his  treasury  was  often  drained  of  its  last 
coin.  Omar  Ibn  Al  Haretn  deelares  that  Mah<»net,  at  his 
deaHi,  did  not  leaye  a  golden  dmar  nor  a  silyer  dirhem,  a 

0 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


abive  BOET  a  liajpe  girl,  nor  snythin^  but  Ids  gnj  msiet' 
Baldal,  hb  anna,  ind  the  gTOond  wIugIl  he  befitowedupon 
loB  whrtfy  bk  efa^drea^  ai^  tbe  poor.  ^^iilaJl/*  aaja  aa* 
Aiabiaik  wrher»  '^  <^ered  hsm  ilna  kers  of  all  tJie  treasnxea 
<^the  eartih;  bat  be  reloaed  to  ace^  tbem." 

Ifciatiuaperlbetabaagatioii  of  aelf,  conneoied  with  tibia 
asrpfirently  £«arlfeltptet^»  razuuBff  ihroagboirt  the  vanooa 
pbasea  ofbia  ibrtime>  wbieb  perpkx  000  in  ftomkii^  a  jnat 
e^timale  of  Maboaaafa  ohaniolflr.  Hoverrar  be  betrayed 
the  aOoj  of  earth,  aftobe  bad  voridly  povirer  at  bia  eom-^ 
jaand,  the  earlj  aspiratioiMi  of  bia  spint  continually  re« 
timied  and  bofe  bim  above  all  eartiuy  tlungs.  Pray^« 
that  vital  dofy  of  Talafniimij  and  that  jafaTlibfe  purifier  o£ 
tiie  soiil,^  waa  bii  ocmatamt  practiee.  ^'Tmat  in  God,"  waft 
bia  eomforiaiid  fiu]M»oii  in  toftea  of  trial  and  despondenen^. 
On  Iba  demeaoy  of  God»  we  are  told,  be  lepoaed  all  boa 
ho^e&c£  supernal  banpineaa.  Aim^  relates  thai  on  one 
oeoasioii  aba  inqidrea  of  bin,  '^O  pao^diet,  do  none  enter 
paradise  but  throogfa  God's  nereyP  ''l^one-— none— « 
noaeP  v^bed  be»  with  earnest  and  eaqiuAac  rufis^diooj 
'*  But  yea,  O  pto|j!iei^  wiUnoljmtf  enter  ezeeptinff  thiaokb 
hm  eompaaBLanP"  ISaen  Mabomet  pat  bis  band  npon  &s 
bead»  nid  r^^d  tharee  times,  wiib  great  8olenmi1?F, 
'f  l^&Aat  ahm  I  eftter  paradise  imlesB  Ctod  eorev  me  wi& 
bia  mercyl** 

.  When  be  ban^  OTca  ^le  dealh-bed  of  bia  infant  son 
Ifarahnar  resignation  to  the  wiKl  of  God  waa  exhihitftd  in 
bis  conduct  under  this  keenest  of  affliatioiis ;  and  the  bops 
Q§  socoL  icjoining  baa  <diild  in  pairadiBe  wia  bia  oonsolation* 
When  be  fblkxwed  bim  to  tiha  grareir  be  iiiTdked  bis  spuria 
in  the  awful  encamJiMifcioa  of  the  tondh^  to  bold  fast  to  the 
frandationa  of  Umb  &sth»  tiie  mdi^  of  God»  and  bis  own 
mission  as  a  THrofibet.  Eren  in  bia  osvn  dyinr  boar,  wheat 
tiwre  eouM  be  no  looiger  a  woridly  motive  m  deoeit,  ba 
stiU  breathed  Uie  saase  rdigiona  dsrotian,  and  Ibe  aame 
b^ef  in  bis  apostolie  misaMm.  GQie  last  words  that 
trcnbled  oa  bia  Iq^a  ejaedated  a  tmst  of  aoon  entering 
iBito  biiaaM  joQBipanioMh^i  wtfb  tibe  pcopbets  wbo  bad 
gone  before  nim. 

It  is  dufficidt  to  leooaetkaneb  ardent,  penevering  pieiy» 
wi^  an  iaeeesaat  system  ai  Uaapbemoaa  inpoatora;  nor 
aaeb  pare  and  cievited  and  beoi^(ikant  pEaecota  as  are 
aontaiaed  in  the  KoEaa,  w^  a  aund  bamited  oy  inoiUA 
passions,  and  doYotad  to  the  grofvUing  iateraata  of  mere 
movtabty ;  aad  we  find  ao  other  aatis£MtQfy  aaoda  of  solv* 

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coKciirsioK.  195 

ing  the  enigma  of  his  character  and  conduct,  than  by  snp- 
posing  that  the  ray  of  mental  hallacination  which  flashed 
iipon  nis  enthusiastic  spirit  during  his  religious  ecstasies  in 
tne  midnight  cayem  of  Mount  Hara,  continued  more  or 
less  to  bewilder  him  with  a  species  of  monomania  to  the 
end  of  his  career,  and  that  he  died  in  the  delusiye  belief 
of  his  mission  as  a  prophet. 


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APPENDIX. 


OP  THE  ISLAM  FAITH. 

Ik  an  early  cliapter  of  this  work  we  Hare  given  such  par- 
ticulars of  the  ffdth  inctilcated  by  M^Uiomet  as  we  deemed 
important  to  the  tmderstanding  of  the  succeeding  narr»» 
tiye:  we  now,  though  at  the  expense  of  some  repetition, 
'  subjoin  a  more  complete  summary,  accompanied  by  a  few 
obserrations. 

The  religion  of  Islam,  as  we  obsenred  on  the  before* 
mentioned  occasion,  is  divided  into  two  parts — ^Faith  and 
Pbacticb:  and  first  of  Faith.  This  is  distributed  under 
six  different  heads,  or  articles, — ^vi2.,  1st,  faith  in  6rod; 
2nd,  in  his  angels ;  3rd,  in  his  Scriptures  or  Koran ;  4th^ 
in  lus  prophets ;  5th,  in  the  resurrection  and  final  judff* 
ment;  6tn,  in  predestination.  Of  these  we  will  briefy 
treat  in  the  order  we  have  enumerated  them. 

Faith  iv  Gon. — ^Mahomet  inculcated  the  belief  that 
there  is,  was,  and  ever  will  be,  one  only  God,  the  creator 
of  aU  thin^,  who  is  single,  immutable,  omniscient,  om- 
nipotent, fSl-merciful,  ana  etemaL  The  unity  c^  Qod  was 
specificaLb'  and  strongly  urged,  in  contradistmction  to  tha 
Trinity  of  the  Christians.  It  was  designated,  in  the  pro« 
fession  of  faith,  by  raising  one  finger,  and  exdaimmg, 
"  La  illaha  il  AUah!"  there  is  no  God  but  God ;  to  whim 
was  added,  '*  Mohamed  Besoul  Allah !"  Mahomet  is  the 
prophet  of  God. 

Faith  in  ANaBLS. — ^The  beautiful  doctrine  of  angels,  or 
ministering  spirits,  which  was  one  of  the  most  ancient  and 
universal  of  oriental  creeds,  is  interwoven  throughout  the 
Islam  system.  They  are  represented  as  ethereal  beings, 
created  firom  fire,  the  purest  of  elements,  perfect  in  form 
and  radiant  in  beauty,  but  without  sez;  firee  &om  all  gross 


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198  APPENDIX. 

or  senBual  passion,  and  all  the  appetites  and  infirmities  of 
frail  humanity;  and  existing  in  perpetual  and  unfading 
youth.  They  are  various  in  their  degrees  and  duties,  and 
in  their  favour  with  the  Deity.  Some  worship  around  the 
celestial  throne ;  others  perpetually  hymn  the  praises  of 
Allah ;  some  are  winged  messengers  to  execute  his  orders, 
and  others  intercede  for  the  children  of  men. 

The  most  distinguiahed  oi  Htm  heavenly  host  are  four 
Archangels.  Gabnel,  the  angel  of  revelations,  who  writes 
down  the  divine  decrees;  Michael,  the  champion,  who 
fights  the  battles  of  the  faMty-Azrwl,  the  angel  of  death ; 
and  Israfil,  who  holds  the  awful  commission  to  sound  the 
trumpet  on  the  day  of  resurrection.  There  was  another 
angel  named  Azazu,  the  saame  as  Lucifer,  once  the  most 
glorious  of  the  celestial  band ;  but  he  became  proud  and 
t<^bellio^.  When  God  coimnanded  hm  angels  to  worship 
Adam,  Axazil  r^us^  saying,  ''Why  £^ould  I,  whom 
liiou  hast  «greated  of  fire,  bow  diown  to  one  whom  thou 
hflst  formed  of  clay  F"  For  this  ofience  he  was  accursed, 
imd  cast  forth  f^m.  paradise,  «nd  his  name  changed  to 
Eblis,  which  signifies  despair.  In  revenjge  of  Ms  abase'* 
pieixt,  he  wodcs  all  kinds  of  inisfihief  against  the  children 
^men,  and  inspires  them  with  diaobed^nce  and  impietv. 

Among  llie  angels  of  in&rior  rank  is  a  class  called 
Moakkibat;  two  of  whom  keep  watch  upon  each  mortal, 
one  on  the  right  hand,  iM  other  on  the  lefb,  taking  not^ 
c^  eveiy  word  and  action.  At  ike  close  of  eaeh  day  they 
iy  up  to  heavoi  wiili  a  written  report,  and  are  replaced 
by  two  similar  angels  <m  the  fbUowing  day.  According  to 
Mahometan  traditiosi,  every  good  a^ion  iB  recorded  ten 
times  by  the  angel  on  the  r^t ;  and  if  the  mortal  commit 
a  sin,  the  same  benevolent  spirit  says  to  the  angdl  on  the 
left,  "Forbear  for  seven. hours  to  record  it;  peradventure 
he  may  r^nt  and  prey  atnd  obtain  forgiveness." 
;  Beside  the  sngelie  KjfrdetB  Mahomet  inculcates  a  belief 
in  spiritual  beings  called  Gins  or  Genii,  who,  though  like- 
Wise  created  oi  ire,  partake  of  the  appetites  and  Iroilties 
^  the  children  of  like  dust,  and  fike  ikem  are  ultimately 
liable  to  deatL  By  beings  of  this  nature,  which  haunt 
^e  soHtudes  of  the  desert,  Mahomet,  as  we  have  shown, 
professed  to  have  been  vinted  afb^  bis  evening  orisons  in 
me  solitary  valley  of  Ai  Naklah. 

When  the  angel  Asasil  rebelled  and  fell,  and  became 
Satan  or  Eblis,  he  still  maintained  sovereignty  over  these 
inferior  sjnrits}   who  are  divided  by  (Mentalists  intQ 

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) 


XHf<e8  and  Bni:  ^e  fonner  ferooiooi  and  gigantic;  t^ 
^teitUsr  ddksate  and  gentle,  aobnatiiig  on  perftmieB.  It 
"wotdd  fieem  as  if  i&  Peti  were  all  <^  liie  female  aex, 
Hioiiifli  cm  tills  point  tliera  veats  chemiiij,  'Ewok  tkese 
iSM^ioy  beings  it  is  si^posed  ^bo  Sovo^peaa  fkoies  sre 
drnved. 

'  Besides  these  t&ere  are  otibar  doiii'mnts  aiDed  Tae- 
irins  or  Fates;  beine  winged  ftndea  of  beantiM  Ibras, 
w)m»  «t4^  ora(^  s^  def)^  mortak  firou  i^  assoolts  ai^ 
l&BcliiBationB  of  eril  damoBS* 

•  l%ete  is  Tagneness  end  aneertefaity  ttbont  afi  tiie  atti> 
Wtes  giren  by  Kaliottet  to  these  luJtf-oeleBtiai  bemgs$ 
Lis  ideas  on  the  subject  baying  been  acquired  fponraiioas 
toU3P06B^  His  wbx^e  systeni  m  mt^mediaite  sprits  has  a 
ilroi^,  Hioiigb  mdis&iefe  oonAudon  of  tiie  creeds  and 
inpeiititions  of  the  Hebi<0«rs>  tbe  Mi^iani,  and  tiie  Bagans 
ta  Sabeans. 

h(xk  of  divine  revelalioiL  Aeeording  to  -tibe  Moalrai 
creed,  a  book  was  tfeasured  vp  in  1^  se?en^  heaven,  aid 
had  existed  tiieie  &om  dl  etein^,  in  wtudi  wtt«  written 
down  all  t^e  decrees  <^  God,  and  aUensBts,  past,  pment^ 
Or  to  oome.  Transcripts  6^m  l^iesa  taUeta  of  tiie  dirine 
IriH  wesre  brought  down  to  the  lowest  hevren  bj  tbe  aag^ 
€hibiie!,  and  by  him  rerealed  to  MaliosMt,  fitoaa  taiae  to 
time,  in  porticnifi  adapted  to  some  fi^aat  or  SBMreoi^* 
Being  the  difect  words  of  God,  tliey  w«re  all  spofceat  m 
€ie  &6t  person. 

Of  die  way  in  whidi  Hiese  revelationa  wiere  taken  down 
&t  treasured  up  by  secretaries  and  disciples,  and  gatibered 
togethea^  1^  Abu  "beker  after  Hie  death  of  Makomet,  we 
baye  made  sufficient  mention.  The  compilation,  ^  snob 
in  &ct  it  is,  icrrms  the  Mbriem  oode  of  diiril  and  penal,  4is 
#en  as  religious  law,  and  is  treated  witk  the  utmost 
ieyerence  by  all  true  belifipyers.  A  lealoaB  pride  is  i&owa 
in  haying  copies  of  it  splendidly  bon&d  and  ornamented. 
Aninsenpiaon  on  the  eorer  forbids  any  one  to  toock  it  who 
is  unclean,  and  it  is  considered  irreverent,  in  reading  it,  to 
hold  it  below  the  girdle.  Moslems  sw*ear  by  it,  and  take 
Om^:»  from  its  pages,  by  opening  it  and  reading  the  first 
text  that  meets  me  eye.  With  m  its  errors  and  disra?e* 
pancies,  if  we  consider  it  mainly  as  the  work  <rf  one  man,, 
and  that  an  unletti^ed  man,  it  remains  a  stupendous 
monument  of  sofitajy  legislation. 

Besides  Ihe  Koran,  or  written  law,  a  number  of  pro* 

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^OO  JlPPXNDIZ. 

cepts  and  apologues,  which  casually  fell  from  the  lips  of 
Mahomet,  were  collected  after  his  death  from  ear-wit* 
nesses,  and  transcribed  into  a  book  called  the  Sonna  or 
Orel  Law.  This  is  held  eqnallj  sacred  with  the  Xoraa 
by  a  sect  of  Mahomedans  tl^nce  called  Sonnites ;  otherg 
reject  it  as  apocryphal;  these  last  are  termed  Schiites^ 
Hostilities  and  persecutions  have  occasionally  taken  place 
between  these  sects  almost  as  virulent  as  those  whicht 
between  CathoHcs  and  ftotestants,  haye  disgraced  Chnsi* 
tianity.  The  Sonnites  are  distinguished  by  white,  the 
Schiites  by  red  turbans ;  hence  the  latter  haye  receivedi 
from  their  antagonists  the  appellation  of  Elussilbachi,  of 
Eed  Heads. 

It  is  remarkable  that  circumcision,  which  is  inyariably 
practised  by  the  Mahometans,  and  forms  a  distinguishii^ 
rite  of  their  faith,  to  which  all  proselytes  must  combrm,  iai 
neither  mentioned  in  the  Xoran  nor  the  Sonna,  It  seema 
to  have  been  a  general  usage  in  Arabia,  tacitly  adopted 
from  the  Jews,  and  is  even  said  to  haye  been  preyalentf 
iIm)ughout  the  East  before  the  time  of  Moses. 

It  is  said  that  the  Xoran  forbids  the  making  likenesseg 
of  any  Hying  thing,  which  has  preyented  the  introductioa 
of  portrait-painti^  among  Mahometans.  The  passage 
of  the  Koran,  however,  which  is  thought  to  contain  the  ' 
prohibition,  seems  merely  an  echo  of  the  second  command- 
ment,  held  sacred  by  Jews  and  Christians,  not  to  form 
imaees  or  pictures  for  worship.  One  of  Mahomet's  stan- 
dards was  a  black  eagle.  Among  the  most  distinguished 
Moslem  ornaments  of  the  Alhambra,  at  GTana&,  is  .a 
fountain  supp(»ted  by  lions  caryed  of  stone,  and  some 
Moslem  monarchs  haye  had  their  effigies  stamped  on 
their  coins. 

Another,  and  an  important  mistake  with  regard  to  the 
system  of  Mahomet,  is  the  idea  that  it  .denies  souls  to  the- 
female  sex,  and  excludes  them  from  paradise.  This  error 
arises  from  his  omitting  to  mention  their  enjoyments  in  a 
future  state,  while  he  details,  those  of  his  own  sex  with 
the  minuteness  of  a  voluptuary.  The  beatification  of 
virtuous  females  is  alluded  to  in  the  56th  Sura  of  the 
Koran,  and  also  in  other  places,  although,  from  the  vague- 
ness of  the  language,  a  cursory  reader  might  suppose  the 
Houris  of  paramse  to  be  intenaed. 

The  fourth  article  of  faith  relates  to  the  pbophbts^ 
Their  number  amounts  to  two  hundred  thousand,  but  only 
six  are  super-eminent,  as  havio^c  brought  new  laws  ana 

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FAITH  OF  I8LAH.  201 

{tispensations  upon  earth,  each  abrogating  those  preriooaly 
received  whereyer  they  yaried  or  were  contradictory. 
Tliese  six  distinguished  m>phets  were  Adam,  Koah,  Abra- 
liam,  Moses,  Jesus,  and  Mahomet. 

The  fflli  arHcle  of  Islam  faith  is  on  the  BBSUBBEcnoir 
and  the  fival  judgmbkt.  On  this  awM  subject,  Maho« 
met  blended  some  of  the  Christian  belief  with  certain 
notions  current  among  the  Arabian  Jews.  One  of  the 
latter  is  the  fearful  tribunal  of  the  Sepulchre.  When 
Azrail,  the  angel  of  death,  has  performed  his  office,  and 
the  corpse  has  been  consigned  to  the  tomb,  two  black 
angels,  Munkar  and  Nakeer,  of  dismal  and  appalling 
aspect,  present  themselyes  as  inquisitors ;  during*  whose 
scrutiny  the  soul  is  re*united  to  the  body.  The  defunct, 
being  commanded  to  sit  up,  is  intenx^ted  as  to  the  two 
great  points  of  faith,  the  uni^  of  God  and.  the  diyine 
mission  of 'Mahomet,  and  likewise  as  to  the  deeds  done  by 
liim  during  life ;  and  his  replies  are  recorded  in  boolui 
against  the  day  of  judgment.  Should  they  be  satisfactory, 
his  soul  is  gently  ara>m  forth  from  his  lips,  and  his  body 
left  to  its  repose ;  should  they  be  otherwise,  he  is  beaten 
about  the  brows  with  iron  clubs,  and  his  soul  wrenched 
forth  with  racking  tortures.  For  the  conyenience  of  thif 
awful  inquisition,  the  Mahometans  generally  deposit  their 
dead  in  hollow  or  yaulted  sepulchres ;  merely  wrapped  in 
funeral  clothes,  but  not  ^aoed  in  coffins. 

The  space  of  time  between  death  and  resurrection  is 
ealled  luerzak,  or  the  InteryaL  During  this  period  the 
body  rests  in  the  graye,  but  the  soul  has  a  foretaste,  m 
dreams  or  yisions,  of  its  future  doom. 

The  souls  of  prophets  are  admitted  at  once  into  the  full 
firuition  of  paradise.  Those  of  martyrs,  including  all  who 
die  in  battle,  enter  into  the  bodies  or  crops  of  green  birds, 
who  feed  on  the  fruits  and  drink  of  the  streams  of  para- 
dise. Those  of  the  great  mass  of  true  beHeyers  are 
yariously  disposed  of,  but,  according  to  the  most  receiyed 
opinion,  they  hoyer,  in  a  state  of  seraphic  tranq^uillity, 
near  the  tombs.  Hence  the  Moslem  usa^e  of  yisitmg  the 
crayes  of  their  departed  friends  and  relatives,  in  the  idea 
that  their  souls  are  the  gratified  witnesses  of  these  testi- 
monials  of  flection. 

Many  Moslems  belieye  that  the  souls  of  the  truly  faith* 
fill  assume  the  forms  of  snow-white  birds,  and  nestle  be* 
neath  the  throne  of  Allah — a  belief  in  accordance  with  aa 
ancient  superstition  of  the  Hebrews,  that  the  souls  of  the 

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iOi  APFSKKX. 

Jurt  will  lutTO  ft  place  in  liMven  uikter  ihd  throne  cf 


«*'^t 


iTiih  regazd  to  the  tonk  of  infidels,  the  moBt  ortliodox 
opinion  is,  that  they  wHl  be  repalsed  by  angels  both  froni 
biearen  «nd  earth,  and  cast  mto  ihe  caTenxms  boirels 
t^tfae  ear^  tiiere  to  await  in  trSbuiatkin  the  day  of  jxid|^ 
ment. 

'  Thb  sat  or  sismtsBCTtoH  will  be  preceded  by  signs 
end  portents  in  heaven  and  earth.  A  total  edipse  of  the 
moon ;  a  change  in  theootme  of  1^  snn,  rising  in  the  west 
mstead  of  the  east;  wars  and  l^imults;  a  nniversal  decay 
ixf  Mth ;  the  advent  of  Antiduist ;  the  issningforth  of  Gog 
ftnd  Magog  to  deedate  the  world;  a  great  smoke,  covering 
the  whole  earth :  th^e  and  many  more  prodigies  and  omens 
sJ&ightbe  and  harassing  the  soids  of  men,  and  ]^(rodncio# 
k  wretch^ness  of  spirit  anda  weariness  of  life;  msomn^ 
that  a  man  passing  Dy  a  mve  shail  envy  the  qmet  dead^ 
ind  say,  ''Would  to  God  I  were  in  fliy  plaoel" 

Thelast  dread  si^nai  of  the  awM  iff  will  be  Ihe  blast 
of  a  trumpet  bv  the  archangel  LorafiL  At  tiie  aotmd 
iherec^the  earm  will  tremble ;  castles  and  towers  wHl  be 
shaken  to  tiie  ground,  and  monntams  lerelled  with  the 
pliuns.  The  fiioe  of  heaven  wiH  be  darkened;  tibe  Arma^ 
ment  will  melt  away,  and  tiie  mm,  ihe  Bftoon*  and  stars 
will  &11  mto  the  sea.  The  ocean  will  be  either  dried  np^ 
or  will  boil  and  roll  in  fiery  byiows^ 
'  At  <he  sound  c^  that  dreadfiil  tramp  a  panie  will  faU  on 
Ihe  human  race ;  men  will  itr  from  ^eir  brothers,  iheiir 
pcuients,  and  their  wives ;  ana  mothers,  in  frantie  terror^ 
abandon  the  infant  at  the  breast.  Hie  savage  beasts  cf 
ike  ^>rests,  and  the  tame  animals  of  the  pasi^tre,  will  fi>r- 
get  their  ^roeness  and  their  antipauiies,  and  herd 
together  m  afi&i^. 

The  second  blast  of  the  trumpet  is  1^  blast  o£  exter> 
mination.  At  that  sound,  all  creatureB  in  heaven  and  on 
earth,  and  in  the  waters  mider  the  earth,  angels  and  genii, 
and  men  and  animals,  all  will  die;  excepting  the  chosett 
few  espeeiaUy  reserved  by  Allah.  The  last  to  die  will  be 
Asrail,  the  angd  of  death ! 

'  Forty  days,  or,  according  to  ezplaiiations,  fort^  years  of 
continued  rain  will  follow  this  blast  of  ertermination;  then 
will  be  eomided  for  the  third  time  the  trumpet  of  the 
ardianfi^el  Israfil;  it  is  the  call  to  judgment!  Atthesound 
of  this  olast,  the  whole  space  between  heaven  and  earth 
will  be  filled  with  the  sot^  cf  the  dead  flyi^  in  quest  of 

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PAITH  09  IBLAK.  JM 

•itt&ir  resDectiye  bodies.  Then  the  earth  will  open;  and 
there  will  be  a  Tattling  of  dij  bones,  and  a  gathennf 
togedier  of  scattered  iiimM ;  the  yeiy  hairs  will  congregate 
together,  and  ihe  whole  body  be  reunited,  and^e  sooi 
wUl  re-enter  it,  and  the  dead  wiU  rue  firom  mntiktiom 
perfect  in  eyerj  part,  and  naked  as  when  bom.  The 
infidels  will  groyel  with  their  faces  on  the  earth,  but  the 
ftlithM  wHl  walk  erect ;  as  to  the  truly  pioos,  they  win  be 
borne  aloft  on  winged  camelsy  white  as  milk,  with  saddles 
<^fine  g(M. 

'  Eyery  hnman  being  wiM  then  be  pntopon  his  trial  as  to 
the  manner  in  fdiieh  he  has  enjoyed  his  fi^nlties,  and 
the  ffood  and  eyil  actions  of  his  life.  A  migh^  balance 
will  oe  poised  by  ihe  angel  Gabriel;  in  one  of  me  scaieSp 
termed  lif^t,  will  be  placed  his  good  actions;  in  the 
o^ier,  termed  Darkness,  his  eyil  deeds.  An  atom  or  a 
gnm  of  mustard-seed  will  suffice  to  turn  tiik  balance;  aad 
we  nature  of  the  sentence  will  depend  on  the  prepon-^ 
derance  of  either  scale.  At  that  momoit  letnbotion  will 
be  exacted  for  eyery  wronff  and  injury.  "Hb  who  has 
wronged  a  feUow-mortal  wiu  haye  to  repay  him  with  a 
portion  of  his  own  good  deeds,  or,  if  he  haye  none  to  boast 
of,  will  haye  to  take  upon  himseif  a  proportionate  wei^it 
of  the  other^s  sins. 

The  trial  of  the  balance  wUl  be  succeeded  by  the  ordeal 
of  the  bridge.  The  wIm^  assembled  multitude  will  haye 
to  folk3w  luhomet  across  the  bridge  Al  Ser4t,  as  fine  as 
liie  ed^  of  a  scimetar,  which  crosses  ihe  golf  of  Jdiennam 
or  Hefl.  infidds  end  sinM  3Coslems  wul  ffrope  along  it 
darkling  and  fall  into  the  abyss ;  bnt  the  fidtiiful,  aided  by 
a  beammg  light,  will  cioss  with  the  swiftness  of  birds  and 
enter  the  r^dms  of  paradise.  The  idea  of  thii  bridge, 
and  (^  the  dreary  realms  of  JeheBBam,  is  suj^Kised  to  haye 
been  deriyed  pcurtfy  fipom  the  Jews,  b«t  chiefly  fiom  the 
ICagians. 

Jehennam  k  a  region  fraught  with  all  kinds  of  Irarrors. 
The  yery  trees  haye  writhing  serpents  for  branches,  bear- 
ing Ibr  nruit  the  heads  of  demons.  We  forbear  to  dwell 
upon  the  particulars  of  this  dismal  abode,  which  are  ^yen 
with  painM  and  often  disgusting  minuteness.  It  is  de- 
ecribed  as  consisting  of  seyen  stages,  one  below  the  other, 
and  yarying  in  the  nature  and  mtensity  of  torment.  The 
first  stage  ub  alkrtted  to  Atheists,  who  deny  creator  and 
(^eaticm,  aaid  b^eye  the  woridto  be  etemaL  The  second 
Ibr  ManidLeans  sad  otjiers  that  admit  two  dirine  prin* 

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204  ▲PFBNDIX. 

ciples ;  and  for  ihe  Arabian  idolaters  of  the  era  of  Ma- 
homet. The  third  is  for  the  Brahmins  of  India;  the 
fourth  for  the  Jews;  the  fifth  for  Christians;  the  sixlh  for 
the  Magians  or  Ghebers  of  Persia ;  the  seyenth  for  hypo* 
writes,  who  profess  without  believing  in  religion. 

The  fierce  angel  Thabeck--'that  is  to  say,  the  Execa« 
tioner— -presides  over  this  region  of  terror. 

We  must  observe  that  the  general  nature  of  Jehennam, 
and  the  distribution  of  its  punishments,  hare  giyen  rise  ta 
yarious  commentaries  and  expositions  among  the  Moslem, 
doctors.  It  is  maintained  by  some,  and  it  is  a  popular 
doctrine,  that  none  of  the  beueyers  in  Allah  and  hispro* 
phets  will  be  condemned  to  eternal  punishment.  Their 
sins  will  be  expiated  by  proportionate  periods  of  sufferings 
Tarying  from  nine  hundred  to  nine  thousand  years. 

IJome  of  the  most  humane  among  the  doctors  contend 
against  eternity  of  punishment  to  any  class  of  sinners, 
saying  that,  as  God  is  all  merciful,  eyen  infidels  will  eyen- 
tuaUy  be  pardoned.  Those  who  haye  an  intercessor,  as 
the  Christians  haye  in  Jesus  Christ,  will  be  first  redeemed* 
The  Uberality  of  these  worthy  commentators,  howeyer, 
does  not  extend  so  far  as  to  admit  them  into  paradise 
amon^  true  belieyers;  but  concludes  that,  after  long 
punishment,  they  will  be  relieyed  fiK>m  their  torments  by 
annihilation. 

Between  Jehennam  and  paradise  is  Al  Araf,  or  the  Par- 
tition, a  re^on  destitute  oipeace  or  pleasure,  destined  for 
the  reception  of  infants,  lunatics,  idiots,  and  such  oth^r 
beings  as  haye  done  neither  good  nor  evil.  Por  such,  too, 
whose  good  and  eyil  deeds  balance  each  other;  though 
these  may  be  admitted  to  paradise  through  the  interces* 
sion  of  Mahomet,  on  performing  an  act  of  adoration,  to 
turn  the  scales  in  their  fayour.  It  is  said  that  the  tenants 
of  this  region  can  conyersfe  with  their  neighbours  on  either 
hand,  the  blessed  and  the  condemned ;  and  that  Al  Araf 
appears  a  paradise  to  those  in  hell  and  a  heU  to  those  in 
paradise. 

Al  Jankat,  OB  thb  Gabdbk. — ^When  the  true  belieyer 
has  passed  through  all  his  trials,  and  expiated  all  his  sins, 
he  refreshes  himself  at  the  Pool  of  the  jProphet.  This  is 
a  lake  of  fragrant  water,  a  month's  journey  in  circuit,  fed 
by  the  riyer  Al  Cauther,  Ti^ch  flows  from  paradise.  The 
water  of  this  lake  is  sweet  as  honey,  cola  as  snow,  and 
dear  as  crystal ;  he  who  once  tastes  of  it  will  neyer  more 
be  tormented  by  thirst;  a  blessing  dwelt  upon  with  peco* 

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7AITR  09  T8I.1H.  206 

liaar  zest  by  Arabian  writers,  ticcustomed  to  the  parching 
thirst  of  the  desert. 

After  the  true  believer  has  drunk  of  this  water  of  life, 
tke  gate  of  paradise  is  opened  to  him  by  the  angel  Bush- 
van.  The  same  prolixity  and  minuteness  which  occur  in 
ihB  description  of  Jehennam,  are  lavished  on  the  delights 
of  paradise,  until  the  imagination  is  dazzled  and  conmsed 
by  the  details.  The  soil  is  of  the  finest  wheaten  flour, 
fragrant  with  perfumes,  and  strewed  with  pearls  and  hya* 
dnths  instead  of  sands  and  pebbles. 

Some  of  the  streams  are  of  crystal  purity,  running  be- 
tween ^een  banks  enamelled  wiui  flowers ;  others  are  of 
milk,  of  wine  and  hone^ ;  flowing  over  beds  of  musk,  be- 
tween margins  of  campnire,  covered  with  moss  and  safiEron ! 
The  air  is  sweeter  than  the  spicy  gales  of  Sabea,  and  cooled 
by  sparkling  fountains*  Here,  too,  is  Taba,  the  wonderful 
tree  of  life,  so  large  that  a  fleet  horse  would  need  a  hun- 
dred years  to  cross  its  shade.  The  boughs  are  laden  with 
every  variety  of  delicious  fruit,  and  hem,  to  the  hand  of 
tiiose  who  seek  to  gather. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  blissful  garden  are  clothed  in 
Taiment  sparkling  with  jewels ;  they  wear  crowns  of  gold 
enriched  with  pearls  and  diamonds,  and  dwell  in  sump- 
tuous palaces  or  silken  pavilions,  reclining  on  voluptuous 
couches.  Here  every  b^ever  will  have  hundreds  of  at- 
tendants, bearing  disnes  and  goblets  of  gold,  to  serve  him 
with  every  variety  of  exquisite  viand  and  beverage.  He 
will  eat  without  satiety,  and  drink  without  inebriation; 
the  last  morsel  and  the  last  drop  will  be  equally  relished 
with  the  first:  he  will  feel  no  repletion,  and  need  no 
evacuation. 

The  air  will  resound  with  the  melodious  voice  of  Izrafil, 
atid  the  songs  of  the  daughters  of  paradise ;  the  very  rust- 
ling of  the  trees  will  produce  ravishing  harmony,  while 
myriads  of  bells,  haimng  among  their  branches,  will  be 
put  in  dulcet  motion  by  airs  from  the  throne  of  Allah. 

Above  all,  the  faitiiM  will  be  blessed  with  female 
•ociety  to  the  full  extent  even  of  Oriental  imaginings* 
Beside  the  wives  he  had  on  earth,  who  will  rejoinliim  in 
all  their  pristine  charms,  he  will  be  attended  by  the  Hiir 
al  OyAn,  or  Honris,  so  called  from  their  large  black  eyes  ; 
'lespfendent  beings,  free  from  every  human  defect  or  frailty ; 
perpetually  retaming  their  youth  and  beauty,  and  renew-- 
mg  their  virginity.  Sevens-two  of  these  are  allotted  to 
every  believer.  The  intercourse  with,  them  will  be  fruit- 
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200  .  jctrMWDO*      7 

M  (xp  not,  accoxdiii^  to  their  wiBk»  sud  fH&  cffiq^rhig  will 
grow  within  an  lionr  to  the  same  stature  witk  the  pa^nd^.. 
,  That  the  true  beHever  may  be  follj  oompetent  to  l^e 
^oyments  of  thia  bhsfifnl  region^  he  will  rise  from  1^. 
graye  in  the  {»nni6  <^  manhood,  at  the  ap^e  of  thirty'*  of* 
tks  stature  of  Adam»  whiolx  waa  thirty  eobits ;  wiHi  all  hift; 
faeulties  imnroved  to  a  state  of  preternatural  perfection,^ 
with  the  abilitiea  of  a  hundred  men,  and  with  desires  and: 
i^^titea  quickened  rather  than  sated  by  enjoyment. 

These  and  similar  deHg^ta  are  promised  to  the  meaneat* 
of  the  faithful ;  there  are  gradations  of  enj<mnent,  how* 
erer,  as  of  merit;  but,  aa  to  tiiose  prepared  tor  the  motitt 
deserving,  Mahixnet  found  the  powera  of  deaeription  ex- 
hausted, and  was  fain  to  make  use  of  the  text  from  Scri]^ 
tnre,  that  they  should  be  bwAl  things  *'  aa  eye  hath  i^ 
seen,  ear  hath  not  heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  tho 
heart  of  man  to  conceiTO." 

The  expounders  of  the  Mahometan  law  difi^  in  i^^uext, 
o|aniona  aa  to  the  whole  meaning  <^  thk  ^stem  of  rewarcb 
and  punishments.  One  set  understanding  ererythin^  in  % 
figorathre,  the  other  in  a  literal  aenae.  ^Die  former  insist 
t£at  the  prophet  apake  ia  parable,  in  a  manner  suited  tor 
the  coarse  peroeptimis  and  aeiMual  natorea  of  hia  heareras> 
and  mamtain  that  the  joys  of  hearen  wiB  be  m^tal  «t 
well  as  corporeal;  tibe  resuixectkm  being  of  both  soul  and 
body.  The  soul  win  revel  in  a  supentftoral  derelopnirailr 
and  employment  of  all  its  facultiea— in  a  knowledge  of  aOr 
^b»  areana  of  nature ;  ike  fall  revelation  of  everything^ 
paat,  present,  and  to  come.  The  ei^oymenta  of  the  bodyr 
will  be  equally  ^ted  to  xta  varioua  aenaes,  and  perfeciM 
to  a  supernatural  degree.  > 

.  The  same  expound^ns  regard  the  deaorm^n  of  Jehennmn 
as  equally  fif^uratiye ;  the  torments  of  the  soul  oonaisthift 
m  the  anguish  of  perfj^tual  remorse  feat  paat  Crimea,  aM 
deep  and  ever  mcreaaing  despair  fi»r  the  loaa  of  heaven  r 
those  of  ike  body  in  excruoiatmg  and  never-ending  pain. 
'  The  other  dociora,  who  oonstme  everything  in  a  literal 
aanse,  are  oonaidered  the  moat  orthodox,  and  their  sect  m 
beyond  measure  the  most  numerous.  Most  of  the  partioa* 
lara  in  the  system  <^  rewards  and  j^uniflhmenti,  aa  naabeea 
already  obaerved,  have  doae  affimty  to  the  auperstitiona  oi 
Ihe  Magiana  and  the  Jewish  BaSbiis.  The  Houri,  or 
blaek-eyed  nymphs,  who  figure  so  conapicuoualy  in  th» 
Hoalem'a  paradise,  are  said  to  be  the  same  aa  l^e  Huram 
Behest  of  wePuruanMi^i,  and  Mahomet  ia  aeoniadby 

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PAXfir  OF  ISLAM.  209^ 

XlHiristian  inrM^atxHrt  of  Iwviiig  piulomed  much  of  his  de- 
Mription  of  heay^i  from  tiie  account  oi  tlie  Now  Jeroaalem 
in  uie  Apo<»ljpae;  with  ench  Tajiadon  as  is  used  bj 
loL&Tiah  jewellen,  when  ihej  appropriate  stx^en  jewels  to 
ihfiir  owB  use. 

Hke  sixih  mnd  lati  ariide  of  the  Islam  &itk  is  Pbbdxs- 
TiKATioiv,  and  on  this  Mahomet  endeoily  reposed  his 
^lief  dependenoe  fat  ^esneoess  of  his  military  enterpcisea. 
fie  inemcated  that  erery  erent  had  been  raedetenxmied 
hy  Grod»  and  written  down  in  the  et^Enal  taluet  previous  to 
ihfi  creatkm  of  the  world.  That  the  destiny  of  oreir  in^ 
diTidoal  and  ^e  hour  of  his  deaidi,  were  irre^ooably  meed, 
4nd  ooold  neither  be  Taxied  nor  evaded  by  any  ettbrt  of 
luuiiaa  sagaoify  or  foresiffht.  Under  this  persuasion,  the 
HosleBis  en^E^ed  £s  battfe  without  ridk ;  and,  as  death  in 
battle  was  equivaknt  to  martyrdom,  and  entttfed  them  to 
4m  immediate  admission  into  paradise,  they  had  in  either 
alternatiYe,  deaik  or  victory,  a  certainty  of  gain. 

This  doctrine,  according  to  which  men  by  tiieir  owafbae 
will  can  neither  avoid  sin  nor  avert  punishment,  ib  con- 
sidered by  many  Mussulmen  as  derogatory  to  the  justice 
and  clemency  ot  Grod ;  and  several  sects  have  sprung  up, 
who  endeavour  to  8<^«i  and  explain  away  this  perplexing 
dogma :  but  the  number  of  these  doubiecs  is  sxoall,  and 
they  are  not  considered  ortliodox. 

The  doctrine  of  pred^tination  was  one  ci  those  timely 
revelations  to  Mah(»net  that  were  ahnost  miraculous  from 
their  seasonable  occurrence.  It  took  place  immediatelj 
'after  the  disastrous  battle  of  Ohod,  in  which,  many  of  ht^ 
followers,  and  among  them  his  unde  TTamga,  weve  shun. 
Then  it  was,  in  a  moment  of  gloom  and  despondency,  whe& 
his  £>llowers  around  him  were  disheartened*  that  ne  pro* 
mul£[ated  this  law,  telling  them  that  every  man  must  die 
at  the  appointed  hour,  whether  in  bed  or  in  the  field  d 
jbattle.  He  declared,  moreover,  that  the  angel  GMbriel  had 
announced  to  him  the  reception  of  Hamzainto  the  seventh 
heaven,  with  the  title  of  Lion  of  God  and  of  the  Prcyhet. 
ISe  added,  as  he  contemplated  the  dead  bodies,  "  I  am 
witness  for  these,  and  for  all  who  have  been  slam  fi>r  Hm 
cause  of  Grod,  that  they  shall  appear  in  glory  at  the  resur- 
rection, with  their  wounds  brimant  as  Tenxulioa  and  odo- 
xiferous  as  musk*"  • 

What  doctrine  could  have  been  devised  more  calculated 
to  hurry  f<»rward,  in  a  wild  career  of  conquest,  &  set  of 
%norant  and  predat<»y  sddiers,  thiA  Hit  asniraiiee  of 

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206  JL^XKDIX* 

booty  if  they  sniyiyed,  and  paradise  if  they  fell  P*  It  ren- 
dered almost  irresistible  the  Moslem  arms ;  bnt  it  likewise 
contained  the  poison  that  was  to  destroy  their  dominion. 
From  the  moment  the  snecessors  of  the  prophet  ceased  to 
be  {^gressors  and  conquerors,  and  sheathed  the  sword  de- 
fniti^y,  the  doctrine  of  predestination  began  its  baneM 
-work.  Enervated  by  peace,  and  the  sensuality  permitted 
by  the  Xoran — ^whicn  so  distinctly  separates  its  doctrines 
from  the  pure  and  self-denying  religion  of  the  Messiah— 
the  Moslem  regarded  every  reverse  as  preordained  by 
AUah,  and  inevitable ;  to  be  borne  stoically,  since  human 
exertion  and  foresight  were  vain.  "  Help  thyself,  and  Qod 
wiU  help  thee,"  was  a  precept  never  in  force  with  the  fol- 
lowers of  Mahomet,  and  its  reverse  has  been  their  fate. 
The  crescent  has  waned  before  the  cross,  and  exists  in 
Europe,  where  it  was  once  so  mighty,  only  by  the  suffi*age» 
or  rather  the  jealousy  of  the  great  Christian  powers,  pro- 
bably ere  long  to  Ainiish  anomer  illustration,  that "  mej 
that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  with  the  sword." 


KEIIGIOUS  PEACnCE. 

The  artidei  of  religious  practice  are  fourfold:  Prayer, 
including  ablution,  Amis,  Fasting,  Pilgrimage. 

Ablution  is  enjoined  as  preparative  to  psateb,  purity  of 
body  being  considlered  emblematical  of  purity  of  soul.  It  is 
prescribed  in  the  Koran  with  curious  precision.  The  face, 
«rms,  elbows,  feet,  and  a  fourth  part  of  the  head  to  be 
irashed  once ;  the  hands,  mouth  and  nostrils,  three  times ) 
the  ears  to  be  moistened  with  the  residue  of  the  water 
used  for  the  bead,  and  the  teeth  to  be  cleaned  with  a 
brush.  The  ablution  to  commence  on  the  right  and  ter« 
aniuAte  on  the  left;  in  washing  the  hands  and  feet  to 
beffin  with  the  fbgers  and  toes ;  where  water  is  not  to  be 
liad,  fine  sand  may  be  used. 

f^TEB  is  to  be  performed  five  times  every  day,  viz. : 
the  first  in  the  mornio^  b^ore  sunrise;  the  second  at 
noon;  the  third  in  ^ememoon  before  sunset;  the  fourth 
in  the  evening  between  sunset  and  dark ;  the  fifth  between 
twilight  and  Sie  first  watch,  being  tiie  vesper  prayer.  A 
Bixth  prayer  is  volunteered  by  many  between  tne  first 

•  The  reader  may  recollect  that  a  belief  in  predesidnation,  or  deitis  j^ 
^as  encouraged  by  Napoleon,  and  had  much  inflnence  on  his  troops. 

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FAITH  OT  I81AX.  909 

watch  of  tlie  ni^ht  and  the  dawn  of  day.  These  pTa;^ era 
are  but  repetitions  of  the  same  laudatory  ejacidation» 
•*  God  is  great !  God  is  powerflU !  God  is  all-powerful  I**" 
and  are  counted  by  the  scrupulous  upon  a  string  of  beads^ 
They  may  be  performed  at  the  mosque,  07  in  any  cleaito 
place.  During  prayer,  the  eyes  are  turned  to  the  Xebla«. 
or  point  of  the  heayen  in  the  direction  of  Mecca ;  which 
is  indicated  in  eyery  mosque  by  a  niche  called  Al  Mehrab^ 
and  externally  by  me  position  of  the  minarets  and  doors*. 
Eyen  the  postures  to  be  obseryed  in  prayer  are  prescribed^ 
and  the  most  solemn  act  of  adoration  is  by  bowing  the 
forehead  to  the  ground.  Females  in  praying  are  not  ta 
stretch  forth  their  armsi  but  to  fold  them  on  their  bosoms. 
They  are  not  to  make  as  profound  inflexions  as  the  men. 
They  are  to  pray  in  a  low  and  gentle  tone  of  yoice.  They 
are  not  permitted  to  accompany  the  men  to  tiie  mosque^ 
lest  the  minds  of  the  worshippers  should  be  drawn  from 
their  deyotions.  In  addressing  themsehres  to  God,  the 
fiuthiul  are  enjoined  to  do  so  with  humility ;  putting  aside 
eostly  ornaments  and  sumptuous  appard. 

Many  of  the  Mahometan  obseryances  with  respect  to 
prayer  were  similar  to  those  preyiously  maintained  by  the 
oal)eans ;  others  agreed  with  the  ceremonials  prescribed 
by  the  Jewish  Sabbins.  Such  were  the  postures,  in* 
flexions  and  prostrations,  and  the  turning  of  the  &oe 
towards  the  E^bla,  which,  howeyer,  with  the  Jews  was  in 
Ihe  direction  of  the  temple  at  Jerusalem. 

Prayer,  with  the  Moslem,  is  a  daUy  exercise ;  but  oa. 
Friday  there  is  a  sermon  in  the  mosque.  This  day  was 
generaDy  held  sacred  among  orientid  nations  as  the  day 
on  which  man  was  created.  The  Sabean  idolaters  con- 
secrated it  to  Astarte,  or  Venus,  the  most  beautiful  of 
the  planets  and  brightest  of  the  stars.  Mahomet  adopted 
it  as  his  Sabbath,  partly,  perhaps,  from  early  habitude,  but^ 
chiefly  to  vary  from  the  Saturday  of  the  Jews  and  Sun- 
day of  the  Christians. 

The  second  article  of  religious  practice  is  Chabity,  or 
the  giying  of  alms.  There  are  two  kinds  of  alms,  yiz.  t 
those  prescribed  by  law,  called  Zacat,  like  tithes  in  the 
Christian  church,  to  be  made  in  specified  proportions,  whe- 
ther in  money,  wares,  cattle,  com,  or  fruit;  and  volimtaiy 
mfts  termed  Sadakat,  made  at  the  discretion  of  th?  giyer* 
Every  Moslem  is  enjoined,  in  oneway  or  the  other,  to  dis- 
pense a  tenth  of  his  revenue  in  relief  of  the  indigent  and 


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ftlO  AtVEXnMX* 

The  third  wHeie  of  practice  is  FABTiKe,  also  supposed 
to  have  been  deriyed  nom  the  Jews.  In  each  year  for 
thirty  dsfi,  daring  the  month  of  Eliamadaii«  the  true  be- 
lieyer  is  to  abstain  rigorously,  froni  ^e  rising  to  the  set- 
ting  of  the  sun  from  meat  and  drinks  baths,  perfumes,  the 
interoomrse  of  the  sexes,  and  all  o^er  gratifications  and 
daligfats  of  the  senses.  This  is  considerea  a  great  triumph 
of  telf-d^iial.  mortifying  and  subduing  the  several  appe« 
tiles,  and  purifying  both  body  and  som.  Of  these  three 
artioles  «t  practice  the  Prince  AbdaJasis  used  to  say» 
^Prayer  leads  us  halfway  to  God ;  &sting  conveys  us  to 
fcis  threi^iojd,  but  alms  conduct  us  into  his  presence." 
.  PiLOBiHAOS  is  ihe  fourth  framd  praetieat  duty  enjoined 
inon  Moslems.  Every  true  believer  is  bound  to  make  one 
pugrimage  to  Mecca  in  the  course  of  his  life,  eitlier  peiv 
^omilly  or  by  proxy.  In  the  latter  case,  his  name  must  be 
aientioBed  in  every  prayer  offered  up  by  his  substitute. 
^  Pilgrimaffe  is  incumbent  only  on  free  persons  of  mature 
mgo,  aonna  intellect;  and  who  have  healiii  and  wealth 
enough  to  bear  the  fatigues  and  expenses  of  the  journey* 
<Che  ]Ml^rim  before  his  oepartore  worn  home  arranges  all 
"ins  attauf,  publie  and  domestio,  as  if  preparing  for  his 
iieath. 

'  On  the  appointed  day,  which  is  either  Tuesday,  Thurs* 
di^,  or  Saturday,  as  bein^  propitious  for  the  purpose,  he 
assombles  his  wives,  chil£en,  and  all  his  household,  and 
d^outly  commends  them  and  all  his  concerns  to  the  care 
jo^God  durinr  his  holy  ent^prise.  Then  passing  one  end 
4d  his  turban  oeneath  his  chin  to  the  opposite  ame  of  his 
-iiead,  like  the  aUare.of  a  nun,  and  j^rasping  a  stout  staff  of 
•bitter  almonds,  he  takes  leave  of  his  housenold,  and  sallies 
'from  the  apartment,  exclaiming, "  In  the  name  of  God  I  un<* 
jdertake  this  holy  work,  confiding  in  his  protection.  I  believe 
hk  him,  and  place  in  lus  hands  my  actions  and  my  life." 
>  On  leaving  the  portal,  he  tarns  his  ieuoe  toward  the 
£ebla,  repeats  certain  passages  of  the  Koran,  and  adds, 
'f  ^  I  torn  m;^  fiice  to  the  Sjoij  Caaba,  the  throne  of  God, 
ix>  accomplish  the  pilgrimage  commanded  by  his  law,  and 
:idiioh  shall  draw  me  near  to  him." 

He  ^boally  puts  his  foot  in  the  stirrap,  mounts  into  the 


departure  is  always  < 

.  Hiecoa  at  the  beginning  of  the  pilgrim  month  Dhul-hajji. 

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Xhiee  laws  are  to  be  obs^nred  througlioat  tMa  pioTis 
{onmey. 

1.  To  cosnmenoe  no  anaiTeL  ^ 

.   2.  To  bear  meeUj  all  hanlmess  and  redoing. 

3.  To  promote  peace  and  good-will  aoKmg  bis  wm* 
panions  in  the  carayan. 

'  He  is,  moreoy^,  to  be  liberal  in  his  donations  and 
diarities  thronghont  his  pilgnma^. 

When  arrived  at  some  place  in  the  yieimt^  of  Meeca» 
he  allows  his  ban*  and  nails  to  grow,  strips  himself  to  the 
tldn,  and  assumes  the  Ihram  or  pilgrim  garb,  coosisti&g  of 
two  scarfs,  without  seams  or  deoor&oacks,  and  of  any  stofi^ 
ercepting  silk.  One  of  these  is  folded  ronnd  the  loins^ 
tfie  other  thrown  over  the  neck  and  shoulders,  leayins  the 
right  arm  free.  The  head  is  nnooyered,  but  isbB  a(^ea  and 
iimrm  are  permitted  to  l(dd  something  roimd  it  in  oeii* 
sideration  of  alms  ^en  to  the  poor.  Umbrdlas  are  aU 
lowed  as  a  protection  against  the  son*  and  indigent  piL 
grims  supply  their  nlaoe  by  a  rag  on  the  end  of  a  stan. 

The  instep  must  oe  bare;  and  peodHar  sandals  are  pro« 
tided  for  the  purpose,  or  a  piece  of  the  upper  leather  ot 
the  shoe  is  cut  out.  The  ptlgiim,  when  thus  attired,  k 
lenned  Al  Mohiem* 

l%e  Ihram  of  faaales  is  an  ample  doak  and  yeil*  en& 
▼elopin^the  whole  peRKai»  so  Hiat,  m  striotnees,  the  wrists, 
tile  anlSes,  and  oTesithe  eyes  ahmild  be  eoneesded. 
r.  When  onee  assumed^  the  Ihrsmmnst  be  worn  until  the 
jnlgrimage  is  oompleted,  however  nnsnited  it  may  beto 
the  season  or  the  weathen\  While  wearing  it,  the  pi^^rim 
must  abstain  from  all  lieentiolusness  of  laitfruage;  afi 
sensual  interoonzae ;  aU  quarrels  and  acts  of  violeaee ; 
he  must;  not  ey«&  take  the  hfb  of  an  insect  that  inteta 
him;  thou^  an  exeeption  is  mads  in  regard  to  bikkig 
dogSf  to  sewpions,  anf  birds  of  prey. 

On  arriving  at  Meoea,  he  leaves  his  baggage  in  some 
Aapy  and,  without  attention  to  any  woridfy  coneem,  re« 
pairs,  straightway  to  t^e  GaUba,  oondiieted  by  one  of  the 
Metowefs,  or  guides,  who  are  always  at  hand  to  offer  their 
seorviees  to  pilgrims. 

Entering  the  mos^e  by  tibe  Bab  d.  Salam,  or  Gt^  ot 
SahitatMn,  he  makes  four  proetrationa,  and  repeats  certain 
pravers  as  he  passes  under  the  arch.  Apporoaching  the 
Caaba,  he  makes  fo 


four  prostrations  opposite  the 
Stone,  which  he  then  kisses ;  or,  if  prevented  by  the 
p  2 


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212  J^PXITDIX. 

throng,  lie  ioaehes  it  with  luE  riglit  hand,  and  kisses  thai  ^ 
Departing  from  the  Black  Stone,  and  keeping  the  building 
on  nis  left  hand,  he  makes  the  seven  curcuits,  the  three 
first  qnicklj,  the  latter  four  with  slow  and  solemn  pace.   < 
Certam  prayers  are  repeated  in  a  low  voice,  and  the  Slack 
Stone  kissed,  or  touched,  at  the  end  of  eyery  circuit. 

The  Towaf^  or  procession,  round  the  Caaba  was  an 
ancient  ceremony,  observed  long  before  the  time  of  Ma* 
hornet,  and  performed  by  boui  sexes  entirely  naked. 
Mahomet  prohibited  this  exposure,  and  prescribed  the 
Ihram,  or  pilgrim  dress.  The  female  Hajji  walk  the 
Towaf  general^  during  the  night ;  though  occasionally 
they  perform  it  mingled  with  the  men  in  the  day« 
time.* 

The  seven  oirouits  beine  completed,  the  pilgrim  presses 
his  breast  against  the  wall  between  the  Black  Stone  and 
the  door  of  the  Caaba,  and  with  outstretched  arms,  prays 
forpardon  of  his  sins. 

He  then  repairs  to  the  Makam,  or  station  of  Abraham^ 
makes  four  prostrationfl,  prays  for  the  intermediation  of 
the  Patriarch,  and  thence  to  me  well  Zem  Zem,  and  drinks 
as  much  of  the  water  as  he  can  swallow. 

Dunng  all  this  ceremonial,  the  uninstrueted  Hajji  haa 
his  guide  or  Metowef  dose  at  his  heels,  muttering  prayers 
for  him  to  repeat.  He  is  now  conducted  out  of  the  mosque 
hj  the  gate  Bab  el  Zafa  to  a  slight  ascent  about  fifty  pacei 
distant,  called  the  Hill  of  Zaia»  when,  after  uttermg  a 
prayer  with  tmHfted  hands,  he  commences  the  holy  pro* 
menade,  called  the  Saa  or  Say.  This  lies  through  a  straight 
imd  level  street,  cdled  Al  Mesaa,  six  bundled  paces  in 
length,  lined  with  shops  like  a  bazaar,  and  terminating  at 
a  puce  called  Merowa.  The  walk  of  the  Say  is  in  com* 
memoration  of  the  wandering  <^  Ha^ar  over  the  same 
ground,  in  search  of  water  for  her  child  Ishmael.  The 
pilgrim,  therefore,  walks  at  times  slowly,  with  an  in* 
qmsitive  air,  then  runs  in  a  certam  place,  and  again 
walks  gravely,  stopping  at  times  and  looking  anxiously 
back. 

Having  repeated  the  walk  up  and  down  this  street  seven 
times,  the  Hajji  enters  a  baroer's  shop  at  Merowa;  his 
head  is  shaved,  his  nails  pared,  the  barber  muttering 
prayers  and  the  pilgrim  repeating  iskem  all  the  time.  The 
paring  and  shearmg  are  then  buried  in  consecrated  groundi 

»  Biirckliaidt'8  TnrOB  in  Arabia,  voL  L  p.  360,  Load,  edit,  1839. 

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TAiTH  ov  tsmc.  21S 

•ad  the  most  essential  duties  of  the  pilgrimage  are  con* 
'aidered  as  fuIMed.* 

On  the  ninth  of  the  month  Al  Dhul-hajji»  the  pilgrims 
make  a  hurried  and  tumultuous  visit  to  Mount  Arafat^ 
where  they  remain  until  sunset ;  then  pass  the  night  in 
prayer  at  an  Oratory,  called  Mozdalifa,  and  before  sun- 
rise next  morning  repair  to  the  valley  of  Mena,  where 
they  l^irow  seven  stones  at  each  of  the  three  piUars,  in 
imitation  of  Abraham,  and  some  say  also  of  Adam,  who 
drove  away  the  devil  from  this  spot  with  stones,  when 
disturbed  by  him  in  his  devotions. 

Such  are  the  main  ceremonies  which  form  this  great 
Moslem  rite  of  pilgnimafe;but,  before  concluding  this 
sketch  of  Islam  faim,  and  closing  this  legendary  memoir 
of  its  founder,  we  cannot  forbear  to  notice  one  of  his 
innovations,  which  has  entailed  perplexity  on  all  his  fol* 
lowers,  and  particular  inconvenience  on  pious  pilgrims. 

The  Arabian  year  consists  of  twelve  lunar  months, 
oontainini^  alternately  thirtv  and  twenir-nine  days,  and 
making  three  hundred  and  nfty-four  in  the  whole,  so  that 
eleven  days  are  lost  in  every  solar  year.  To  make  up  the 
deficiency,  a  thirteenth,  or  wandering  month,  was  added 
to  every  lliird  year,  previoils  to  the  era  of  Mahomet,  to 
the  same  effect  as  one  day  is  added  hi  the  Christiaa 
calendar  to  every  leap-year.  Mahomet,  who  was  tme- 
ducated,  and  ignorant  of  astronomy,  retrenched  this 
thirteenth  or  intercalary  month,  as  contrary  to  the  divine 
order  of  revolutions  of  the  moon,  ana  reformed  the 
calendar  by  a  diviae  revelation  during  his  last  pilgrimage. 
This  is  recorded  in  the  ninth  sura  or  chapter  of  the 
Koran,  to  the  following  effect : 

"For  the  number  of  montiia  is  twelve,  as  it  was 
ordained  by  Allah,  and  recorded  on  the  eternal  tablesf 

•  The  greater  part  of  the  particolarf  coneeming  Mecca  and  Medina, 
and  their  respectiye  pagrimages,  are  gathered  from,  the  writings  of  that 
aooarate  and  indefotigahle  trayeller,  Barckhardt ;  who,  in  the  disgoiM 
of  a  pilgrim,  visited  these  shrines,  and  complied  with  all  the  forms  and 
ceremonials.  His  works  throw  great  light  npon  the  manners  and 
eostoms  of  the  East,  and  practice  of  the  Mahometan  faith. 

The  fiacts  related  hy  Bnrckhardt  have  been  collated  with  those  of 
other  travellers  and  writers,  and  many  particulars  have  heen  inter- 
woven with  them  from  other  sonrces. 

t  The  eternal  tables  or  tablet  was  of  white  pearl,  extended  from  east 
to  west,  and  firom  earth  to  heaven.  All  the  decrees  of  God  were  re- 
corded  on  it,  and  all  events,  past,  present,  and  to  come,  to  all  eternity. 
It  was  guarded  by  angelf. 

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2f4  inP89DXX« 

cA  the  day  whereia  he  created  the  heavea  and  the 
ewrth." 

''  Transfer  not  a  sacred  taan&  imto  another  month,  for 
rerHj  it  is  an  innovafeion  of  the  infidala." 

The  number  of  days  thns  k>st  amount  in  33  years  to 
363.  it  becomes  necessary,  therefixre,  to  add  an  inter* 
oalary  year  at  the  end  of  each  thiriy*third  year  to  rednoa 
title  Mahometan  into  the  Christian  era. 

One  great  inconvenience  arising  from  this  revelation  of 
the  prophet  is,  ^at  the  Moslem  months  So  not  indicate 
the  season;  as  they  commence  earlier  by  elevrai  da^ 
eretj  year.  This,  at  certain  epodia,  is  a  sore  grievance 
to  tne  votaries  to  Mecoa,  as  the  gxeafc  pilgrim  month 
Dhnl-hajji,  during  which  tiiiey  are  compelled  to  wear  the 
Ihram,  ot  half-naked  pilgrim  garfo,  rona  the  roimd  (d  ^be 
seasons,  occurring  at  one  time  in  the  depth  oiwioier,  at 
ano4^r  in  the  f^nd  heat  of  summer. 

Thus  Mahomet,  Ihongh  aeoording  to  legendary  histonr, 
he  could  order  the  moon  £rom  the  firmament  and  malce 
her  revc^re  about  the  sacred  house,  eould  not  ocmtrd  her 
monthly  refcdutions;  and  fbmid  ihat  the  aoienoe  ol 
Kumbers  is  superior  even  to  ^e  gift  of  prophecy,  and  seta 
miracles  at  deianee. 


fXB  xirix 


SftTiU  &  Edwards,  Printers,  4,  Chaados  Strwt 

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LIVES 


OF 


THE     SUCCESSORS 


OF 


MAHOMET. 


BY  WASHINGTON  IRVING 


THIRD  EDITION. 


LONDON: 

GEORGE  BOUTLEDGE  &  CO.,  SOHO  SQUARE. 

1850. 


y  Google 


y  Google 


PREFACE. 


It  is  the  intention  of  the  anthor  in  the  following  pages,  t^ 
trace  the  progress  of  ihe  Moslem  dominion  from  the  death 
of  Mahomet,  a.i>.  022,  to  the  invasion  of  Spain,  a.d.  710.  In 
this  period,  which  did  not  occnp^  fourscore  and  ten  years* 
and  passed  within  the  lifetime  ot  many  an  aged  Arao,  the 
Moslems  extended  their  empire  and  their  &ith  over  the  wide 
r^ons  of  Asia  and  Africa^  suhrertinji^  the  empire  of  the 
Knosros;  suljngating  great  territories  m  India ;  establishing 
tk  splendid  seat  of  power  in  Syria;  dictating  to  the  conquered 
kingdom  of  the  Pharaohs ;  oyerranning  the  whcde  northern 
coast  of  Africa;  scouring  the  Mediterranean  with  their  ships; 
earrjing  their  cimquests  in  one  direction  to  the  very  walls  of 
Oonstantinople,  and  in  another  to  the  extreme  limits  of 
Mauritania ;  in  a  word,  trampling  down  all  the  old  dynasties 
which  once  held  haughty  and  magnificent  sway  in  the  East. 
The  whole  presents  a  striking  instance  of  the  triumph  of 
fanatic  enthusiasm  oyer  discipBned  yalour,  at  a  period  when 
the  inyention  of  fire-arms  haa  not  reduced  war  to  a  matter  of 
almost  arithmetical  calculation.  There  is  also  an  air  of  wild 
romance  about  many  of  the  events  recorded  in  this  narrative, 
owing  to  the  character  of  the  Arabs,  and  their  fondness  for 
stratagems,  daring  exploits,  and  individual  achievements  of 
an  extravagant  nature.  These  have  sometimes  been  softened, 
if  not  suppressed,  hj  cautious  historians ;  but  the  author  haa 
found  them  so  in  unison  with  the  people  and  the  times,  and 
with  a  career  of  conquest,  of  itself  out  of  the  bounds  of  coin- 
mon  probability,  that  he  has  been  induced  to  leave  them  in 
all  their  graphic  force. 

Those  who  have  read  the  life  of  Mahomet,  will  find  in  the 
following  pages  most  of  their  old  acquaintances  again  engaged, 
but  in  a  vastiy  grander  field  of  action ;  leading  armies,  sub- 
jugating empires,  and  dictating  from  the  palaces  and  thrones 
of  deposed  potentates. 

In  constructing  his  work,  which  is  merely  intended  for 

zed  by  Google 


Yl  7SEFACB. 

popular  use,  the  author  has  adopted  a  form  somewhat  between 
biography  and  chronicle,  admitting  of  personal  anecdote,  and 
a  ^eater  pla^  of  familiar  traits  and  peculiarities,  than  is  con* 
sidered  admissible  in  the  stately  walk  of  history.  His  igno- 
rance of  the  oriental  languages  has  obliged  him  to  take  his 
materials  at  second-hand,  where  he  could  have  wished  to  read 
them  in  the  original;  such,  for  instance,  has  been  the  case 
with  the  account  given  by  the  Arabian  writer,  Al  W&kidi> 
of  the  conquest  of  Syria,  and  especially  of  the  siege  of 
Damascus,  which  retain  much  of  their  dramatic  spirit  even 
in  the  homely  pages  of  Ockley.  To  this  latter  writer  the 
author  has  been  much  indebteo,  a«  well  as  to  the  Abb^  de 
Marigny's  History  of  the  Arabians,  and  to  P'Herbelot's 
Biblioth^que  OrientaXe.  In  &ct,  his  paces  are  oflen  a  mere 
digest  of  facte  already  befoore  the  public,  but  divested  of 
cumbrous  diction  and  uninteresting  details.  Some,  however, 
are  furnished  from  sources  reoentir  laid  open,  and  not  hitherto 
wroufi'ht  into  the  regular  web  of  nistory. 

In  nis  account  of  the  Persian  conquest,  the  author  has  been 
mudi  benefited  by  the  perusal  of  the  Gremaldesaal  of  the 
learned  Yon  Hammer-PnrgstaU,  and  by  a  translation  of  the 
Persian  historian,  Tabari,  reeently  given  to  the  public  in  the 
Journal  of  the  Ainerican  Oriental  Society,  by  Mr.  John  P. 
Brown,  dragoman  of  the  United  States  Legation  at  Con- 
stantinople. 

In  the  account  of  the  Moslem  conqueste  along  the  northern 
coast  of  AMca,  of  which  so  little  is  known,  he  has  gleaned 
manj  of  his  facte  from  Conde's  Domination  of  the  Arabs  in 
Spam ;  and  from  the  valuable  work  on  the  same  subject,  re- 
centlvput  forth  under  the  sanction  of  the  (Mental  Translation 
!Funa  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  by  his  estimable  friend, 
Don  Pascual  de  €rayangos,  formerly  frofessor  of  Arabic  isi 
the  AthensDum  (>f  Madrid. 

The  author  mieht  cite  o^hesv  sources  whence  he  has  derived 
scattered  focte ;  but  it  appears  to  him  that  he  has  already 
said  enough  on  this  point  about  a  work  written  more  through 
inclination  than  amoition;  and  which,  as  before  intimated, 
does  not  aspire  to  be  consulted  as  authority,  but  merely  to- 
be  read  as  a  digest  of  current  knowladge^  adapted  to  po- 
pular use. 

SVMMTtlDB,  1850,. 

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CONTENTS. 


I.  Eteetion  of  Aim  Bekt r,  fint  Oalipb,  Hegira  llth,  a.d.  632    .      I 

II.  Moderation  of  Aba  Beker — Traits  of  his  character — ^BebeHlon 
of  Arab  tribei.— Defeat  and  death  of  Malec  Ibii  Nowirah — 
Harsh  measnres  of  Kbaled  condemned  by  Omar,  bat  excosed 
by  Aba  Beker — ^Kbaled  defeats  MoseiOma,  the  false  pro^et 
-"-Compilation  of  the  Koran 5 

HI.  Campaign  against  Syria — ^Army  sent  under  Yezed  Ibn  Abu 
Sofian — Successes — ^Another  army  under  Amru  Ibn  al  Aass 
— ^Brilliant  achievements  of  Khaled  in  Irak 9 

IV.  Incompetency  of  Abu  Obeidah  to  the  general  command  in 
Syria — Khaled  sent  to  supersede  him — Peril  of  the  Moslem 
army  before  Bosra. — Timely  arrival  of  Khaled— 'His  exploits 
during  the  siege — Capture  of  Bosra li 

Y.  Khaled  lays  siege  to  Damascus 19 

VI.  Siege  of  Damascua  continued— Exploits  of  Derar— Defeat  of 

Uie  imperial  army • 23 

Yn.  Siege  of  Damascus  continued — Sally  of  the  ganiaoii^-Hero- 

ism  of  the  Moslem  women 20 

VIII.  Batae  of  Aiznadin 29 

IX.  Occurrences  before  Damascus — ^Exploits  of  Thomas — ^Ab&n 

Ibu  Zeid  and  his  Amazonian  mih 34 

X.  Surrender  of  Damascus— Disputes  of  the  Saracen  generals — 

Departure  of  Thomas  and  the  exiles 39 

XI.  Story  of  Jonas  and  Eudocea — Pursuit  of  the  exiles — >Death 

of  the  Caliph  Abu  Beker 42 

XII.  Election  of  Omar,  second  Caliph — Khaled  superseded  in  com- 

mand by  Abu  Obeidah — Magnanimous  eondoet  of  these 
generals— Expedition  to  the  convent  of  Abyla 50 

XIII.  Moderate  measures  of  Abu  Obeidah  —  Beproved  by  the 
Caliph  for  his  slowness 67 

XIV«  The  siege  and  capture  of  Baalbeo    .    .    .....    .    .    .    60 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Tl  COKTEKTS^ 

CBAPTEa  PAQS 

XV.  Siege  of  EmesM — Strfttagems  of  the  Moslems— Fanttie 

devotioii  of  Ikreinah — Surrender  of  the  citj     .    ....    64 
XYI.  Advanee  of  a  powerfbl  Imperial  army — Skirmisbes  of  Khaled 

— Capture  of  Derar— Intenriew  of  Kbaled  and  Manuel  .    .    68 

XVII.  The  Battle  of  Yermonk 72 

XVin.  Siege  and  ei^tore  of  Jerusalem 74 

XIX.  Progress  of  the  Moslem  arms  in  8yri« — Siege  of  Aleppo— 

Obstinate  defenee  bj  Yookenna— Exploit  of  Dam&s--Cap- 
tareof  the  castle— ConTersion  of  Tottkenna 80 

XX.  Perfidy  of  Tonkenna  to  his  former  firiends— Attempts  the  castle 

of  Aazax  by  treachery — Captore  of  the  castle 87 

XXL  la^gnes  of  Vonkenna  at  Antioch— Siege  of  that  city  by  the 
Moslems— Flight  of  the  emperor  to  Constantinople— Sur- 
render of  Antioch .00 

XXII.  Expedition  into  the  mountains  of  Syria — Story  of  a  mira- 

colons  cap 95 

XXni.  Expedition  of  Amm  Ibn  si  Aass  against  Prince  Constan- 
tine  in  Syria— Their  conference-capture  of  Tripoli  and 
Tyre— Flight  of  Constantine— Death  of  Khaled    ....    08 

XXIV.  Invasion  of  Egypt  by  Amm— Capture  of  Memphis — Siege 
and  surrender  of  Alexandria— Burning  of  the  Alexandrian 
library 105 

XXy.  Enterprises  of  the  Moslems  in  Persia — Defence  of  the  king 

dom  by  Queen  Arzemia — Battle  of  the  Bridge 113 

XXVI.  Mosenna  Ibn  Haris  ravages  the  country  along  the  Euphrates 
—Death  of  Anemia— Yexdegird  IIL  raised  to  the  throne — 
Saad  Ibn  Abu  Wakkds  given  the  general  command — Death 

of  Mosenna— Embassy  to  Yexdegird — Its  reception   .     .    .117 

XXVII.  The  Battle  of  Kadesia 121 

XXVIII.  Founding  of  Bassora — Capture  of  the  Persian  capital- 
Flight  of  Yexdegird  to  Holwin 124 

XXIX.  Capture  of  J&lul&— Flight  of  Yexdegird  to  Bel- Founding 
of  Cufa — Saad  receives  a  severe  rebuke  firom  the  Caliph  for 

his  magnificence 128 

XXX.  War  with  Hormuz&n,  the  Satn^  of  Ahw&z— His  subjugatioa 
and  couversion  .....•...•••...  131 

XXXI.  Saad  suspended  from  the  command— A  Persian  army 
assembled  at  Neb4vend  —  Council  at  the  mosque  of 
Medina— Batde  of  Neh&vend 184 

XXXII.  Capture  of  Uamad&n ;  of  Bei— Subjugation  of  Taba- 
ristan ;  of  Azerb^&n  —  Campaign  among  the   Cancasian 


COMTEJITS.  Til 

XXXni.  The  CaHph  Obmt  astaMiiiated  by  a  fire^worahipper— 

His  ehtnetci'— Othmra  eleeCed  Cftlipb 143 

XXXIY.  Condnsion  of  tbe  Pefrini  eoa%«est— FUghi  aii4  death 

of  Yezdegird .147 

XXXY.  Anuru  ditplaeed  from  the  goTernment  of  Egypt— BeroU 
of  the  inhabiientfl — ^Alextndria  retaken  by  the  ioiperialiKts 
— >Amni  reinstated  in  eommand — ^Retakes  Alexandria,  and 
traaqnilUses  Egypt— Is  again  displaced  —  Abdallah  Ibn 
Saad  inTades  the  north  of  Africa 151 

XXXVI.  Moawyah,  Emir  of  Syria— Bis  naval  vietories— Otbnan 
loses  the  prophet's  ring — Suppresses  erroneous  copies  of 
the  Koran---Conspiraeies  against  him— His  death    .    .    .  15<t 

XXXYII.  Candidates  for  the  Cidiphat— Inauguration  of  Ali, 
fourth  Caliph — He  undertakes  measures  of  reform — Their 
consequenees^Conspiraey  of  Ayesha — She  gets  possession 
of  Bassora 162 

XXXVIII.  Ali  defeata  the  rebels  nnder  Ayesha— His  treatment  of 
her 171 

XXXIX.  Battles  between  Ali  and  Moawyali— Their  claims  to  the 
Caliphat  left  to  arbitration;  the  result — Decline  of  the 
Power  of  Ali— Loss  of  Egypt 176 

XL.  Preparations  of  Ali  for  the  invasion  of  Syria — His  assassination  182 

XU.  Succession  of  Hassan,  fifth  Caliph — He  abdicates  in  favour 

of  Moawyah 185 

XLII.  fieign  of  Moawyah  I.,  sixth  Caliph — Account  of  his  illegi- 
timate brother  Zeyad — ^Deathof  Amru 187 

XLIII.  Siege  of   Constsntinople — Truce    with    the    emperor — 

Murder  of  Hassan — Death  of  Ayesha 101 

XLIV.  Moslem  conquests  in  Northern  Africa—  AchieTcments  of 

Acbah ;  his  death 104 

XLV.  Moawyah  names  his  successor — His  last  sets  and  death — 

Traits  of  his  character 108 

XLVI.  Succession  of  Yezid,  seventh  Caliph — ^Finsl  fortunes  of 

Hosein,  the  son  of  Ali 201 

XLVII.  Insurrection  of  Abdallah  Ibn  Zobeir — Medina  taken  and 

sacked — Mecca  besieged — ^Death  of  Yezid 211 

XLVIII.  Inauguration  of  Moawyah  II.,  eighth  Caliph — His  abdica- 
tion and  death — Merwdn  Ibn  Hakem  and  Abdollsh  Ibn 
Zobeir,  rival  Caliphs — Civil  wars  in  Syria 214 

XLIX.  State  of  affairs  in  Khorassan — Conspiracy  at  Cnfa— Faction 
of  the  Penitents;  their  fortunes^Death  of  the  Caliph 
Merwftn 21^ 


▼m  C0KTEKT8. 

L.  InauganUioii  of ilbd'alm&lee,  the  eleTenth  Gal^b — Btorj  of  Al 

Mokt&r,  the  Avenger 220 

LI.  Musab  Ibn  Zobeir  takes  possession  of  Babylonia — Usurpation 
of  Amm  Ibn  Saad ;  his  death — ^Expedition  of  Abd'alm&Ieo 
against  Musab — The  result — Omens — Their  effect  npon 
Abd'almiaec^Ezploitsof  AlMohalleb 227 

LII.  Abd*aIm&leo  makes  war  npon  his  rival  Caliph  in  Mecca — Siege 
of  the  saered  city — Death  of  Abdallah — Demolition  and  re- 
construction of  the  Caaba    ....  232 

LIII.  Administration  of  AlHejagi  as  emir  of  Babylonia.    .    .    .  236 

LIV.  Rennnoiation  of  tribute  to  the  emperor — Battles  in  Northern 
Africa — The  prophet-qneen,  Caldna;  her  achievements  and 
ftite 243 

LY.  Musa  Ibn  Nosseyr  made  emir  of  Northern  Africa— his  e«m- 

paigns  against  the  Berbers ^    .  247 

LVI.  Naval  enterprises  of  Mnsa — Cruisings  of  his  son  Abdolola — 

Death  of  Abd'alm&leo 252 

LVII.  Inauguration  of  Waled,  twelfth  Caliph — Revival  of  the  arts 
under  his  reign — His  taste  for  architeotore — ^Erection  of 
mosques — Conquests  of  his  generals  ........  255 

LVIII.  Further  triumphs  of  Musa  Ibn  Nosseyr — Naval  enter- 
prises— Descents  in  Sicily,  Sardinia,  and  Mallore*— In- 
vasion of  Tingitania — Projects  for  the  invasion  of  Spain — 
Conolnsiou.    ..»«•••• 260 


y  Google 


LIVES 

or  THB 

SUCCESSORS   OF   MAHOMET. 


CHAPTEE  I. 

Election  of  Atm  Beker,  first  Caliph,  Heglra  11th,  aj>.  632. 

The  death  of  Mahomet  lefl  his  religion  without  a  head,  and 
his  people  without  a  sovereign ;  there  was  danger,  therefore, 
of  the  newly-formed  empire  falling  into  confusion.  All  Me- 
dina, on  the  day  of  his  death,  was  in  a  kind  of  tumult,  and 
nothing  but  the  precaution  of  Osama  Ibn  Zeid  in  planting 
the  standard  before  the  prophet's  door,  and  posting  troops  in 
various  parts,  prevented  popular  commotions.  The  Question 
was,  on  whom  to  devolve  the  reins  of  government  r  Four 
names  stood  prominent  as  having  claims  of  affinity;  Abu 
Beker,  Omar,  Othman,  and  Ali.  Abu  Beker  was  the  father 
of  Ayesha,  the  favourite  wife  of  Mahomet.  Omar  was  father 
of  Hafsa,  another  of  his  wives,  and  the  one  to  whose  care  he 
had  confided  the  coffer  containing  the  revelations  of  the  Koran. 
Othman  had  married  successively  two  of  his  daughters, 
but  they  were  dead,  and  also  their  progeny.  Ali  was  cousin- 
german  of  Mahomet,  and  husband  of  Fatima,  his  only 
daughter.  Such  were  the  ties  of  relationship  to  him  of  these 
four  great  captains.  The  right  of  succession,  in  order  of 
consanguinity,  lay  with  Ali ;  and  his  virtues  and  services  emi- 
nently entitled  him  to  it.  On  the  first  burst  of  Ms  generous 
zeal,  when  Islamism  was  a  derided  and  persecuted  faith,  he 
had  been  pronounced  by  Mahomet  his  brother,  Ms  vicegerent; 
he  had  ever  since  been  devoted  to  him  in  word  and  deed,  and 
had  honoured  the  cause  by  his  magnanimity  as  si^ally  as  he 
had  vindicated  it  by  his  valour.  His  frienos,  confiding  in  the 
justice  of  Ms  claims,  gathered  round  him  in  the  dwelling  of 
his  wife  Fatima,  to  consult  about  means  of  putting  nim 
quietly  in  possession  of  Uie  government. 

^  Digitized  by  Google 


2  STTCCE880BS  OF  HAHOKET. 

Other  interests,  however,  were  at  work,  operating  upon  the 
public  mind.  Abu  Beker  was  held  up,  not  merely  as  con- 
nected by  marriaffe  ties  with  the  prophet,  but  as  one  of  the 
first  and  most  zealous  of  his  disciples ;  as  the  Toucher  for  the 
truth  of  his  night  journey ;  as  his  fellow-sufferer  in  nersecu- 
tion;  as  the  one  who  accompanied  him  in  his  flignt  from 
Mecca ;  as  his  companion  in  the  cave  when  they  were  miracu- 
lously saved  from  aiscoyeir ;  as  his  counsellor  and  co-operator 
in  all  his  plans  and  Trndertakingg ;  as  the  one,  in  fact,  whom  the 
prophet  had  plainly  pointed  out  as  his  successor,  by  deputing 
him  to  officiate  in  his  stead  in  the  religious  ceremonies  auring 
his  last  illness.  His  claims  were  strongly  urged  by  his 
daughter  Ayesha,  who  had  neat  influence  among  the  faith- 
ful ;  and  who  was  stimulated,  not  so  much  by  zeal  for  her 
father,  as  by  hatred  of  Ali,  whom  she  had  never  forgiven  for 
having  inclined  his  ear  to  iJie  charge  of  incontinence  against 
her  in  the  celebrated  case  entitled  The  False  Accusation. 

Omar  also  had  a  powerful  party  among  the  jpopulace,  who 
admired  him  for  his  lion-like  demeanour,  his  consummate 
military  skill,  his  straightforward  simplicity  and  daxmtless 
courage.  He  also  had  an  active  female  partisan  in  his 
daughter  Haffla. 

While,  therefore,  Ali  and  his  friends  were  in  quiet  counsel 
in  the  house  of  Fatima,  many  of  the  principal  Moslems 
gatliered  together  without  their  knowledge,  to  settle  the 
guestion  of  succession.  The  two  most  important  personages 
in  this  assemblage  were  Abu  Beker  and  Omar.  The  m*st 
measure  was  to  declare  the  supreme  power  not  hereditary,  but 
elective ;  a  measure  which  at  once  destroyed  the  claims  of  AH 
on  the  score  of  consanguinity,  and  left  the  matter  open  to 
the  public  choice.  This  has  been  ascribed  to  the  jealousy  of 
the  Koreishites  of  the  line  of  Abd  Sdiems,  who  feared,  should 
Ali's  claims  be  recognised,  that  the  sovereign  power,  like  the 
guardianship  of  the  Caaba»  might  be  perpetuated  in  the 
haughty  line  of  Haschem.  Some,  however,  pretend  to  detect 
in  it  the  subtle  and  hostile  influence  of  Ayesha. 

A  dispute  now  arose  between  the  Mohadjerins  or  refugees 
from  M^cca,  and  the  Ansarians  or  Helpers  of  Medina,  as  to 
the  claims  of  their  respective  cities  in  nominating  a  successor 
to  Mahomet.  The  former  founded  the  claims  of  Mecca  on 
its  being  llie  birth-place  of  ilie  prophet,  and  the  first  in  which 
his  doctrines  had  been  divulged ;  they  set  forward  their  own 
claims  also  as  his  townsmen,  nis  relatives,  and  the  companions 
of  his  exile.  The  Ansarians,  on  the  oilier  hand,  insisted  on 
the  superior  claims  of  Medina,  as  having  been  the  asylum  of 
the  prophet,  and  hift  chosen  lesidence ;  and  on  their  own 

gtized  by  Google 


<MmB  SB  hmnag  supported  hmt  in  his  exile,  tad  envied  him 
to  withstand  aiad  oyeroome  his  p^raecuton. 

The  dispute  soon  grew  furious,  and  seimetars  flashed  firom 
their  scabbards,  when  one  of  ihd  people  of  Medina  proposed, 
as  a  compromise,  that  eadi  party  should  furnish  a  ruleor  and 
the  government  have  two  beads.  Omar  dended  the  proposi- 
tion with  scorn.  "  Two  blades,"  said  he,  "  caukot  go  into 
one  sheath."  Abu  Beker  also  remonstrated  against  a  measure 
calculated  to  weaken  the  empire  in  its  veiy  infancy.  He  con^ 
jured  the  Moslems  to  remain  under  one  head,  and  named 
Omar  and  Abu  Obeidab  as  perscms  worthy  of  the  office,  and 
between  whom  the^  should  choose.  Abu  Obeidah  was  one 
of  the  earliest  disciples  of  Mahomet,  he  had  accompanied 
him  in  his  lUght  from  Mecca,  and  adhei!ed  to  him  in  all  his 
fbrtunea. 

The  counsel  of  Abu  Beker  calmed  for  a  time  the  tarbul^ice 
of  the  assembly,  but  it  soon  reyived  with  redoubkd  violence. 
Uj^n  this  Omar  suddenly  rose,  advanced  to  Abu  Beker,  and 
Lsuled  him  as  the  oldest,  oest,  and  most  <iioroughly-tried  of 
the  adherents  of  the  prophet,  and  the  one  most  woriJiy  to 
succeed  him.  So  saymg,  he  kissed  his  hand  in  token  of  alle- 
giance, and  sw<»re  to  obey  him  as  his  sovereign. 

This  sacrifice  of  his  own  claims  in  favour  of  a  rival  struck 
the  assemblv  wiUi  surprise,  and  opened  their  eyes  to  the  real 
merits  of  Abu  Beker.  They  beheld  in  him  the  fSoithM  oom- 
^nion  of  tlie  preset,  wlio  had  always  been  by  his  side. 
'They  knew  his  wisdom  and  moderation,  and  venerated  his 
gray  hairs.  It  appeared  but  reasonable  tiiat  the  man  whose 
counsels  had  contributed  to  establish  the  govenuuttit  should 
be  chosen  to  carry  it  on.  The  example  of  Omar,  therefore^ 
was  promptly  followed,  and  Abu  Beker  was  hailed  as  chief. 

Omar  now  ascended  the  pulpit.  "  Henoe&rth,"  said  he, 
**  if  any  one  shall  presume  to  tate  upon  himself  the  soverei^ 
power  without  the  public  voice,  let  nim  suffer  death,  as  well 
es  all  who  may  nominate  or  upbold  him."  This  measure  was 
instantly  adopted,  and  thus  a  bar  was  put  to  the  att^npts  of 
any  other  candidate. 

The  whole  policy  of  Omar  in  these  measures,  which  at  first 
«ight  appears  magnanimous,  has  been  cavilled  at  as  crafty 
a£l  selfiBh.  Abu  Beker,  it  is  observed,  was  well-stricken 
in  years,  being  about  the  same  age  with  the  prophet ;  it  waa 
not  j^bable  ne  would  long  survive.  Omar  tzusted,  there- 
fore, to  succeed  in  a  little  while  to  the  command.  His  last 
measure  struck  at  once  at  the  hopes  of  Ali,  Ids  most  for- 
midable competitor;  who,  shut  up  with  his  friends  in  the 
dwelling  of  J^atima,  knew  nothing  of  the  meeting  in  which 

»2  gtized  by  Google 


4  8XrCCE880B8  OF  MAHOMET. 

his  pretensions  were  thus  demolished.  Craft,  however,  we 
must  observe,  was  not  one  of  Omar's  characteristics,  and  was 
totally  opposed  to  the  prompt,  stem,  and  simple  course  of 
his  conduct  on  all  occasions ;  nor  did  he  ever  show  any 
craving  lust  for  power.  He  seems  ever  to  have  been  a  zealot 
in  i^e  cause  of  laLun,  and  to  have  taken  no  indirect  measures 
to  mromote  it. 

His  next  movement  was  indicative  of  his  straightforward 
eut-and-thrust  policy.  Abu  Beker,  wary  and  managing, 
feared  there  might  be  some  outbreak  on  the  part  of  Ali  and 
his  friends  when  they  should  hear  of  the  election  which  had 
taken  place.  He  requested  Omar,  therefore,  to  proceed  with 
an  armed  band  to  the  mansion  of  Fatima,  and  maintain  tran- 
quiUitv  in  that  quarter.  Omar  surrounded  the  house  with 
his  followers ;  announced  to  Ali  the  election  of  Abu  Beker, 
and  demanded  his  concurrence.  Ali  attempted  to  remon- 
strate, alleging  his  own  claims ;  but  Omar  proclaimed  the 
penalty  of  death,  decreed  to  all  who  should  attempt  to  usurp 
the  soverei^  power  in  defiance  of  public  will;  and  threatened 
to  enforce  it  by  setting  fire  to  the  house  and  consuming  its 
inmates. 

"  Oh,  son  of  IQiattdb!"  cried  Fatima,  reproachfully,  "thou 
wilt  not  surely  commit  such  an  outrage !" 

"  Aye  will  I,  in  very  truth !"  replied  Omar,  **  xmless  ye  aH 
make  common  cause  with  the  people." 

The  firiends  of  Ali  were  fain  to  yield,  and  to  acknowledge 
the  sovereignty  of  Abu  Beker.  Ali,  however,  held  hims^ 
apart  in  proud  and  indignant  reserve  until  the  death  of 
Fatima,  which  happened  in  the  course  of  several  months. 
He  then  paid  tardy  nomage  to  Abu  Beker,  but,  in  so  doin^, 
upbraided  him  with  want  of  openness  and  good  faith  m 
managing  the  election  without  his  privity ;  a  reproach  which 
the  reader  will  probablj  think  not  altogether  unmerited. 
Abu  Beker,  however,  disavowed  all  intrigue,  and  declared 
he  had  accepted  the  sovereignty  merely  to  allay  the  popular 
commotion ;  and  was  ready  U>  lay  it  down  whenever  a  more 
worthy  candidate  could  be  found  who  would  unite  the  wishes 
of  the  people. 

Ali  was  seemingly  pacified  by  this  explanation ;  but  he 
spumed  it  in  his  heart,  and  retired  in  disgust  into  the  interior 
of  Arabia,  taking  with  him  his  two  sons  Hassan  and  Hosein ; 
the  only  descencUmts  of  the  prophet.  From  these  have  sprung 
a  numerous  progeny,  who  to  this  day  are  considered  noble, 
and  wear  green  turbans  as  the  outward  sign  ci  their  illus* 
trious  lineage. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTEEH. 

Moderation  of  Abu  Beker.-— Traits  of  his  character.-^Hebellion  of  Arab 
tribes. — Defeat  and  death  of  Malec  Ibn  Kowirah.— Harsh  measures  of 
Khaled  condemned  by  Omar,  but  excused  by  Aba  Beker.— Khaled 
defeats  Moseilma  the  false  prophet. — Compilation  of  the  Koran. 

On  assuming  the  supreme  authority,  Abu  Beker  refused  to 
take  the  title  of  king  or  prince ;  several  of  the  Moslems  hailed 
him  as  God's  yicar  on  earth,  but  he  rejected  the  appellation ; 
he  was  not  the  vicar  of  God,  he  saia,  but  of  his  prophet, 
whose  plans  and  wishes  it  was  his  duty  to  carry  out  and  fulfil. 
"In  so  doing,"  added  he,  "I  will  endeavour  to  avoid  all 
prejudice  ana  partiality.  Obey  me  only  so  far  as  I  obey  God 
and  the  prophet.  If  I  go  beyond  these  bounds,  I  have  no 
authority  over  you.  If  I  err,  set  me  right ;  I  shall  be  open  ta 
conviction." 

He  contented  himself,  therefore,  with  the  modest  title  of 
Caliph,  that  is  to  say,  succossor,  by  which  the  Arab  sovereigns 
have  ever  since  been  designated.  They  have  not  all,  however, 
imitated  the  modesfy  of  Abu  Beker,  in  calling  themselves^ 
successors  of  the  prophet ;  but  many,  in  after  times,  arro* 
gated  to  themselves  the  title  of  Caliphs  and  Vicars  of  God, 
and  his  Shadow  upon  Earth.  The  supreme  authority,  as 
when  exercised  by  Mahomet,  imited  the  civil  and  religious 
functions :  the  Caliph  was  sovereign  and  pontiff. 

It  may  be  well  to  observe,  that  the  original  name  of  the 
newly-elected  Caliph  was  Abdallah  Athek  Ibn  Aba  Kahafa. 
He  was  also,  as  we  have  shown,  termed  Al  Seddek,  or  The 
Testifier  to  the  Truth,  from  having  maintained  the  verity  of 
Mahomet*s  nocturnal  journey ;  but  he  is  always  named  in 
Moslem  histories  Abu  Beker,  that  is  to  say.  The  Father  of 
the  Virgin ;  his  daughter  Ayesha  being  the  only  one  of  the- 

Erophet's  wives  that  came  a  virgin  to  ms  arms,  the  others 
aving  previously  been  in  wedlock. 

At  the  time  of  his  election  Abu  Beker  was  about  sixty-two 
years  of  age ;  tall,  and  well  formed,  though  spare ;  with  & 
norid  complexion  and  thin  beard,  which  womd  have  been  gray, 
but  that  he  tinged  it  after  the  oriental  usage.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  judgment  and  discretion,  whose  wariness  and  manage- 
ment at  times  almost  amounted  to  craft ;  yet  his  purposes 
appear  to  have  been  honest  and  unselfish ;  directed  to  the  good 
of  the  cause,  not  to  his  own  benefit.  In  the  administration  of 
his  oflSce  he  betrayed  nothing  of  sordid  worldliness.    Indif- 


6  SUCCBSSOBS  OW  HAHOMET. 

ferent  to  riches,  and  to  all  pomp,  luxuries,  and  sensual  indul- 
gences, he  accejjted  no  pay  for  his  services  but  a  mere  pittance, 
sufficient  to  mamtain  an  Asab  estaUishment  of  the  simplest 
]{ind,  in  which  all  his  retinue  consisted  of  a  camel  and  a  black 
slave.  The  surphia  funds  accruing  to  his  treasury  he  dis- 
pensed every  Friday— part  to  the  meritorious,  the  rest  to  the 
poor ;  and  was  ever  ready,  from  his  own  private  means,  to 
nelp  the  distressed.  On  tiering  oS&ee  he  caused  his  daughter 
Ayesha  to  take  a  strict  account  of  his  private  patrimony,  to 
stand  as  a  record  against  him  should  he  enrich  himself  while 
in  office. 

Notwithstanding  all  his  merits,  however,  his  advent  to 
power  was  attended  by  public  commotions.  Mai^  of  the 
Arabian  tribes  had  been  ecmverted  by  the  sword,  and  it  needed 
the  combined  terrors  of  a  conqueror  and  a  prophet  to  maintain 
them  in  allegiance  to  the  faitn.  On  the  deiith  of  Mahomet^ 
therefore,  they  spumed  at  the  authority  of  his  successor,  and 
refused  to  pay  the  Zacat,  or  religious  contributions  of  tribute^ 
tithes,  and  alms.  The  signal  of  revolt  flew  from  tribe  to  tribe^ 
until  the  Islam  empire  suddenly  shrank  to  the  cities  (^  Mecca» 
Medina,  and  Tayer. 

A  strong  body  (^  the  rebels  even  tock  the  field  and  ad- 
ranced  upon  Medina.  Thc^  were  led  on  by  a  powerful  and 
popular  Sheikh,  named  Malec  Ibn  Nowirah.  He  was  a  man 
of  nigh  birth  and  great  valour,  an  excellent  horseman,  and  a 
distinguished  poet ;  all  great  claims  on  Arab  adnnration.  To 
these  may  be  added  the  enviable  fortune  of  having  for  wife 
the  most  beautiful  woman  in  all  Arabia. 

Hearing  of  the  approach  of  this  warrior-poet  and  his  array, 
Abu  Beker  hastened  to  fortifv  the  city,  sending  the  women 
and  children,  the  aged  and  iunrm,  to  the  rocks  and  caverns  of 
the  neighbouring  mountains. 

But  though  Mahomet  was  dead,  the  sword  of  Islam  was 
Bot  buried  with  him ;  and  Khaled  Ibn  Waled  now  stood  for- 
ward to  sustain  the  fame  acquired  by  former  acts  of  prowess. 
He  was  sent  out  against  the  rebels  at  the  head  of  a  hasty  levy 
of  four  thousand  five  hundred  men  and  eleven  banners.  The 
wary  Abu  Beker,  with  whom  discretion  kept  an  equal  pace 
with  valour,  had  a  high  opinion  of  the  character  and  talents 
of  the  rebel  chief,  and  hoped,  notwithstanding  his  defection,  to 
conquer  him  by  kindness.  Khaled  was  inslructed,  therefore, 
ahould  Malec  fall  into  his  power,  to  treat  him  with  great 
respect,  to  be  lenient  to  the  vanquished,  and  to  endeavour, 
hj  gentle  means,  to  win  all  back  to  the  standard  of  Islam. 

Khaled,  however,  was  a  downright  soldier,  who  had  no 
Vkitig  for  gcnik  means.    Having  ovcreomc  ihi^  rebels  in  a 

igitized  by  VjOO^ 


▲KT  BBCBX.  7 

pitched  ba^e,  lie  orerran  th^  ootmtrj,  eivihg  Ms  soldiery 
permission  to  seiz*  upon  tke  flocks  and  herds  of  the  ran* 
quished,  and  make  slaves  of  their  children. 

Among  the  prisoners  bronffht  unto  his  presence  were  Maleo 
and  his  beantinil  wife.  The  oeantjr  of  tho  latter  dazaled  tiie 
eyes  even  of  the  rough  soldier,  but  probably  hardraied  his 
heart  against  her  hnsband. 

"  Why,"  demanded  he  of  Malec,  "  do  yon  refdse  to  pay 
the  ZacatP" 

'*  Because  I  can  pray  to  Gk>d  without  paying  these  exao* 
Uons"  was  the  reply. 

"  Pray^,  without  alms,  is  of  no  avaQ,"  said  Khaled. 

"  Does  your  master  b%j  so?*'  demanded  Maleo,  haughtily. 

"  My  master !"  echoed  Khaled,  ^^  and  is  he  not  thy  master 
likewise  P    By  Allah,  I  have  a  mind  to  strike  off  thr  head  V* 

"Are  these  also  the  orders  of  your  master?  rejoined 
Malec,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Again !"  cried  IDialed,  in  a  fury — **  smite  off  the  head  of 
this  rebel." 

His  officers  intarfered,'  lor  all  respected  the  prisoner ;  but 
the  rage  of  £haled  was  not  to  be  appeased. 

"  The  beauty  of  this  woman  kills  me,"  said  Malec,  signifi* 
cantly,  pointing  to  his  wile. 

''JSfay !"  cried  Khaled,  "it  is  Allah  who  kills  thee  because 
of  thine  apostasy." 

"I  am  no  iux>st«te,"  said  Malec;  "I  profess  the  true 
&ith "  . 

It  was  too  late ;  the  signal  of  death  had  already  been  given. 
Scarce  had  the  declaration  of  faith  passed  the  lips  of  the  un* 
fortunate  Maleo,  when  his  head  leu  beneath  the  scimetar  of 
Derar  Ibn  al  Azwar»  a  rough  soldier  after  £lhaled's  own 
heart. 

This  summarr  execution,  to  which  the  beauty  of  a  wonum 
was  alleged  as  me  main  excitement,  gave  deep  concern  to  Abu 
Beker,  who  remarked,  that  the  prophet  had  pardoned  even 
Waeksa,  the  Ethiop,  the  slayer  of  his  imcle  Hamza,  when  the 
eulprit  made  profession  of  the  faith.  As  to  Omar,  he  declared 
that  Khaled,  according  to  the  laws  of  the  Koran,  ought  to  be 
stoned  to  death  lor  adultery,  or  executed  for  the  murder  of  a 
Moslem.  The  politic  Abu  Beker,  however,  observed  that 
Khaled  had  sinned  through  error  rather  than  intention^ 
"Shall  I,"  added  he,  "sheathe  the  sword  of  GodP  The 
sword  winch  he  himself  has  drawn  against  the  unbelieving?" 

So  far  from  sheathing  the  sword,  we  find  it  shortly  i^ter- 
wards  employed  in  an  miportant  service.  This  was  a^inst 
iho  &lse  prophet  Mosdlma;  who,  encouraged  by  the  impu- 


S  6UCCESSOB8  GW  UAHOHBT. 

nitv  with  wbich,  during  the  ilhiess  of  Mahomet,  he  had  been 
snnered  to  propagate  ma  doctrines,  had  increased  greatly  the 
number  of  his  piroselytes  and  adherents,  and  held  a  kind  of 
regal  and  sacerdotal  sway  over  the  important  city  and  fertile 
province  of  Yamama,  between  the  Bed  Sea  and  the  Gulf 
pf  Persia. 

There  is  quite  a  flavour  of  romance  in  the  story  of  this 
impostor.  Among  those  dazzled  by  his  celebrity  and  charmed 
by  nis  rhapsodicsd  efiusions  was  iSedjah,  wife  of  Abu  Cahdla, 
a  poetess  of  the  tribe  of  Tamim,  distinguished  among  the 
Aiabs  for  her  personal  and  mental  charms.  She  came  to  see 
HoseiOma  in  like  manner  as  the  Queen  of  Sheba  came  to 
witness  the  wisdom  and  grandeur  of  King  Solomon.  They 
were  inspired  with  a  mutual  passion  at  me  first  interview, 
and  passed  much  of  their  time  together  in  tender,  if  not 
religious  intercourse.  Sedjah  became  a  convert  to  the  faith 
of  her  lover,  and  caught  from  him  the  imaginary  gift  of 
prophecy.  He  appears  to  have  caught,  in  excminge,  the  gift 
of  poetiy,  for  certain  amatory  efius^ons,  addressed  by  him  to 
his  beautiful  visitant,  are  still  preserved  by  an  Arabian  histo- 
rian, and  breathe  all  the  warmth  of  the  Song  of  Solomon. 

This  dream  of  poetry  and  prophecy  was  interrupted  by 
the  approach  of  Khaled  at  the  head  of  a  numerous  army. 
Moseilma  sallied  forth  to  meet  him  with  a  still  greater  force. 
A  battle  took  place  at  Akreba,  not  far  from  the  capital  city 
of  Yamama.  At  the  onset,  the  rebels  had  a  transient 
success,  and  twelve  hundred  Moslems  bit  the  dust.  Ehaled, 
however,  rallied  his  forces;  the  enemv  were  overthrown,  and 
ten  thousand  cut  to  pieces.  Moseidma  fought  with  despe- 
ration, but  fell  covered  with  wounds.  It  is  said  his  death-blow 
was  given  by  Wacksa,  the  Ethiopian,  the  same  who  had 
killed  Hamza,  uncle  of  Mahomet,  in  the  battle  of  Ohod,  and 
that  he  used  the  self-same  spear.  Wacksa,  since  his  pardon 
by  Mahomet,  had  become  a  zealous  Moslem. 

The  surviving  disciples  of  Moseilma  became  promptly 
converted  to  idamism  under  the  pious  but  heavy  hand  of 
Xhaled;  whose  late  offence  in  the  savage  execution  of  Malec 
was  completely  atoned  for  by  his  victory  over  the  false 
prophet.  He  added  other  services  of  the  same  military  kind 
m  this  critical  juncture  of  public  affairs;  reinforcing  and 
co-operating  with  certain  commanders  who  had  been  sent  in 
different  directions  to  suppress  rebellions ;  and  it  was  chiefly 
through  his  prompt  and  energetic  activity  that,  before  the 
expiration  of  the  first  year  of  the  Caliphat,  order  was  restored, 
and  the  empire  of  Islam  re-established  in  Arabia. 

It  was  shortly  after  the  victory  of  Ehaled  over  MoseiDlma, 

gtized  by  Google 


ABU  BBKXB.  9 

tliat  Abu  Beker  undertook  to  gather  together,  firom  written 
and  oral  sources,  the  precepts  and  revelations  of  the  Koran, 
which  hitherto  had  existed  partly  in  scattered  documents,  and 
partly  in  the  memories  of  the  disciples  and  companions  of 
the  prophet.  He  was  greatly  ureed  to  this  undertaking  by 
Omar,  that  ardent  zealot  ior  me  faith.  The  latter  had 
observed  with  alarm  the  niunber  of  veteran  companions  of  the 
prophet  who  had  fallen  in  the  battle  of  Akreba.  "  In  a  little 
while,''  said  he,  **  all  the  living  testi&ers  to  the  faith,  who 
bear  the  revelations  of  it  in  their  memories,  will  have  jpassed 
away,  and  with  them  so  many  records  of  the  dodrmes  of 
Islam."  He  urged  Abu  Beker,  therefore,  to  collect  from  the 
surviving  disciples  all  that  they  remembered,  and  to  gather 
together  from  all  quarters  whatever  parts  of  the  S[oran 
existed  in  writing.  Abu  Beker  proceeded  to  execute  this 
pious  task;  it  was  not,  however,  completed  until  luider  a 
succeeding  Caliph. 


CHAPTEE  in. 

Campaign  against  Syria. — Army  sent  under  Yezed  Ibn  Abn  Sofian.— Sae- 
cesses. — ^Another  army  under  Amru  I^n  al  Aass.—- Brilliant  achieve- 
ments of  Khaled  in  Irak. 

The  rebel  tribes  of  Arabia  being  once  more  brought  into 
allegiance,  and  tranquillity  established  at  home,  Abu  Beker 
turned  his  thoughts  to  execute  the  injunction  of  the  prophet, 
to  propagate  the  faith  throughout  the  world,  until  all  nations 
should  be  converted  to  Islamism,  by  persuasion  or  the  sword. 
The  moment  was  auspicious  for  such  a  gigantic  task.  The 
long  and  desolating  wars  between  the  Persian  and  Byzantiae 
emperors,  though  now  at  an  end,  had  exhausted  those  once 
mighty  powers,  and  left  their  frontiers  open  to  aggression. 
In  the  second  year  of  his  reign,  therefore,  Abu  Beker  pre- 
pared to  carry  out  the  great  enterprise  contemplated  by 
Mahomet  in  his  latter  days — ^the  conquest  of  Syria. 

Under  this  general  name,  it  should  be  observed,  were 
comprehended  the  countries  lying  between  the  Euphrates 
and  the  Mediterranean,  inclumng  Phoenicia  and  Palestine.* 
These  countries,  once  forming  a  system  of  petty  states  and 

*  Syria,  in  its  widest  oriental  acceptation,  included  likewise  3fcsopotaml8, 
Clialdea,  and  even  Assyria,  the  whole  forming  what  in  scriptural  geography 
was  denominated  Aram. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


K)  BTrCC£88(»8  OF  XikSOMST. 

Id&gdoTxur,  each,  witii  its  own^orenmieiit  and  monarch  w«ve 
now  Tuerged  into  tlie  great  ioyzantine  empire,  and  aeknow* 
led^ed  the  sWay  of  the  Emperor  Heraclius  at  Constantinople. 

Syria  had  long  been  a  land  of  promise  to  the  Arabs.  T^y 
liad  known  it  for 'ages  b^  the  intercourse  of  the  caravans,  and 
had  drawn  firom  it  their  chiet  supplies  of  com.  It  was  a 
land  of  abmidance.  Part  of  it  was  demoted  to  a^rionltare  and 
luisbandrr,  covered  with  fields  of  ^[rain,  with  vineyards  and 
trees  producing  the  finest  fruits ;  with  pastures  well  stocked 
with  noeks  and  herds.  On  the  Arabian  borders  it  had  cities, 
the  rich  marts  of  internal  trade ;  while  its  seaports,  though 
declined  from  the  ancient  snlendour  and  pre-eminence  of 
Tyre  and  Sidon,  still  were  we  staples  of  an  opulent  and 
widely-extended  commerce. . 

In  the  twelfth  year  of  the  Hegira,  the  following  summons 
was  sent  by  Aba  Beker  to  the  chie&  of  Arabia  fetrea,  and 
Arabia  Felix: — 

"In  the  name  of  the  Most  Merciful  God!  Abdallah 
Athek  Ibn  Abu  Kahafa  to  all  true^  believers,  health,  happi* 
ness,  and  the  blessing  of  God.  Praise  be  to  God,  and  to 
Mahomet  his  prophet !  This  is  to  inform  you  that  I  intend 
to  send  an  army  of  the  faithful  into  Syria,  to  deliver  that 
country  from  the  infidels,  and  I  remind  you  that  to  fight  for 
the  true  faith  is  to  obey  God !" 

There  needed  no  further  inducement  to  bring  to  his  standard 
every  Arab  that  owned  a  horse  or  a  camel,  or  could  wield  a 
lance*  Every  day  brought  some  Shdkh  to  Medina  at  the 
head  of  the  fighting  men  of  his  tribe,  and  before  long  the 
fields  roimd  the  city  were  studded  with  encampments.  The 
command  of  the  army  was  given  to  Yezed  Ibn  Abu  Sofian, 
The  troops  soon  became  impatient  to  strike  their  sunburnt 
tents  and  march. .  "  Why  do  we  loiter  P"  cried  they ;  **  all  o\ir 
fighting  men  are  here ;  there  are  none  more  to  come.  The 
plains  of  Medina  are  parched  and  bare,  there  is  no  food  for 
man  or  steed.  Give  us  the  word,  and  let  us  march  for  the 
fruitful  land  of  Syria." 

Abu  Beker  assented  to  their  wishes.  From  the  brow  of  a 
hill  he  reviewed  the  army  on  the  point  of  departure.  The 
heart  of  the  Caliph  swellea  with  pious  exultation  as  he  looked 
down  upon  the  stirring  multitude ;  the  glitterinjf  array  of 
arms ;  tne  squadrons  of  horsemen ;  the  lengthemng  line  of 
camels ;  and  called  to  mmd  the  scanty  handful  that  used  to 

gather  round  the  standard  of  the  prophet.  Scarce  ten  years 
ad  elapsed  since  the  latter  had  been  driven  a  fugitive  from 
Hecca»  and  now  a  mighty  host  assembled  at  the  summons  of 
his  successor,  and  distant  empires  were  threatened  by  the 

gitized  by  Google 


IBV  BBcnu  IL 

sword  of  Islaim.  Filled  widt  these  thoughts,  he  Hfted  up  hh 
voice,  and  F^^  to  Gk>d  to  make  these  troop  yaliant  and 
yictoricms.  Then  ffiring  Ihe  word  to  march,  the  tents  were 
struck,  the  camels  hul^  and  in  a  little  idiile  the  annj  poured 
in  a  lonp:  continuous  train  oyer  hiU  and  valley. 

Abu  Bek^  aecompanied  them  on  foot  on  the  first  day'a 
march.  The  leaders  would  have  dismounted  and  yielded  mm 
their  steeds.  "Nay,"  said  he,  "ride  on.  You  are  in  Ihe^ 
seryice  of  Allah.  As  for  me,  I  shall  be  rewarded  for  every 
step  I  take  in  his  cause." 

His  jMtiang  charge  to  Yexed,  the  commander  of  the  srmy^ 
was  a  singular  mixture  of  severity  and  mercy. 

"  Treat  your  soldiers  with  kindness  and  consideration ;  be 
just  in  all  your  dealings  with  them,  and  consult  their  feeling 
and  opinions.  Fight  valiantly,  and  never  turn  your  bade 
upon  a  foe.  When  victorious,  harm  not  the  aged ;  and  pro- 
tect women  and  children.  Destroy  not  the  oalm-tree,  nor 
fruit-trees  of  any  kind ;  waste  not  the  com*neld  with  fire» 
nor  kill  any  cattle,  exoeptmg  for  food.  Stand  Mthfully  to 
everjr  covenant  and  promise ;  respect  all  rehgious  persons  wha 
}ive  ia  hermitages  or  convents,  and  spare  their  edifices.  But 
riiould  you  meet  with  a  class  of  unbelievers  of  a  different 
kind,  who  go  about  with  shaven  crowns,  and  belong  to  the 
synagogue  of  Satan,  be  sure  you  cleave  their  skulls  unless 
thev  embrace  the  true  faith,  or  render  tribute." 

Having  received  this  summary  charge,  Yezed  continued  his 
march  toward  Syria,  and  the  pious  Cahph  returned  to  Medina* 

The  prayers  which  the  latter  had  put  up  for  the  success  of 
the  army  appeared  to  be  successful.  Before  lon^,  a  great 
cavalga^  of  horses,  mules,  and  camels,  laden  ynih  booiy^ 
poured  into  the  gates  of  Medina.  Yezed  had  encountered, 
on  the  confines  of  Syria,  a  body  of  troops  detached  by  tho 
Emperor  Heraclius  to  observe  him,  and  nad  defeated  them, 
killing  the  general  and  twelve  hundred  men.  He  had  been 
equally  successful  in  various  subsequent  skirmishes.  All  the 
booty  gained  in  these  actions  had  been  sent  to  the  Caliph,  as 
an  offering  by  the  army  of  the  first  fruits  of  the  harvest  of 
Syria. 

Ahi  Beker  sent  tidings  of  this  success  to  Mecca  and  tho 
surrounding  coimtry,  calling  upon  all  true  believers  to  press 
forward  in  the  career  of  victory,  thus  prosperously  com- 
menced. Another  army  was  soon  set  on  root,  the  command 
of  which  was  given  to  Seid  Ibn  Xhaled.  This  appointment^ 
however,  not  being  satisfactory  to  Omar,  whose  opinions  and 
wishes  hnd  vast  weight  at  Medina,  Ayesha  prevailed  on  her 
father  to  invite  Soid  to  resign,  and  to  appoint  ift  his  plae^ 


12  6TTCCES80S8  OF  KAfiOKET. 

Anra  Ibn  al  Aass ;  the  same  who,  in  the  early  days  of  the 
faith,  ridiculed  Mahomet  and  his  doctrines  in  satirical  verses ; 
but  who,  since  his  conyersion  to  Islamism,  had  risen  to 
eminence  in  its  service,  and  was  one  of  its  most  valiant  and 
efficient  champions. 

Such  was  the  zeal  of  the  Moslems  in  the  prosecution  of  this 
holy  war,  that  Seid  Ibn  Khaled  cheerfully  resigned  his  com- 
mand, and  enlisted  under  the  standard  which  he  had  lately 
reared. 

At  the  departure  of  the  army,  Abu  Beker,  who  was  excel- 
lent at  coimsel,  and  fond  of  bestowing  it,  gave  Amru  a  code 
of  conduct  for  his  government;  admonishing  him  to  live 
righteously,  as  a  dymg  man  in  the  presence  of  God,  and 
accountable  for  all  things  in  a  ^ture  state.  That  he  should 
not  trouble  himself  about  the  private  concerns  of  others;  and 
should  forbid  his  men  all  religious  disputes  about  events  and 
doctrines  of  the  **  times  of  ignorance,"  that  is  to  say,  the 
times  antecedent  to  Mahomet ;  but  should  enforce  the  dili- 
gent reading  of  the  Xoran,  which  contained  all  that  waa 
necessary  for  them  to  know. 

As  there  would  now  be  large  bodies  of  troops  in  Sjnria,  and 
various  able  commanders,  Abu  Beker,  in  maturing  the  plan  of 
his  campaign,  assigned  them  different  points  of  action.  Amru 
was  to  draw  toward  Palestine;  Abu  Obeidah  to  undertake 
Emessa;  Seid  Ibn  Abu  Sofian,  Damascus;  and  Serhil  Ibn 
Hasan,  the  country  about  the  Jordan.  They  were  all  to  act 
as  much  as  possible  in  concert,  and  to  aid  each  other  in  case 
of  need.  When  together,  they  were  all  to  be  under  the  orders 
of  Abu  Obeidah,  to  whom  was  given  the  general  command  in 
Syria.  This  veteran  disciple  of  the  prophet  stood  high,  as  we 
have  shown,  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  Abu  Beker, 
having  been  one  of  the  two  whom  he  had  named  as  worthy  of 
the  Caliphat.  He  was  now  about  fifty  years  of  age ;  zealously 
devoted  to  the  cause,  yet  one  with  whom  the  sword  of  faith 
was  sheathed  in  meekness  and  humanity;  perhaps  the 
cautious  Abu  Beker  thought  his  moderation  would  be  a 
salutary  check  to  the  headlong  valour  of  the  fanatical  soldiers 
of  Islam.  ^ 

While  this  grand  campaign  was  put  in  operation  against 
tiie  Eoman  possessions  in  Syria,  a  minor  force  was  sent  to 
invade  Irak.  This  province,  which  included  the  ancient 
Chaldea  and  the  Babylonia  of  Ptolemy,  was  bounded  on  the 
cast  by  Susiana  or  Xhurzestan  and  the  mountains  of  Assyria 
and  Medea,  on  the  north  by  part  of  Mesopotamia,  on  the 
weet  and  south  by  the  deserts  of  Sham  or  Syria,  and  by  a 
part  of  Arabia  Deserta.    It  was  a  region  tributary  to  the 


ABV  BEKBB.  13 

Persian  monaTcH,  and  so  &r  a  part  of  his  dominions.  The 
campaign  in  this  quarter  was  confided  to  IQialed,  of  whose 
prowess  Abu  Beker  had  an  exalted  opinion,  and  who  was  at 
this  time  at  the  head  of  a  moderate  force  in  one  of  the  rebel* 
lions  provinces,  which  he  had  brought  into  subjection.  The 
Caliph's  letter  to  him  was  to  the  following  eneot : — "  Turn 
thee  toward  Arabian  Irak !  The  conquest  of  Hira  and  Cufa 
is  intrusted  to  thee.  After  the  subjection  of  those  lands, 
turn  thee  against  Aila,  and  subdue  it  with  God's  help !" 

Hira  was  a  kingdom  to  the  west  of  Babylonia,  on  the  verge 
of  the  Syrian  Desert :  ^t  had  been  founded  by  a  race  of 
Arabs,  descendants  of  Xahtan,  and  had  subsistea  upwards  of 
six  hundred  years ;  the  greater  part  of  the  time  it  had  been 
under  a  line  of  princes  of  the  house  of  Mondar,  who  acknow- 
ledged allegiance  to  the  kings  of  Persia,  and  acted  as  their 
lieutenants  over  the  Arabs  of  Irak. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  third  century,  many  Jacobite 
Christians  had  been  driven,  by  the  persecutions  ana  cUsorders 
of  the  Eastern  Church,  to  take  refuge  among  the  Arabs  of 
Hira.  Their  numbers  had  been  augmented  in  subsequent 
times  by  fuffitives  from  various  quarters,  xmtil,  shortly  before 
the  birth  of  Mahomet,  the  king  of  Hira  and  all  his  subjects 
liad  embraced  Christianity. 

Much  was  said  of  the  splendour  of  the  capital,  which  bore 
the  same  name  with  the  kingdom.  Here  were  two  palaces  of 
extraordinary  magnificence,  the  beauty  of  one  of  which,  if 
Arabian  legends  speak  true,  was  fatal  to  the  architect,  for 
the  king,  fearing  that  he  might  build  one  still  more  beautiful 
for  some  other  monarch,  had  him  thrown  headlong  from  the 
tower. 

Khaled  acted  with  his  usual  energy  and  success  in  the 
invasion  of  this  kingdom.  With  ten  thousand  men  he  besieged 
the  city  of  Hira,  stormed  its  palaces,  slew  the  kino^  in  battle, 
subdued  the  kingdom,  imposed  on  it  an  annual  tribute  of 
seventy  thousand  pieces  of  gold,  the  first  tribute  ever  levied 
by  Moslems  on  a  foreign  mid,  and  sent  the  same,  with  the 
son  of  the  deceased  king,  to  Medina. 

He  next  carried  his  triumphant  arms  against  Aila,  defeated 
Hormu2,  the  Persian  governor,  and  sent  his  crown,  M-ith  a 
fifth  part  of  the  booty,  to  the  Caliph.  The  crown  was  of 
great  value,  being  one  of  the  first  class  of  those  worn  by  the 
seven  vicegerents  of  the  Persian  "King  of  Kings."  Among 
the  trophies  of  victory  sent  to  Medina  was  an  elephant.  Three 
other  Persian  generals  and  governors  made  sevend  attempts* 
with  powerftd  armies,  to  check  the  victorious  career  of  Khaled, 
but  were  alike  defeated.    City  after  city  fell  into  his  hands ; 


14  8TTCCE6SOB8  OF  XAHOHBT. 

notliing  seemed  capable  of  withstanding  kis  arms.  Fla&tin|^ 
his  victorious  standard  on  the  bank  of  the  Euphrates,  he 
wrote  to  the  Persian  monarch,  caUing  upon  him  to  embrace 
the  faith  or  pay  tribute.  "  If  you  refuse  Doth,"  added  he,  "  I 
will  come  upon  you  with  a  host  who  love  death  as  much  as 
you  do  life. ' 

The  repeated  convoys  of  booty  sent  by  Xhaled  to  Medina 
after  his  several  victories,  the  sight  of  captured  crowns  and 
captured  princes,  and  of  the  first  tribute  imposed  on  foreign 
lands,  had  excited  the  public  exultation  to  an  uncommon 
degree.  Abu  Beker  especially  took  pride  m  his  achieve- 
ments, considering  them  proofii  of  his  own  sagacity  and 
foresight,  which  he  had  shown  in  refusing  to  punish  him 
with  death  when  strongly  urged  to  do  so  by  Omar.  As 
victory  after  victory  was  announced,  and  train  after  train, 
laden  with  spoils,  crowded  the  gates  of  Medina,  he  joyed 
to  see  his  anticipations  so  far  outstripped  by  the  deeds 
of  this  headlong  warrior.  "  By  Allah  V*  exclaimed  he,  in  an 
ecstasy,  "  woTnankind  is  too  weak  to  give  birth  to  another 
Khaled." 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

Xncompetenoy  of  Abu  Obeidah  to  tbe  general  command  in  Syria. — Khaled 
sent  to  supersede  him. — Peril  of  the  Moslem  army  before  Bosra. — 
Timely  arrival  of  Khaled. — ^His  exploits  daring  the  siege.— Capture  of 
Bosra. 

The  exultation  of  the  Caliph  over  the  triumphs  in  Irak  was 
checked  by  tidings  of  a  dineront  tone  from  the  army  in  Syria. 
Abu  Obeidah,  who  had  the  general  command,  wanted  the 
boldness  and  enterprise  re<juisite  to  an  invading  general.  A 
partial  defeat  of  some  of  his  troops  discouraged  lum,  and  he 
heard  with  disquiet  of  vast  hosts  which  the  emperor  Heraclius 
was  assembling  to  overwhelm  him.  His  letters  to  the  caliph 
partook  of  the  anxiety  and  perplexity  of  his  mind.  Abu 
Beker,  whose  generally  sober  mind  was  dazzled  at  the  time 
by  the  daring  exploits  of  Khaled,  was  annoyed  at  finding  that, 
while  the  latter  was  dashing  forward  in  a  brilliant  career  of 
conquest  in  Irak,  Abu  Obeidah  was  merely  standing  on  the 
defensive  in  Syria.  In  the  vexation  of  the  moment,  he  re- 
gretted that  he  had  intrusted  the  invasion  of  the  latter 
country  to  one  who  appeared  to  him  a  nerveless  man ;  and  he 
forthwith  sent  missives  to  Khaleda  ordering  him  to  leave  the 

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jlMt  bbkss.  is 

lp9n>seciition  of  the  war  in  Irak  to  his  subovdinate  gcneiBls, 
and  repair,  in  aR  haste,  to  aid  die  armies  in  Syria,  and  take 
the  general  command  tibere.  !Khaled  obeyed  the  orders  witli 
his  nsnal  promptness.  Leaving  his  anny  nnder  the  charge  of 
Mosenna  Ibn  Haris,  he  put  mmself  at  the  head  of  fifteen 
linndred  horse,  and  spnr^d  oyer  the  Syrian  bwders  to  join 
the  Moslem  host,  which  he  learned,  while  on  the  way,  was 
drawing  toward  the  Christian  ci^  of  Bosra. 

This  city,  the  reader  will  recollect,  was  the  great  mart  on 
the  Syrian  frontier,  annnaily  visited  by  the  caravans,  and 
where  Mahomet,  when  a  youth,  had  his  first  interview  with 
Sergi]u,  the  Nestorian  monk,  from  whom  he  was  said  to  have 
received  instructions  in  the  Christian  faith.  It  was  a  place 
usually  filled  vHth  merchandise,  and  held  out  a  promise  of 
great  booty ;  but  it  was  strongly  walled,  its  inhabitants  were 
mured  to  arms,  and  it  could  at  any  time  pour  forth  twelve 
thousand  horse.  Its  very  name,  in  the  Syrian  tongue,  signi* 
fied  a  tower  of  safety.  Against  this  place  Abu  Obeidah  had 
sent  Serjabil  Ibn  Hasanah,  a  yeteran  secretary  of  Mahomet, 
with  a  troop  of  ten  thousand  horse.  On  his  approach,  Bo*> 
manus,  the  govemor  of  the  city,  notwithstanding  the  strength 
of  the  place  end  of  the  garrison,  would  fain  have  ^aid  tribute, 
for  he  was  dismayed  by  the  accounts  he  had  received  of  the 
fanatic  zeal  and  irresistible  valour  of  the  Moslems,  but  his 
pe^le  were  stout  of  heart,  and  insisted  on  %hting. 

Tlie  yenerable  Serjabil,  as  he  drew  near  to  the  city,  called 
upon  AUah  to  grant  the  -victory  promised  in  his  name  by  his 
apostle,  and  to  establish  the  truth  of  his  unity  by  confoxmd* 
ing  its  opposers.  His  prayers  apparently  were  of  no  avaiL 
Squadron  after  squadron  of  horsemen  wheeled  down  from 
the  gates  of  Bosra,  attacked  the  Moslems  on  everr  side,  threw 
ihem  into  confusion,  and  made  great  slaugnter.  Over* 
whelmed  by  numbers,  Serjabil  was  a^bout  to  oraer  a  retreat, 
when  a  grtat  doud  of  dust  gaye  notice  of  another  army  at 
hand. 

There  was  a  momentary  pause  on  both  sides,  but  the  shout 
of  Allah  Adibar!  AUah  Achbar!  resounded  through  the 
Moslem  host,  as  the  eagle  banner  of  £haled  was  (kscried 
through  the  doud.  That  warrior  came  galloping  to  the  field, 
at  the  head  of  his  troon  of  horsemen,  all  covered  with  dust. 
Charging  the  foe  with  nis  qharacteristie  impetuosity,  he  droye 
them  back  to  ihe  dty,  and  planted  his  standard  before  the 
walls* 

The  battle  over,  Serjabil  would  have  embraced  his  deliverer 
who  was  likewise  his  ancient  friend,  but  ]U»led  regarded 

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16  8UCCES80B8  OF  ICAHOMET. 

him  reproachfolly:  ''What  madness  possessed  thee/'  said 
he,  "  to  attack  with  thy  handfal  of  horsemen  a  fortress  girt 
with  stone  walls  and  thronged  with  soldiers  P" 

"  I  acted,"  said  Serjabil,  **  not  for  myself,  but  at  the  com* 
mand  of  Abu  Obeidah." 

"  Abu  Obeidah,"  replied  Khaled,  bluntly,  "  is  a  very  worthy 
man,  but  he  knows  little  of  warfare." 

In  effect,  the  army  of  Syria  soon  found  the  difference  be» 
tween  the  commanders.  The  soldiers  of  Ehaled,  fatigued 
with  a  hard  march,  and  harder  combat,  snatched  a  hasty 
repast,  and  throwing  themselyes  upon  the  ground,  were  soon 
asleep.  !Khaled  alone  took  no  rest ;  but,  mounting  a  fresh 
horse,  prowled  all  night  round  the  city  and  the  camp,  fearing 
gome  new  irruption  fiom  the  foe. 

At  daybreak  he  roused  his  army  for  the  morning  prayer. 
Some  of  the  troops  performed  tneir  ablutions  with  water, 
others  with  sand.  Xhaled  put  up  the  matin  prayer :  then 
eyery  man  grasped  his  weapon  ana  sprang  to  horse,  for  the 
gates  of  Bosra  were  already  pouring  forth  their  legions.  The 
eyes  of  Khaled  kindled  as  ne  saw  tnem  prancing  down  into 
tne  plain,  and  glittering  in  the  rising  sun.  "  These  infidels," 
said  he,  "  think  us  weary  and  wayworn,  but  they  will  be  con* 
founded.  Forward  to  the  fight,  for  the  blessing  of  Allah  is 
with  us!" 

As  the  armies  approached  each  other,  Eomanus  rode  in 
adyance  of  his  troops,  and  defied  the  Moslem  chief  to  single 
combat.  Xhaled  adyanced  on  the  instant.  Eomanus,  how* 
eyer,  instead  of  leyelling  his  lance,  entered  into  a  parley  in 
an  tmder  tone  of  yoice.  He  declared  that  he  was  a  Ma- 
hometan at  heart,  and  had  incurred  great  odium  among  the 
people  of  the  place  by  endeayouring  to  persuade  them  to  pay 
tribute.  He  now  offered  to  embrace  Islamism,  and  to  return 
and  do  his  best  to  3rield  the  city  into  the  hands  of  the  Moslems, 
on  condition  of  security  for  life,  liberty,  and  property. 

!Khaled  readily  assented  to  the  condition,  but  suggested 
that  they  should  exchange  a  few  dry  blows,  to  enabfo  Eo- 
manus to  return  to  the  city  with  a  better  grace,  and  preyent 
a  suspicion  of  collusion.  Eomanus  agreed  to  the  proposal, 
but  with  no  great  relish,  for  he  was  an  arrant  crayen.  He 
would  fain  haye  made  a  mere  feint  and  flourish  of  weapons ; 
but  Inhaled  had  a  heayy  hand  and  a  kindling  spirit,  and  dealt 
such  hearty  blows,  that  he  would  haye  seyered  the  other  in 
twain,  or  cloyen  him  to  the  saddle,  had  he  struck  with  the 
edge  instead  of  the  flat  of  the  sword. 

"  SofUy,  softly,"  cried  Eomanus ;  "  is  this  what  you  call 
aham  fightmg ;  or  do  you  mean  to  slay  me  P" 

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JLB17  BEKES.  17 

**  By  no  means/'  replied  Xhaled, ''  but  we  mnst  lay  on  our 
blows  a  litde  roughly,  to  appear  in  earnest." 

Eomanns,  battered  and  oraised,  and  wounded  in  several 
places,  was  glad  to  get  back  to  bis  army  with  his  life.  He 
now  extolled  the  prowess  of  Khaled,  and  advised  the  citizens 
to  negotiate  a  surrender ;  but  they  upbraided  him  with  his 
oowarcUce,  stripped  him  of  his  command,  and  made  him  a 
prisoner  in  his  own  house,  substituting  in  his  place  the  general 
who  had  come  to  them  with  reinforcements  m>m  the  emperor 
Heraclius. 

The  new  gOYemor,  as  his  first  essay  in  command,  salHedia 
adyance  of  me  army,  and  defied  Xhaled  to  combat.  Abda- 
Irahman,  son  of  the  ciediph,  a  youth  of  great  promise,  begged 
of  Xhaled  the  honour  of  being  his  ch^pion.  His  request 
being  granted,  he  rode  forth,  well  armed,  to  the  encounter. 
The  combat  was  of  short  duration.  At  the  onset,  the  governor 
was  daunted  by  Uie  fierce  countenance  of  the  vouthral  Mos- 
lem, and  confounded  by  the  address  with  which  he  managed 
his  horse  and  wielded  his  lance.  At  the  first  wound  he  lost 
all  presence  of  mind,  and,  turning  the  reins,  endeavoured  to 
escape  by  dint  of  hoof.  His  steed  was  swiftest,  and  he  suc- 
ceeded in  throwing  himself  into  the  midst  of  his  forces.  The 
impetuous  youth  spurred  after  him,  cutting  and  slashing,  right 
and  left,  and  hewins  his  way  with  his  scimetar. 

Xhaled,  de%htea  with  his  valour,  but  alarmed  at  his  peril, 
gave  the  signalfor  a  general  charge.  To  the  fight !  to  the 
fight !  Paradise !  Paradise !  was  the  maddening  cry.  Horse 
was  spurred  against  horse ;  man  mippled  man.  The  despe- 
rate confiict  was  witnessed  from  the  walls,  and  spread  dismay 
through  the  citv.  The  bells  rang  alarums,  the  shrieks  of 
women  and  children  mingled  with  the  prayers  and  chants  of 
priests  and  monks  moving  in  procession  tmrough  the  streets. 

The  Moslems,  too,  called  upon  Allah  for  succour,  mingling 
praters  and  execrations  as  they  fought.  At  len^h  the  troops 
of  &>sra  gave  way ;  the  squadrons  that  had  sidlied  forth  so 

gloriously  in  the  morning  were  driven  back  in  broken  and 
eadlong  masses  to  the  city ;  the  gates  were  hastily  swung  to 
and  barred  after  them ;  and,  while  they  panted  with  fatigue 
and  terror  behind  their  bulwarks,  the  standards  and  banners 
of  the  cross  were  planted  on  the  battlements,  and  couriers 
were  sent  ofi"  imploring  reinforcements  from  the  emperor. 

Night  closed  u]^n  the  scene  of  battle.  The  stifled  groans 
of  wounded  warriors,  mingled  with  the  wailings  of  women, 
and  the  prayers  of  monks  and  friars,  were  heard  in  the  once 
joyful  streets  of  Bosra,  while  sentinels  walked  the  rounds 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


18  SUCCESSOBS  Of  MAHOMET. 

ni  tW  Arab  eunp  ta  guard  it  agaiast  tbe  cbsperation  of 
the  foe. 

Abdalralimaa  conuBaadecL  one  of  ihe  patrols*  Walldng 
Ilia  round  bonealli  the  shadow  of  ihe  oi^  waUs»  lie  beheld  a 
aian  ooma  steaitlul j  forth,  the  embroiderT*  of  whose  garments^ 
luntly  glittenng  m  the  staorlight,  betrayed  him  to  be  a  person 
«f  oonsemienee.  The  lanee  of  Abcta'kahnaii  was  at  hia 
breaat»  when  he  pToclaimed  himself  to  be  Eomamia,  and 
demanded  to  be  led  to  £]baled.  On  entering  the  tent  of  that 
leader,  he  inyeighed  against  the  treatment  he  had  experienced 
£rom  ilM  peoi^  of  Bmra,  and  inydced  y^igeaiioe.  They  had 
confined  him  to  his  honae,  but  it  was  built  against  the  wall  of 
ihe  citj.  He  had  caused  his  sons  and  seryants,  therefore,  to 
break  a  hole  through  it,  by  whidk  he  had  issued  forth,  and 
hf  whidi  he  offnred  to  introduce  a  band  of  s<dclier8,  whe- 
TB^At  throw  open  the  dty  gates  to  the  army. 

fiis  ofier  was  instantly  accepted,  and  Abda'lrahman  waa 
intrusted  witk  the  dangerous  enterprise.  He  took  wilii  him 
a  hundred  mcked  m^i,  and,  condoeted  by  Bomairas,  entered 
HI  the  dead  of  night,  by  the  breach  in  the  wall,  into  the 
house  of  the  tnotor.  Here  th^  were  refreshed  with  food^ 
and  disguised,  to  lode  like  the  soldiers  of  the  garrison. 
Abda'lrfSimaa  then  divided  th^n  into  four  baads  of  twenty* 
fiye  men  each ;  three  of  which  he  sent  in  difiPerent  directions^ 
with  orders  to  keep  quiet  until  he  and  his  fbOowers  should 
aiye  the  signal-shout  of  Allah  Adibar!  He  then  requested 
Aomanus  to  conduct  him  to  tke  quarters  of  thegoyemor» 
who  had  fled  the  fight  iritk  him  that  day.  Ilnder  the 
guidance  of  the  traitor,  he  and  his  twenty-nye  men  passed 
with  noiseless  steps  i^urough  the  streets.  Most  of  the  unfor^ 
innate  people  of  feosra  IimL  sunk  to  sleep ;  but  now  and  then 
the  groan  of  some  wounded  warrior,  or  llie  lament  of  som^ 
afflicted  w<MnaB,  b»dte  the  stilhiess  <k  the  night,  and  startled 
the  prowlers. 

Arriyed  at  the  gate  ci  the  citadel  they  surprised  the  sen* 
tinels,  who  mistook  them  for  a  friendly  patrol,  and  made  their 
way  to  tke  goyemor*s  ehamber.  Bonumus  entered  &ni,  and 
summoned  the  governor  to  receiye  a  frigid. 

*'  What  friend  seeks  me  ai  this  hour  of  the  ni^t  P" 

**  Thy  friend  Abda'bahman,"  cried  Bomanus,  with  malignant 
triumph ;  "  who  comes  to  send  thee  to  heU  I" 

The  wretehed  poltroon  would  haye  fied.  "  Nay,"  cried 
Abda'lrahman,  ''you  esca|>e  me  not  a  second  time !"  and  with 
a  blow  of  his  scimetar  kid  him  dead  at  his  feet.    He  then 

£ye  the  signal  shout  of  Allah  Achbar !    It  was  repeated  by 
3  followers  at  the  portal ;  echoed  by  the  other  parties  in 

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▲BU  BEKBX»  19 

difere&t  qvourtera;  tbe  eHy  gates  were  tlufOTm  open,  tbe 
legions  of  jGialed  and  Serjabif  rushed  in»  and  tlie  whole  city 
resounded  wi&  the  eries  of  Allah  Aehbor  I  The  inhabitante^ 
startled  from  their  slaep^  hft^ened  forth  to  know  the  metmii^^ 
of  the  uproar,  but  were  cut  down  at  their  thresholds,  and  a 
horrible  eamage  took  place,  until  there  was  a  ffeneral  crj  for 
quarter*  Then,  in  ccunphance  with  one  of  the  precepts  of 
Mahomet,  Xhaled  put  a  stop  to  the  slaughter,  and  receired 
the  survivors  under  the  yoke. 

The  savage  tumult  bemg  appeased,  the  unhappy  inhabitants 
ci  Bosra  inq[uired  tm  to  the  mode  in  whieh  they  had  been  sur*' 
prised.  £hakd  hesitated  to  expose  the  baseness  of  Eomanus; 
but  the  traitor  gloried  in  his  shame,  and  in  the  ven^anee  he 
had  wreaked  npon  former  Mends.  **  'Twas  I !"  cric^  he,  wi^ 
demoniac  exultation.  '*  I  renoujice  ye  both  in  this  world  and 
the  TietL  I  deny  him  who  was  emcined,  and  despise  his  wor- 
shippers. I  dioose  Iskm  fer  la^  &i^ — ^the  Cadba  for  my 
temple — ^the  Moslems  for  my  Drethren^—Mahomet  for  mr 
prophet ;  and  I  bear  witness  that  there  is  but  one  only  GrO(V 
who  has  no  partner  in  his  power  and  ^oiy." 

Having  made  this  fuU  recantation  (h  his  old  faith,  and  pro-- 
fession  of  his  new,  in  fulfilment  of  his  traitoroua  compact,  ike 
fif»ostate  departed  from  Bosra>  ^owed  by  the  exeeratioiu  of 
its  inhabitants,  among  whom  he  durst  no  longer  abide;  imd 
Khaled,  although  he  despised  him  in  his  heart,  a^^inted  a 
guard  to  protect  his  property  firom  plunder. 


CHAPTEB  T. 

Khaled  lays  ehgt  to  Damascos. 

Tbx  capture  of  Bosra  increased  the  ambition,  and  daring  of 
the  Moslems,  and  Khaled  now  aspired  to  the  conquest  of 
Damascus.  This  renowned  and  beautiM  city,  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  magnificent  of  the  Es^t,  and  reputed  to  be 
the  oldest  in.  the  world,  stood  in  a  plain  of  wonder^  richness 
and  fertility,  covered  with  grores  and  gardens,  and  bounded 
by  an  amphitheatre  of  hills,  the  ddrts  of  Mount  Lebanon* 
A  river,  called  by  the  ancients  Chrysorrh<Mi,  or  the  stream  of 
gold,  fiows  through  this  plain,  feedmg  the  canals  and  waten^ 
courses  of  its  ganiens,  and  ike  fountains  of  the  city. 

The  ccHnmerce  of  the  i^ace  bespoke  the  luxuriance  of  tiis 
seal;  dealii^  in  wines,  silks,  wool,  primes,  raising  figs  of 
c2 


20  SUCCESSpBS  OF  ILiHOHBT. 

tmriyalled  flaToup,  sweet-scented  waters,  and  perfumes.  THie 
fields  were  covered  with  odoriferous  flowers,  and  the  rose  of 
Damascus  has  become  famous  throughout  the  world.  This  is 
one  of  the  few,  the  very  few,  cities  famous  in  ancient  times, 
which  still  retain  a  trace  of  ancient  delights.  "  The  citron," 
says  a  recent  traveller,  "perfumes  the  air  for  many  miles 
roimd  the  city ;  and  the  fig-trees  are  of  vast  size.  The  pome- 
granate and  orange  grow  m  thickets.  There  is  the  trickling 
of  water  on  every  hand.  Wherever  you  go,  there  is  a  trotting 
brook,  or  a  full  and  silent  stream  besid%  the  track ;  and  you 
have  frequently  to  cross  from  one  vivi^  jS^®^  meadow  to 
another  by  fording,  or  by  little  bridges.  These  streams  are 
all  from  the  river  beloved  by  iN'aaman  of  old.  He  might  well 
ask,  whether  the  Jordan  was  better  than  Fharpar  and  Abana, 
the  rivers  of  Damascus  P" 

In  this  city,  too,  were  invented  those  silken  stufls  called 
damask,  from  the  place  of  their  origin,  and  those  swords  a^d 
scimetars  proverbial  for  their  matcMess  temper. 

When  Kialed  resolved  to  strike  for  this  great  jjrize,  he 
had  but  fifteen  hundred  horse,  which  had  followed  him  from 
Irak,  in  addition  to  the  force  which  he  found  with  Serjabil ; 
having,  however,  the  general  command  of  the  troops  in  Syria, 
he  wrote  to  Abu  Obeidah  to  join  him  with  his  army,  amount- 
ing to  thirty-seven  thousand  men. 

The  Moslems,  accustomed  to  the  aridity  of  the  desert,  gazed 
with  wonder  and  delight  upon  the  rich  plain  of  Damascus. 
As  they  wound  in  lengthening  files  along  the  banks  of  the 
shining  river,  through  verdant  and  flowery  fields,  or  among 
groves  and  vineyards,  and  blooming  garaens,  it  seemed  as 
if  they  were  already  realizing  the  paradise  promised  by  the 

frophet  to  true  behevers ;  but  when  the  fanes  and  towers  of 
)amascus  rose  to  sight  from  among  tufted  bowers,  they  broke 
forth  into  shouts  of  transport. 

Heraclius,  the  emperor,  was  at  Antioch,  the  capital  of  his 
Syrian  dominions,  when  he  heard  of  the  advance  or  the  Arabs 
upon  the  city  of  Damascus.  He  supposed  the  troops  of 
Khaled,  however,  to  be  a  mere  predatory  band,  intent  as 
usual  on  hasty  ravage,  and  easily  repulsed  when  satisfied 
with  plunder,  and  he  felt  little  alarm  for  the  safety  of  the 
city,  knoTOig  it  to  be  very  populous,  strongly  fortified,  and 
well  garrisoned.  He  contented  himself,  tnerefore,  with 
dispatching  a  general  named  Caloiis,  with  five  thoustoid  men, 
to  reinforce  it. 

In  passing  through  the  country,  Caloiis  found  the  people 
flying  to  castles  and  other  strongholds,  and  putting  them  in  a 
state  of  defence.  As  he  approached  Baalbec,  tJie  women  came 


▲BU  B^ESB.  21 

forthwith  dishevelled  hair,  wrin^iiiff  their  hands,  and  uttering 
cries  of  despair.  "  Alas  I"  cried  they,  "  the  Arabs  overrun 
the  land,  and  nothing  can  withstand  them.  Aracah  and 
Sachnah,  and  Tadmor  and  Bosra,  have  fallen,  and  who  shall 
protect  Damascus !" 

Caloiis  inquired  the  force  of  the  invaders  P 

They  knew  but  of  the  troops  of  Xhaled,  and  answered, 
"  Fifteen  hundred  horse." 

"  Be  of  good  cheer,"  said  Caloiis ;  "  in  a  few  days  I  will 
return  with  the  head  of  Eiialed  on  the  point  of  this  good 
spear." 

He  arrived  at  Damascus  before  the  Moslem  army  came  in 
sight,  and  the  same  8elf-c6nfidence  marked  his  proceedings. 
Arrogating  to  himself  the  supreme  command,  he  would  have 
deposed  and  expelled  the  former  governor,  Azrail,  a  merito- 
rious old  soldier,  well  beloved  by  the  peojjle.  Violent  dis- 
sensions immediately  arose,  and  the  city,  instead  of  being 
prepared  for  defence,  was  a  prey  to  internal  strife. 

In  the  height  of  these  tumults,  the  army  of  Xhaled,  forty 
thousand  strong,  being  augmented  by  that  of  Abu  Obeidah, 
was  descried  marching  across  the  plam.  The  sense  of  danger 
cahned  the  fury  of  contention,  and  the  two  governors  saUied 
forth,  with  a  great  part  of  the  garrison,  to  encounter  the 
invaders. 

Both  armies  drew  up  in  battle  array.  !Khaled  was  in  front 
of  the  Moslem  line,  and  with  him  was  his  brother-in-arms, 
Derar  Ibn  al  Azwar.  The  latter  was  mounted  on  a  fine 
Arabian  mare,  and  poised  a  ponderous  lance,  looking  a  warrior 
at  all  points.  Khaled  regarded  him  with  friendly  pride,  and 
redolved  to  give  him  an  opportunity  of  distinguisning  him« 
self.  For  this  purpose,  he  detached  mm  with  a  small  squadron 
of  horse,  to  feel  the  pulse  of  the  enemy.  "  l^ow  is  the  time, 
Derar,"  cried  he,  "  to  show  thyself  a  man,  and  emulate  the 
deeds  of  thy  father,  and  other  illustrious  soldiers  of  the 
faith.  Forward  in  the  righteous  cause,  and  Allah  wiU  protect 
thee." 

Derar  levelled  his  lance,  and,  at  the  head  of  his  handful  <^ 
followers,  charged  into  the  thickest  of  the  foe.  In  the  first 
encounter  four  norsemen  fell  beneath  his  arm;  then,  wheeling 
ofi*,  and  soaring,  as  it  were,  into  the  field  to  mark  a  different 
quarry,  he  charged  with  his  little  troop  upon  the  foot  soldiers, 
slew  six  with  his  own  hand,  trampledT  down  others,  and  pro- 
duced great  confusion.  The  Christians,  however,  recovered 
from  a  temporair  panic,  and  opposed  him  with  overwhelming 
numbers,  and  !EU>man  discipline.  Derar  saw  the  ineauality 
of  the  fight,  and  having  glutted  his  martial  fury,  snowed 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


a  succBssaxB  oar  mahokbt. 

ilia  Anb  dexterity  at  retntA,  makiag  Ids  mj  hmA,  mt^kfy 
to  the  Moslem  army,  bj  "whom  he  was  recerred  with  «o* 
damatioii* 

AbdalrsJimaa  gave  a  mmihu^  proof  of  ^mt  courage;  but 
his  caTalry  was  received  by  a  battalion  of  ifimutry  arranged 
in  phalanx  with  extmidea  spears,  while  stonet  and  dSrts 
hurled  from  a  distance  galled  both  horse  and  rider.  He,  also, 
after  maldng  a  daring  assault  and  itiddeii  carnage,  retired 
upon  the  spur,  and  rejoined  the  army. 

Shakd  now  emulated  the  prowess  of  his  friends,  and  ca- 
reering in  front  of  the  enemy,  launched  a  general  defiance  to 
tingle  combat. 

The  jealousies  of  the  two  Christian  commanders  continued 
in  the  neld.  Azraal,  taming  to  Oalous,  taunted  him  to  accept 
the  challenge,  as  a  matter  of  course,  seeing  he  was  sent  to 
protect  the  country  in  this  hour  of  danger. 

The  vaunting  of  Calous  was  at  an  end.  He  had  no  inc'hiia- 
tion  for  so  close  a  fight  with  such  an  enemy,  but  pride  would 
not  permit  him  to  refuse.  He  entered  into  the  conflict  with 
a  faint  heart,  and  in  a  short  time  would  have  retreated,  but 
Khaled  wheeled  between  him  and  his  army.  He  then  fought 
with  desperation,  imd  the  contest  was  furious  on  both  sides, 
lantil  Oalous  beheld  his  blood  streaming  down  his  armour. 
His  heart  failed  him  at  the  si^ht ;  his  s&ength  flagged ;  ho 
Ibught  merely  on  the  defensive.  Ehaled,  perceiving  this, 
aoddenly  closed  with  him,  shiiM  his  lanoe  to  his  left  hand, 
grasped  CaloSs  with  the  right,  draeged  him  out  of  the  saddle, 
and  Dore  him  off  oaptive  to  the  Moslem  host,  who  rent  the 
air  with  triumphant  shoi^. 

Mounting  a  fr^sh  horse,  KhaJed  prepared  i^|^;ajn  for  battle. 

"  Tarry,  my  friend,**  cried  Berar;  ''repose  thyself  for  a 
lime,  and  X  will  take  thyplaoe." 

"  Oh  Derar,'*  rephod  Ejialed,  "  he  who  labours  to-day  shall 
TOst  to-moTTOw.  uliere  will  be  repose  suffirient  amidst  the 
•delights  of  paradise !" 

When  about  to  return  to  the  field,  CaloHs  demanded  a 
moment's  audience,  and  making  use  of  tiie  traitor  Bomanus 
AS  an  interpreter,  advised  Shaled  to  bend  all  Ins  efforts 
against  Asrail,  the  former  governor  of  the  dtj,  whose  death, 
TO  said,  would  be  the  surest  means  of  gaining  the  victory. 
^us  a  spirit  of  envy  induced  him  to  eaerifioe  the  good  of  liis 
country  to  the  desire  of  injuring  a  rival. 

Khated  was  willing  to  tako  advice  even  from  an  enemy, 
especially  when  it  fell  in  with  his  own  humour ;  he  advanced, 
therefore,  in  frmit,  challenging  Axnal  loudly  by  name.    The 

/  Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Imtter  foidcly  ig^vpeared,  well  annod  imd  mcmoied,  sad  wit^ 
HBdottnted  bearmg. 

The  contest  was  long  and  ohiti&ate.  The  combatants 
paused  for  breath.  Xlmled  could  not  but  regard  his  adrer*- 
aaiy  with  ftdmimtion. 

**Th7 name/'  said  he,  " is  Axrwap"  (Urn  is  tlra  Aiabb 
name  ior  the  angel  of  death.) 

"  AxnSl  is  my  name,"  replied  the  other. 

'*  By  Allah!  replied  S[hjded,  "  th^  namesake  is  at  hand, 
waiting  to  csry  thy  sonl  to  Ihe  fire  oi  Jehennam !" 

They  renewed  the  fight.  AsrajQ,  who  was  the  most  fleetly 
moimted*  being  sorely  pressed,  made  use  of  an  Arabian 
atratagem,  and  ^vin^  ihe  reins  to  his  steed  pretmded  to  fly 
the  field.  Havmg  distanced  his  adversary  imd  fatigued  his 
^rse,  he  suddenly  whe^ed  about  and  returned  to  the  durgeu 
Xhaled,  however,  was  not  to  be  outdone  in  siaratagem. 
Throwing  himself  lightly  from  his  saddle  just  as  his  antagonist 
eame  ga&oping  upon  him,  he  struck  at  me  legs  of  his  horse, 
brought  him  to  the  ij^und,  and  took  his  rider  prisoner. 

lh.e  magmtnimity  of  Khaled  was  not  equal  to  his  valo^ur; 
or  rather,  his  fanaocal  seal  overcame  all  generous  feelings. 
He  admired  Azrail  as  a  soldier;  but  deiested  him  as  an 
infldeL  Haoing  him  beside  his  late  rival,  Calous,  he  called 
\tpon  both  to  renounce  Christianity  and  embrace  the  faith  of 
Iiuam.  Tbej  persisted  in  a  firm  refusal,  iipon  which  he  gave 
the  sknal,  and  their  heads  wea»  struck  off  and  thrown  over 
ihe  walk  into  the  cify,  a  ioaxSal  warning  to  the  inhabitants. 


CHAFEBB  VL 

eitgB  it  VtauMtm  eontkmed.— Bzploitt  sT  Demr«-*I>cliMS  <ir  tbe 
impocial  anny. 

TsB  sifge  of  Damascus  continued  with  increasing  rigour.  TkB 
inhabitants  were  embarrassed  and  dismayed  by  the  loss  of 
their  two  governors,  and  the  garrison  was  tninnea  by  frequent 
j^rmkhes,  in  whidi  the  bnvest  warriors  were  sizre  to  falL 
At  heagth  the  soldiers  ceased  to  sally  forth,  and  the  place 
became  strictly  invested.  Khaled,  with  one  half  of  the  army, 
drew  near  to  mo  walls  on  the  ^tst  side ;  while  Abu  Obeidan, 
wi&  &e  other  half,  was  statiimed  on  the  west  13ie  in* 
habitai^  now  attempted  to  conu]^  £haled«  tiering  him  a 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


^  8UCCES80B8.0FUi^0HET. 

ilioasand  ounces  of  gold,  and  two  hundred  mae;ni£ce]ii 
damask  robes,  to  raise  the  siege.  His  reply  was,  mat  they 
must  embrace  the  Islam  faith,  pay  tribute,  or  fight  unto  the 
death. 

While  the  Arabs  lay  thus  encamped  round  the  city,  as  if 
watching  its  expiring  throes,  Ihey  were  sturprised  one  day  by 
the  unusual  sound  of  shouts  of  joy  within  its  walls.  Sending 
out  scouts,  they  soon  learnt  the  astounding  intelligence  that  a 
great  armjr  was  marching  to  the  relief  of  me  place. 

The  besieged,  in  fact,  in  the  height  of  their  extremity,  had 
lowered  a  messenger  from  the  walls  in  the  dead  of  the  night, 
bearing  tidings  to  Ihe  emperor  at  Antioch  of  their  perilous 
condition,  ana  imploring  prompt  and  efficient  succour.  Aware 
for  the  first  time  of  the  real  magnitude  of  the  danger,  Hera- 
clius  despatched  an  army  of  a  hundred  thousand  men  to  their 
rehef,  led  on  by  Werdan,  prefect  of  Emessa,  an  experienced 
general. 

Xhaled  would  at  once  have  marched  to  meet  the  foe, 
alleging  that  so  great  a  host  could  come  only  in  divisions, 
which  might  be  defeated  in  detail ;  the.  cautious  and  quiet 
Abu  Obeidah,  howeyer,  counselled  to  continue  the  siege,  and 
send  some  able  officer  with  a  detachment  to  check  and  divert 
the  advancing  army.  His  advice  was  adopted,  and  Derar, 
the  cherished  companion  in  arms  of  Khaled,  was  chosen  for 
the  purpose.  That  fiery  Moslem  was  rea<^  to  march  at  once, 
and  attack  the  enemy  with  any  handful  oi  men  that  might  be 
assigned  him;  but  !Khaled  rebuked  his  inconsiderate  zeaU 
"We  are  expected,"  said  he,  "  to  fight  for  the  faith,  but  not 
to  throw  ourselves  away^."  Allotting  to  his  fi*iend,  therefore, 
one  thousand  chosen  horsemen,  he  recommended  to  him  to 
hang  on  the  flanks  of  the  enemy  and  impede  their  march. 

The  fleetly-mounted  .band  of  Derar  soon  came  in  sight  of 
the  van  of  Werdan*s  army,  slowly  marching  in  heavy  masses. 
They  were  for  hovering  about  it  and  harassing  it  in  the  Arab 
manner,  but  the  impetuous  valour  of  Derar  was  inflamed,  and 
he  swore  not  to  draw  back  a  step  without  hard  fighting.  He 
was  seconded  by  £afi  Ibn  Omeirah,  who  reminded  the  troops 
that  a  handfdl  of  the  faithful  was  sufficient  to  defeat  an  army 
of  infidels. 

The  battle  cit  was  given.  Derar,  with  some  of  his  choicest 
troops,  attacked  the  centre  of  the  army,  seeking  to  grapple 
with  the  general,  whom  he  beheld  there,  surrounded  by  nis 
ffuard.  At  the  very  onset  he  struck  down  the  prefect's  right- 
hand  man,  and  then  his  standard-bearer.  Several  of  Derar's 
£:>llowers  sprang  from  their  steeds  to  seize  the  standard,  a 
cross  richly  adorned  with  precious  stones,  while  he  beat  ofl* 

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▲BXr^BBKBB.  25 

the  enemy,  who  endeaTonred  to  regain  it.  The  captnred  cross 
was  borne  off  in  trinmpli ;  but  at  the  same  moment  Derar 
receiyed  a  wound  in  the  left  arm  from  a  javelin,  launched  hj 
a  son  of  Werdan.  Turning  upon  the  youth,  he  thrust  his 
lance  into  his  body,  but,  m  withdrawing  it,  the  iron  head 
remained  in  the  wound.  Thus  left  unarmed,  he  defended 
himself  for  a  time  with  the  mere  truncheon  of  the  lance,  but 
was  overpowered  and  taken  prisoner.  The  Moslems  fought 
furiously  to  rescue  him,  but  mvain,  and  he  was  borne  captive 
from  the  field.  They  would  now  have  fled,  but  were  recalled 
by  Bafi  Ibn  Omeirah.  "  Whoever  flies,"  cried  he,  "  turns 
his  back  upon  God  and  his  prophet.  Paradise  is  for  those 
who  fall  in  battle.  If  your  captain  bo  dead,  Grod  is  living, 
and  sees  your  actions." 

They  rallied  and  stood  at  bay.  The  fortune  of  the  day  was 
against  them ;  thev  were  attacked  by  tenfold  their  number, 
and  though  they  fought  with  desperation,  they  would  soon 
have  been  cut  to  pieces,  had  not  Khaled,  at  that  critical 
moment,  arrived  at  the  scene  of  action  with  the  greater  part 
of  his  forces,  a  swift  horseman  having  brought  nim  tidmgs 
of  the  disastrous  aflVay,  and  the  capture  of  his  friend. 

On  arriving,  he  stopped  not  to  parley,  but  charged  into  the 
thickest  of  the  foe,  wnere  he  saw  most  banners,  hoping  there 
to  find  his  captive  friend.  Wherever  he  turned  he  hewed  a 
path  before  him,  but  Derar  was  not  to  be  found.  At  length  a 
prisoner  told  him  that  the  captive  had  been  sent  ofl*  to  Emessa 
under  a  strong  escort.  Ehafed  instantly  dispatched  Safi  Ibn 
Omeirah  with  a  hundred  horse  in  pursuit.  They  soon  over- 
took the  escort,  attacked  them  fririously,  slew  several,  and  put 
the  rest  to  flight,  who  left  Derar,  bound  with  cords,  upon  liis 
charger. 

By  the  time  that  Eafi  and  Derar  rejoined  the  Moslem 
army,  Xhaled  had  defeated  the  whole  forces  of  Werdan,  divi- 
sion after  division,  as  they  arrived  successively  at  the  field  of 
action.  In  this  manner  a  hundred  thousand  troops  were  de- 
feated, in  detail,  by  less  than  a  third  of  their  number,  inspired 
by  fanatic  valour,  and  led  on  by  a  skilful  and  intrepid  chief, 
lliousands  of  the  fugitives  were  kUled  in  the  pursmt;  an  im- 
mense boot7  in  treasure,  arms,  baggage,  and  horses  fell  to  the 
victors,  and  Ehaled  led  back  his  army,  flushed  with  conquest, 
but  fatigued  with  fighting  and  burthcned  with  spoil,  to  rosiuno 
the  siege  of  Damascus. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTES  Vn. 


7hb  tidixtgB  of  the  defeat  of  Werdlan  and  his  powerfbl  arm j 
made  the  empoior  HerficHiia  tremUe,  in  his  palace  at  Antiocfg 
for  the  safetj  <^  his  Syrian  kingdom.  Hastily  levjring  another 
«rmy  of  scveaty  thousand  meat,  he  pat  them  tinder  the  com- 
mand of  Werdan,  at  Aiansdin,  with  orders  to  hasten  to  the 
relief  of  Damascus,  and  attack  the  Arsh  srmY,  which  must 
he  diminisiied  and  enfe^led  hj  the  rec^tt  batae. 
.  !Khaled  took  connsd  of  Abu  Obeidah  how  to  avoid  the 
impendi]^  storm.  It  was  determined  to  raise  the  siege  of 
Damascus,  and  seek  the  enemy  promptly  at  AiznadiD.  Con- 
scious, kowever,  of  the  inadequacy  or  hts  forces,  Slhaled  sent 
sussives  to  all  Uie  Moslem  gefierats  within  his  ctJH, 

**  In  the  name  of  die  most  merciful  God!  Khaled  Ibn  al 
Walid  to  Amru  Ibn  al  Aass,  health  and  happiness.  The 
Moslem  brethren  are  about  to  mardi  to  Aiznacbn  to  do  battle 
with  seventy  thousand  Gredcs,  who  ate  comin||  to  extinguish 
tibe  light  of  God.  But  Allah  will  preserve  his  light  in  despite 
of  all  the  iofidels.  Come  to  Aiznadin  with  thy  troops ;  for, 
God  willing,  Hiou  dialt  find  me  there."  These  missives  sent, 
he  broke  up  his  encampment  before  Damascus,  and  marched^ 
with  his  whole  foorce,  towird  Aignadin.  He  would  have 
placed  Abu  Obeidah  at  the  head  of  the  army ;  but  the  latter 
modestly  remarked,  that  as  Elhaled  was  now  commaad^-in- 
«hief,  that  station  appertained  to  him.  Abu  Obeidah,  there- 
£^re,  l^ught  up  the  rear,  where  were  the  bagga^^e,  the  booty* 
the  women,  ana  the  dkildr^i. 

When  the  garrison  of  Damascus  saw  their  enemy  on  the 
jBiaroh,  ihej  sallied  forth  undw  two  brothers,  named  Peter 
and  FauL  The  former  led  ten  thousand  infantry,  Ihe  latter 
mx  thousand  horse.  Overtaking  the  rear  ci  the  Moslems, 
Paul  with  his  cavalry  charged  into  the  midst  of  them,  cutting 
down  some,  tramplmg  othm  under  foot,  and  spreading  wide 
•confusion.  Peter,  in  the  meantime,  with  his  infimtry  made  a 
sweep  of  the  camp  equipage,  the  baggage,  and  the  accumu- 
lated booty,  and  capturing  most  of  the  women,  made  off  with 
his  spoDs  towards  Damascus. 

Tidings  of  this  onset  having  reached  Khaled  iivthe  van.  he 
•sent  Derar,  Abda'lrahman,  and  Eafi  Ibn  Omeirah,  scouring 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


bfidc,  Meh  at  ike  kosd  of  two  luuidred  han^,  iHhiEe  ho  M> 
lovred  \nth  tlie  main  foroe. 

Derar  and  hit  asaooiafcM  aoon  tamed  the  tide  of  baltio» 
rooting  Ftol  and  his  oayahy  with  euoh  dau^iter,  that  of  the 
fix  thouaand  but  a  enudl  part  escaped  td  Ihiinasoas.  Paol 
threw  himself  firom  his  hoarse,  aad  attempted  to  esoi^  on 
foot,  but  was  taken  prisoner.  The  exultation  of  the  yictorSy 
howeyer,  was  damped  by  the  int^igenoe  that  theur  women 
had  been  earned  away  oajptire,  and  mat  was  the  gtiei  of 
Deror,  on  leamini^  that  hu  sister  Oawah,  a  woman  of  ^reai 
beauty,  was  among  the  nnmber. 

In  the  meantime,  Petor  and  his  troops,  with  their  spoils 
and  captives,  had  proceeded  on  the  way  to  Damascus,  but 
halted  under  some  trees  beside  a  fimntam,  to  refresh  tiiem* 
selves  and  divide  their  booty.  In  the  divinon,  Canlah,  the 
sister  of  Derar,  was  allotted  to  Peter.  This  done,  the  captors 
went  into  tiieir  tents  to  carouse  and  make  merry  with  the 
spoils,  leaving  the  women  among  the  baggage,  bewaihng  4heir 
captive  state. 

Caulah,  however,  was  the  worthy  sister  of  Derar.  Instead 
of  weeping  and  wringing  her  hands,  she  reproached  her 
companions  with  their  weakness.  **  What !"  cried  ehe,  "  shaJH 
we,  the  daughters  of  warriors  and  followers  of  Mahomet, 
submit  to  be  ihe  daves  and  paramours  of  barbanans  and 
idolaters  P    For  my  part,  sooner  will  I  die !" 

Among  her  fellow-captives  were  Hamzarite  women,  de- 
scendants, as  it  is  siroposed,  of  the  Amalakites  of  old,  and 
oilers  of  Ihe  tribe  or  jBDimiar,  all  bold  viraeos,  accustomed 
from  thehr  youth  to  mcnuit  the  horse,  ply  the  bow,  and  launch 
the  javelin.  They  were  roused  by  the  appeal  of  Oauli^ 
**  What,  however,  can  we  do,"  cried  they,  *^ltan&g  neither 
•word,  nor  huice,  nor  bowF*' 

"Let  us  each  take  a  tent-pole,"  replied  Canlah,  ^and 
defend  ourselves  to  ihe  utmost.  Qod  may  dearer  us ;  if  not, 
we  shall  die  and  be  at  rest,  leaving  no  stain  t^xm  our  country." 
She  was  seconded  by  a  resdute  woman  named  Of^rah.  Her 
words  prevailed.  They  all  armed  then»elves  with  tent-poleSy 
and  Gaulah  placed  ^em  closely  side  by  side  in  a  circle. 
*' Stand  firm,  said  she.  ''Let  no  one  pass  between  youi 
parry  the  weapons  of  your  assailants,  and  strike  at  their 

With  Caulah,  as  with  her  brother,  the  word  was  accom« 
panied  by  the  deed ;  for  scarce  had  she  spoken,  when  a  Greek 
soldier  happening  to  approach,  with  one  blow  of  her  staff  she 
shattered  nis  skull. 

Tho  noiso  brought  tho  carousers  from  the  tents.    They 

gitized  by  Google 


^  8UCCES80B8 .  OF  X^HOVBT. 

smroimded  the  women,  and  sought  to  pacify  them ;  but  who- 
eyer  came  within  reach  of  theur  stayes  was  sure  to  suffer. 
Peter  was  struck  with  the  matchless  form  and  glowing  beauty 
of  Caulah,  as  she  stood  fierce  and  fearless,  deaBng  her  blows 
on  all  who  approached.  He  charged  his  men  not  to  harm  her, 
and  endeayoured  to  win  her  by  soothing  words  and  offers  of 
wealth  and  honour ;  but  she  reyiled  him  as  an  infidel,  a  do?, 
and  rejected  with  scorn  his  brutal  loye.  Incensed  at  leneUi 
by  her  taunts  and  menaces,  he  gaye  the  word,  and  his  fol- 
lowers rushed  upon  the  women  with  their  scimetars.  The 
unequal  combat  would  soon  haye  ended,  when  Xhaled  and 
Derar  came  galloping  with  their  cayalry  to  the  rescue.  Khaled 
was  heayily  armed ;  out  Derar  was  almost  naked,  on  a  horse 
without  a  saddle,  and  brandishing  a  lance. 

At  sight  of  them  Peter's  heart  quaked ;  he  put  a  stop  to 
the  assault  on  the  women,  and  would  haye  made  a  ment  of 
deliyering  them  up  unharmed.  '*  We  haye  wiyes  and  sisters 
of  our  own,"  said  he,  "and  respect  your  courageous  defence. 
Go  in  peace  to  your  countrymen." 

He  turned  lus  horse's  head,  but  Caulah  smote  the  legs  of 
the  animal  and  brought  him  to  the  ground,  and  Derar  thrust 
his  spear  through  the  rider  as  he  fell.  Then,  alighting  and 
strikmg  off  the  nead  of  Peter,  he  eleyated  it  on  the  pomt  of 
his  lance.  A  general  action  ensued.  The  enemy  were  routed 
and  pursued  with  slaughter  to  the  gates  of  Damascus,  and 
great  booty  was  gained  of  horses  and  armour. 

The  battle  oyer,  Paul  was  brought  a  prisoner  before  Xhaled, 
and  the  goiy  head  of  his  brother  was  shown  to  him.  "  Such," 
cried  Xhaled,  "  will  be  your  fate  unless  you  instantly  embrace 
the  faith  of  Islam."  Paul  wept  oyer  the  head  of  his  brother, 
and  said  he  wished  not  to  suryiye  him.  **  Enough,"  cried 
Xhaled:  the  signal  was  giyen,  and  the  head  of  Paul  was 
seyered  from  his  body. 

The  Moslem  army  now  retired  to  their  old  camp,  where 
they  found  Abu  Obeidah,  who  had  rallied  his  fugitiyes  and 
intrenched  himself,  for  it  was  uncertain  how  near  Werdan  and 
his  army  might  be.  Here  the  weary  yictors  reposed  them- 
selyes  from  their  dangers  and  fatigues;  talked  oyer  the 
fortunes  of  the  day,  and  exulted  in  the  courage  of  their 
women. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTEE  Vm. 

Bftttle  of  Ajgiiadin. 

The  army  of  the  prefect  Werdan,  though  seyenty  thousand  in 
number,  was  for  the  most  part  composed  of  newly-levied 
trooDS.  It  lay  encamped  at  Aiznadin,  and  ancient  historians 
speajc  much  oi  the  splendid  appearance  of  the  imperial  camp, 
nch  in  its  sumptuous  toniture  of  silk  and  gold,  and  of  the 
brilliant  array  of  the  troops,  in  burnished  armour,  with  glitter- 
ingswords  and  lances. 

While  thus  encamped,  Werdan  was  suxprised  one  day  to 
behold  clouds  of  dust  rising  in  different  directions,  m>m 
which,  as  they  advanced,  broke  forth  the  flash  of  arms  and  din 
of  trumpets.  These  were  in  fact  the  troops  which  Khaled 
had  summoned  by  letter  from  various  parts,  and  which, 
though  widely  separated,  arrived  at  the  appointed  time 
with  a  punctuality  recorded  by  the  Arabian  cnroniders  as 
miraculous. 

The  Moslems  were  at  first  a  little  daunted  by  the  number 
and  formidable  array  of  the  imperial  host;  but  Slhaled 
harangued  them  in  a  confident  tone.  "  You  behold,"  said  he, 
''the  last  stake  of  the  infidels.  This  arm^  vanquished  and 
dispersed,  ther  can  never  muster  another  of^^any  force,  and  all 
Syria  is  ours.* 

The  armies  lay  encamped  in  sight  of  each  other  all  night, 
and  drew  out  in  battle  array  in  the  morning. 

"  Who  will  undertake,"  said  Xhaled,  "  to  observe  the  enemy 
near  at  hand,  and  bring  me  an  account  of  the  number  and 
disposition  of  his  forces?" 

Derar  immediately  stepped  forward.  "€ro,"  said  EJialed, 
**  and  AUah  go  with  thee.  But  I  charge  thee,  Derar,  not  to 
strike  a  blow  unprovoked,  nor  to  expose  thy  life  unneces- 
saray." 

When  Werdan  saw  a  single  horseman  prowling  in  view  of 
his  army,  and  noting  its  strength  and  disposition,  he  sent 
forth  thnrty  horsemen  to  surround  and  capture  him.  Derar 
retreated  oefore  them  until  they  became  separated  in  the 
eagerness  of  pursuit,  then,  suddenly  wheeling,  he  received 
the  first  upon  the  point  of  his  lance,  and  so  another  and 
another,  thrusting  them  through  or  striking  them  from  their 
saddles,  until  he  had  killed  or  unhorsed  seventeen,  and  so 
daunted  the  rest,  that  he  was  enabled  to  make  his  retreat  in 
safety. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


so  8UCCE880B8  OV  KAHOMBT. 

Xlialed  reproached  him  with  rashness  and  disobedience  of 
orders. 

"  I  sought  not  the  fight,"  replied  Derar.  "  They  came 
forth  against  me,  and  I  feared  that  God  should  see  me  turn 
my  bac&.  He  doubtleie  aided  »•»  end  had  it  not  been  for 
your  orders,  I  should  not  haye  desisted  when  I  did." 

Being  informed  by  Beiar  of  the  nmmber  and  positiraB  o^ 
the  enemy'e  troope,  Khaled  maishaUed  his  army  accordingly. 
He  gave  cemauttid  of  the  right  wiag  to  Mea«  and  Noman  ; 
the  left  to  Saad  Ibn  Abu  Wakkae  and  Serjabil.  Mid  took 
charge  of  the  eentre  himself,  aecompenied  by  Abuto,  Abd»- 
'hrahman,  Deraar»  ILu8»  £afi»  and  othor  distingoiihed  leaden. 
A  body  of  four  thousand  horse,  imdev  Yeied  Ebn  Abm 
Sofian,  was  pasted  in  the  rear  to  gnavd  the  baggage  and  the 
women. 

But  it  was  net  the  men  alone  that  prepared  for  ihie  m<>- 
mentous  battle.  Oankh  and  Ofieirah,  and  thdr  intr^nd  com- 
vanionst  among  whom  were  women  <»f  the  higheet  raakt  excfted 
l^  their  recent  suoeesa,  armed  themsdree  with  sue&  weapons 
as  they  found  at  hand,  aad  prepared  to  mingle  in  the  nght. 
Xhaled  applauded  their  courage  and  devotion,  assuring  them 
that,  if  they  fell*  the  gates  of  peradiee  wonli  be  open  to  them. 
He  then  formed  them  into  two  battalions*  prmg  command  of 
one  to  Oaulah,  and  of  the  other  to  0£fen«h ;  and  diarged 
them,  besides  defending  themselTes  against  the  enemy,  to 
keen  a  strict  eye  upon  his  own  troops ;  and  whenerer  they  8«w 
a  Moslem  turn  his  back  upon  the  foe,  to  slay  him  as  a  recreant 
and  an  apostate.  Finally,  he  rode  tlmw^  the  ranks  of  his 
army,  exhorting  them  all  to  fight  with  desperation,  since  they 
had  wives,  chi&r^,  hcHsonr*  religion,  everything  at  stake; 
and  no  place  of  refuge  should  the^  be  defeated. 

The  war  eries  now  arose  from  either  army ;  the  Ohristiaaa 
shouting  for  '*  Christ  and  f<xe  the  faM ;"  the  Moslems,  **  La 
I'laha  ilia  Allah,  Mohammed  Besoul  Allah  1"  "  There  k  but 
one  God!  Mahomet  is  the  prophet  of  God  1" 

Just  before  the  armies  engaged,  a  venerable  man  came 
forth  from  among  the  Christians,  and,  approaching  £hakd, 
demanded,  "  Art  thou  the  general  of  this  army  P"  "  I  am 
considered  such,"  replied  KEaled,  "  while  I  am  true  to  God, 
the  Xoran,  and  the  prophet." 

'*  Thou  art  come  unprovoked,"  said  the  old  man,  "  ihou  and 
thy  host,  to  invade  this  Christian  land.  Be  not  too  certain  of 
success.  Others  who  have  heretofore  invaded  this  land  have 
found  a  tomb  instead  of  a  triumph.  Look  at  this  host.  It  ia 
more  numerous,  and  perhaps  better  disciplined  than  thine. 
Why  wilt  thou  tempt  a  battle  which  may  end  in  thy  defeat^ 

gitized  by  Google 


MBU  BBKXB.  SI 

and  mmsl,  at  all  •vents,  cost  t^bee  most  kmen,tabb  Uoodslied  ? 
Betire,  then,  in  poace»  aad  spare  the  miseries  which  most' 
otherwise  fall  upon  either  urmj.  Shooldst  thoa  do  so,  I  am 
authorised  to  offer,  for  every  soldier  in  thy  host,  a  suit  of  garn 
ments,  a  turban,  and  a  piece  of  gold;  for  thyself,  a  hun£red 
pfieces  and  ten  silken  robes;  and  for  thy  Gauph,  a  thousand 
pteoet  and  a  hnndred  robes." 

"  You  ppoffer  a  part,"  replied  Khaled,  scornfully,  "  to  one^ 
who  will  soon  possess  the  v^ole.  For  yourselves  i^JM^te  are 
but  three  eonditions, — embrace  the  faith,  pay  tribute,  or  ex^ 
pect  the  sword."  With  this  rou^h  reply  the  venerable  man 
retnmed  sorrow&lly  to  the  Christian  host. 

StiU  IQialed  was  unusually  wary.    "  Our  enemies  are  two 
to  one»"  said  he,  **  we  must  have  patience  and  outwind  them.  . 
Let  us  hold  back  until  nightfall,  for  that  with  the  prophet 
was  the  propitious  time  of  victory." 

The  enemy  now  threw  their  Armenian  archers  in  the 
advance,  and  several  Moslems  were  killed  and  wounded  with 
^^ts  oi  arrows.  StiU  Khaled  restrained  the  in^tience  of 
his  troops,  ordering  that  no  man  should  stir  from  his  post 
The  impetuous  Denr  at  l^^h  obtained  permission  to  attack 
the  insulting  band  of  archers,  and  spurred  vi^rously  upon 
them  with  his  troop  of  horse.  They  faltered,  but  were  rein- 
fenced :  tro(^  were  sent  to  sustain  Perar ;  many  were  slain 
(m  both  sides,  but  success  inclined  to  the  Moslems. 

The  action  was  on  the  point  of  beeomiae  general,  when  a 
horseman  from  the  advance  army  gaUopea  up,  and  inquired 
for  the  Moslem  general.  EJialed^  eonsidering  it  a  challenge, 
levelled  his  lance  for  the  encounter.  ^'^Tum  thy  lance  ande^ 
I  pray  thee,"  cried  the  Christian,  eagerly;  "^I  am  but  a  mes- 
senger, and  seek  a  parley." 

Khaled  quietly  reined  up  his  steed,  and  had  Mb  lance 
ai^wart  the  pommel  of  his  saddle:  **  Speak  to  the  purpose," 
saki  he,  **  and  tell  no  lies." 

"  I  will  tell  the  naked  truth ;  dangerous  for  me  to  tell,  but 
most  important  for  thee  to  hear ;  but  first  promise  protection 
for  myself  and  family." 

Having  obtained  this  promise,  the  messenger,  whose  name 
was  David,  proceeded :  **  I  am  sent  by  Werdan  to  entreat  that 
the,  battle  may  cease,  and  the  blood  of  braVe  men  be  spared ; 
and  that  ti^ou  wilt  meet  him  to-morrow  morning,  singly,  in 
sight  of  either  army,  to  treat  of  terms  of  peace.  Such  is  mr 
mossi^e ;  but  beware,  oh  Khaled !  for  treason  hirks  beneath 
it.  Ten  chos^i  men,  well  armed,  will  be  stationed  in  the  night 
dose  by  tisLC  place  o^  conference,  to  surprise  and  seise,  or  kill 
tk&%  when  diuenc^ss  and  off  thy  guard."         ^        . 

igitizedbyLiOOgle 


32  8t7CCBSSOB8  OF  ICIHOKST. 

He  then  proceeded  to  mention  the  nlace  appointed  for  the 
conference,  and  all  the  other  particmars.  '' JSnongh,"  said 
Khaled.  "  Eetom  to  Werdan,  and  tell  him  I  agree  to  meet 
him." 

The  Moslems  were  astonished  at  hearing  a  retreat  sounded, 
when  the  conflict  was  inclining  in  their  favour;  they  with- 
drew  reluctantly  from  the  field,  and  Abu  Obeidah  and  Derar 
demanded  of  lEQialed  the  meaning  of  this  conduct.  He 
informed  them  of  what  had  just  been  revealed  to  him.  ''  I 
will  keep  this  appointment,"  said  he.  "  I  will  go  singly,  and 
will  bring  back  tne  heads  of  all  the  assassins."  Abu  Obeidah, 
however,  remonstrated  a^inst  his  exposing  himself  to  such 
unnecessary  danger.  "Take  ten  men  with  thee,"  said  he, 
• "  man  for  man."  "  Why  defer  the  punishment  of  their  perfidy 
untU  morning  P"  cried  I)erar.  "  Give  me  the  ten  men,  and  I 
will  countermot  these  lurkers  this  very  night." 

Having  ootained  permission,  he  pick^  out  ten  men  of 
assured  coolness  and  courage,  and  set  ofi*  with  them  in  the 
dead  of  the  night  for  the  ]^ace  of  ambush.  As  they  drew 
near,  Derar  caused  his  companions  to  halt,  and,  putting  off  his 
clothes  to  prevent  all  rustling  noise,  crept  warily  with  his 
jisiked  scimetar  to  the  appointed  ground.  JSere  he  behcdd  the 
ten  men  fast  asleep,  wim  their  weapons  beneath  their  heads. 
Betuming  silently,  and  beckoning  his  companions,  they  singled 
out  eachhis  man,  so  that  the  whole  were  oispatched  at  a  blow. 
Q^ey  then  stripped  the  dead,  disguised  themselves  in  their 
clothes,  and  awaited  the  coming  day. 

The  rising  sun  shone  on  the  two  armies,  drawn  out  in  battle 
array,  and  awaiting  the  parley  of  the  chiefs.  Werdan  rode 
forth  on  a  white  mule,  and  was  arrayed  in  rich  attire,  with 
chains  of  gold  and  precious  stones.  Khaled  was  clad  in  a 
yellow  silk  vest  and  green  turban.  He  suffered  himself  to  be 
Hrawn  by  Werdan  towards  the  place  of  ambush ;  then,  alight- 
ing, and  seating  themselves  on  the  groimd,  they  entered  mto 
a  parley.  Their  conference  was  brief  and  boisterous.  Each 
considered  the  other  in  his  power,  and  conducted  himself  with 
haughtiness  and  acrimony.  Werdan  spoke  of  the  Moslems 
as  needy  sailers,  who  Hved  by  the  sword,  and  invaded  the 
fertile  territories  of  their  neighbours  in  quest  of  plunder. 
"We,  on  the  other  hand,"  said  he,  "are  wealthy,  and  desire 
peace.  Speak :  what  do  you  require  to  reheve  your  wants 
and  satisfy  your  ranacityP 

"Miserable  infiael!"  replied  Ehaled.  "We  are  not  so 
poor  as  to  accept  alms  at  your  hands.  Allah  provides  for  us. 
jT ou  offer  us  a  part  of  wliat  is  all  our  own ;  for  Allah  has  put 
all  that  you  have  into  our  hands,  even  to  your  wives  and  cnil- 

gtized  by  Google 


ABU  BEKEB^  83 

ciren.  But  do  you  desire  peace  P  We  hare  already  told  you 
our  conditions.  Either  acknowledge  that  there  is  no  othet 
God  but  God,  and  that  Mahomet  is  his  prophet^  or  pay  u$ 
such  tribute  as  we  may  impose.  Do  you  refuse  P  For  what> 
then,  have  you  brought  me  hereP  You  knew  our  terms 
yesterday,  and  that  aSl  your  propositions  were  rdected.    Do 

iron  entice  me  here  alone  for  single  combat  P  ne  it  so,  and 
et  our  weapons  decide  between  us.*' 

So  saying,  he  sprang  upon  his  feet.  Werdan  also  rose,  but 
expecting  instant  aid,  neglected  to  draw  his  sword.  Khaled 
seized  Imn  by  the  throat,  upon  which  he  called  loudly  to  his 
men  in  ambush.  The  Moslems  in  ambush  rushed  forth,  and^ 
deceived  by  their  Grecian  dresses,  Werdan  for  an  instant 
thought  himself  secure.  As  they  drew  near,  he  discovered 
his  mistake,  and  shrank  with  horror  at  the  sight  of  Derar» 
who  advanced,  ahnost  naked,  brandishing  a  scimetar,  and  in 
whom  he  recognised  the  slayer  of  his  son.  "  Mercy!  Mercy  I" 
cried  he  to  Khaled,  at  finding  himself  caught  in  his  own  snareu 

"There  is  no  mercy,"  repied  Xhaled,  "for  him  who  has 
no  faith.  You  came  to  me  with  peace  on  your  lips>  but  mnr* 
der  in  your  heart.    Your  crime  be  upon  your  head." 

The  sentence  was  no  sooner  pronounced,  than  the  powerful 
sword  of  Derar  performed  its  office,  and  the  head  of  W  erdan 
^as  struck  off  at  a  blow.  The  gory  trophy  was  elevated  on 
the  point  of  a  lance,  and  borne  by  the  little  band  toward  the 
Christian  troops,  who,  deceived  by  the  Greek  disgoises,  sup* 
posed  it  the  head  of  £haled,  and  shouted  with  joy.  Their 
triumph  was  soon  turned  to  dismay  as  they  discovered  their 
error.  Scaled  did  not  suffer  them  to  recover  from  their  coo^ 
fusion,  but  bade  his  trumpets  sound  a  general  charge.  What 
ensued  was  a  massacre  rather  than  a  battle.  The  imperial 
army  broke  and  fled  in  all  directions ;  some  toward  Caesarea, 
others  to  Damascus,  and  others  to  Antioch.  The  booty  was 
immense ;  crosses  of  silver  and  ^old,  adorned  with  precious 
stones,  rich  chains  and  bracelets,  jewels  of  price,  silken  robes, 
armour  and  weapons  of  all  kindJs,  and  numerous  banners,  all 
which  Khaled  declared  should  not  be  divided  until  after  the 
capture  of  Damascus. 

Tidings  of  this  great  victory  was  sent  to  the  Caliph  at 
Medina,  by  his  brave  and  wdl-beloved  son  Abda'lrahmaa. 
On  receiving  it,  Abu  Beker  prostrated  himself,  and  returned 
thanks  to  God.  The  news  spread  rapidly  throughout  Arabia. 
Hosts  of  adventurers  hurried  to  Medina  from  all  parts,  and 
especially  from  Mecca.  All  were  eager  to  serve  in  the  cause 
of  the  faith,  now  that  they  found  it  crowned  with  oonquesl^ 
and  rewarded  with  riches,  jized  by  Google 


84  BUCCESSOBS  OF  MAHOMET., 

The  woiihj  Aim  Beker  Was  disposed  to  gratify  theb 
bat  Omar,  <m  being  eonsnlted,  sternly  objected.  "The 
greater  piu-t  of  iHaeae  fellows/'  said  be,  "  who  are  sa  eager 
to  join  US  now  that  we  are  sncoessftil,  are  tbose  who  sought 
to  crush  ns  when  we  were  few  and  feeble.  They  care  not  far 
the  faith,  but  they  long  to  ravage  the  rich  fields  of  Syria»  and 
share  the  plunder  of  Damascns.  Send  them  not  to  me  army 
to  make  brawls  and  dissensions.  Those  already  there  are 
infScient  to  eompleto  what  they  have  began.  They  have  won 
the  Tietory;  let  them  enjoy  the  spofls." 
•  In  ooxnplianoe  with  uus  adrice,  Aba  Beker  refused  the 
^prayer  or  the  aipplicants.  Upon  this  the  people  of  Mecca» 
ana  especially  those  of  the  tnbe  of  Xoreish,  sent  a  powerM 
jdeputation,  headed  by  Aba  Sofian,  to  remonstrate  with  the 
.Caliph.  "  Why  tare  we  demed  permission,*'  said  they,  "  to 
£fi^ht  in  the  caose  of  oar  r^lgionr  It  is  trae»  that  in  the  days 
of  darkness  and  ignorance  we  made  war  <»i  the  disciples  of 
ihe  nroi^t,  becaose  we  thooght  we  were  doing  Grod  service^ 
Allan,  however,  has  blessed  ob  with  the  light ;  we  have  seen 
find  renounced  oar  former  errors.  We  are  yoar  bretiir^i  in 
the  faith,  as  we  hare  ever  been  joar  kindred  in  blood,  and 
liereby  take  iqpon  oarselvet  to  nght  in  the  common  coase. 
iLet  there,  tiben,  no  lon^r  be  jealoasy  and  envy  between  as." 

The  heart  of  the  Oahph  was  moYed  by  these  remonstrances* 
Se  consulted  with  Ah  and  Omar,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the 
tribe  of  Xoreish  should  be  permitted  to  join  the  army.  Abm 
Beker  accordingljr  wrote  to  £haled»  congratidatinff  him  on 
liis  success,  and  informing  him  that  a  large  reinK>rcemenit 
^foald  join  him,  conduoteS  by  Abu  Sofian.  This  letter  he 
sealed  with,  the  seal  of  the  pvophet,  and  dispatched  it  by  hit 
•on  Abda'lrahman. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

Ooemveneet  before  DtantmeuB.'^^ExpMtB  of  Tbomas^-AbAn  Urn  Zekl 
and  his  Amazonian  wi£B. 

Th^  fogitiyes  firom  the  field  of  Aiznadin  carried  to  Damascus 
the  dismal  tidings  that  the  ftnny  was  overthrown,  and  the  last 
liope  of  sucooor  destroyed,  iireat  was  the  consternation  of 
the  inhabitants,  yet  ^ey  set  to  work,  with  desperate  activity, 
to  prepare  for  tli^  coming  storm.  The  fugitives  had  reinforoed 
<t^  garrison  with  several  thousand  effective  men.  l^ew  for- 
tifications were  hastily  erected.    The  walls  were  lined  ynifi 


XBV  BBXXB.  95 

.engines  to  diseharge  stcmes  and  darts,  which  were  stsnaged  by 
Jews  skilled  in  their  use. 

In  the  midst  of  their  preparation^  they  beheld  squadron 
after  squadron  of  Moslem  caralry  emerffisg^  from  among  dis- 
tant groves,  while  a  lengthening^  line  <»  foot  soldiers  poured 
.  along  between  the  gardens.  Tms  was  the  order  of  march  of 
the  Moslem  host.  The  advance  guard,  of  upwards  of  nine 
.  thousand  horsemen,  was  led  by  Amru.  Then  came  two  thou- 
sand Koreishite  horse,  led  by  Abu  Sofian.  Then  a  like  num- 
ber under  SerjabiL  Then  Omar  Ibn  Babivah  with  a  similar 
division;  then  the  xiain  body  of  the  army  lea  bv  Abu  Obeidah, 
and  lastly,  the  rear-ffuard,  disfdbmng  the  black  eagle,  the 
fktefol  banner  of  Khided,  and  led  bj  &at  invincible  warrior. 

Khaled  now  assembled  his  captions,  and  assigned  to  them 
.their  different  stations.  Abu  Sonan  was  posted  opposite  ibe 
southern  gate.  Seijabil  opposite  that  of  qU  Thomas.  Amru 
before  that  of  Parsidise,  aiad  Xais  Ibn  Hobeirah  before  that 
.^f  Kaisau.  Abu  Obeidah  encamped  at  some  dtstanoe,  in  front 
of  the  gate  of  Jabiyah,  and  was  charged  to  be  strict  and 
'vigilant,  and  to  make  frequent  assaults,  wr  Khaled  knew  his 
.humane  and  easy  nature.  As  to  Shaled  himself,  he  took  his 
station  and  planted  his  black  eagle  before  the  eastern  gate. 

There  was  still  a  southern  gate,  that  of  St.  Mark,  so  situ^ 
«ted  that  it  was  not  practicable  to  establish  posts  or  engage  in 
skirmishes  before  it ;  it  was,  tharefbre,  termed  the  Gate  of 
.Peace.  As  to  the  active  and  impetuous  Derar,  he  was  ordered 
to  patrol  roimd  the  waUs  and  scour  the  adjacent  plain  at  the 
liead  o£  two  thousand  horse,  protecting  ^e  caanp  from  surprise, 
and  preventing  supplies  ana  reinforoements  to  the  dtv.  "  If 
you  should  be  attached,*'  said  Khaled, ''  send  me  word,  and  I 
will  come  to  ^our  assistance.'*  **  And  must  I  stand  peaceably 
•until  you  arrive  P"  said  Derar,  in  reodlection  of  former  re- 
nroofr  of  his  rash  contests.  "  Not  so,"  rejoined  Khaled, ''  but 
fight  stoutly,  and  be  assured  I  will  not  fail  you."  The  rest  of 
the  army  were  dismounted,  to  carry  on  the  siege  on  foot. 
;  The  Moslems  were  now  better  equipped  for  war  than  ever, 
having  supplied  themselves  with  armour  and  wea^ns  taken 
in  repeated  battles.  As  yet,  however^  they  retamed  their 
Arab  frugality  and  plainness,  neglecting  the  ddicate  viands, 
the  sumptuous  raiment,  and  other  luxurious  indxd^ences  of 
their  enemies.  Even  Abu  Obeidah,  in  the  humih^  of  his 
spirit,  contented  himself  with  his  primitive  Arab  tent  or  camel's 
hair,  refusing  the  sumptuoxis  tents  of  the  Christian  com* 
manders,  won  in  the  recent  battle.  Such  were  the  stem  and 
simple-minded  invaders  of  the  effeminate  aiid  sensndi  natiom 
of  the  East     .  Tnoalp 

'  _a  Digitized  by  VjOO^Iv: 


96  SUCOBSSOBS  OF  UAHOKET. 

The  first  assaults  of  the  Moslems  were  brarel  j  repelled, 
and  many  were  slain  by  darts  and  stones  hurled  by  the 
machines  from  the  wall.  The  garrison  even  ventured  to  make 
a  sally,  but  were  driren  bacK  with  signal  slaughter.  The 
siege  was  then  pressed  with  unremitting^  rigour,  until  no  one 
dared  to  venture  beyond  the  bulwarks.  The  princ^al  in- 
habitants now  consulted  together  whether  it  were  not  best  to 
capitulate,  while  there  was  yet  a  chance  of  obtaining  favourable 
terms. 

There  was  at  this  time  livii^  in  Damascus,  a  noble  Greek, 
named  Thomas,  who  was  married  to  a  daughter  of  the  emperor 
Heraclius.  He  held  no  post,  but  was  greatly  respected,  for 
he  was  a  man  of  talents  and  consummate  courage.  In  this 
moment  of  general  depression,  he  endeavoured  to  rouse  the 
spirits  of  the  people ;  representing  their  invaders  as  despicable, 
barbarous,  naked,  ana  poorly  armed,  without  discipline  or 
military  service,  and  formidable  only  through  their  mad 
fanaticism,  and  the  panic  they  had  spread  through  the 
country. 

Finding  all  arguments  in  vain,  he  offered  to  take  the  lead 
himself,  if  they  would  venture  upon  another  sally.  His 
offer  was  accepted,  and  the  next  morning  appointed,  for  the 
effort. 

Khaled  perceived  a  siur  of  preparation  throughout  the 
night,  lights  gleaming  in  the  turrets  and  along  me  battle-^ 
inents,  and  exhorted  his  men  to  be  vigilant,  for  he  anticipated 
some  desperate  movement.  *'  Let  no  man  sleep,"  said  he. 
^'  We  shaU  have  rest  enough  after  death,  and  sweet  will  be 
the  repose  that  is  never  more  to  be  followed  by  labour." 

The  Clmstians  were  sadly  devout  in  this  hour  of  extremity. 
At  early  dawn  the  bishop,  m  his  robes,  proceeded  at  the  head 
of  the  clergy  to  the  gate  by  which  the  sally  was  to  be  made  $ 
where  he  e&vated  the  cross,  and  laid  beside  it  the  New  Testa* 
ment.  As  Thomas  passed  out  at  the  gate,  he  laid  his  hand 
upon  the  sacred  volume.  "  Oh  God !"  exclaimed  he,  **  if  our 
faitib  be  true,  aid  us,  and  deliver  us  not  into  the  hands  of  its 
enemies." 

The  Moslems,  who  had  been  on  the  alert,  were  advancing 
to  attack  just  at  the  time  of  the  sally,  but  were  checked  by  a 
general  discharge  from  the  engines  on  the  walL  Thomas  led 
his  troops  bravely  to  the  encounter,  and  the  conflict  was  fleroe 
and  bloody.  He  was  a  dexterous  archer,  and  sineied  out  the 
most  conspicuous  of  the  Moslems,  who  fell  one  iSter  another 
beneath  his  shafts.  Among  others  h^  wounded  Ab4n  Ibn  Zeid 
with  an  arrow  tipped  with  poison*  The  latter  bound  up  the 
-wound  with  his  turban,  and  continued  in  the  fields  but  being 


1 1 


JkBTT  BBKBR.  37 

dyeroome  by  tlie  venom,  was  convejred  to  the  camp.  He  had 
but  recently  been  married  to  a  beantifnl  woman  of  the  intrepid 
race  of  the  Himiar ;  one  of  those  Amazons  accustomed  to  nse 
the  bow  and  arrow,  and  to  mingle  in  warfare. 

Hearing  that  her  hnsband  was  wounded,  she  hastened  to 
bis  tent,  but  before  she  could  reach  it  he  had  expired.  She 
tittered  no  lamentation,  nor  shed  a  tear,  but,  bendmg  over  the 
body,  **  Happy  «rt  thou,  oh  my  beloved,"  said  she,  "  for  thou 
art  with  Allaii,  who  loined  us  but  to  part  us  from  each  other. 
But  I  will  avenge  tny  death,  and  then  seek  to  join  thee  in 
paradise.  Henceforth  shall  no  man  toudi  me  more,  for  X 
dedicate  myself  to  Grod !" 

Hien  grasping  her  husband's  bow  and  arrows,  she  hastened 
to  the  field  m  quest  of  Thomas,  who,  she  had  been  told,  waff 
the  slayer  of  her  husband.  Pressing  toward  the  place  wherd 
he  was  fighting,  she  let  fiv  a  shaft,  which  wounded  ms  standard- 
bearer  in  the  hand.  Tne  standard  fell,  and  was  borne  off  by 
the  Moslems.  Thomas  pursued  it,  laying  about  him  furiously^ 
and  calling  upon  his  men  to  rescue  their  banner.  It  was 
shifted  from  hand  to  hand  until  it  came  into  that  of  Seijabil. 
Thomas  assailed  him  with  lus  scimetar:  Serjabil  threw  tiie 
standard  among  his  troops  and  closed  with  him.  They  fought 
with  equal  ardour,  but  Thomas  was  gaining  the  advanti^e> 
when  an  arrow,  shot  by  the  wife  of  Ab&n,  smote  him  in  uie 
eye.  He  staggered  with  the  wound,  but  his  men,  abandoning 
tne  contested  standard,  rushed  to  his  support,  and  bore  him 
off  to  the  city.  He  refused  to  retire  to  nis  home,  and,  his 
wound  being  dressed  on  the  ramparts,  would  have  returned  to 
the  conflict,  but  was  overruled  by  the  public.  He  took  his 
station,  however,  at  the  city  gate,  whence  he  could  survey  the 
field  and  issue  his  orders.  The  battle  continued  with  great 
fury ;  but  such  showers  of  stones  and  darts  and  o^er  missiles 
were  discharged  by  the  Jews  from  the  engines  on  the  walls* 
that  the  besiegers  were  kept  at  a  distance.  Night  terminated 
the  conflict.  The  Moslems  returned  to  their  camp  wearied 
with  a  long  day's  fighting ;  and,  throwing  themselves  on  the 
earth,  were  soon  buned  in  profound  sleep. 

Thomas,  finding  the  courage  of  the  garrison  roused  by  the 
stand  thev  had  that  day  made,  resolved  to  put  it  to  fiirther 

Sroof.  At  his  suggestion,  preparations  were  made  in  the 
ead  of  the  night  for  a  general  sally  at  daybreak  from  all  the 
gates  of  the  city.  At  the  signal  of  a  single  stroke  upon  a  bell 
at  the  first  peep  of  dawn,  all  the  gates  were  thrown  open,  and 
from  each  rushed  forth  a  torrent  of  warriors  upon  the  nearest 
encampment. 

So  silently  had  the  preparations  been  made,  that  the  be- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


38  SUCCESSU9B8  OF  KAHOMET. 

siegeis  were  completely  taken  bj  suiprise.  The  trampet»i 
sounded  alums,  ine  Moslems  started  from  sleep  and  snatdied, 
up  their  weapons,  but  tiie  enemy  weare  already  upon  them,  and . 
strack  them  down  befOTe  they  hkd  reeorered  from  their  amaze-i 
ment.  Por  a  time  it  was  a  shm^hter  ra;ther  than  a£ght,  at  the 
various  stations.  Khaled  is  said  to  have  shed  tears  at  behold- 
ing ihe  carnage.  "  Oh  thou,  who  never  sleepest !"  cried  ha,  in 
tilw  agony  of  his  heart,  **  aid  iliy  fidthM  servants ;  let  them  not 
fiill  beneath  Hm  weap<HiB  <^ these  infidalB."  Then,  followed  by 
fbnr  hundred  horsemen,  he  spurred  about  the  field  wherever 
relief  was  most  needed. 

The  hottest  of  the  fight  was  opposite  the  gate  whence 
3%omas  had  sallied.  Here  Seijabil  had  his  station,  and  fought 
with  undaunted  valowv.  Near  him  was  tiie  intrepid  wife  of 
Aban,  dx3ms  deadly  ezecutiosi  with  her  shafts.  She  had  et^ 
Bended  all  but  on^  when  a  Greek  soldier  attempted  to  seize 
her.  In  an  instant  the  arrow  was  sped  through  his  throaty 
and  laid  him  dead  at  her  feet ;  but  she  was  now  weaponless, 
and  was  taken  prisoner. 

At  the  same  time  Serjabil  and  Thomas  were  again  engaged 
hand  to  hand  with  equal  valour ;  but  the  scimetmr  of  Serjabil 
1»oke  on  the  buckler  of  his  adverse^,  and  he  was  on  the  point 
of  beinff  slain  or  captured,  when  Khaled  and  Abda'lrahman 
galloped  up  witii  a  troop  of  horse.  Thomas  was  obliged  to 
take  refoge  in  the  dty,  and  Serjabil  and  the  Amazonian  widow 
were  rescued. 

The  troops  who  sallied  out  at  iiie  gate  of  Jabe^ah  met 
with  the  severest  treatment.  The  medc  Abu  Obeidah  waa 
stationed  in  front  of  that  gate,  and  was  slumbering  quietly  in 
his  hair  tent  at  the  time  m  the  sally.  His  first  care  in  the 
moment  of  akim  was  to  repeht  tlie  morning  prayer.  He  tiien 
ordered  forth  a  body  of  olioaen  men  to  keep  me  enemy  at  bay, 
and  while  they  were  fighting,  led  another  detaofameht,  sUentr^ 
but  rapidly,  round  between  me  combatants  and  the  city.  The 
Greeks  thus  suddenly  found  tibemselves  assailed  in  firont  and 
Tear ;  &ey  fought  desperately,  but  so  successfrd  was  the  stra^ 
tagem,  and  so  active  the  valour  of  the  meek  Abu  Obeidah^ 
when  <moe  aroused,  that  never  a  man,  says  the  Aralnan  his- 
t(M*ian,  Hiat  sallied  from  that  gate,  returned  again. 

The  battie  of  tiie  mght  was  almost  as  sanguinary  as  that 
of  the  day;  llie  Christiuis  were  repulsed  in  all  quarters,  and 
driven  once  more  within  their  wails,  leaving  several  thousand 
dead  upon  tibie  field.  The  Moslems  followed  them  to  the  very 
gates,  but  were  compelled  to  retire  by  the  deadly  showelr 
hurled  by  the  Jews  m>m  the  engines  on  the  walls. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTEE  X. 

Simender  of  I>ama8cii8.— Disputes  of  the  Saracen  generak — ^Depaitur* 
of  Thomas  and  the  exiles. 

Fob  seyeQl^  days  had  Dain9^cii8  been  besieged  by  the  £mstic 
legions  of. the  desert :  the  inhabitants  had  no  longer  the  heart 
to  make  furiiier  sallies,  bat  again  began  to  talk  of  capitulating. ' 
It  was  in  vain  that  Thomas  urged  them  to  hare  patience  until; 
he  should  write  to  the  emperor  for  succour ;  they  listened' 
only  to  their  fears,  and  sent  to  Eihaled,  begging  a  truce,  that 
they  might  have  time  to  treat  of  a  surrender.  That  fierce 
warrior  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  their  prayer:  he  wished  for  no 
surrender  Ihat  would  protect  the  lives  and  property  of  the 
besieged ;  he  was  bent  upon  taking  the  city  by  liie  sword,  and 
giving  it  up  to  be  plundered  by  his  Arabs. 

In  their  extremity  the  people  of  Damascus  turned  to  the 
good  Abu  Obeidah,  whom  they  knew  to  be  meek  and  humane. 
Saving  first  treated  with  him  by  a  messenger  who  understood 
Arabic,  and  received  his  promise  of  securi^,  a  hxmdred  of  the 
principal  inhabitants,  induding  the  most  venerable  of  tho 
clergy,  issued  privately  one  night  by  the  gate  of  Jabiyah,  and 
sou^t  his  presence.  '  They  found  tms  leader  of  a  mighty  force, 
that  was  shaJdng  tJie  empire  of  the  Orient,  living  in  a  numblo' 
tent  of  harr-clotn,  like  a  mere  wanderer  of  "flie  desert.  He 
listened  favourably  to  their  propositions,  for  his  object  waa 
conversion  rather  t^n  conquest,  tribute  rather  than  plunder. 
A  covenant  was  soon  written,  in  which  he  engaged  that  hos-  ^ 
tilities  should  cease  on  their  ddiiverinc  tiie  city  into  his  hands;; 
that  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  pleasea  might  depart  in  safety ' 
with  as  much  of  their  effects  as  they  bomd  carry,  and  those 
who  remained  as  tributaries  should  retain  their  property,  and ! 
have  seven  churdies  allotted  to  them.  This  covenant  was  not 
signed  by  Abu  Obeidah*  not  being  commander-in-chief,  but  ho^ 
assured  the  envoys  it  would  be  held  sacred  by  the  Moslems. 

The  capitulation  being  arranged,  and  hostages  given  for' 
liie  good  faith  of  the  besieged,  ttie  gate  opposite  to  the  en- 
campment of  Abu  Obeidah  was  thrown  open,  and  the  vene-  * 
raHe  chief  entered  at  the  head  of  a  hundred  men  to  take  ^ 
possession. 

While  these  transactions  were  taking  place  at  the  gate  ^ 
of  Jabiyah,  a  different  scene  occurred  at  the  eastern  gate.* 
imbaled  was  exasperated  by  the  death  of  a  brother  of  Amru, 
shot  from  the  walls  with  a  poisoned  arrow.    In  the  height  of 


40  8T7CCBSSOBS  QV  MAHOMET. 

liis  indignation,  an  apostate  priest,  named  Josias,  undertook 
to  deliver  the  gate  into  his  hands,  on  condition  of  security  of 
person  and  property  for  himself  and  his  relatives. 

By  means  ot  this  traitor,  a  hundred  Arabs  were  secretly 
introduced  within  the  wafts,  who,  rushing  to  the  eastern 
gate,  broke  the  bolts  and  bars  and  chains  by  which  it  was 
fastened,  and  threw  it  open  with  the  signal  shout  of  Allah 
Achbar ! 

Khaled  and  his  legions  poured  in  at  the  sate  with  sound 
of  trumpet  and  tramp  of  steed ;  putting  sSl  to  the  sword, 
and  deluging  the  streets  with  blood,  "Mercy!  Mercy!" 
was  the  cry»  **  No  meroy  for  infidels !"  was  £lhaled*s  fierce 
response. 

He  pursued  his  career  of  carnage  into  the  great  square 
before  the  church  of  the  Virgin  Mary.  Here,  to  his  asto- 
lushment,  he  behdd  Abu  Obeidah  and  his  attendants,  their 
Bwords  sheathed,  and  marching  in  solemn  procession  with 
priests  and  monks,  and  the  prmcipal  inhabitants,  and  sur«^ 
xcunded  by  women  and  children. 

Abu  Obeidah  saw  fury  and  surprise  in  the  looks  of  Xhaled, 
and  hastened  to  propitiate  him  by  gentle  words.  **  Allah,  in 
his  mercy,"  said  ne,  "has  delivered  this  city  into  my  hands 
by  peacefal  surrender,  sparing  the  efiusion  of  blood,  and  the 
necessity  of  fighting." 

"  Not  so !"  cried IChaled,  in  a  fury.  "I  have  won  it  with 
ibis  sword,  and  I  grant  no  quarter." 

"  But  I  have  given  the  inhabitants  a  covenant  written  with 
my  own  hand." 

"And  what  Tight  had  you,"  demanded  EJialed,  "  to  grant  a 
capitulation  without  consulting  me  P  Am  not  I  the  general  P 
tes,  by  Allah. !  and  to  prove  it,  I  will  put  every  inhabitant  to 
the  sword." 

Abu  Obeidah  felt  that  in  point  of  military  duty  he  had 
erred,  but  he  sought  to  paci^  KhaJed,  assuring  him  he  had 
intended  all  for  the  best,  ana  felt  sure  of  his  approbation ; 
entreating  him  to  respect  the  covenant  he  had  made  in  the 
name  of  God  and  the  prophet,  and  with  the  approbation  of  all 
the  Moslems  present  at  the  transaction. 
.  Several  of  the  Moslem  officers  seconded  Abu  Obeidah,  and 
endeavoured  to  persuade  Khaled  to  a^ee  to  the  capitulation. 
While  he  hesitated,  his  troops,  impatient  of  delay,  resumed 
the  work  of  massacre  and  piUa^e. 

The  patience  of  tiie  good  Abu  Obeidah  was  at  an  end. 
**By  Allah  I"  cried  he,  "my  word  is  treated  as  nought,  and 
my  covenant  is  trampled  under  foot !" 

Spurring  his  horse  among  the  marauders^  he  commanded 

gitized  by  Google 


XBtJ  SXKES.  41 

them,  in  the  name  of  the  prophet,  to  desist  until  lie  and 
Khaled  should  have  time  to  settle  their  dispute.  The  name 
of  the  prophet  had  its  effect ;  the  soldiery  paused  in  their 
bloody  career,  and  the  two  generals,  with  thieir  officers,  retired 
to  the  church  of  the  Virgin. 

Here,  after  a  sharp  altercation,  Khaled,  callous  to  all  claims 
of  justice  and  mercy,  was  brought  to  listen  te  policy.  It  was 
represented  to  him  that  he  was  invading  a  country  where 
many  cities  were  yet  to  be  taken :  that  it  was  important  to 
respect  the  capitulations  of  his  generals,  even  though  they 
might  not  be  altogether  to  his  mind ;  otherwise,  the  Moslem 
word  would  cease  to  be  trusted,  and  other  cities,  warned  by 
the  fate  of  Damascus,  instead  of  sturendering  on  fiiYOurable 
terms,  might  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  all  offers  of  mercy,  and  fight 
to  the  last  extremity. 

•  It  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  Abu  Obeidah  wmn^ 
from  the  iron  soul  of  Khaled  a  slow  consent  to  his  capitula* 
iion,  on  condition  that  the  whole  matter  should  be  referred  to 
the  Calii)h.  At  every  article  he  paused  and  murmured.  He 
would  fain  have  inflicted  death  upon  Thomas,  and  another 
leader  named  Herbis ;  but  Abu  Obeidah  insisted  that  Ihey 
were  expressly  included  in  the  covenant. 

Proclamation  was  then  made  that  such  of  the  inhabitants 
as  chose  to  remain  tributaries  to  the  Caliph  should  enjoy  the 
exercise  of  their  religion ;  the  rest  were  permitted  to  depart. 
The  greater  part  preferred  to  remain ;  but  some  determmed 
to  fmlow  their  cnampion  Thomas  to  Antioch.  The  latter 
prayed  for  a  passport  or  a  safe-conduct  through  the  country 
controlled  by  the  Moslems.  After  much  difficulty.  Scaled 
granted  them  three  days*  grace,  during  which  they  should  be 
safe  from  molestation  or  pursuit,  on  condition  they  took 
nothing  with  them  but  provisions. 

Here  the  worthy  Abu  Obeidah  interfered,  declaring  that  he 
had  covenanted  to  let  them  go  forth  with  bag  and  baggage. 
"  Then,"  said  Ehaled,  "  they  shall  go  unarmed."  Again  Abu 
Obeidah  interfered,  and  Khaled  at  length  consented  that 
they  should  have  arms  sufficient  to  defencTthemselves  against 
robbers  and  wild  beasts ;  he,  however,  who  had  a  Tance^ 
should  have  no  sword ;  and  he  who  had  a  bow,  should  have 
no  lance. 

Thomas  and  Herbis,  who  were  to  conduct  this  unhappy 
caravan,  pitehed  their  tents  in  the  meadow  adjacent  to  tne 
city,  whitner  all  repaired  who  were  to  follow  them  into  exile } 
each  laden  with  plate,  jewels,  silken  stuffs,  and  whatever  was 
most  precious  and  least  burdensome.  Among  other  things 
was  a  wardrobe  of  the  Emperor  Heraclius,  m  which  thero 


43  SUCOESaOSfl  OF  MAHOMET. 

were  abore  three  hundred  loads  of  costlj  mlks  «nddoi&  qi 
gold. 

AH  being  assembled,  the  sad  mnltitiide  set  fort^  cm  iheit 
wa^^uang.  Those  who  froni  pride,  from  patriotism,  or  from 
religion,  thus  doomed  themselves  to  poverty  and  exile,  were 
among  the  noblest  ajod  most  hi^y-bi^  of  the  land ;  people 
accustomed  to  soft  and  Inxorions  life,  and  to  the  silken, 
abodes  of  palaces.  Of  this  number  was  the  wife  of  Thcnnas, 
a  daughter  of  the  Emperor  Heraclius,  who  was  attended  by 
her  maidens.  It  was  a  piteous  sight  to  behold  aged  men, 
delicato  and  shrinlring  women,  and  helpless  children,  thus 
setting  forth  on  a  wandering  journey  through  wasted  and 
deserts,  and  rugged  mountains  infested  by  savage  hordea^ 
Many  a  time  did  they  torn  to  cast,  a  look  of  fondness  and 
despair  on  those  sumptuous  palaces  and  delightful  gaFdens» 
oooe  HbjEor  pride  and  joy ;  and  still  would  they  turn  and  weep, 
and  beat  thdr  breasts,  and  gaze  through  their  tears  on  the 
stately  towers  of  Damascus,  and  the  floweay  banks  of  the 
Pharpar. 

Thus  terminated  the  hard-oontested  siege  of  Damascus, 
which  Yoltaire  has  likened,  for  its  stratag^ns,  skirmishes,  and 
single  combats,  to  Homer's  siege  of  Tro^.  More  than  twelvi^ 
months  elapsed  between  the  time  the  oaraoens  £rst  pitdied 
tbeir  tents  oefore  it»  and  the  day  of  its  surrender* 


CHAPTEE  33. 

Btoiy  cf  Jonas  Endooea. — ^Pnmiit  of  the  exilet^— Desfft  <^the  Gafiph 
AiNiBeker.  ^ 

Jx  is  recorded  that  Derar  gnashed  his  teeth  with  rage  at 
seeing  Ihe  multitude  of  ezil»i  departing  in  peace,  laden  with 
treasures,  winth  he  considered  as  so  much  hard-earned  :sp(Hl^ 
lost  to  the  faithful ;  but  what  most  incensed  him  was,  ihsit  so 
many  unbelievers  should  escape  the  edge  of  the  scimetar. 
Xhaled  would  have  been  equallY  indignant,  but  that  he  had, 
secretly  covenanted  with  himself  to  regain  this  booty.  For 
this  purpose  he  ordered  his  men  to  refresh  themselves  and 
iheir  horses,  and  be  in  readiness  for  action,  resolving  to  pursue^ 
the  exiles  when  the  three  days  of  grace  should  have  expired.  ^ 
A  dispute  with  Abu  Obeidah  concerning  a  quantity  of 
gram,  wnidi  the  latter  claimed  for  the  dtizens,  detained  him, 
one  day  longer,  and  he  was  about  to  abandon  the  pursuit  as 


ABCr  BSKBB.  4S 

liepdeBS,  wlian  a  guide  -preaeated  liifiUM^  wIlo  kneir  all  the 
eoontfj,  and  the  uiartest  passes  tkrcm^h  tihe  moimtauis.  Tha 
story  id  this  goide  is  worthy  of  Boiioe,  as  iUustratiiig  ih» 
ciumcter  of  these  peo{de  and  theae  wan. 

Dnrinff  the  siege,  Derar,  as  has  been  related,  wasi^ppointed 
to  patroi  round  the  city  and  the  camp,  with  two  thousand 
bone.  As  a  party  of  these  were  one  night  ^oing  tiieir  rounds 
Sjear  the  walls,  mey  heard  the  distant  n^hii^  of  a  horse^ 
and  looking  narrowly  round,  descried  a  Eoneman  eonung 
ftealthily  mm  the  gate  Keisaa.  Halting  in  a  shadowy  place, 
ih(^  waited  until  he  came  close  to  them,  when,  rushing  K>rth^ 
tber  made  hmi  prisoneir.  He  was  a  youthM  Syrian,  richly 
ana  gallantly  arrayed,  and  apparently  a  person  of  distinction. 
Scarcely  had  they  seized  mm,  when  they  bebeld  another 
horseman  issuing  from  the  same  gate,  who  in  a  s(^  vcMce 
called  upon  their  captive  by  the  name  of  Jonas.  They  com<* 
manded  the  latter  to  invite  his  companion  to  advance.  He 
aeemed  to  re^dy,  and  called  out  something  in  Greek :  upon 
bearing  which,  the  other  turned  bridle  and  galloped  back  mto 
the  city.  The  Arabs,  ignorant  of  Greek,  imd  suspecting  the 
irords  to  be  a  warning,  would  have  slain  their  prisoner  <m  the 
spot,  but,  upon  secoim  thoughts,  conducted  him  to  Khaled. 

The  youth  avowed  himself  a  nobleman  of  Damascus^  and 
betrothed  to  a  beautiful  maiden  named  Eudocea;  but  her 
parents,  from  some  capricious  reason,  had  withdrawn  their 
consent  to  his  nuptials,  whereupon  the  loven  had  secretly 
agreed  to  fly  from  I)amascus.  A  sum  of  gold  had  bribed  ilie 
smtinels  who  kept  watch  that  night  at  the  gate.  The  damsel, 
disguised  in  male  attire,  and  accompanied  by  two  d(»nestics» 
was  following  her  lover  at  a  distance,  as  he  sallied  in  advance. 
His  reply  in  Greek,  when  she  called  upcm  him,  was,  **  the 
bird  is  caught  !'*  a  warning  at  the  hearing  of  which  she  had 
£ed  back  to  the  city. 

Khaled  was  not  the  man  to  be  moved  by  a  love  tale ;  but 
be  gave  the  i»isoner  his  alternative.    "  Embrace  the  &ith  of 
Isliun,"  said  ne,  "and  when  Damascus  ^Eills  into  our  power«^' 
you  shall  have  your  betrothed;  refuse,  and  your  head  is 
forfeit." 

The  youth  paused  not  between  a  scimetar  and  a  bride.  He 
made  immediate  profession  of  faith  between  the  hands  of 
Xhaled,  and  thenceforth  fought  sealousl^r  for  the  capture  of 
tiie  city,  since  its  downfall  was  to  crown  his  hopes. 

When  Damascus  yielded  to  its  foes,  he  sought  the  dwelling 
of  Eudocea,  and  learnt  a  new  proof  of  her  affection.  Supposing^ 
en  his  capture  bv  the  Arabs,  that  he  had  fallen  a  martyr  U> 
his  faith,  she  haa  renounced  the  wcM^d,  and  shut  herself  i:^ 


44  8UCCESS0BS  OF  MAHOMET. 

in  a  oonvent.  With,  throbbing  heart,  he  hastened  to  the 
convent,  but  when  the  lofW-minded  maiden  beheld  in  him  ft 
renegade,  she  turned  from  aim  with  scorn,  retired  to  her  eell,^ 
and  refused  to  see  him  more.  She  was  amon^  the  noble  ladies 
who  followed  Thomas  and  Herbis  into  enle.  Her  lover, 
frantic  at  the  thoughts  of  losing  her,  reminded  Khaled  of  his 

Sromise  to  restore  her  to  him,  and  entreated  that  she  might  be 
etained;  but  !Khaled  pleaded  the  covenant  of  Abu  Oh^idah, 
according  to  which  all  had  free  leave  to  depart. 
<  When  Jonas  afterwards  discovered  that  Xhaled  meditated 
a  pursuit  of  the  exiles,  but  was  discouraged  by  the  lapse  of 
time,  he  offered  to  conduct  him  by  short  and  secret  passes 
through  the  mountains,  which  would  insure  his  overtaking 
them.  His  offer  was  accepted.  On  the  fourth  day  after  the 
departure  of  the  exiles,  Eiialed  set  out  in  pursuit,  with  four 
thousand  chosen  horsemen,  who,  by  the  advice  of  Jonas^ 
were  disguised  as  Christian  Arabs.  For  some  time  they 
traced  the  exiles  along  the  plains,  by  the  numerous  foot-prm£s 
of  mules  and  camels,  and  by  articles  thrown  away  to  enable 
them  to  travel  more  expeditiously.  At  length,  the  foot-printg 
turned  towards  the  moimtains  of  Lebanon,  and  were  lost  in 
their  arid  and  rocky  defiles.  The  Moslems  began  to  falter* 
**  Courage !"  cried  cTonas,  "  they  wUl  be  entangled  among  the 
mountains.    They  cannot  now  escape." 

They  continuea  their  weary  course,  stopping  only  at  the 
Stated  hours  of  prayer.  They  had  now  to  clunb  the  nigh  and 
ciagged  passes  of  Lebanon,  along  rifts  and  glens  worn  by 
winter  torrents.  The  horses  struck  fire  at  every  tramp ;  they 
cast  their  shoes,  their  hoofs  were  battered  on  the  rocks,  and 
many  of  them  were  lamed  and  disabled.  The  horsemen 
dismounted  and  scrambled  up  on  foot,  leading  their  weary  , 
and  crippled  steeds.  Their  clothes  were  worn  to  shreds,  and 
the  soles  of  their  iron-shod  boots  were  torn  from  the  upper 
leathers.  The  men  murmured  and  repined ;  never  in  all  their 
marches  had  they  experienced  such  hardships ;  they  insisted 
on  halting,  to  rest  and  to  bait  their  horses.  Even  Xhaled, 
trhose  hatred  of  infidels  ftimished  an  impulse  ahnost  equal  to 
the  lover's  passion,  began  to  flag,  and  reproached  the  renegade 
as  the  cause  of  all  this  trouble. 

Jonas  still  urged  them  forward :  he  pointed  to  fresh  foot- 
prints, and  tracks  of  horses  that  must  nave  recently  passed. 
After  a  few  hours*  refreshment  they  resumed  the  pursuit, 
passing  within  sight  of  Jabalah  and  Laodicea,  but  without 
renturmg  within  their  gates,  lest  the  disguise  of  Christian 
Arabs,  -^ch  deceived  the  simple  peasant^,  might  not  avail 
"Withthe  shrewder  inhabitants  of  the  towns, 

gtized  by  Google 


ABIT  BEEEB*'  4& 

Intelligence  received  from  a  country  boor  increased  their 
perplexi^.  The  emperor  HeracHns,  learing  that  the  arrival 
of  the  exiles  might  cause  a  panic  at  Antioch,  had  sent  orders 
ibr  them  to  |)roceed  along  the  sea-coast  to  Constantinople. 
This  gave  their  pursuers  a  greater  chance  to  overtake  them : 
but  fhaled  was  startled  at  learning,  in  addition^  that  troops 
-were  assembling  to  be  sent  against  him,  and  that  but  a  single 
mountain  separated  him  from  them.  He  now  feared  thej 
might  intercept  his  return,  or  fall  upon  Damascus  in  his 
absence.  A  sinister  dream  added  to  nis  uneasiness,  but  it 
was  favourably  interpreted  by  Abda'lrahman,  and  he  continued 
the  pursuit. 

A  tempestuous  night  closed  on  them :  the  rain  fell  in  tor* 
Tents,  and  man  and  oeast  was  ready  to  sink  with  fatigue :  still 
they  were  urged  forward:  the  nigitives  could  not  be  far 
distant,  the  enemy  was  at  hand :  they  must  snatch  their  prey 
and  retreat.  The  morning  dawned;  the  storm  dearea  up, 
and  the  sun  shone  brightly  on  the  surrounding  heights. 
They  dragged  their  steps  wearily,  however,  along  the  denies, 
BOW  swept  by  torrents,  or  £lled  with  mire,  until  the  scouts  in 
the  advance  gave  joyM  signal  from  the  mountain  brow.  It 
commanded  a  grassy  me^ow,  sprinkled  with  flowers,  and 
watered  by  a  running  stream. 

On  the  borders  of  the  rivulet  was  the  caravan  of  exiles» 
reposing  in  the  sunshine  from  the  fatigues  of  the  recent  storm. 
Some  were  sleeping  on  the  grass,  others  were  taking  their 
morning  re{>ast ;  wSle  the  meadow  was  gay  with  embroidered 
robes  and  silks  of  various  dyes  spread  out  to  dry  upon  the 
herbage.  The  weary  Moslems,  worn  out  with  the  horrors  of 
the  mountains,  gazed  with  delight  on  the  sweetness  and  fresh- 
ness of  the  meadow ;  but  Khaled  eyed  the  caravan  with  an 
ea^er  eye,  and  the  lover  only  stretched  his  gaze  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  his  betrothed  among  the  females  reclining  on  the 
mBXgm.  of  the  stream.  , 

]£tving  cautiously  reconnoitred  the  caravan  without  being 
perceived,  Ehaled  disposed  of  his  band  in  four  squadrons ; 
the  first  commanded  by  Derar,  the  second  by  Eafl  IJbn  Omei- 
rah,  the  third  by  Abda'lrahman,  and  the  fourth  led  by  himr 
fielf.  He  gave  orders  that  the  squadrons  shoidd  make  their 
appearance  successively,  one  at  a  time,  to  deceive  the  enemy 
as  to  their  force,  and  uiat  there  should  be  no  pillaging  until 
the  victory  was  complete. 

Having  offered  up  a  prayer,  he  gave  the  word  to  his  divi- 
sion, "  In  the  name  of  AUah  and  the  prophet !"  and  led  to 
the  attack.  The  Christians  were  roused  from  theur  repose  ofi 
beholding  a  squadron  rushing  down  from  the  mountain. 


v46  SX7CCESSOB8  07  XJLHOMET. 

They  were  decdred  at  £rst  by  i^e  Ghreek  dresses,  1ml  were 
soon  aware  of  the  tmth;  though  the  small  number  of  the 
enemy  gave  them  but  little  drea£    Thomas  hastOy  marshalled 
five  thousand  men  to  reodre  the  shock  of  theonset,  with  sncli 
weapons  as  had  been  left  them.  Anoth^  and  another  division 
-came  hnrrying  down  from  the  moontain,  and  the  %ht  was 
fnrions  and  well  contested.  Thomas  and  Elhaled  fonght  hand 
to  hand;  bnt  ihe  Ghristian  champion  was  struck  to  the  gromuL 
-Abda'lrahman  cut  off  his  head,  elevated  it  on  the  spear  of  the 
standard  of  i^e  cross  which  he  had  taken  at  PamaseuSy  and 
ealled  upon  the  Christians  to  behold  the  head  of  their  leader. 
Eafi  Ibn  Omeirah  penetrated  with  his  division  into  the 
midst  of  title  encampment  to  capture  the  women.    I^ey  stood 
courageously  on  the  defensive,  hurling  stones  at  their  assail- 
ants. Among  them  was  a  female  of  matchless  beauty,  dressed 
in  splendid  attire,  with  a  diadem  of  jewels.  It  was  the  reputed 
•daughter  of  1^  ^nperor,  ihe  wife  of  Thomas.  Eafi  attempted 
•to  seize  her,  but  she  hurled  a  stone  that  struck  his  horse  in 
^e  head  and  killed  him.    The  Arab  drew  his  sdmetar,  and 
^ould  have  slain  her,  but  ^e  cried  for  mercy,  so  he  took  her 
•prisoner,  and  gave  her  in  charge  to  a  trusty  follower. 
'^   In  ti^  midst  of  &e  can^ige  and  confusion,  Jonas  hastened 
in  search  of  his  betrothed.    If  she  had  treated  him  witli  diff- 
•dain  as  a  renegade,  she  now  regarded  him  with  horror,  as  the 
traitcnr  who  hSl  brought  this  destruction  upon  his  unharci^ 
^eoimlrymea.    All  hia  entreaties  for  her  to  forgive  and  be 
Teeonciled  to  him  were  of  no  avail.    She  solemnly  vowed  to 
"repair  to  ConstantinOTle  and  end  h^  days  in  a  convent.  Find- 
ing supj^cation  fruitless,  he  seized  her,  and  after  .a  violent 
*atniggie,  threw  her  on  the  ground  and  made  her  prisoner. 
"She  made  no  ftnrUier  resistance,  but,  submitting  to  captivity, 
Seated  herself  quietly  on  the  grass.    The  lover  flattered  lum- 
^If  that  she  relented;   but,  watching  her  opportuniiy,  she 
suddenly  drew  forth  a  poniard,  plunged  it  in  ber  breast,  and 
fell  dead  at  his  feet 

.  While  tiiis  tragedy  was  performing,  the  general  battle,  or 
Talker  carnage,  oontmued.  Exhaled  ranged  the  field  in  quest 
of  HerHs,  but,  while  fighting  pell-mell  among  a  throng  of 
Christians,  that  oommam^  came  be^imd  him,  and  dealt  a  mcfw 
that  severed  his  helmet,  and  would  have  deft  his  skull  but 
for  the  M^  of  bis  turbut.  The  sword  of  Herbis  fell  from 
bis  hand  with  the  violence  of  the  blow,  and  before  he  could 
•recover  it,  he  wa^  cut  m  pieces  l^  the  followers  of  Shaled. 
The  struggle  of  ^e  unhappy  Christians  was  at  an  eiid:  aU 
were  slain  or  taken  prisoners,  except  one,  who  was  perniitted 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


AXU  BBEBB.  47 

to  depart,  and  who  bore  the  dnmal  t^mgs  of  the  massacre  to 
Cronstantmople. 

The  renegiade  Jonas  was  loud  in  his  lamentations  for  the 
lo«Bi  of  his  betrothed,  bnt  his  Moslem  comrades  consoled  him 
whith  one  of  the  doctrines  of  the  faith  he  had  newly  embraced. 
*'  It  was  written  in  the  book  of  fate,"  said  they,  **  that  you 
shonld  neyer  possess  that  woman ;  but  be  comforted,  Allah 
has  doubtless  greater  blessings  in  etofre  for  yon  ;**  and,  in  fact, 
Safi  Ibn  Omeirah,  ont  of  compassion  for  his  distress,  pre- 
sented him  with  the  beantiM  princess  he  had  taken  captiye. 
Elhaled  consented  to  the  gift,  provided  the  emperor  did  not 
s^id  to  ransom  her. 

There  was  now  no  time  to  be  lost.  In  this  headlong  pm> 
wait  they  had  penetrated  above  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  mto 
the  heart  of  the  enemy's  oonntry,  and  might  be  cut  off  in  their 
"retreat.  "To  horse  and  away,"  therefore,  was  the  word. 
^The  plunder  was  hastily  packed  upon  the  mules,  the  scanty 
number  of  surviving  exiles  were  secured,  and  the  marauding 
band  set  off  on  a  lorced  march  for  Damascus.  While  <m 
iheir  way  they  were  one  day  alarmed  by  a  cloud  of  dus^ 
Hirough  which  their  scouts  descried  the  banner  of  the  cross. 
They  prepared  for  a  desperate  conflict.  It  proved,  howev^, 
ti  peaceM  mission.  An  ancient  bishop,  followed  by  a  nume- 
"lous  train,  sought  from  Khaled,  in  the  emperor's  name,  thft 
liberation  of  his  daughter.  The  hau^ty  Saracen  released 
her  without  ransom.  "Take  her,"  said  he,  "but  tell  your 
master  I  intend  to  have  him  in  exchange ;  never  will  I  cease 
this  war  until  I  have  wrested  from  him  every  foot  of  terri- 
tory." 

To  indemnify  the  renege  for  this  second  deprivation,  a 
large  sum  of  gold  was  given  him,  wherewitii  to  buy  a  wife 
ifrom  among  the  captives ;  but  he  now  disclaimed  for  ever  all 
earthly  love,  and,  Hke  a  devout  Mahometan,  looked  forward 
for  consolation  amouj?  ^e  black-eyed  Houris  of  paradise. 
He  continued  more  laitibiul  to  his  new  fidth  and  new  com- 
panions than  he  had  been  to  the  religion  of  his  fathers  and 
the  friends  of  his  infancy ;  and  after  serving  the  Saracens  in 
a  variety  of  ways,  earned  an  undoubted  admission  to  th* 
paradise  of  the  prophet,  being  shot  through  the  breast  at  the 
Dattle  of  Yermouk. 

Thus  perished  this  apostate,  si^  Ihe  CSnisiian  chronicler; 
but  Alwakec^,  the  venerable  Cadi  of  Bagdad,  adds  a  supjde* 
ment  to  the  story^  for  the  encouragement  of  all  proselytes  to 
the  Islam  &ith.  He  states  that  Jonas,  after  his  deadi,  was 
•seen  in  a  vision  by  Bafi  Ibn  Omeirah,  arrayed  in  rich  robes 

gitized  by  Google 


48  strccEs^oBS  of  kahomet. 

and  golden  sandals,  and  walking  in  a  flowery  mead ;  and  the 
beatified  renegade  assured  him  tliat,  for  lus  exemplary  8e£- 
Tices,  Allah  had  given  him  seventy  of  the  Mack-eyed  daonsels 
of  paradise,  each  of  resplendent  beanty,  sufficient  to  throir 
the  sun  and  moon  in  the  shade.  Bafi  related  his  vision  to 
Khaled,  who  heard  it  with  implicit  faith.  '*  This  it  is,"  said 
that  Moslem  zealot,  "  to  die  a  martyr  to  the  faith»  Happy 
the  man  to  whose  lot  it  falls  !"♦ 

Xhaled  succeeded  in  leading  his  adventurous  band  safely 
back  to  Damascus,  where  they  were  joyfully  received  by 
their  companions  in  arms,  who  had  entertamed  great  fears  for 
their  safety.  He  now  divided  the  rich  snoils  taken  in  hi^ 
fiipedition ;  four  parts  were  given  to  the  omcers  and  soldiers, 
a  fifth  he  reserved  for  the  public  treasury,  and  sent  it  off  t^ 
the  Caliph,  with  letters  informing  him  of  the  capture  of 
Damascus,  of  his  disputes  with  Abu  Obeidah,  as  to  the  treat- 
ment of  the  city  and  its  inhabitants,  and  lastly  of  his  expe*- 
dition  in  pursuit  of  the  exiles,  and  his  recovery  of  the  wealth 
they  were  bearing  away.  These  missives  were  sent  in  the 
poimdent  expectation  that  his  policy  of  the  sword  would  far 
outshine,  in  the  estimation  of  the  Caliph  and  of  all  true 
JMoslems,  the  more  peaceful  policy  of  Abu  Obeidah. 

It  was  written  in  the  book  of  fate,  say  the  Arabian  histo* 
rians,  that  the  pious  Abu  Beker  should  die  without  hearin|r 
of  the  brightest  triumph  of  the  Islam  faith ;  the  very  day 
that  Damascus  surrenaered,  the  Caliph  breathed  his  last  at 
Medina.  Arabian  authors  differ  as  to  the  cause  of  his  death. 
Abulfeda  asserts  that  he  was  poisoned  by  the  Jews,  in  his 
frugal  repast  of  rice ;  but  his  daughter  Ayesha,  with  more 
probability,  ascribes  his  death  to  baflung  on  an  unusually  cold 
day,  whicn  threw  him  into  a  fever.  While  struggling  with 
his  malady,  he  directed  his  chosen  Mend  Omar  to  perforza 
the  religious  functions  of  his  office  in  his  stead.  > 

.  Peeling  his  end  approaching,  he  summoned  his  secretary^ 
Othman  Ibn  ASkHy  and  in  presence  of  several  of  the  principal 
Moslems,  dictated  as  follows : — "  I,  Abu  Beker  Ibn  Adu 
Kahafa,  being  on  the  point  of  leaving  this  world  for  the  next^ 
and  at  that  moment  when  infidels  believe,  when  the  wicke4 
cease  to  doubt,  and  when  liars  speak  the  truth,  do  make  this 
declaration  of  my  will  to  the  Moslems.    I  nominate,  as  my 

successor **  Here  he  was  overtaken  with  faintness,  so  that 

he  could  not  speak.  Othman,  who  knew  his  intentions,  added 

*  The  story  of  Jonas  and  Endocea  has  been  made  the  suttjeot  of  an 
English  tragedy-  by  Hughes,  entitled  *'  The  Siege  of  Damascns  $"  bat  the 
lover's  name  is  changed  to  Phocyas,  the  incidents  are  altered,  and  thQ  e«ta^ 
ftrophe  is  made  entirely  different. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


ABU  BBSEB.  49 

the  name  of  Omar  Ibn  al  Khatt&b.  Wlien  Abu  Beker  came 
to  himself,  and  saw  what  his  secretary  had  written,  "  God 
bless  thee,"  said  he,  "  for  this  foresight !"  He  then  continued 
to  dictate.  "  Listen  to  him,  and  obey  him,  for,  as  far  as  I 
know  him,  and  have  seen  him,  he  is  mtegrity  itself.  He  is 
competent  to  everythinff  he  undertakes.    He  will  rule  with 

.  justice ;  if  not,  God,  who  knows  all  secrets,  wiH  reward  him 
according  to  his  works.  I  mean  all  for  the  best,  but  I  cannot 
see  into  the  hidden  thoughts  of  men.  Farewell.  Act  up- 
rightly, and  the  blessing  of  Allah  be  upon  you." 

He  ordered  this  testament  to  be  sealea  with  his  seal,  and 
copies  of  it  to  be  sent  to  the  principal  authorities,  civil  and 
military.  Then,  having  sent  for  Omar,  he  told  him  of  his 
having  nominated  him  as  his  successor. 

'  Omar  was  a  stem  and  simple-minded  man ;  unambitious 
of  posts  and  dignities.  "  Oh,  successor  to  tiie  apostle  of 
God !"  said  he,  "  spare  me  firom  this  burthen.  I  have  no 
need  of  the  Caliphat."  "  But  the  Caliphat  has  need  of  you!*' 
repHed  the  dying  Abu  Beker. 

He  went  on  to  claim  his  acceptance  of  the  office  as  a  proof 
of  friendship  to  himself,  and  of  devotion  to  the  pubhc  good, 
for  he  considered  him  eminently  calculated  to  maintam  an 
undivided  rule  over  the  restless  people  so  newly  conffregated 
into  an  empire.  Having  brought  him  to  accept,  he  gave 
hiTTi  much  dying  counsel,  and  Sber  he  had  retired,  prayed 
fervently  for  his  success,  and  that  the  dominion  of  the  faith 
might  be  streng^thened  and  extended  during  his  reign. 
Having  thus  provided  for  a  quiet  succession  to  nis  office,  me 

'  ffood  Caliph  expired  in  the  arms  of  his  daughter  Ayesha,  in 
Sie  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  having  reigned  two  years, 
three  months,  and  nine  days.  At  the  time  of  his  death  his 
father  and  mother  were  stiU- living,  the  former  ninety-seven 
years  of  age.  "When  the  ancient  Moslem  heard  of  the  death 
of  his  son,  ne  merely  said,  in  scriptural  phrase : — "  The  Lord 
hath  given,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away.  Blessed  be  the 
jiame  of  the  Lord !" 

Abu  Beker  had  four  wives ;  the  last  had  been  the  widow 
of  Jaafar,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  Muta.  She  bore  him  two 
eons  after  his  sixtieth  year.  He  does  not  appear,  however, 
to  have  had  the  same  fondness  for  the  sex  as  the  prophet, 
notwithstanding  his  experience  in  wedlock.  "  The  women," 
he  used  to  say,  "  are  all  an  evil ;  but  the  greatest  evil  of  all 
is,  that  they  are  necessary." 

Abu  Beker  was  universally  lamented  bv  his  subjects,  and 
he  deserved  their  lamentations,  for  he  haa  been  an  excellent 
ruler,  just,  moderate,  temperate,  frugal,  and  disinterested. 

E  ^ 


90  strccEssoBS  of  k^ihohet. 

Sm  leign  wu  too  skort  to  enaMe  ium  to  cany  o«t  any 
extensiTe  scfaemes;  but  itiras  aignaiued  hy  the  promptness 
and  abiliiy  wiih  whidi,  through  iiie  aid  of  the  aword,  he 
quelled  ih.e  wide-spreading  insurrections  on  the  death  <^  l^e 
prophet,  and  preserred  ihe  scaroely  konched  empire  of  Islani 
nom  perfect  shipwredc  He  left  behind  him  a  name  dear  to 
all  true  Moslems,  and  an  example  which,  Omar  used  to  saj» 
would  be  a  difficult  pattern  for  his  sueoes8(Mrs  to  imitate. 


CHAPTEB  Xn. 

Bleciioii  of  Omiuv  Mocrnd  Ca^ah.— Eluded  M^eneded  ia  coouiiaiid  1^  Aba 
Obddah. — Xagnanimoiu  oondnct  of  tbose  generals. — Ezpedition  to  the 
eonreiit  of  Abyla. 

The  nomination  of  Omar  to  the  succession  was  supported  by 
Ayesha,  and  acquiesced  in  by  Ati,  who  saw  that  opposition 
would  be  inefieotnaL  The  Section  took  place  on- the  day  of 
the  decease  oi  Abu  Beker.  The  diameter  of  the  new  Oaii]^ 
has  akeadj,  tiirooeh  his  deeds,  been  made  known  in  soma 
measure  to  Hie  reader;  yet  a  sketch  of  him  may  not  be  unae- 
o^table.  He  was  now  about  fifty-three  years  of  age ;  a  tall 
dark  man,  with  a  graye  demeanonr,  and  a  bald  head.  He  was 
so  tail,  says  one  of  his  biographers,  that  when  he  sat,  he  was 
higher  than  ^obo  who  stoiM.  His  stren^  was  uncommon, 
and  he  used  die  1^  as  adroitly  as  ih.e  right  hand.  Though 
so  bitter  an  enemy  of  Isfaomsm  at  fiiat  as  to  seek  Ibe  life  of 
Mahomet,  he  became  from  the  jnoment  of  his  conyersion  (me 
of  its  most  sincere  and  strenuous  champions.  He  had  taken 
an  actiye  part  in  the  weightiest  uid  m^  decisiye  erents  of 
the  prophet's  career.  HL  name  stands  at  the  head  of  the 
weapim  ccHnpanions  at  Bedo*,  Ohod,  Eluo^iar,  Honein,  and 
Tabuc,  at  the  defisnoe  of  Medma,  and  the  cimtare  of  Meoca^ 
and  indeed  he  appears  to  have  been  the  sovtl  d  most  of  the 
early  military  enterprises  of  the  fiuth.  His  seal  was  prompt 
and  almost  fiery  in  its  operations.  He  expounded  and 
enforced  the  doomnes  of  Islun  like  a  soktier;  nmen  a  question 
was  too  knotty  for  his  lope,  he  was  ready  to  seyer  it  with  the 
sword,  and  to  strikeoff&eheadof  him  whopernstedinfote 
arguing  and  unbdie^ 

In  me  administration  of  affiurs^  his  pfolMty  and  ^tioe 
were  proyeibiaL  In  priyate  lifo  he  was  noted  for  absnnence 
■and  mtgality,  and  a  contempt  for  the  false  grandeur  of  the 
woiid.    Water  was  his  only  beyerage.    His  food  a  lew  dates^ 


OKAB.  51 

or  a  few  bite  of  barley  bread  and  salt;  but  in  time  of  penance 
eroi  salt  waa  retrenched  as  a  loxnry.  His  anstere  pi^ 
and  self-denial,  and  the  sinq^icity  and  almost  poTerty  or  Iub 
appearanoe,  were  regarded  with  rererenoe  in  those  primitiTe 
<£i js  of  Islam.  He  nad  direwd  maxims  on  which  he  squared 
his  oonducty  of  which  the  following  is  a  specimen.  '*  Four 
things  oome  not  back:  the  spcdren  word ;  the  sped  arrow;  th^ 
past  life;  and  the  neglected  opportcautj." 

During  his  reign  mosques  were  erected  without  numbed 
for  the  instruction  and  deFotion  of  the  faithftil,  and  prisons 
for  the  punishm^it  of  delinquents.  He  likewise  put  in  use 
a  scourge  with  twisted  thtmgs  for  the  correcticMi  of  minor 
ofiences,  amcmff  which  he  included  satare  and  scandal,  and 
so  potently  and  extensively  was  it  ^ied,  that  the  word  went 
roimd,  *'  Omar's  twisted  scourge  is  more  to  be  feared  than 
his  sword." 

On  assuming  his  office,  he  was  saluted  as  Caliph  <^  tlie 
Oaliph  of  the  apostle  of  God,  in  other  words,  successor  to 
the  successor  of  the  prophet.  Omar  objected,  tibat  such  a  titie 
wuBi  len^hen  widi  erery  sueoessor,  until  it  became  endless; 
upon  which  it  was  proposed  and  agreed  that  he  should  recei\pe 
tne  title  of  Emir-al-Moumenin,  that  is  to  say.  Commander 
of  the  Faithful,  ^is  title  altered  into  Miramamolin,  was 
subsequently  borne  by  sudi  Moslem  sorereigns  as  held  inde- 
pendent sway,  acknowledging  no  superior,  and  is  equiyalent 
to  that  of  emperor. 

One  of  the  first  measures  of  tiie  new  Caliph  was  wi^ 
regard  to  the  army  in  Syria.  His  sob^  judgment  was  not  to 
be  dazzled  by  daring  and  brilliant  exploits  in  arms,  and  he 
doubted  the  ntness  of  Ehaled  for  liie  general  command.  He 
acknowledged  his  yakyar  and  military  skill,  but  considered  him 
rash,  fiery,  and  prodigal ;  prone  to  hazardous  and  extrayagant 
adyenture,  and  more  fitted  to  be  a  partisan  than  a  lei^er. 
He  resolyed,  ikereiore,  to  take  the  prmcroal  command  of  Hie 
army  out  of  such  indiscreet  hands,  and  restore  it  to  Abu 
Obeidah,  who,  he  said,  had  proyed  himself  worthy  of  it  bv 
his  piety,  modesty,  moderation,  and  good  Mth.  He  aceora- 
ingly  wrote  on  a  skin  <^  parchment,  a  letter  to  Abu  Obeidah, 
informing  him  oi  the  deadi  of  Abu  Beker,  and  his  own 
eleyation  as  Caliph,  and  appointing  him  eommander-in-chief 
of  the  army  of  Syria. 

The  letter  was  deliyered  to  Abu  Obeidah  at  the  time  that 
Shaled  was  abs^it  in  pursuit  of  iJie  cararan  of  exiles.  1h& 
good  Obeidah  was  surprised,  but  sorely  perplexed  hj  the 
contents.  His  own  modesty  made  him  unambitious  or  high 
commandy  and  his  opinion  of  the  signal  yalonr  and  briUia^ 
b2 


W  8UCCESSOB8  OF  MAHOMET. 

services  of  EHialed  made  him  loth  to  supersede  him,  Bhd 
doubtful  whether  the  Caliph  would  not  feel  disposed  to 
continue  him  as  commander-in-chief  when  he  should  hear  of 
his  recent  success  at  Damascus*  He  resolved,  therefore,  to 
keep,  for  the  present,  the  contents  of  the  Caliph's  letter  to 
himself;  and  accordingly  on  Khaled's  return  to  Damascus 
cjontinued  to  treat  him  as  commander,  and  suffered  him  to 
write  his  second  letter  to  Abu  Beker,  giving  him  an  accoimt 
of  his  recent  pursuit  and  plimdering  of  the  exiles. 

Omar  had  not  been  lone  installed  in  office,  when  he 
received  the  first  letter  of  EMLed  announcing  the  capture  of 
Damascus.  These  tidings  occasioned  the  !tnost  extravagant 
joy  at  Medina,  and  the  valour  of  Khaled  was  extoUed  by  the 
multitude  to  the  very  skies.  In  the  midst  of  their  rejoicings 
they  learnt  with  astonishment,  that  the  g«peral  command 
liad  been  transferred  to  Abu  Obeidah.  The  admirers  of 
Xhaled  were  loud  in  their  expostulations.  "  What !"  cried 
-they,  "dismiss  Khaled  when  m  the  ftdl  career  of  victory P 
lEtemember  the  reply  of  Abu  Beker,  when  a  Hke  measure  was 
urged  upon  him.  *  I  will  not  sheathe  the  sword  of  God, 
drawn  for  ike  promotion  of  the  faith.* " 

Omar  revolved  their  remonstrances  in  his  mind,  but  his 
resolution  remained  imchanged.  "Abu  Obeidah,"  said  he, 
.  "is  tender  and  merciftd;  yet  brave.  He  will  be  careful  of 
His  people,  not  lavishing  their  lives  in  rash  adventures  and 
plundering  inroads;  nor  will  he  be  the  less  formidable  in 
DJEifctle  for  being  moderate  when  victorious." 
,  In  the  meantime,  came  the  second  dispatches  of  Khaled, 
addressed  to  Abu  Beker,  announcing  the  success  of  his  expe- 
dition in  pursuit  of  the  exiles ;  and  requesting  his  decision  of 
the  matters  in  dispute  between  him  and  Abu  Obeidah.  The 
caliph  was  perplexed  by  this  letter,  which  showed  that  his 
election  as  caliph  was  yet  unknown  to  the  army,  and  that  Abu 
Obeidah  had  not  aj9Sumed  the  command.  He  now  wrote 
again  to  the  latter,  reiterating  his  appointment ;  and  deciding 
upon  the  matters  in  dispute.  He  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that 
.Damascus  had  surrendered  on  capitulation,  and  had  not  been 
taken  by  the  swovd,  and  directed  that  the  stipulations  of  the 
covenant  should  be  fulfilled.  He  declared  the  pursuit  of  the 
exiles  iniquitous  and  rash,  and  that  it  would  have  proved 
fatal,  but  for  the  mercy  of  God.  The  dismissal  of  the  em- 
peror's daughter  free  of  ransom,  he  termed  a  prodigal  action ; 
as  a  large  sum  might  have  been  obtained  and  given  to  the 
poor.  He  counselled  Abu  Obeidah,  of  whose  mild  and  hu- 
mane temper  he  was  well  aware,  not  to  be  too  modest  and 
compliant,  but  at  the  same  time,  not  to  ride  the  lives  of  thfe 


Mthfvl  in  the  mere  hope  of  plunder.    This  Utter  hint  was  a 
reproof  to  Khaled. 

Lest  this  letter  should  likewise  be  suppressed  through  .the 
modesty  of  Abu  Obeidah,  he  dispatched  it  by  an  o&cer  of . 
distincnon,  Shaded  Ibn  Aass,  whom  he  appointed  his  repre- 
sentative in  Syria,  with  orders  to  have  the  letter  read  in  pre- ' 
sence  of  the  Moslems,  and  to  cause  him  to  be  proclaimed 
cahph  at  Damascus. 

Shaded  made  good  his  journey,  and  found  Khaled  in  his 
tent,  still  actmg  as  commander-in-chief,  and  the  army  ignorant 
of  the  death  of  Abu  Beker.  The  tidings  he  brought  struck : 
every  one  with  astonishment.  The  first  sentiment  expressed 
was  grief  at  the  death  of  the  good  Abu  Beker,  who  was  uni- 
TersaUy  lamented  as  a  father;  the  second  was  surprise, 
at  the  deposition  of  Khaled  from  the  command,  in  the  very : 
midst  of  such  signal  victories ;  and  many  of  his  officers  and. 
soldiers  were  loud  in  expressing  their  indignation. 

If  Khaled  had  been  fierce  and  rude  in  his  career  of  triumph, 
he  proved  himself  magnanimous  in  this  moment  of  adversity* . 
"  I  know,"  said  he,  "  that  Omar  does  not  love  me ;  but  since 
Abu  Beker  is  dead,  and  has  appointed  him  his  successor, 
I  submit  to  his  commands."  He  accordingly  caused  Omar  tcr 
be  proclaimed  caliph  at  Damascus,  and  resifi^ed  his  command 
to  Abu  Obeidah.  The  latter  accepted  it  with  characteristio 
modesty ;  but  evinced  a  fear  that  Khaled  would  retire  in  dis^ 
gust,  and  his  signal  services  be  lost  to  the  cause  of  Islam. 
iLhaled,  however,  soon  let  him  know  that  he  was  as  ready  to> 
serve  as  to  command,  and  only  required  an  occasion  to  prove* 
that  his  zeal  for  the  faith  was  unabated.  His  personal  sub-^ 
mission  extorted  admiration  even  horn  his  enemies,  and 
gained  him  the  fullest  deference,  respect,  and  confidence  of 
Abu  Obeidah. 

About  this  time  one  of  the  Christian  tributaries,  a  base^ 
spirited  wretch,  eager  to  ingratiate  himself  with  Abu  Obeidah, 
came  and  informed  him  of  a  fair  object  of  enterprise.  "  At  no 
great  distance  from  this,  between  Tripoli  and  Harran,  there 
IS  a  convent  called  Daiz  Abil  Kodos,  or  the  monastery  of  the 
Holy  Father,  from  being  inhabited  by  a  Christian  hermit,  so 
eminent  for  wisdom,  pie^,  and  mortification  of  the  flesh,  that 
he  is  looked  up  to  as  a  saint ;  so  that  young  and  old,. rich  and 
poor,  resort  from  all  parts  to  seek  his  advice  and  blessing,  and 
not  a  marriage  takes  place  among  the  nobles  of  the  country, 
but  the  bride  and  bridegroom  repair  to  receive  from  him  the 
nuptial  benediction.  At  Easter  there  is  an  annual  fair  held  at 
Abyla  in  front  of  the  convent,  to  which  are  brought  the  richest 
manufactures  of  the  surrounding  country — silken   stuffs. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


64  SUCCBSSOBS  OW  MAH0ME7. 

jewd»  <tf  gold  and  stlTer^  and  otib»  precioTis  prodoetioiis  of 
art ;  and  as  the  fair  is  a  peaceful  congre^ati<Hi  of  people,  mt-. 
araied  and  nngiiarded,  it  will  afford  am^e  hoaty,  at  little  risk 
or  trouble." 

•  Abu  Ob^daih  annouaced  ike  intelligenee  to  bis  troops. 
**  Wbo,"  said  be,  "  will  undertake  this  enterprise  ?"  His  eye 
glaueed  inyohmtarilr  upon  Sbaled ;  it  was  just  sucb  a  foray 
as  be  was  wont  to  aeligbt  in ;  but  Kbaled  remamed  siLrait. 
Abu  Obeidab  could  not  atk  a  service  from  one  so  lately  in 
cbief  command ;  and  wbile  be  besitated,  AbdaUab  Ibn  Jaafer, 
step-son  to  Abu  Beker,  came  forward.  A  banner  was  given 
him,  and  five  hundred  veteran  horsemen,  scarred  in  many  a 
battie,  salhed  with  him  from  the  gates  of  Damascus,  guided 
by  the  traitor  Christian.  They  halted  to  rest  before  arriving- 
aet  Abyla,  and  sent  forward  the  Cihristian  as  a  scout.  As  he> 
ap^roedied  the  place  he  was  astonished  to  see  it  crowded  with 
an  immense  concourse  of  Greeks,  Armenians,  Copts,  and  Jews^ 
in  thdr  various  garbs ;  beade  ^ese  there  was  a  grand  pro- 
oession  of  nobles  and  courtiers  in  rich  attire,  and  priests  in 
leliffious  dresses,  with  a  guard  of  five  thousand  horse ;  all,  ar 
he  learned,  escorting  the  daughter  of  the  mrefect  of  TripdLi» 
who  was  lat^  married,  and  had  ccmie  wim  her  husband  to 
veeeive  the  blessing  of  the  yeneraMe  hermit.  The  Christian 
acout  hastened  bi^k  to  Ihe  Moslems,  imd  warned  them  to 
retreat. 

•  "  I  dare  not,"  said  Abdallah,  prcnnptlY ;  '*  I  fear  the  wrath 
of  Allah,  should  I  torn  my  back^  I  will  fight  tl^se  infidels. 
Those  "svho  help  mey  God  will  remrard ;  those  whose  hearts  fail 
them,  are  welcome  to  retire."  Not  a  Moslem  turned  hia 
bac^.  "Forward !"  said  Abdallah  to  the  Christian,  and Ihou 
shalt  behold  what  tha  companions  of  the  projihet  can  perform." 
The  traitor  hesitated,  however,  and  was  with  difficulty  per- 
suaded to  guide  them  on  a  service  of  such  peril. 

.  Abdallah  led  his  band  near  to  Abyk,  where  they  lay  dose 
Bntil  morning.  At  the  dawn  of  day,  having  performed  the 
eustomary  prayer,  he  divided  his  host  into  five  squadrons  of  a 
hundred  each ;  they  were  to  charge  at  once  in  me  difierent 
ll^aces,  with  the  shout  of  Allah  Aehbar!  and  to  slay  or 
eapture  without  stopping  to  pillage  until  the  victory  should 
be  complete.  He  uien  reconnoitred  the  place.  The  hermit 
was  preaching  in  front  (^  his  convent  to  a  multitude  of  auditors ; 
the  fair  teemed  with  peofde  in  the  variegated  earbs  of  the 
Orient.  One  house  was  guarded  by  a  great  number  of  horse- 
men, and  numbers  of  persons  riduy  clad  were  going  in  and 
out,  or  standing  about  it.  In  this  house  evidently  was  the 
y(mthful  bride. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAE.  89 

AbdaJlsk  caiocniniged  hia  fdbwors  t»  danpise  the  nnmbcar 
oi  these  foes.  "  JElemember/'  cried  he,  '*  tiie  words  of  the 
prqphet.  '  Parsdise  is  under  the  thaiSkyw  oi  wards  V  If  we 
eon^ner,  we  shidl  have  gkacicMis  booty ;  if  we  Mi,  paradiae 
swaits  usr^ 

The  fire  sqnadroBs  charged^  as  they  had  been  ordered,  with 
the  well-known  war-cry.  The  Christians  were  stmck  with 
dismay,  thinking  the'wh(^e  Moskon  army  upon  them.  There 
was  a  direful  confuiian;  the  multitude  flying  in  aU  directions; 
women  and  children  fihrtddng  and  crying ;  booths  and  tents 
overturned,  and  precious  merchandise  scattered  alx»it  the 
streets,  llie  tro<^,  howerer,  seeing  the  inferior  number  of 
the  assailants,  |)luGked  up  spiorits  and  charged  upcm  tiiem.  The 
merchants  and  inhalotants  reooTored  from  their  panic  and  flew 
to  arms,  and  ^e  Moslem  band,  hemmed  in  among  such  a  hosi 
of  foes,  seemed,  say  the  Arabian  writers^  like  &  white  spot  on 
the  hide  of  a  blaok  cameL  A  Moslem  trooper,  seeing  the 
peril  of  his  companions^  broke  his  way  out  of  the  tlmmg^ 
and,  throwing  the  rdns  on  the  nedc  of  his  steed,  scoured 
back  to  Damascus  for  sueoour. 

In  this  moment  of  emergency  Aba  Obeidah  forgot  all 
aeruples  of  delicacy,  and  turned  to  the  man  he  hadsuperseded 
in  omoe.  "  Fail  us  not^"  cried  he,  "  in  tiiis  moment  of  peril ; 
but,  for  God's  sske  hasten  to  deMvor  thy  brethren  flrom 
destruction !" 

"  Had  Omar  ^en  the  command  of  the  army  to  a  child," 
replied  the  gracious  Khaled,  '*  I  should  have  obeyed  him  i 
how  much  more  thee,  my  predecessor  in  the  faith  of  Islam  V 
,  He  now  arrayed  himself  in  a*  eoat  of  mail,  the  spoil  of  the 
faiae  prophet  Moseilma;  he  put  on  a  helmet  of  proofs  and 
over  it  a  skull-cap,  wlueh  he  cidled  tiiie  blessea  cap,  and 
attributed  to  it  wonderM  yirtues,  ha?ing  received  the 
pro{>het's  benediction.  Then  springing  en  his  horse,  and 
putting  himself  at  the  head  of  a  chosen  band,  he  scoured  off 
towardiB  Abyla,  with  the  bold  Derar  at  his  side. 

In  the  meantime,  the  troops  under  Abdallah  had  main^ 
tained  throughout  the  day  a  desperate  conflict ;  heaps  of  the 
alain  testiflS  their  prowess;  Imt  their  ranks  were  sadly 
thinned,  scarce  one  of  the  surrivors  but  had  received  repeated 
wounds,  and  they  were  ready  to  sink  under  heat,  fiKtigue,  and 
thirst.  Towards  sunset  a  doud  of  dust  is  seen :  is  it  a  rein- 
fbrcement  of  their  enemies  P  A  troop  of  horsemen  emerge. 
They  bear  the  black  eagle  of  !Khaled.  The  air  resounds 
with  tiie  shout  of  Allah  Achbar.  The  Christians  are  assailed 
<m  either  side ;  some  fly,  and  are  pursued  to  the  river  by 
the  unsparing  swozd  of  £haled ;    others  rally  round  the 


56  sirocxssoss  07  hahombt. 

monasterjr.  Dersr  engages  Iiand  to  hand  with  tHe  prefect 
of  Tripoli ;  titey  grapple ;  they  strangle ;  they  fall  to  the 
earth ;  Derar  is  uppermost,  ana  drawing  a  poniard,  plunf  es 
it  into  the  heart  of  his  adyersary.  He  springs  upon  hia 
feet;  vaults  into  the  saddle  of  the  prefect's  horse,  and» 
with  the  shout  of  Allah  Achbar,  gallops  in  quest  of  new 
<^ponent8. 

The  batde  is  over.  The  fair  is  given  up  to  plunder* 
Horses,  mules,  and  asses  are  laden  with  silken  stims,  rich 
embroidery,  jewels  of  gold  and  silver,  precious  stones,  spices, 
perfumes,  and  otber  wealthy  plunder  of  the  merchants ;  but 
the  most  precious  part  of  tlie  spoil  is  the  beautiful  bride^  with 
forty  damsels,  who  formed  her  oridal  train. 

llie  monastery  was  left  desolate,  with  none  but  the  holy 
anchorite  to  inhabit  it»  Ehaled  called  upon  the  old  man,  but 
received  no  answer ;  he  called  again,  but  the  only  reply  was 
to  invoke  the  vengeance  of  heaven  upon  his  head  for  the 
Christian  blood  he  had  sjnlt.  The  fierce  Saracen  paused  as 
he  was  driving  off  the  spoil,  and  laying  his  hand  upon  the 
hilt  of  his  Bcimetar,  looked  back  grimly  upon  the  hermit. 

"  What  we  have  done,"  said  he,  *'  is  m  obedience  to  the 
law  of  God,  who  commands  us  to  slay  all  unbelievers ;  and 
had  not  the  apostle  of  God  commanded  us  to  let  such  men  aa 
thee  alone»  thou  shouldst  have  shared  the  fate  of  thy  fellow* 
infidels!" 

The  old  man  saw  his  danger  in  time,  and  discreetly  held 
his  peace,  and  the  sword  of  Islam  remained  witmn  its 
scabbard. 

The  conquerors  bore  their  booty  and  their  captives  back 
in  triumph  to  Damascus.  One  fifth  of  the  spoil  was  set 
apart  for  the  public  treasury ;  the  rest  was  distributed  among 
the  soldiery.  Perar,  as  a  trophy  of  his  exploit,  received  the 
horse  of  the  prefect  of  Tripoh,  but  he  made  it  a  present  to 
his  Amazonian  sister  Caulah.  The  saddle  and  trappings 
were  studded  with  precious  stones ;  these  she  picked  out  and 
distributed  among  her  female  companions. 

Among  the  spoils  was  a  cloth  curiously  wrought  with  ik 
likeness  of  the  blessed  Saviour ;  which,  from  the  exquisite 
workmanship  or  the  sanctity  of  the  portrait,  was  afterwards 
sold  in  Arabia  Pelix  for  ten  times  its  weight  in  gold. 

Abdallah,  for  his  part  of  the  spoil,  asked  for  the  daughter 
of  the  prefect,  having  been  smitten  with  her  charms.  His 
demand  was  referred  to  the  Caliph  Omar  and  granted,  and 
the  captive  beauty  lived  with  him  many  years.  Obeidah» 
in  his  letters  to  the  Caliph,  generously  set  forth  the  magnani" 
mous  conduct  and  distinguished  prowess  of  Xhaled  on  this 

gtized  by  Google 


OMAB,  St 

occftBion,  and  entreated  Chnar  to  write  a  letter  to  that  general 
expressive  of  his  sense  of  his  recent  serrioes ;  as  it  might 
soothe  the  mortification  he  most  experience  from  his  late 
deposition.  The  Caliph,  however,  though  he  repHed  to  everj 
other  part  of  the  letter  of  Obeidah,  took  no  notice,  either  by 
word  or  deed,  of  that  relating  to  Ehaled,  from  which  it  was 
evident  that,  in  secret,  he  entertained  no  great  regard  for 
the  unsparing  sword  of  Islam, 


CHAPTEEXnL 

Koderate  measures  of  Aba  Obeidah. — ^Beprored  1^  the  Caliph  for 
his  slowness. 

Thb  alertness  and  hardihood  of  the  Saracens  in  their  rapid 
campaigns,  have  been  attributed  te  their  simple  and  abste- 
mious habits.  They  knew  nothing  of  the  luxuries  of  the 
^mpered  Greeks,  and  were  prombited  the  use  of  wine. 
Their  drink  was  water,  their  food  principally  milk,  rice,  and 
t^e  firuits  of  the  earth,  and  their  di^ss  the  coarse  raiments  of 
the  desert.  An  army  of  such  men  was  easily  sustained; 
marched  rapidly  from  place  to  place,  and  was  fitted  to  cop0 
with  the  vicissitudes  of  war.  The  interval  of  repose,  how- 
ever, in  the  luxurious  cit]^  of  Damascus,  and  the  general 
abundance  of  the  fertile  regions  of  Syria,  began  to  have  their 
effect  upon  the  Moslem  t^Dops,  and  the  good  Abu  Obeidah 
was  especially  scandalized  at  discovering  that  they  were 
lapsing  into  the  use  of  wine,  so  strongly  forbidden  by  the 
proj^het.  He  mentioned  the  prevalence  of  this  grievous 
sin  m  his  letter  to  the  Caliph,  who  read  it  in  the  mosque 
in  presence  of  his  officers.  **By  AUah!'*  exclaimed  the 
abstemious  Omar ;  "  these  fellows  are  only  fit  for  poverty 
and  hard  fare ;  what  is  to  be  done  with  these  wine-bibbers  P** 

"  Let  him  who  drinks  wine,"  replied  Ali,  promptly,  "  re- 
ceive twenty  bastinadoes  on  the  soles  of  his  feet." 

*'  Grood,  it  shall  be  so,"  rejoined  the  Oatiph ;  and  he  wrote 
to  that  effect  to  the  commander-in-chief.  On  receiving  tha 
letter,  Abu  Obeidah  forthwith  summoned  the  offenders,  and 
had  the  punishment  publicly  inflicted  for  the  edification  of  hia 
troops ;  he  took  the  occasion  to  descant  on  the  enormity  of  the 
offence,  and  to  exhort  such  as  had  sinned  in  private  to  come 
forward  like  sood  Moslems,  make  public  confession,  and  sub- 
mit to  the  bastinado  in  token  of  repentance;    whereupon 


IS3  SVCCBB80VM  OV  MAHOMET. 

many,  wlio  liad  mdolged  in  secret  jpotations,  mored  bj  Ids 
patevnal  exhortation,  avowed  tlieir  onme  and  their  rep^itaoee^ 
^nd  were  set  at  ease  in  their  consciences  hj  a  sound  MstiBadok- 
ingand  tiie  forgiyeness  of  the  good  Abu  Ubeidah. 

That  worthy  commander  now  left  a  garrison  of  fiye  hundred 
horse  at  Damascus,  and  issued  forth  with  his  host  to  prosecute 
the  subjugation  of  Syria.  He  had  a  rich  field  of  enterprise 
before  nim.  The  country  of  Syrim  feam  the  amenity  of  its 
climate,  tempered  by  the  yicini^  of  the  sea  and  the  moun- 
tains, firom  the  fertility  of  its  soil,  and  the  happy  distribution 
of  woods  and  streams,  was  peculiarly  adapted  for  the  vigorous 
support  and  prolific  increase  of  animal  life ;  it  accoraingly 
teemed  with  population,  and  was  studded  with  ancient  and 
embattled  cities  and  fortresses.  Two  of  the  proudest  and 
most  splendid  of  ihese  were  Emessa  (the  modern  Hems),  the 
capital  of  the  plains ;  and  BaaJbec,  the  famous  city  of  the  Bun, 
si^iated  between  the  mountains  of  Lebanon. 
'  These  two  cities,  with  others  intermediate,  w^re  the  objects 
pf  Abu  Obeidah's  enterprise,  and  he  sent  Ehaled  in  advance, 
.with  Derar  and  Eafi  Ibn  Om^irah,  at  the  head  of  a  third  d 
the  army,  to  scour  the  country  about  Emessa.  In  his  own 
slower  march,  with  the  m^in  body  of  the  army,  he  approadied 
the  city  of  Jusheya,  but  was  met  by  the  governor,  who  piir^ 
chased  a  year's  truce  with  the  payment  of  mur  hundred  pieces 
of  gold  and  fifty  silken  robes  s  and  the  promise  to  surrender 
the  city  at  the  expiration  of  a  year,  if  in  that  interval  Baalbee 
and  Emessa  should  have  been  tak^u* 

When  Abu  Obeidah  came  befcnre  Emessa  he  found  Xhaled 
m  active  operation.  The  governor  of  the  place  had  died  on 
the  day  on  which  the  MosTem  force  appeared,  and  the  city  was 
not  funy  provisioned  for  a  siege.  The  inhabitants  negotiated 
a  truce  for  <me  year  by  the  payment  of  ten  Ibousand  pieces  of 
gold  and  two  hundred  suits,  of  silk,  with  the  ^igagement  to 
surrender  at  the  end  pf  that  term,  povided  he  should  have 
taken  Aleppo,  AlhlUiir,  and  IKennesnn,  and  defeated  the  army 
«f  the  emperor.  Ehaled  would  have  persevered  in  the  raege, 
l)ut  Abu  Obeidah  thought  it  the  wisest  pd[i(^  to  agree  to  these 
golden  terms,  by  which  he  provided  hunsdlf  with  the  sinews 
of  war,  and  was  enabled  to  proceed  more  surely  in  his  career. 
'  The  moment  the  treaty  was  concluded,  the  people  of 
Emessa  threw  open  their  gates ;  held  a  market,  or  &ir,  beneath 
the  walls,  and  began  to  £ive  a  lucrative  trade ;  for  the  Mos- 
lem camp  was  fml  of  booty,  and  these  marauding  wanriors, 
flushed  with  sudden  wealth,  squandered  plunder  of  all  kinds, 
and  never  regarded  the  price  of  anything  that  struck  thdr 
fancy.    In  the  meantime,  predatoiy  bonds  foraged  the  country 


both  far  and  near,  and  came  driying  in  sheep  and  eaiitle,  and 
horses  and  camels,  laden  with  household  boW  of  all  kmda; 
besides  midtitndes  of  captiyes.  The  piteous  lamentations  <^ 
these  people,  torn  from  their  peaceful  homes  and  doomed  to 
slayery,  touched  the  heart  of  Abu  Obeidah.  He  told  th^n 
that  all  who  would  embrace  the  Islam  faith  should  hare  their 
Hyes  and  property.  On  such  as  chose  to  remain  in  infidelity^ 
be  imposed  a  ransom  of  fiye  pieces  of  gold  a  head,  besides  an 
annual  tribute  -,  caused  their  names  aim  places  of  abode  to  b« 
registered  in  a  book,  and  then  gaye  them  baok  their  property-^ 
their  wives,  and  children,  on  condition  that  they  should  act 
as  guides  and  interpreters  to  the  Moslems  in  case  of  need. 

The  merciful  pohcy  of  the  good  Abu  Obeidah  promised  to 
promote  the  success  of  Islam,  eyen  more  potently  than  the 
sword.  The  Syrian  Greeks  came  in,  in  great  numbers,  to  have 
their  names  enregistered  in  the  book  of  tributaries :  and  other 
cities  capitulated  for  a  year's  truce  on  the  terms  granted  to 
Emessa.  Xhaled,  however,  who  was  no  Mend  to  truces  and 
negotiations,  murmured  at  these  peaceful  measures,  and  offered 
to  take  these  cites  in  less  time  than  it  required  to  treat  with 
them ;  but  Abu  Obeidah  was  not  to  be  swerved  from  ihe  path 
of  moderation ;  thus,  in  a  little  time,  the  whole  tezritories  of 
Emessa,  AlhMir,  and  Kennesrin  were  rendered  sacred  from 
maraud.  The  predatory  warriors  of  the  desert  were  somewhat 
impatient  at  being  thus  hemmed  m  by  prohibited  boundaries, 
and  on  one  occssion  had  well-nigh  brought  the  truce  to  an 
abrupt  termination.  A  pariy  of  Saracen  troopers,  in  prowling 
along  the  confines  of  Kennesrin,  came  to  where  the  Christians, 
to  mark  their  boundary,  had  erected  a  statue  of  the  emperor 
Heraclius,  seated  on  his  throne.  The  troopers,  who  had  a 
Moslem  hatred  of  images,  regarded  UtoB  with  derision,  and 
totused  themselves  with  careering  roimd  and  tilting  at  it,  until 
one  of  them,  either  accidentally  or  in  sport,  struck  out  one  of 
the  eyes  wii^  his  lance. 

The  Greeks  were  indignant  at  this  outrage.  Messengers 
were  sent  to  Abu  Obeids^,  loudh'  complaining  of  it  as  an  in- 
tentional breach  of  the  truce,  ana  a  flagrant  insult  to  the  em- 
peror. Abu  Obeidah  mildly  assured  them  that  it  was  his  dis- 
position most  rigorously  to  observe  the  truce ;  that  the  injury 
to  the  statue  must  have  been  accidental,  and  that  no  indi^ity 
to  the  emperor  could  have  been  intended.  His  moderation 
only  increased  the  arrogance  of  the  ambassadors;  their 
emjperor  had  been  insulted;  it  was  for  the  Caliph  to  give 
redress  according  to  the  measure  of  the  law :  "  an  eye  for  an 
eye,  a  tooth  for  a  tooth."  "  What !"  cried  some  of  the  over- 
zealous  Moslems,  ''do  the  infidels  mean  to  claim  an  eye  from 


60  SUCCESSOBS  OF  MAHOMET. 

the  CaUph  P**  In  their  rage  they  would  have  slain  the  mes- 
sengers on  the  spot ;  but  the  quiet  Abu  Obeidah  stayed  their 
wrath.  "  They  speak  but  figuratively,"  said  he ;  then  taking 
the  messengers  aside,  he  smrewdly  compromised  the  matter, 
and  satisfied  their  wounded  loyalty,  by  agreeing  that  they 
should  set  up  a  statue  of  the  Caliph,  with  glass  eyes,  anj 
strike  out  one  of  them  in  retaliation. 

While  Abu  Obeidah  was  pursuing  this  moderate  course, 
>nd  subduing  the  country  by  clemency  rather  than  by  force  of 
)rms,  missives  came  from  tne  Caliph,  who  was  astonished  at 
receiving  no  tidings  of  further  conquests,  reproaching  him 
with  his  slowness,  and  with  preferring  worldly  gain  to  the 
pious  exercise  of  the  sword.  The  soldiers,  when  they  heard 
of  the  purport  of  this  letter,  took  the  reproaches  to  them- 
selves, and  wept  with  vexation.  Abu  Obeidah  himself  was 
stung  to  the  quick,  and  repented  him  of  the  judicious  truces 
he  had  made.  In  the  excitement  of  the  moment  he  held  a 
council  of  war,  and  it  was  determined  to  lose  not  a  day, 
although  the  truces  had  but  about  a  month  run.  He  accord- 
ingly left  Elialed  with  a  strong  force  in  the  vicinity  of  Emessa 
to  await  the  expiration  of  the  truce,  while  he  marched  with 
the  main  host  against  the  city  of  Baalbec, 


CHAPTEEXIV. 

Siege  snd  capture  of  Baalbec. 

Baalbec,  'so  called  from  Baal,  the  Syrian  appellation  of  the 
Sun,  or  Apollo,  to  which  deity  it  was  dedicated,  was  one  of 
the  proudest  cities  of  ancient  Syria.  It  was  the  metropolis 
of  the  gfreat  and  fertile  valley  of  Bekaa,  lying  between  th© 
mountains  of  Lebanon,  and  Anti  Lebanon.  During  the  Grecian 
domination  it  was  called  Heliopolis,  which  likewise  means 
the  City  of  the  Sun.  It  was  famous  for  its  magnificent  temple 
of  Baal,  which,  tradition  affirms,  was  built  by  Solomon  the 
Wise,  to  please  one  of  his  wives,  a  native  of  Sidon  and  a  wor- 
shipper 01  the  Sim.  The  immense  blocks  of  stone  of  which  it 
was  constructed,  were  said  to  have  been  brought  by  the  genii, 
over  whom  Solomon  had  control  by  virtue  of  his  talismanio 
seal.  Some  of  them  remain  to  this  day  objects  of  admiration 
to  the  traveller,  and  perplexity  to  the  modern  engineer.* 

•  Among  these  huge  blocks  some  measure  fifty-eight,  and  one  sixty-nine 
feet  in  length. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OHiLB*  61 

On  his  marcli  against  Baalbec,  Abu  Obeidali  intercepted  a 
caravan  of  four  himdred  camels  laden  with  silks  and  sugars, 
on  the  way  to  that  city.  With  his  usual  clemency  he  allowed 
the  captives  to  ransom  themselves ;  some  of  whom  carried  to 
Baalbec  the  news  of  his  approach,  and  of  the  capture  of  the 
caravan.  Herbis,  the  governor,  supposing  the  Saracens  to  be 
a  mere  marauding  party,  sallied  forth  with  six  thousand  horse 
and  a  multitude  of  irre^ar  foot,  in  hope  to  recover  the  spoils^ 
but  found  to  his  cost  tnat  he  had  an  army  to  contend  witili, 
and  was  driven  back  to  the  city  with  great  loss,  after  receiving 
.  seven  wounds. 

Abu  Obeidah  set  himself  down  before  the  city,  and  addressed 
a  letter  to  the  inhabitants,  reminding  them  of  the  invincible 
arms  of  the  faithftil,  and  inviting  them  to  profess  Islamism, 
or  pay  tribute.  This  letter  he  gave  in  cnarge  to  a  Syrian 
peasant,  and  with  it  a  reward  of  twenty  pieces  of  silver,  "  for 
Allah  forbid,"  said  the  conscientious  general,  "that  I  should 
employ  thee  without  pay.  The  labourer  is  worthy  of  his 
lure." 

The  messenger  was  drawn  up  by  a  cord  to  the  battlements, 
and  delivered  the  letter  to  the  inhabitants,  many  of  whom, 
on  hearing  the  contents,  were  inclined  to  surrender.  Herbis, 
the  governor,  however,  who  was  still  smarting  with  his  wounds, 
tore  the  letter  in  pieces,  and  dismissed  the  messenger  without 
deigning  a  reply. 

Abu  Obeidan  now  ordered  his  troops  to  the  assault,  but 
the  garrison  made  brave  defence,  and  did  such  execution  with 
their  engines  from  the  walls,  that  the  Saracens  were  repulsed 
with  considerable  loss.  The  weather  was  cold;  so  Abu 
Obeidah,  who  was  ever  mindful  of  the  welfare  of  his  men, 
sent  a  trumpeter  round  the  camp  next  morning,  forbidding 
any  man  to  take  the  field  until  he  had  made  a  comfortable 
meal.  All  were  now  busy  cooking,  when,  in  the  midst  of 
.'their  preparations,  the  city  gates  were  thrown  open,  and  the 
Greekis  came  scouring  upon  them,  making  great  slaughter, 
^ey  were  repulsed  witn  some  difficulty,  out  carried  off 
■prisoners  and  plunder. 

Abu  Obeidah  now  removed  his  camp  out  of  reach  of  the 
engines,  and  where  his  cavalry  would  have  more  room.  He 
threw  out  detachments  also,  to  distract  the  attention  of  the 
.enemy  and  oblige  them  to  fight  in  several  places.  Saad  Ibn 
Zeid,  with  five  hundred  horse  and  three  hundred  foot,  was  to 
show  himself  in  the  valley  opposite  the  gate  looking  towards 
the  mountains ;  while  Derar,  with  three  hundred  horse  and 
.  two  hundred  foot,  was  stationed  in  front  of  the  gate  on  the 
.side  toward  Damascus.  g.zed  by  Google 


08  SUCCBSSOSB  OF  MAHOMET. 

Hetfaifl,  ilie  eoveraor,  seeing  the  Saiucens  more  back  their 
tentB,  saroosed  tii0m  to  be  intimidated  by  Hieir  late  los8« 
**  These  Arabs,"  said  he,  "  are  half-naked  yagabonds  of  the 
desert,  who  fight  withoat  object ;  we  are  locked  up  in  steely 
and  fight  for  our  wiyes  and  chilclren,  onr  property  and  our 
lires."  He  aecordinglj  routed  his  troops  to  make  another 
■ally,  and  an  obstinate  battle  ensued.  One  of  the  Moslem 
officers,  Sohail  Ibn  Sabah,  bein?  disabled  by  a  sabre  cut  in 
iJie  right  arm,  alighted  from  his  horse,  and  clambered  a 
nei^hboarine  hiU  maeh  overlooked  the  fidd,  the  dty,  and  its 
Ticmity.  Here  he  sat  watching  the  various  fortunes  of  i^e 
field.  The  sally  had  been  made  through  the  gate  before 
whidi  Abu  Obeidah  was  posted,  who  of  course  received  the 
whole  brunt  of  the  attack.  The  battle  was  hot,  and  Sohail 
perceived  fr(Nn  his  hill  that  the  Moslems  in  this  quarter  w^re 
mffd  pressed,  and  that  Ihe  general  was  ffivmg  ground,  and  in 
imminent  dan^  of  being  routed;  while  Derar  ai^  Saad 
remained  inactive  at  thdr  distant  posts;  no  sally  having  beea 
made  from  the  gates  before  which  they  were  stationed.  Upott 
■this  Sohail  gathered  together  some  green  branches,  and  set 
fire  to  them,  so  as  to  make  a  column  of  smoke ;  a  customary 
signal  by  day  among  the  Arabs,  as  fire  was  by  night.  Derar 
^and  Saad  ben^  the  smoke  and  galloped  with  their  troops  in 
that  direction.  Their  arrival  <dumged  the  whole  fortune  of 
the  field.  Herbis,  who  had  thought  himself  on  the  eve  of 
victory,  now  found  himself  beset  on  each  side  and  cut  off 
from  the  dity!  Ifothing  but  strict  discipline  and  the  im- 
penetrate Gredan  phaumx  saved  him.  His  men  closed 
shield  to  shield,  theirlances  in  advance,  and  made  a  slow  and 
defensive  retreat,  the  Moslems  ydieeling  around  and  charging 
incessantly  uwm  them.  Abu  Obeidah,  who  knew  nothing  <x 
the  arrival  <n  Derar  and  Saad,  imagined  the  retreat  of  the 
Christians  a  mere  feint,  and  <»lled  back  his  troops;  Saad, 
however,  who  heard  not  the  general's  order,  k^  on  in  pur- 
irait,  until  he  drove  the  enemy  to  the  top  of  a  hil£  where  they 
ensconced  themselres  in  an  old  deserted  monastery. 

When  Abu  Obeidah  learnt  the  secret  of  this  most  timelj 
aid,  and  that  it  was  in  consequooce  of  a  supposed  signal  from 
him,  he  aekupwledged  that  the  smoke  was  an  apt  thou^t» 
and  saved  his  camp  from  bdng  sacked;  but  he  prohibited 
any  man  firom  repeating  sudi  an  act  without  orders  from  the 
^en^raL 

In  the  meantiiBe,  Herbis,  the  governs,  findii^  the  BmaU 
Bumber  that  inrested  the  ecmvent,  saUied  form  with  his 
troops,  in  hopes  of  out^tan^  his  way  to  the  dtj,  Never 
did  men  fight  more  vaiianSy,  and  they  had  ftbrady  made      i 


OMAS.  €3 

ereat  hayoc^  when  tke  arrirai  of  a  treah.  swarm  of  Moslems 
diore  them  bade  to  their  foriom  fortress,  where  thej  were 
so  closely  watched,  Hiat  not  a  Grecian  eye  coold  pe^  from 
tibe  old  walls  without  heing  the  aim  of  a  Moslem  arrow. 

Abn  Obeidah  now  inrested  the  city  more  closely  than  ever, 
loaTing  Saad,  with  his  forces,  to  keep  the  gOTemor  engag^ 
in  liie  monastery.  The  latter  perceiyed  it  w^d  be  impos^Ie 
to  h<^d  Old;  longer  in  this  shattered  edifice,  destitute  <^  pro- 
▼isions.  His  prond  spirit  was  completely  broken,  and,  throw- 
ing off  his  silken  robes,  and  clothing  him  in  a  worn  woollen 
garb,  as  suited  to  his  humble  situation,  he  sought  a  conference 
with  Saad  to  treat  on  terms  of  capitulation.  The  Moslem 
captain  replied,  that  he  could  only  treat  for  the  parij  in  the 
eonyent,  whom  he  would  receiye  as  1m)1^ers,  if  they  would 
adbiowledge  God  and  the  prophet,  or  would  let  t^em  free  <m 
I3ie  pledge  not  to  bear  arms  against  the  Moslems.  He  prof- 
fered to  lead  Herbis  to  the  general,  if  he  wished  to  treat  foftr 
the  dty  also ;  and  added,  that,  should  the  negotiation  fail,  he 
and  his  Greeks  might  return  into  their  conyent,  and  let  God 
and  the  sword  decide. 

Herbis  was  accordingly  led  throo^  the  besieging  cam^ 
into  the  presence  of  Abu  Obeidah,  and  gnawed  his  lip  when 
he  saw  the  inconsiderable  number  of  the  Moslem  host.  He 
offered,  as  a  ransom  for  the  city,  one  thousand  ounces  of  gold, 
two  thousand  of  silyer,  and  one  thousand  silken  robes ;  but 
Abu  Obeidah  demanded  that  he  shonld  double  the  amount, 
and  add  thereto  one  thousand  sabres,  and  all  the  arms  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  monastery;  as  well  as  engage  in  behalf  of  the 
city  to  pay  an  annual  mbute ;  to  engage  to  erect  no  more 
Clmstian  churdies,  nor  eyer  more  act  m  hostiliiy  against  the 
Moslem  power. 

These  narsh  terms  being  conceded,  Herbis  waa  permitted 
to  enter  the  city  alone,  and  submit  them  to  the  inhabitants, 
all  his  attendants  being  detained  as  hostages.  The  towna- 
men  at  first  refused  to  capitulate,  fl&ying  ^^  ^^  was  tJie 
strongest  in  all  Syria;  but  Herbis  offered  to  pay  down  one- 
fourth  of  tiie  ransom  himself  and  they  at  leng&  complied. 
One  point  was  conceded  to  the  people  of  Baalbec,  to  soothe 
their  wounded  pride.  It  was  a^^ed  that  Bafi  Ibn  Abdallah^ 
who  was  to  remain  with  fiye  hundred  men,  acting  as  lieute- 
nant of  Baalbec  for  Abu  Obeidah,  should  encamp  without  tiip 
walls,  and  not  enter  ike  city.  These  matters  being  arrang^ 
Abu  Obeidah  marched  with  his  host  on  other  enterpriser.  • 
.  The  Saracen  troops,  under  Bafi  Ibn  Abdallah,  sooa  ingra- 
tiated themselves  with  the  people  of  Baalbec.  They  pillaged 
the  surrounding  country,  and  sold  their  booty  for  low  prices 


M  SUCCESSORS  OF  MAHOMET. 

to  the  townsfolk,  who  thus  ^ew  wealthy  on  the  spoils  of 
their  own  countrymen.  Herbis,  the  governor,  felt  a  desire 
to  participate  in  these  profits.  He  reminded  his  fellow- 
citizens  how  much  he  had  paid  for  their  ransom,  and  what 
£Ood  terms  he  had  efiected  for  them ;  and  then  proposed 
Siat  he  should  have  one-tenth  of  what  they  gained  m  traffic 
with  the  Moslems,  to  reimburse  him.  Tney  consented, 
though  with  extreme  reluctance.  In  a  few  days  he  found  the 
cain  so  sweet  that  he  thirsted  for  more ;  he  therefore  told 
tnem  that  his  reimbursement  would  be  tedious  at  this  rate, 
and  proposed  to  receive  one-fourth.  The  people,  enraged  at 
his  cupidity,  rushed  on  him  with  furious  outcries,  and  Tailed 
him  on  the  spot.  The  noise  of  the  tumult  reached  the  camp 
of  Eafi  Ibn  Abdallah,  and  a  deputation  of  the  inhabitants 
coming  forth,  entreated  him  to  enter  the  city  and  govern  it 
himself.  He  scrupled  to  depart  from  the  terms  of  the  treaty 
.  imtil  he  had  written  to  Abu  Obeidah ;  but  on  receiving  per- 
mission from  the  general,  he  entered  and  took  command. 
Thus  did  the  famous  Baalbec,  the  ancient  Heliopolis,  or  Cily 
of  the  Sun,  fall  under  the  Saracen  sway  on  the  20th  of 
,  January,  a.p.  636,  being  the  fifteenth  year  of  the  Hegira. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Si«ge  of  Emessa.— Stratagems  of  the  Moslems. — ^Frantic  devotioii  of 
Ikremah. — Surrender  of  the  city, 

The  year*s  truce  with  the  city  of  Emessa  having  now  expired, 
jLbu  Obeidah  appeared  before  that  place,  and  summoned  it  in 
the  following  form : — 

"  In  the  name  of  the  most  merciftd  Grod.  Abu  Obeidah 
Ibn  Aljerah,  general  of  the  armies  of  the  Commander  of  the 
IFaithfol,  Omar  al  Khatt&b,  to  the  people  of  Emessa.  Let 
"not  the  loftiness  of  your  walls,  the  strength  of  jour  bul- 
warks, nor  the  robustness  of  your  bodies,  lead  you  mto  error. 
Allah  hath  conquered  stronger  places  through  the  means  of 
liis  servants,  xour  city  would  oe  of  no  more  consideration 
against  us  than  a  kettle  of  pottage  set  in  the  midst  of  our 
43amp. 

"I  invite  you  to  embrace  our  holy  faith,  and  the  law  re- 
vealed to  our  prophet  Mahomet ;  and  we  will  send  pious  men 
^0  instruct  you,  and  you  shall  paarticipate  in  all  our  fortunes. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OKAB.  65 

*'  If  you  refuse,  you  ahall  still  be  left  in  possession  of  all 
youp  property,  on  the  payment  of  annual  tribute.  If  you 
reject  Dotn  conditions,  come  forth  firom  behind  your  stone  walls^ 
and  let  AUah,  the  supreme  judge,  decide  between  us." 

This  simmions  was  treated  with  scorn ;  and  the  garrison 
made  a  bold  sally,  and  handled  their  besiegers  so  roughly,  that 
they  Vere  glad  when  night  put  an  end  to  the  conflict,  in  the 
eyening,  a  crafty  old  Antb  sought  the  tent  of  Abu  Obeidah ; 
he  represented  tiie  strength  of  the  place,  the  intrepidity  of 
the  soldiers,  and  the  wapie  stock  of  provisions,  which  wovdd 
enable  it  to  stand  a  weary  siege.  He  suggested  a  stratagem, 
however,  by  which  it  might  be  reduced ;  and  Abu  Obeidah 
adopted  his  counsel.  Sending  a  messenger  into  the  city,  he 
offered  to  the  inhabitants  to  strike  his  tents,  and  lead  his  troops 
to  the  attack  of  other  places,  provided  they  would  furnish 
him  provisions  for  five  days'  march.  His  offer  was  promptly 
accepted,  and  the  provisions  were  furnished.  Abu  Obeidah 
now  pretended  that,  as  his  march  would  be  long,  a  greater 
supply  would  be  necessary ;  he  continued  to  buy,  therefore, 
as  long  as  the  Christians  nad  provisions  to  seU,  and  in  this 
maimer  exhausted  their  magazmes  ;  and  as  the  scouts  from 
other  cities  beheld  the  people  of  Emessa  throw  open  their  gates 
and  bring  forth  provisions,  it  became  rumoured  throughout 
the  country  that  the  city  had  surrendered. 

Abu  Obeidah,  according  to  promise,  led  his  host  against 
other  places.  The  first  was  Arrestan,  a  fortified  city,  well 
watered,  provisioned,  and  garrisoned.  His  summons  being 
repeated,  and  rejected,  he  requested  the  governor  of  the  place 
to  let  him  leave  there  twenty  chests  of  cumbrous  articles, 
which  impeded  him  in  his  movements.  The  request  was 
granted  with  j^eat  pleasure  at  getting  clear  so  readily  of  such 
marauders.  The  twenty  chests,  seci^ed  with  padlocks,  were 
taken  into  the  citadel,  but  every  chest  had  a  sliding  bottom, 
and  contained  an  armed  man.  Among  the  picked  warriors 
thus  concealed,  were  Derar,  Abda'lrahman,  and  AbdaUah  Ibn 
Jaafar ;  while  Xhaled,  with  a  number  of  troops,  was  placed  in 
ambush  to  co-operate  with  those  in  the  chests. 

The  Moslemliost  departed.  The  Christians  went  to  church 
to  return  thanks  for  their  deliverance,  and  the  sounds  of  their 
hymns  of  triumph  reached  the  ears  of  Derar  and  his  com- 
rades. Upon  this  they  issued  forth  from  their  chests,  seized  the 
wife  of  the  governor,  and  obtained  from  her  the  keys  of  the 
gates.  AbdaUah,  with  fourteen  men,  hastened  to  the  church, 
and  closed  the  doors  upon  the  congregation;  while  Derar, 
with  four  companions,  threw  open  &e  gates  with  the  ciy  of 

F 

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#6  SUCCESSOBS   OV  HAHOHET. 

idlak  Adibttr;  upon  wliidi  Elialed  and  liis  f<»roe8  mdbed 
firom  their  ambuscade,  and  tke  city  wag  taken  almost  witlMvat 

The  city  of  Shaizar  was  next  assailed,  and  capitnkted  (m. 
lavoiurable  terms;  and  now  Aba  Obeidah  returned  before 
ISmessa,  and  cmce  more  sammcmed  it  to  surrender.  The 
governor  remonstrated  loudly,  r^ninding  the  Moslem  general 
of  his  treaty,  by  which  he  engaged  to  depart  frcnn  Emeesa*. 
and  earry  the  war  against  other  jdaees.  "l  engaged  to  de- 
part," replied  Abu  Obeidah,  "  but  I  did  not  engage  not  to 
retmn.  I  hare  carried  the  war  against  other  places,  and  haye 
subdued  Arrestan  and  Shaizar.'^ 

The  people  of  Emesea  now  p^rcei^ed  how  tiiiey  had  been 
«ireumT«ited.  Thdr  magazines  had  been  drained  of  provi- 
aicms,  and  tisiey  had  not  wherewithal  to  maintain  them  against 
a  aiege.  The  governor,  howeyer,  encouraged  them  to  t^  the 
qhanee  of  a  battle  as  before    They  prepared  for  the  fight  by 

ners  in  the  ehurdies ;  and  the  goremor  took  the  sacrameid^ 
e  church  of  St.  6e<»rge ;  but  he  sought  to  enhearten  him- 
aalf  by  grosser  means,  for  we  are  told  he  ate  the  whole  of  a 
toasted  Idd  for  his  supper,  and  caroused  oa  wine  until  the 
crowing  of  the  cock.  In  the  morning,,  eariy,  he  arrayed  him- 
9sA£  in  ri^  apparel,  and  sallied  forth  at  the  head  oi  nye  thou- 
sand horsemen,  all  men  of  strength  and  courage,  and  weU 
armed.  They  dbiarged  the  besiegers  so  brayeh^,  and  their 
ardors  so  galled  than  from  the  walls,  that  the  Moslem  force 
gaye  way. 

Khaled  now  threw  himself  in  front  of  the  battle,  and 
enacted  wondrous  feats  to  rally  his  Boldi^*8  and  restore  the 
iight.  In  an  encounter,  hand  to  hand,  with  a  Greek  horse* 
man,  his  scametar  broke,  and  he  was  weaponless^  but  closing 
with  his  adyersary,  he  clasped  him  in  his  arms,  crushed  hk 
Tibs,  afid,  drawing  Mm  fiom  his  saddle,  threw  him  dead  to  the 
earth.  The  imminent  peil  of  the  fight  roused  a  frantic 
yakur  in  the  Moslems.  In  the  heat  of  enthusiasm,  Ikremah, 
a  youth^il  ecm^m  of  Khaled,  galloped  about  the  field*  fighting 
with  reckless  fury,  and  raying  alxMit  the  joys  of  paradise  |)ro- 
msed  to  aU  true  bdieyers  w£o  fell  in  the  beetles  of  the  faith. 
^'  I  see,**  aried  he,  "  the  biadt^yed  houris  of  paradise.  One 
of  them»  if  seen  on  earth,  would  make  mankind  die  of  lo-ye. 
They  are  smiling  on  us.  One  of  them  wayes  a  handkerchi^ 
af  green  silk,  and  holcb  a  cup  of  predous  stones.  She  beckons 
me ;  come  hither  qnuc^j,  she  cries,  my  well-beloyed  !*'  In 
this  way  he  wei^,  shoutiag  ''  Al  Jennah !  Al  Jennah!  Parsr 
dise  I  Paradiae  !'*  eharging  mto  the  thickest  of  the  Chrktians, 
and  making  fearM  hayoc,  until  he  reached  the  place  where 

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ili0  governor  was  fightmg,  who  s^t  a  javelin  throug^h  his 
heai^  and  despatched  him  in  quest  of  his  vaunted  Elysium. 

Night  alone  parted  the  hosts,  and  the  Moslems  retired 
exhausted  to  their  tents,  glad  to  repose  from  so  rude  a  £ght. 
Even  Khaled  counselled  Abu  Ofoeidah  to  have  recourse  to 
stratagem,  and  make  a  pretended  flight  the  next  morning,  to 
^aw  the  Greeks,  confident  through  this  day's  success,  into 
disorder ;  for  while  collected,  their  phalanx  presented  an  im- 
penetrable wall  to  the  Moslem  horsemen. 

Accordingly,  at  the  dawning  of  the  day  the  Moslems  re- 
treated— at  first  with  a  show  of  order,  then  with  a  feigned 
confusion ;  for  it  was  an  Arab  stratagem  of  war  to  scatter  and 
rally  again  in  the  twinkling;  of  an  eye*  The  Christians, 
thinking  their  flight  unfeigned,  broke  up  their  steady  phalanx, 
some  making  headlong  pursuit,  while  others  dispersed  to 
plunder  the  Moslem  camp. 

Suddenly  the  Moslems  raced  about,  surrounded  the  confused 
mass  of  Christians,  and  fell  upon  it,  as  the  Arabian  historian 
savs,  "  like  ea^es  upon  a  carcass."  Xhaled  and  Derar  and 
other  chiefs  spirited  them  on  with  shouts  of  Allah  Achbar, 
imd  a  terrible  rout  and  slaughter  ensued.  The  number  of 
Christian  corpses  on  that  field  exceeded  sixteen  hundred.  The 
governor  was  recognised  among  the  slain  by  his  enormous 
bulk,  his  bloated  fl^,  and  his  costly  apparel,  fragrant  with 
perfumes. 

The  dtv  of  Emesaa  surrendered  as  a  sequel  to  that  fight, 
but  the  Moslems  could  neither  stay  to  take  possession,  nor 
afibrd  to  leave  a  garrison.  Tidings  had  reached  them  of  the 
approach  of  an  immense  army,  composed  of  the  heavily-armed 
<?recian  soldiery,  and  the  light  troops  of  the  desert,  that 
threatened  completely  to  overwhelm  them.  Tarious  and  con- 
tradictory were  the  counsels  in  this  moment  of  agitation  aid 
-alarm,  some  advised  that  they  should  hasten  hack  lo  t  Leir 
native  deserts,  where  they  would  be  reinforced  by  their 
£riends,  and  where  the  hostile  army  could  not  fiiid  sustenance; 
but  Abu  Obeidah  objected  that  such  a  retreat  would  be  attri- 
buted to  cowardice.  Others  cast  a  wistful  eye  upon  the 
stately  dwellings,  the  dehghtfol  gardens,  the  fertile  fields,  and 
green  pastures,  which  thev  had  just  won  bv  t^e  sword,  and 
chose  rather  to  stay  and  nght  for  this  land  of  pleasure  and 
abundance,  than  return  to  famine  and  the  desert.  Khaled 
decided  the  question.  It  would  not  do  to  linger  there,  he 
said,  Constantine,  the  emperor's  son,  being  not  far  off,  at 
Caesarea,  with  for^  thousand  men ;  he  advised,  therefore,  that 
they  should  march  to  Termouk,  on  the  borders  of  Palestine 
and  Arabia,  where  they  would  be  within  reach  of  assistance 

V2  gitized  by  Google 


^  SUCCESSOBd  Ot  HAHOMET. 

from  the  Caliph,  and  mifi^Lt  await,  with  confidence,  the  attack 
of  the  Imperial  armj.    The  advice  of  Elhaled  was  adopted. 


CHAPTEE  Xn. 

Advance  of  a  powerM  imperial  army. — Skirmishes  of  Khaled. — Capture 
of  Derar. — ^Interview  of  Khaled  and  Manuel. 

The  rapid  conquest  of  the  Saracens  had  alarmed  the  emperor 
Herachus  for  the  safetjr  of  his  rich  province  of  Syria.  Troops 
had  been  levied  both  in  Europe  and  Asia,  and  transported 
by  sea  and  land  to  various  parts  of  the  invaded  country.  The 
main  body,  consisting  of  eighty  thousand  men,  advanced  to 
seek  the  Moslem  host,  under  the  command  of  a  distinguished 
general,  called  Mahan  by  the  Arabian  writers,  and  Manuel 
by  the  Greeks.  On  its  way,  the  Imperial  army  was  joined 
by  Jabalah  Ibn  al  Aynham,  chief  or  king  of  the  Cmristian 
tribe  of  Grassan.  This  Jabalah  had  professed  the  Mahometan 
faith,  but  had  apostatized  in  consequence  of  the  following 
circumstance.  He  had  accompanied  the  Caliph  Omar  on  a 
pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  and  was  performing  the  religious  cere- 
mony of  the  Towah,  or  sacred  walk,  seven  times  round  the 
Caaba,  when  an  Arab  of  the  tribe  of  Fezarah  accidentally 
trod  on  the  skirt  of  his  Thram  or  pilcrim  scarf,  so  as  to  draw 
it  from  his  shoulders.  Tumiog  fiercely  upon  the  Arab,  "Woe 
be  imto  thee,"  cried  he,  "for  uncovering  my  back  in  the 
sacred  house  of  God."  The  pilgrim  protested  it  was  an  acci- 
dent, but  Jabalah  buffeted  nim  in  the  face,  bruising  him 
sorely,  and  beating  out  four  of  his  teeth.  The  pilgrim  com- 
plained to  Omar,  but  Jabalahjustified  himself,  stating  the 
indignity  he  had  suffered.  "  Had  it  not  been  for  my  rever- 
ence for  the  Caaba,  and  for  the  prohibition  to  shed  blood 
within  the  sacred  city,  I  would  have  slain  the  offender  on  the 
Spot."  "  Thou  hast  confessed  thy  faidt,"  said  Omar,  "  and, 
unless  forgiven  by  thy  adversary,  must  submit  to  the  law  of 
retaliation,  *  an  eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth.'"  "  I 
am  a  king,"  replied  Jaballah,  proudly,  "  and  he  is  but  a  pea- 
sant." "Ye  are  both  Moslems,"  rejoined  Omar,  "  and  in  the 
sight  of  Allah,  who  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  ye  are  equal." 
The  utmost  that  Jabalah  coidd  obtain  from  the  rigid  justice 
of  Omar  was,  that  the  execution  of  the  sentence  might  be 
postponed  until  the  next  day.    In  the  night  he  made  his 

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OMjLB,  69 

escape  and  fled  to  Constantinople,  where  he  abjured  Islam- 
ism,  resumed  the  Christian  faith,  and  went  over  to  the  service 
of  the  emperor  Heraclius.  He  had  now  brought  sixty  thou- 
sand Arabs  to  the  aid  of  Manuel.  Such  was  the  powerful 
host,  the  approach  of  which  had  compelled  the  Moslems  to 
abandon  Emessa  on  the  very  moment  of  surrender.  They 
had  marched  to  Yermouk,  a  place  noted  for  its  pleasant 
groves,  and  the  sweet  salubrity  of  its  air,  and  lay  encamped 
on  the  banks  of  a  little  stream  of  the  same  name,  heretoiore 
obscure,  but  now  destined  to  become  famous  by  a  battle  deci- 
sive of  the  fate  of  Syria. 

Manuel  advancea  slowly  and  deliberately  with  his  heavily 
armed  Grecian  soldiery ;  but  he  sent  Jabalah  in  the  advance, 
to  scour  the  countr]r  with  his  light  Arab  troops,  as  best  fitted 
to  cope  with  the  slormishing  warriors  of  the  desert,  thus,  as 
he  said,  **  usin^  diamond  to  cut  diamond."  The  course  of  these 
combined  armies  was  marked  with  waste,  rapine,  and  out- 
rage, and  they  inflicted  all  kinds  of  injuries  and  indi^ties 
on  iJiose  Christian  places  which  had  made  treaties  with  or 
surrendered  to  the  Moslems. 

While  Manuel  with  his  main  army  was  yet  at  a  distance, 
he  sent  proposals  of  peace  to  Abu  Obeidah,  according  to  the 
commands  of  the  emperor.  His  proposals  were  rejected ;  but 
Obeidah  sent  several  messengers  to  Jabalah,  reproaching  him 
with  his  apostasy,  and  his  warfare  against  his  countrymen, 
and  endeavouring  to  persuade  him  to  remain  neutral  in  the 
impending  battle.  Jabalah  replied,  however,  that  his  faith 
was  committed  to  the  emperor,  and  he  was  resolved  to  flght 
in  his  cause. 

Upon  this  Elialed  came  forward,  and  offered  to  take  this 
apostate  in  his  own  hands.  "  He  is  far  in  the  advance  of  the 
main  army,"  said  he,  "  let  me  have  a  small  body  of  picked 
men  chosen  by  myself,  and  I  will  fall  upon  him  and  his  infldel 
Arabs  before  Manuel  can  come  up  to  meir  assistance." 

His  proposal  was  condemned  by  many  as  rash  and  ex- 
travagant.    "  By  no  means,"  cried  Khaled,  with  zealous 
w  zeal ;  "  this  infidel  force  is  the  army  of  the  devil,  and  can  do 
nothing  against  the  army  of  Allah,  who  will  assist  us  with  his 
angels." 

So  pious  an  argument  was  unanswerable.  Elhaled  was 
permitted  to  choose  his  men,  all  well-seasoned  warriors,  whose 
valour  he  had  proved.  With  them  he  fell  upon  Jabalah,  who 
was  totally  unprepared  for  so  hair-brained  an  assault,  threw 
his  host  into  complete  confusion,  and  obliged  him,  after  much 
slaughter,  te  retreat  upon  the  main  body.    The  triumph  of 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


90  succsssoBi  ei*  mahomet. 

Khaled,  however,  was  damped  by  the  Iosb  of  sereraL  vvliaat 
offioera,  amoD^  whom  were  Yezed,  Eafi,  and  Derar,  who  wcxe 
borne  offcaptires  by  the  retreating;  C^uristiana. 

In  the  meantime  a  i^ecial  n^tsenff  er,  named  Abdailah  Jkm 
Kort,  arrived  at  Medma,  bringing  letters  to  the  Cali^  from 
Abu  Obeids^,  describing  the  pmlons  aitoaticHi  of  the  Moslem 
army,  and  entreating  reinforcements.  The  Caliph  Meended 
the  pnlpit  of  Mahomet,  and  preadied  up  th^e  g^ry  of  %htiiig 
the  good  fiffht  of  faith  for  God  and  the  prophet  He  then 
gave  Abdaflah  an  e^ide  for  AbuObeidah,  filled  with  edging 
texts  from  the  Koran,  and  ending  with  an  aesuranoe  i^t  he 
would  pray  for  him,  and  would,  moreover,  send  him  a  ^eedy 
reinforcement.  This  done,  he  pronoimced  a  bdesBiBg  oq 
Abdailah,  and  bade  him  depart  w£h  all  speed. 

Abdailah  was  well  advanced  <m  his  reUMn,  when  h©  called 
to  mind  that  he  had  omitted  to  visit  the  tomb  of  the  prcq^ifift. 
Shocked  at  his  ^orgetfidness,  he  retracted  his  steps,  and 
sought  the  dwelling  of  Ayesha,  within  whidi  the  pm^et  lay- 
interred.  He  found  the  bea»tiM  widow  redlining  beside  tfabe 
tomb,  and  listening  to  Ali  and  Abbas,  who  weaee  readin^r  the 
Xoran,  while  Hassan  and  Hosein,  the  two  sons  of  Ah  and 
grandsons  of  the  prophet,  were  sitting  on  their  knees. 

Having  paid  due  honours  to  the  prophet's  tomb,  ihd  am-- 
siderate  messenger  expressed  his  feurs  that  this  pious  visit 
might  prevent  his  reaching  the  army  hefote  the  e:q>eeted 
battle ;  whereupon  the  holy  party  lifted  up  their  hdnds  to 
heaven,  and  Ali  put  up  a  prayer  for  his  speedy  ioumey .  Thus 
inspirited,  he  set  out  anew,  and  travelled  witli  such  nnucraal 
and  incredible  sj^ed,  that  the  army  looked  upon  it  as  jsiira- 
eulous,  and  attributed  it  to  i^  blessing  of  Omar  and  the 
prayer  of  Ali. 

The  promised  reinforcement  was  soon  cm  foot.  It  oodp 
sisted  of  eight  thousand  men  und^  the  command  of  Seid  Ibn 
Amir;  to  whom  the  Caliph  gave  a  red  silk  banner,  and  a  wozd 
of  advice  at  parting,  cautioning  him  to  govern  hiinself  as  well 
as  his  soldiers,  and  not  to  let  his  appetites  get  the  better  of 
his  self-command. 

Seid,  with  Moslem  frankness,  counselled  him,  in  return,  to 
fear  God  and  not  man ;  to  love  all  Moslems  equally  with  his 
own  kindred;  to  cherish  those  at  a  distance  equally  with 
those  at  hand ;  finally,  to  command  nothing  but  wliat  was 
light,  and  to  forbid  nothing  but  what  was  wrong.  The  Calmh 
listened  attentively,  his  forehead  resting  on  his  staff  and  his 
eyes  cast  upon  the  gr<nind.  When  Seid  had  finished,  he 
raised  his  h&ud  and  the  tears  ran  down  his  chedc.  "  Alas  T* 
said  he, ''  who  can  do  all  this  without  the  aid  of  God !" 

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Seid  Ibn  Amir  led  liis  force  by  the  shoitesi  route  acnioss 
the  deserte,  and,  hurryiii^  forward  with  more  rapidity  than 
heed,  lost  his  way.  Whue  he  halted  one  night,  in  the  Ticinitrf 
of  some  springs,  to  asoertam  his  route,  he  was  i^prisedby  lu» 
scouts  that  the  prefect  of  Ammon,  with  five  thousand  men» 
was  near  at  hand.  He  fell  upon  him  instantly,  and  cat  tiie 
infantry  to  pieces.  The  prefect  fled  with  his  cavalry,  but  en- 
countered  a  foraging  party  frc^  the  Moslem  camp,  the  leader 
of  which,  Zobeir,  tlmist  a*Woe  through  his  body,  and  betweeii 
tilie  two  parties  not  a  man  of  his  troop  escaped.  The  Moslems 
then  placed  the  heads  of  t^e  Chrbtians  on  tJieir  lances,  and 
arrived  with  l^eir  ghas^  trophies  at  the  camp,  to  the  great 
encouragement  of  Abu  Obeidah  and  his  host. 

The  imperial  army  had  now  drawn  near,  and  Manuel,  tiie 
gcaoieral,  attempted  again  to  enter  into  negotiations.  EJuded 
offered  to  go  and  confer  with  him ;  but  Ins  real  object  was  to 
flrttempt  the  release  of  his  friends  and  brethr^i  in  arms.  Aba 
Sofian,  Berar,  Eafi,  and  the  two  other  offioers  captured  in  the 
iate  skirmish  with  the  apostate  Jabalah. 

When  Xhalcd  reached  the  outpost  of  the  Christian  army,. 
he  was  required  to  leave  his  escort  of  one  hundred  chosen 
warriors,  and  proceed  alone  to  the  presence  of  the  general; 
but  he  refused.  He  equally  refused  a  demand  that  he  and 
bis  men  should  dismount  and  deliver  up  their  scimetan. 
Aflter  some  parley,  he  was  permitted  to  enter  into  the  pretence 
irf  the  g^ECial  iniiis  own  way. 

Manuel  was  seated  in  state  on  a  kind  of  throne,  surrounded 
by  his  officers,  all  splendidly  arrayed,  while  Khaled  entered 
with  his  hundred  war-worn  veterans,  clad  in  the  simplest  guise. 
Chairs  were  set  out  for  him  and  his  principal  companions,  but 
they  pushed  them  aside  and  suited  themselves  cross-legged 
on  the  ground,  after  the  Arabic  manner.  When  Manuel 
demanded  the  reason*  Xhaled  relied  by  quoting  a  verse  from 
the  twentieth  chapter  of  the  JBloran.  "Of  earth  ye  are 
ctented,  ftom  earth  ye  came,  and  unto  eartibi  ye  must  return." 
**  Grod  made  the  earth,"  added  he,  "  and  whi^  God  has  made 
for  men  to  sit  upcm,  is  more  precious  than  your  silka& 


he  confefrence  was  begun  by  Manuel,  who  expostulated  on 
tibe  injustice  of  the  Moslems  in  making  an  unprovoked  inroftdi 
into  the  territories  of  their  neighbours,  molestmg  them  in  thdr 
religious  worship,  robbing  them  of  their  wives  and  prop^ij, 
and  seizing  on  their  persons  as  slaves.  Eiialed  retorted,  that 
it  was  all  owing  to  their  own  obstinacy,  in  refusing  to  acknow- 
ledge that  there  was  but  (mid  God,  without  relation  or  assooiatev 
•md  thai}  Mahomet  was  his  prophet    Theis  diacmssMMi  grew 


7d  BUCCS8SOS8  OF  MAHOHBT. 

violent,  and  Khaled,  in  bis  heat,  told  Manuel  that  he  should 
one  day  see  him  drtu^ged  into  the  presence  of  Omar  with  a 
halter  round  his  neck,  there  to  have  his  head  struck  off,  as  an 
^cample  to  all  infidels  and  for  the  edification  of  true  be* 
Jievers. 

Manuel  replied  in  wrath,  that  !Khaled  was  protected  by  his 
<iharacter  of  ambassador ;  but  that  he  would  punish  his  in- 
solence by  causing  the  five  Moslem  captives,  his  friends,  to  be 
instantly  beheaded.  Xhaled  defied  him  to  execute  his  threat> 
swearing  bv  Allah,  by  his  prophet,  and  by  the  holy  Caaba,  that 
if  a  hair  or  their  heads  were  injured,  he  would  slay  Manuel 
with  his  own  hand  on  the  spot,  and  that  each  of  his  Moslems 
present  should  slay  his  man.  So  saying,  he  rose,  and  drew 
ids  scimetar,  as  did  likewise  his  companions. 

The  imperial  general  was  struck  with  admirati<Hi  at  his 
intrepidity.  He  replied,  calmly,  that  what  he  had  said  was  a 
mere  threat,  which  his  humanity,  and  his  respect  for  the 
mission  of  iKhaled,  would  not  permit  him  to  fulfil.  The 
Saracens  were  pacified  and  sheathed  their  swords,  and  tho 
conference  went  on  calmly. 

In  the  end,  Manuel  gave  up  the  five  prisoners  to  Ehaled 
lis  a  token  of  his  esteem;  and,  in returuyKhaled presented 
him  with  a  beautiM  scarlet  pavilion,  which  he  had  brought 
with  him,  and  pitched  in  the  Christian  camp,  and  for  which 
•Manuel  had  expressed  a  desire.  Thus  ended  this  conference, 
and  both  parties  retired  from  it  with  soldier-like  regard  for 
ieach  other. 


CHAPTEE  XVn. 

Tbe  Battle  of  Yermouk. 

The  great  battle  was  now  at  hand  that  was  to  determine  the 
fate  of  Syria,  for  the  emperor  had  staked  the  fortunes  of  this 
favourite  province  on  a  smgle,  but  gigantic  blow.  Abu  Obei- 
dah,  conscious  of  the  momentous  nature  of  the  conflict,  and 
diffident  of  his  abilities  in  the  field,  gave  a  proof  of  his  modesty 
and  ma^animily  by  restoring  to  Khaled  the  command  of 
the  whole  army.  For  himself,  he  took  his  station  with  the 
women  in  the  rear,  that  he  misht  rally  the  Moslems  should 
any  of  them  be  inclined  to  fly  me  field.  Here  he  erected  his 
standard,  a  yeUow  flag,  ^en  him  by  Abu  Beker,  being  the 
same  which  Mahomet  nad  displayed  m  the  battle  of  Ehaibar. 
Before  the  action  commenced  Khaled  rode  among  hii 


OMAB.  73 

troops,  making  a  short  but  emphatic  speech:  "Paradise/' 
cried  he,  "is  before  you — ^the  devil  and  nell  behind.  Fight 
bravely,  and  you  wiU  secure  the  one  5  fly,  and  you  will  fall 
into  the  other." 

The  armies  closed,  but  the  numbers  of  the  Christians  and 
the  superiority  of  Greek  and  Eoman  discipline  bore  down  tiie 
right  wing  of  the  Moslems.  Those,  however,  who  turned  their 
backs  and  attempted  to  fly  were  assailed  with  reproaches  and 
blows  by  the  women,  so  that  they  found  it  easier  to  face  the 
enemy  than  such  a  storm.  Even  Abu  Soflan  himself  received 
a  blow  over  the  face  with  a  tent-pole  from  one  of  those  viragos, 
as  he  retreated  before  the  enemy. 

Thrice  were  the  Moslems  beaten  back  by  the  steady  bearing 
of  the  Grecian  phalanx,  and  thrice  were  they  checked  and 
driven  back  to  battle  by  the  women.  Night  at  length  brought 
n  cessation  of  the  bloody  conflict ;  when  Abu  Obeidah  went 
roimd  among  the  wounded,  ministering  to  them  with  his  own 
hands,  while  the  women  bound  up  their  wounds  with  tender 
care. 

The  battle  was  renewed  on  the  following  morning,  and 
again  the  Moslems  were  sorely  pressed.  The  Clmstian 
archers  made  fearful  havoc,  and  such  was  their  dexterity,  that, 
among  the  great  number  of  Moslems  who  suffered  from  their 
arrows  on  that  day,  seven  hundred  lost  one  or  both  eyes. 
Hence  it  was  commemorated  as  "  the  Day  of  the  Blinding ;" 
and  those  who  had  received  such  wounds  gloried  in  them,  in 
<after  years,  as  so  many  trophies  of  their  having  struggled  for 
tiie  faith  in  that  day  of  hard  fighting.  There  were  several 
single  combats  of  note ;  among  others,  Seijabil  was  engaged 
hand  to  hand  Vith  a  stout  Christian ;  but  Seijabil,  havmg 
signalized  his  piety  by  excessive  watching  and  fasting,  was  so 
reduced  in  flesh  and  strength  that  he  was  no  matdi  for  his 
adversary,  and  would  infallibly  have  been  overpowered,  had 
not  Derar  come  behind  the  Christian,  and  stabbed  him  to  the 
heart.  Both  warriors  claimed  the  spoil,  but  it  was  adjudged 
to  him  who  slew  the  enemy.  In  the  course  of  this  arduous 
day,  the  Moslems  more  than  once  wavered,  but  were  rallied 
back  by  the  valour  of  the  women.  Caulah,  the  heroic  sister  of 
Perar,  mingling  in  the  fight,  was  wounded  and  struck  down; 
but  Ofl(^{m,  her  female  friend,  smote  ofl*  the  head  of  her 
oi^nent,  and  rescued  her.  The  battle  lasted  as  long  as  there 
was  light  enough  to  distinguish  friend  from  foe ;  but  the  night 
was  welcome  to  the  Moslems,  who  needed  all  their  enthusiasm 
AEul  reliance  on  the  promises  of  the  prophet  to  sustain  them, 
jEK>  hard  was  the  stn^gle  and  so  overwhehning  the  numbers  of 
4J10  enemy.    On  this  night,  the  good  Abu  Obeidah  repeated 

gitizedby  VjOO 


n  8TTCCBSS0B8  OT  MAHOMET. 

at  onoe  tiie  psajm  belaBging  to  two  soparate  faoaiB,  tkaifc  km 
weary  soldim  nigiLt  «vjoy  unintennipted  sleep. 

For  seyeral  asceessire  dajn  this  detente  battle,  on  wbkk 
hun^  the  fate  of  Syria,  was  renewed  with  Tarioos  fortuaiefi. 
In  im  ead  the  ^ttobc  yalocnr  of  the  Mofliems  prevailed;  the 
CSinetiaa  host  was  •eonqdetdy  routed  and  fled  in  all  dirootioBB. 
Many  w«re  ormrtaken  aiid  raain  in  tiie  dif&colt  passes  of  ti» 
ttonntains ;  others  peiisiied  in  a  deen  part  of  the  ri?er,  te 
which  they  were  decoyed  by  one  of  uieir  own  people,  in  ne- 
Tence  for  «n  injury.  Manuel,  the  imperial  geoecal,  fell  by 
tiie  band  of  a  Moslem  named  Noman  Imi  Alkamah. 

Abn  Obeidah  went  over  the  battle-fieM  in  penNM,  seeing^ 
that  l^e  woanded  Modems  were  well  taken  can  o^  and  the 
slain  decently  intened.  Hie  was  perplexed  for  n  time,  oa 
finding  some  heads  without  bodaes,  to  know  whether  thoj 
were  Moslems  or  infidels,  but  finally  prayed  over  them  at  a 
renture,  and  had  them  baried  like  the  rest. 

In  dividing  the  spoils,  Abn  CNbeidak,  scfter  settmg  aside 
one-fifth  for  the  Cahph  and  tba  public  treasury,  allotted  to 
each  foot  soldier  one  portion  and  to  each  horseman  three ; 
two  for  himself  and  one  for  fais  steed;  bnt  for  eadi  horse  <£ 
tke  pnre  Arabian  breed  he  allowed  a  doable  portiosL.  This 
last  ^lotment  met  with  opposition,  but  was  snbseqnentfy  t 
finned  by  the  Oalif^  on  aceoant  of  the  snperior  yaline  oft 
AraHan  horses. 

Such  was  the  great  battk  fo«^ht  on  ike  banks  of  the  Yep- 
monk,  near  the  ^ty  of  that  name,  in  the  month  of  Z^or^RDheiv 
▲.D.  ^6,  and  in  tl^  15th  year  of  the  Hegora. 


CHAPTEE  XVin. 

Siege  moA  nptan  of  JwimlcaB. 

The  Moslem  invaders  reposed  for  a  month  at  Daaaseiis  i 
Ihe  toil  of  oonqnest,  dnrmg  whidi  time  Abu  Obeidah  sent  to 
the  Caliph  to  know  whether  he  should  undertake  ^e  siege  of 
Cssarea,  or  Jemsalem.  Ali  was  with  Omar  at  the  time,  and 
ftdyised  the  instant  sie^  of  the  latter ;  Iot  aaeh,  he  said,  had 
b^n  the  intention  of  the  px^het  The  enterprise  agains^ 
Jerusalem  was  as  a  holy  war  to  the  Moslems,  for  they 
reyerenoed  it  as  an  ancient  seat  of  prophecy  and  ren^tion, 
oonnected  with  ^Bt&  histories  <^  Moses,  Jesus,  and  Mahomet^ 
and  sanctified  by  ooutaining  the  tombs  of  aevend  of  th* 

gtized  by  Google 


ancient  proph^.  llie  Caliph  adopted  tlie  advice  q£  Ali,  asid 
ordered  Abu  Obeidah  to  lead  Ms  army  into  Palestine,  and  lay 
siege  to  Jerusalem. 

On  receivinff  these  orders,  Abu  Obeidah  sent  forward 
Te2sed  Abu  SoSan,  with  fire  Hiousand  men,  to  commence  tho 
sie^e,  and  for  fire  suocessive  days  detached  after  hiTn  consider- 
ab&  reinforcements.  The  people  of  Jerusalein  saw  the  ap- 
proach of  these  portentous  inyaoers,  who  were  spreading  such 
o(mstemation  throughout  the  East,  but  they  made  no  s^y  to 
oppose  them,  nor  sent  out  any  one  to  parley,  but  planted 
engines  on  their  walls,  and  prepared  for  vi^rous  defence. 
Yezed  approached  the  dty  and  summoned  it  by  sound  of 
trumpet,  propounding  the  customary  terms,  professicm  of  the 
faith  or  Mbute:  boUi  were  rejected  with  disdmn.  The 
Moslems  would  haye  made  instant  assault,  but  Yezed  had  no 
auch  instruciaons :  he  encamped,  therefore,  and  waited  untA 
orders  arrived  &om  Abu  Obeidah  to  al^ack  the  dty,  when  he 
made  the  necessary  preparations. 

At  cock-crow  in  ihe  morning  the  Moslem  host  was  mar- 
shalled, the  leaders  repeated  the  matin  prayer  each  at  the 
head  of  his  battalicm,  and  all,  as  if  by  one  consent,  with  a  loud 
voice  gave  the  vflrse  from  the  Koran  :*  "  Enter  ye,  oh  people  ! 
into  the  holy  land  which  Allah  ha<^  destined  for  you.' 

For  ten  days  they  made  repeated  but  unavaihng  attacks  ; 
<m  the  eleventn  day  Abu  Obeidah  brought  the  whok  army  ta 
l^eir  aid.  He  immediately  sent  a  written  summons  requiring 
the  inhabitants  to  believe  in  the  unity  of  6rod,  the  divine 
mission  of  Mahcmiet,  the  resurrection  and  final  judgment :  or 
«lse  to  acknowledge  allegiance,  and  pay  tribute  to  the  Caliph: 
"  otherwise,"  condiuded  the  letter,  ''  I  will  bring  men  agamst 
you,  who  love  death  better  than  you  love  wine  or  swine's  flesh; 
nor  will  I  leave  you,  God  willing,  until  I  have  destroyed  your 
fighting  men,  and  made  slaves  ot  your  children." 

The  summons  was  addressed  to  the  magistrates  and  prin- 
cipal inhabitants  of  iBha,  for  so  Jerusalem  was  named  after 
the  emperor  JElHus  Adrian,  when  he  rebuilt  that  cit;^. 

Sopiionius,  the  Christian  patriarch,  or  bishop  of  Jerusalem, 
replied  that  this  was  the  holy  city,  and  the  noly  land,  and 
l^at  whoever  entered  either,  for  a  hostile  purpose,  was  an 
offiander  in  the  eyes  of  God.  He  felt  some  confidence  in 
setting  Ihe  invaders  at  defiance,  for  the  walls  and  towers  or 
iiie  ci^  had  been  diligently  strengthened,  and  the  garrison 
had  been  rein^rced  by  fugitives  from  Yermouk,  and  from 

*  These  words  are  from  the  fifth  chapter  of  the  Konn,  where  M^iom^ 
pals  them  iafeo  the  mouth  of  Moees,  as  addiessea  to  the  chiULitn  »tUntiL 


76  8UCCES80BS  OF  MAHOMBT. 

Tarions  parts  of  Syria.  The  city,  too,  was  strong  in  its 
situation,  beinff  sturronnded  by  deep  ravines  and  a  broken 
conntry ;  and  sS)ove  all,  there  was  a  pious  incentive  to  courage 
and  perseverance  in  defending  the  sepulchre  of  Christ. 

Four  wintry  months  elapsed ;  every  day  there  were  sharp 
skirmishings ;  the  besiegers  were  assailed  bv  sallying  parties, 
annoyed  by  the  engines  on  the  walls,  ana  harass^  by  the 
inclement  weather ;  still  they  carried  on  the  siege  with  un- 
diminished spirit.  At  lengm  the  Patriarch  Sopmronins  held 
a  parley  from  the  walls  with  Abu  Obeidah.  '*  Do  you  not 
know,"  said  he,  "  that  this  city  is  holy ;  and  that  whoever 
offers  violence  to  it,  draws  upon  his  head  the  vengeance  of 
heaven  P" 

"  We  know  it,"  replied  Abu  Obeidah,  "  to  be  the  house  of 
the  prophets,  where  their  bodies  lie  interred ;  we  know  it  to 
be  the  place  whence  our  prophet  Mahomet  made  his  nocturnal 
ascent  to  heaven ;  and  we  know  that  we  are  more  worthy  of 
possessing  it  than  you  are,  nor  will  we  raise  the  siege  luitil 
AUah  has  delivered  it  into  our  hands,  as  he  has  done  many 
other  places." 

Seemg  there  was  no  further  hope,  the  patriarch  consented 
to  give  up  the  city,  on  condition  tiiat  the  Caliph  would  come 
in  person  to  take  possession  and  sign  the  articles  of  sur- 
render. 

When  this  unusual  stipulation  was  made  known  to  the 
Caliph,  he  held  a  council  with  his  friends.  Othman  despised 
the  people  of  Jerusalem,  and  was  for  refusing  their  terms,  but 
Ali  represented  the  sanctity  and  importance  of  the  place  in 
the  eyes  of  the  Christians,  which  might  prompt  them  to  rein- 
force it,  and  to  make  a  desperate  defence  if  treated  with, 
andigniir.  Besides,  he  added,  the  presence  of  the  Caliph 
would  cheer  and  inspirit  the  army  in  thisir  long  absence,  and 
after  the  hardships  of  a  wintry  campaign. 

The  words  of  Ali  had  their  weight  with  the  Caliph:  though 
certain  Arabian  writers  pretend  that  he  was  chiefly  moved  by 
a  tradition  handed  down  in  Jerusalem  from  days  of  yore, 
which  said,  that  a  man  of  his  name,  religion,  and  personal 
tippearance,  should  conquer  the  Holy  City.  Whatever  may- 
have  been  his  inducements,  the  Calim  resolved  to  receive,  in 
person,  the  surrender  of  Jerusalem.  He  accordingly  appointed 
Ali  to  officiate  in  his  place  during  his  absence  m>m  Medina ; 
then,  having  prayed  at  the  mosque,  and  paid  a  pious  visit  to 
the  tomb  of  tne  prophet,  he  set  out  on  his  journey. 

The  progress  of  this  formidable  potentate,  who  already  held 
*he  destinies  of  empires  in  his  grasp,  and  had  the  plunder  of  ike 
Orient  at  his  command,  is  characteristic  of  thej>rimitive  dajfi 

gitized  by  Google 


OMAB.  Tt 

of  Mahometanism,  and  rerealB,  in  some  measure,  the  secret 
of  its  success.  He  trayelled  on  a  red  or  sorrel  camel, 
across  wMch  was  siting  an  alforja,  or  wallet,  with  a  huge  sack 
or  pocket  at  each  end,  something  like  the  modem  saddle- 
bags. One  pocket  contained  dates  and  dried  fruits,  the  other 
a  provision  called  sawik,  which  was  nothing  more  than  barley, 
rice,  or  wheat,  parched  or  sodden.  Before  him  hun^  a  leathern 
bottle,  or  sack,  for  water,  and  behind  him  a  wooden  platter. 
His  companions,  without  distinction  of  rank,  ate  with  Viitn  out 
of  the  same  dish,  usin?  their  fingers  according  to  Oriental 
usage.  He  slept  at  ni^t  on  a  mat  spread  out  xmder  a  tred, 
or  xmder  a  common  Bedouin  tent  of  hair-cloth,  and  never  re- 
sinned his  march  until  he  had  oflfered  up  the  morning  prayer. 

As  he  journeyed  through  Arabia  in  this  simple  way,  he 
listened  to  the  complaints  of  the  people,  redressed  their  griev- 
ances, and  administered  justice  with  sound  judgment  and  & 
rigid  hand.  Information  was  brought  to  him  of  an  Arab  who 
was  married  to  two  sisters,  a  practice  not  unusual  amon^ 
idolaters,  but  the  man  was  now  a  Mahometan.  Omar  cited 
the  culprit  and  his  two  wives  into  his  presence,  and  taxed 
him  roundly  with  his  offence;  but  he  declared  his  ignorance 
that  it  was  contrary  to  the  law  of  the  prophet. 

**  Thou  liest !"  said  Omar,  **  thou  shaft  part  with  one  or 
them  instantly,  or  lose  thy  head." 

"  Evil  was  the  day  that  I  embraced  such  a  religion,"  mut- 
tered the  culprit.    "  Of  what  advantage  has  it  been  to  me  P" 

"  Come  nearer  to  me,"  said  Omar ;  and  on  his  approaching, 
the  caliph  bestowed  two  wholesome  blows  on  his  head  with 
his  walking-staff. 

"Enemy  of  God  and  of  thyself,"  cried  he,  "let  these 
blows  reform  thy  manners,  and  teach  thee  to  speak  with  more 
reverence  of  a  religion  ordained  by  Allah,  and  acknowledged 
by  the  best  of  his  creatures." 

He  then  ordered  the  offender  to  choose  between  his  wives, 
and  finding  him  at  a  loss  which  to  prefer,  the  matter  was  de- 
termined by  lot,  and  he  was  dismissed  by  the  caliph  with  this 
parting  admonition :  "  Whoever  professes  Islam,  and  after- 
wards renounces  it,  is  punishable  with  death ;  therefore  take 
heed  to  your  faith.  Aiid  as  to  your  wife's  sister,  whom  you 
have  put  away,  if  ever  I  hear  that  you  have  meddled  with 
her,  you  shau  be  stoned." 

At  another  place  he  beheld  a  number  of  men  exposed  to 
the  burning  heat  of  the  sun  by  their  Moslem  conquerors,  as 
a  punishment  for  failing  to  pay  their  tribute,  finding,  on 
inquiry,  that  they  were  entirely  destitute  of  means,  he 
ordered  them  to  be  released ;  and,  turning  reproachfolly  to 

gitized  by  Google 


7ft  SUCCESSOBS  OW  KAHOMET. 

their  <^)pres8en,  "  Compd  no  men/'  said  he,  "  to  moire  tkam 
the^  can  bear ;  for  I  beard  the  aposUe  of  God  i&j,  be  who 
afflicts  bia  feUow-man  in  this  world,  will  be  punished  with,  the 
jfire  ci  Jehennam." 

While  jet  within  a  day's  ionraej  (^Jerusalem,  Abu  Obeidaii 
came  to  meet  him  and  conouet  bun  to  the  camp.  The  calipb, 
proceeded  with  due  deUberaticMi,  never  forgettmg  his  duties 
as  a  priest  and  teacher  of  Islam.  In  the  mormng  he  said 
the  usual  prayers,  and  preached  a  sermon,  in  which  he  s^ke 
of  the  securi^  of  those  wh<mi  Gtxi  should  lead  in  the  liffht 
way;  but  adaed,  that  there ^was  no  help  for  such  as  &>d 
sboiild  lead  into  error. 

A  gray-headed  Christian  priest,  who  sat  before  him,  could 
not  resist  the  opportunity  to  criticise  the  language  of  the 
caliph  preacher.  *'  Grod  leads  no  man  into  error,'  said  he, 
aloud. 

Omar  deigned  no  direct  reply,  but,  turning  to  those  around, 
'*  Strike  off  that  old  man's  head,"  said  he,  **  if  he  repeats  his 
▼ords." 

The  old  man  was  discreet,  and  held  his  peace.  ^  There  was 
no  arguing  against  the  sword  of  Islam. 

On  his  way  to  the  camp  Omar  beheld  a  number  of  Arabs, 
who  had  thrown  b^  the  simple  garb  of  their  country,  and 
arrayed  themselves  in  the  silken  spoils  of  Syria.  He  saw  the 
danger  of  this  luxury  and  effeminacy,  and  ordered  tlmt  thej 
should  be  dragged  witb  their  faces  in  the  dirt,  and  iheir 
ailken  garments  torn  from  their  backs. 

When  he  came  in  sight  of  Jerusalem  he  lifted  up  his  voice 
and  exclaimed,  "  AUah  Achbar !  God  is  mighty !  Grod  grant 
us  an  easy  conquest!"  Then  commanding  his  tent  to  be  pitted, 
he  dismounted  from  his  camel  and  sat  down  within  it  on  the 
ground.  The  Christians  thrcmged  to  see  the  sovereign  of  this 
new  and  irresistible  people,  who  were  overrunning  and  sub- 
duing the  earth.  The  Moslems,  feaiM  of  an  attemnt  at 
assassination,  would  have  kept  them  at  a  distance,  but  Omar 
rebuked  their  fears.  "  Nothmg  will  befal  us  but  what  God 
hath  decreed.    Let  the  faithful  trust  in  him." 

The  arrival  of  the  caliph  was  followed  by  immediate  capi- 
tulation. When  the  deputies  from  JerasaJem  were  admitted 
to  a  parley,  they  were  astonished  to  find  this  dreaded  poten- 
tate a  bald  heaaed  man,  simply  clad,  and  seated  on  the  ground 
in  a  t^at  <^  hair-cloth. 

The  articles  of  surrender  were  drawn  up  in  writing  1^ 
Omar,  and  served  afterwards  as  a  model  for  the  Moslem  lexers 
in  other  conquests.  The  Christians  were  to  build  no  new 
diiufches  in  the  surrendered  texritory.    The  church  doors 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAB.  99^ 

w^re  to  be  set  c^n  to  trftyellers,  aadlree  egress  pennitted  to 
Mahometans  by  day  and  night.  The  bells  should  only  toU, 
and  not  ring,  and  no  crosses  should  be  erected  on  the  churches, 
nor  shown  publicly  in  the  streets.  The  Christians  should  not 
teach  the  Koran  to  their  children  •,  nor  speak  openly  of  tiieir 
religion ;  nor  attempt  to  make  proselytes ;  nor  hinder  their 
kinsfolk  fi*om  embracing  Islam.  They  should  not  assume  tlve 
Moslem  dress,  either  caps,  slippers,  or  turbans,  nor  ^art  their 
hair  like  Moslems,  but  shoula  always  be  distinguished  by 
g[irdles.  They  should  not  use  the  Arabian  lanffoage  in  inscrip- 
tions on  their  signets,  nor  salute  after  the  Moslem  manner,  not 
he  called  by  M^em  surnames.  They  should  rise  on  the  en- 
trance of  a  Moslem,  and  remain  standing  until  he  i^ould  be 
seated.  Theyshould  entertain  erery  Moslem  traveller  three 
days  gratis,  xhey  should  sell  no  wine,  bear  no  arms,  and  use 
no  saddle  in  nding ;  neither  should  they  hare  any  domestic 
who  had  been  in  Moslem  service. 

Such  were  the  degrading  conditions  imposed  upcm  the  proud 
City  of  Jerusalem,  once  the  glory  and  terror  of  the  East,  by 
the  leader  of  a  host  of  wandering  Arabs.  They  were  the  con- 
ditions generally  imposed  by  tlm  Moslems  in  their  fanatical 
career  <h  conquest.  Utter  scorn  and  abhorrence  of  their  reli- 
gious adversaries  formed  one  of  the  main  pillars  of  their  faitlu 

The  Christians  having  agreed  to  surrenoer  on  these  terms, 
the  Caliph  gave  them,  under  his  own  hand,  an  assurance  of 
protection  in  their  lives  and  fortunes,  the  use  of  their  churches, 
and  the  exercise  of  their  religion. 

Omar  entered  the  once  s^endid  cit^  of  Solomon  on  foot, 
in  his  simple  Arab  garb,  with  his  wallang-staff  in  his  hand, 
and  accompanied  by  the  venerable  Sophronius,  with  whom  he 
talked  familiarly,  inquiring  about  the  antiquities  and  public 
edifices.  The  worthy  patriarch  treated  the  conqueror  with  all 
outward  deference,  but,  if  we  may  trust  the  words  of  a  Chris- 
tian historian,  he  loathed  the  dirty  Arab  in  his  heart,  and  was 
particularly  (fisgusted  with  his  garb  of  coarse  woollen,  patched 
with  sheepskin.  His  disgust  was  almost  irrepressible  when 
they  entered  the  church  of  the  Eesurrection,  and  Sophronius 
beheld  the  Caliph  in  his  filtl^  attire,  seated  in  the  midst  of 
the  sacred  edifice.  **  This*  of  a  truth,'*  exdaimed  he,  *'  is  the 
abomination  of  desolation  predicted  by  Daniel  the  prophet, 
standing  in  the  holy  place. 

It  is  added  timt,  to  pacify  the  deanly  scruples  of  the 
patariardbt,  Omar  consented  to  put  on  dean  raiment  which  he 
offered  him,  until  his  own  garments  were  washed. 

An  instance  of  the  strict  good  £uth  of  Omar  is  related  aa 
ooeorring  on  thia  Tisit  to  the  Cbdstian  traifies.    While  he 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


80  8UCCES80B8  OF  MAHOHinP. 

was  standing  with  the  patriarch  in  the  chnrch  of  the  Besiir- 
rection,  one  of  the  stated  hours  for  Moslem  worship  arrived, 
and  he  demanded  where  he  might  pray.  "  Where  yon  now 
are,"  repKed  the  patriarch.  Omar,  nowerer,  reftised,  and 
went  forth.  The  patriarch  conducted  him  to  the  chnitsh  of 
Constantino,  and  spread  a  mat  for  him  to  pray  there ;  hut 
aijain  he  refused.  Cm  going  forth,  he  knelt,  and  prayed  on  the 
flight  of  steps  leading  down  from  the  east  gate  of  the  chnrch. 
Tins  done,  he  tamed  to  the  patriarch,  and  gave  him  a 
generous  reason  for  his  conduct.  "  Had  I  prayed  in  either 
of  the  churches,"  said  he,  '*  the  Moslems  would  have  taken 
possession  of  it,  and  consecrated  it  as  a  mosque." 

So  scrupulous  was  he  in  observing  his  capitulations 
respecting  tne  churches,  that  he  gave  the  patriarch  a  writing, 
forbidding  the  Moslems  to  pray  upon  the  steps  where  he  h^ 
prayed,  except  one  person  at  a  time.  The  zeal  of  the 
faitiiful,  however,  outstripped  their  respect  for  his  commands, 
and  one-half  of  the  steps  and  porch  was  afterwards  included 
in  a  mosque  built  over  the  spot  which  he  had  accidentally 
sanctified. 

The  Caliph  next  sought  the  place  where  the  temple  of 
Solomon  had  stood,  where  he  founded  a  mosque ;  which,  in 
after  times,  being  enlarged  and  enriched  by  succeeding 
Caliphs,  became  one  of  the  noblest  edifices  of  Islam  worship, 
and  second  only  to  the  magnificent  mosque  of  Cordova. 

Ihe  surrender  of  Jerusdem  took  place  in  the  seventeenth 
year  of  the  Hegira,  and  the  six  hundred  and  thirty-seventh 
year  of  the  Christian  era. 


CHAPTEEXDL 

Progress  of  the  Moslem  arms  in  Syria.— Siege  of  Al^po^— Obstioate  defence 
by  Youkenna.— Exploit  of  Damas.— Capture  of  tbe  castl&  Conyerdon 
of  Tookenua. 

The  Caliph  Omar  remained  ten  days  in  Jerusalem,  regulating 
the  great  scheme  of  Islam  conquest.  To  complete  Sie  aub- 
jugation  of  Syria,  he  divided  it  into  two  parts.  Sout^iem 
Syria,  consistmg  of  Palestine  and  the  maritime  towns,  he 
gave  in  charge  to  Yezed  Ibn  Abu  Sofian,  with  a  considerable 
portion  of  me  army  to  enable  him  to  master  it ;  while  Abu 
Obeidah,  with  a  larger  force,  had  orders  promptly  to  reduce 
all  Northern  Syria,  comprising  the  country  lying  between 
Haunm  and  Aleppo.    At  the  same  time,  Aaxu  Ibn  al  Aass, 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OUAIU  81 

with  a  body  of  Moslem  troops,  was  ordered  to  invade  Egypt, 
which  venerable  and  once  mighty  empire  was  then  in  a  state 
of  melancholv  decline.  Such  were  the  great  jihna  of  Islam 
conquest  in  these  regions ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  Saad  Ibn 
Abi  Wakk&s,  another  of  Omar's  generals,  was  pursuing  a 
career  of  victories  in  the  Persian  territories. 

The  return  of  Omar  to  Medina  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the 
inhabitants,  for  they  had  regarded  with  great  anxiety  and 
apprehension  his  visit  to  Jerusalem.  They  knew  the  salubrity 
of  the  climate,  the  fertility  of  the  country,  and  the  sacred 
character  of  the  cityj  containing  the  tombs  of  the  prophets, 
and  being  the  place,  according  to  Moslem  belief,  where  all 
mankind  were  to  be  assembled  in  the  day  of  the  resurrection. 
They  had  feared,  therefore,  that  he  would  be  tempted  to  fix 
his  residence,  for  the  rest  of  his  days,  in  that  consecrated 
c5ty.  Great  was  their  joy,  therefore,  when  they  saw  their 
Caliph  re-enter  their  gates  in  his  primitive  simpHcitjr,  clad  in 
his  coarse  Arab  garb,  and  seated  on  his  camel  with  his  wallets 
of  dried  fruits  and  sodden  com ;  his  leathern  bottle  and  his 
wooden  platter. 

Abu  Obeidah  departed  from  Jerusalem,  shortly  after  the 
CaHph,  and  marchea  with  his  army  to  the  north,  receiving,  in 
the  course  of  his  progress  throujjh  Svria,  the  submission  of 
the  cities  of  Xennesrin  and  Alhadir,  tne  inhabitants  of  which 
ransomed  themselves  and  their  possessions,  for  five  thousand 
ounces  of  gold,  the  like  quantitv  of  silver,  two  thousand  suits 
of  silken  raiment,  and  as  much  figs  and  aloes  as  would  load 
&Ye  hundred  mules ;  he  then  proceeded  towards  the  city  of 
Aleppo,  which  the  Caliph  had  ordered  him  to  besiege.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  place  were  much  given  to  commerce,  and 
had  amassed  great  wealth ;  they  trembled,  therefore,  at  the 
approach  of  these  plundering  sons  of  the  desert,  who  had  laid 
so  many  cities  under  contribution. 

The  city  of  Aleppo  was  walled  and  fortified;  but  it 
depended  chieflv  for  defence  upon  its  citadel,  which  stood 
without  the  walls  and  apart  from  the  city,  on  an  artificial  hill 
or  mound,  shaped  like  a  truncated  cone  or  sugar-loaf,  and 
faced  with  stone.  The  citadel  was  of  great  size,  and  com- 
manded all  the  adjacent  country;  it  was  encompassed  by  a 
deep  moat,  which  could  be  filled  from  springs  of  water,  and 
was  considered  the  strongest  castle  in  all  Syria.  The  governor, 
who  had  been  appointed  to  this  place  by  the  ±)mperor 
HeracHus,  and  who  had  held  all  the  territory  between  Aleppo 
and  the  Euphrates,  had  lately  died,  leaving  two  sons,  xou- 
kenna  and  Johannas,  who  resided  in  the  castie  and  succeeded 
to  his  ponmiand.  They  were  completely  opposite  in  character 


M  8UCCB880IW  or  KAHOHST. 

sod  oondaoi.  Youkeimft,  the  Mer  of  the  two,  was  a  warrior 
and  managed  the  gotemment,  while  Johannaa  iMwaed  hia  Hfe 
In  almost  monlfiBh  retirement,  derotin^  hiniaelf  to  atiu^,  t» 
relisiouB  exereiaea,  and  to  aeta  of  chanty.  On  the  approadt 
of  we  Moslems,  Johannaa  aympathizea  with  the  leara  oi 
the  wealthy  merchants,  and  adrised  his  brother  to  o<napoimd 
peaceably  with  the  eneniy  for  a  ransom  in  money.  "You 
laUc  like  a  monk,"  replied  the  fierce  Yonkenna;  ^  yoa  know 
Bothing  that  is  due  to  the  honour  of  a  soldier.  Have  we  not 
strong  walls,  a  brave  garrison,  and  ample  wealth  to  mistain 
us,  and  shall  we  meanly  bay  a  peace  without  striking  a  blow  f 
8hat  yonrself  up  with  your  books  and  beads;  study  and  "pnj, 
and  leare  the  defence  of  the  place  to  me." 

The  next  day  lie  sunmumed  his  troops,  distributed  money 
among  them,  and  haying  thus  roused  their  spirit,  "  The 
Arabs,"  said  he,  *'  haye  divided  their  forces ;  some  are  in 
Palestine,  some  haye  gcme  to  Egypt,  it  can  be  but  a  mere 
detachment  that  is  coming  against  us;  I  am  for  meeting  them 
on  iihe  way,  and  giying  them  battle  before  they  come  near  to 
Aleppo."  His  troops  answered  his  harangue  with  shouts,  so 
be  put  himself  at  the  head  of  twelve  thousand  men,  and  sallied 
forth  to  encounter  the  Moslems  on  their  mardi. 

Scarcely  had  this  reckless  warrior  departed  with  his  troops,, 
when  the'timid  and  trading  part  of  the  community  gathe^ 
together,  and  took  adyant^e  of  his  absence  to  send  thir^  <^ 
the  most  important  and  opulent  of  tiie  inliabitants  to  Aim 
Obeidah,  with  an  ofier  of  a  ransom  for  the  city.  These 
worthies,  whm  they  entered  the  Moslem  camp,  were  asto- 
nished at  the  ordtap  and  tranquillity  that  reigned  throughout, 
under  the  wise  regulations  of  the  commander-in-chief.  Ther 
were  received  by  Abu  Obeidah  with  dignified  composure,  and 
informed  him  that  they  had  come  wil£>ut  the  knowledge  of 
Youkenna,  their  warlike  governor,  who  had  sallied  out  on  a 
foray*  and  whose  tyranny  they  found  insupportable.  After 
much  discussion,  Adu  Obeidab  offered  indemnity  to  the  city 
of  Aleppo,  on  condition  that  they  shoxdd  pay  a  certain  sum 
of  money,  furnish  nrovisions  to  his  army,  make  discovery  of 
everything  within  tneir  knowledge  prejudicial  to  his  interests, 
and  prevent  Youkenna  from  returning  to  the  castle.  Thej 
agreed  to  all  the  terms  except  that  relating  to  tiie  castle, 
i^ch  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  execute. 

Abu  Obeidab  dispensed  with  that  point,  but  exacted  from 
them  all  an  oath  to  fulfil  punctually  the  otber  conditions  f 
assuring  them  of  his  protection  and  kindness,  should  t^ey 
observe  it ;  but  adding  that,  should  they  break  it,  they  need 
«zpect  no  quarter.    He  then  offered  them  an  escort,  which 


oKiX.  188 

Ikad  come. 

Ib  ^e  meantine  YovkcDBOA,  on  the  day  after  Ids  saUying 
forth,  Ibn  in  with  &e  advance  ^oard  of  me  Moslem  arn^, 
oomnsting  of  oae  thomnnd  men,  under  Caab  Ibn  Bamarraa. 
fie  oame  fifOQ  #ieiH  hy  ampnae  while  wzttmng  Iheir  horses, 
and  restiiig  themsel^vs  on  me  grsas  in  negligent  security.  A 
desperate  fight  was  the  oonsequenoe ;  the  Moslems  at  first 
were  siteeewfui,  btA  wwre  overpowered  by  ntmibers.  One 
hnndred  and  seremly  were  akin,  most  of  me  rest  wounded, 
vzmI  their  &emient  ones  of  **Ya  Mahomffied!  Ya  Ma- 
hommed!'*  (Oh  Mahomet!  Oh  Mahomet!)  showed  ^e  ex« 
ti^NDity  of  their  dematr.  !Night  alone  sared  them  from  total 
naesaere ;  but  Yonkemm  rei^ved  to  pursue  the  work  of  esy 
tenainadon  with  the  morning  lig^t.  In  the  course  of  '^e- 
ndght,  however,  one  of  his  scovts  brought  him  word  of  th4 
peaoeM  negotiation  carried  on  by  the  citizens  of  Ale^pe^ 
JUirin£^  his  aSs^iee.  Boifin^  with  rage,  he  gave  up  all  fortneir 
thought  about  Caab  and  nis  men,  and  hastenmg  back  tO' 
Akppo,  drew  up  his  forees,  and  threatened  to  put  ererythin(f: 
to  me  and  sword  uidees  the  inhabitants  renounced  the  treaty » 
joined  him  against  the  Moslems,  and  |;aye  up  the  devisers  of^ 
the  late  traitorous  sdiiemes.  On  ihea  hesitating  to  comply 
with  his  demands,  he  charged  on  them  with  his  troops,  and 
put  Ihree  hundred  to  the  sword.  The  cries  and  lamentationB 
of  the  multitude  reached  the  nious  Johannas  in  Ms  retirement 
in  the  caslle.  He  hastened  to  the  scene  of  carnage,  and 
sought  by  prayers  and  supplicationB,  and  pious  Temonstrances, 
to  stay  the  ftur  of  his  brother.  **  What  I"  cried  the  fierce 
Youkenna,  "  snail  I  spare  traitors  who  are  leagued  with  Ihe 
enemy,  and  selling  us  for  goldP" 

" iiJas !"  replied  Johannas,  "they  have  only  sought  their 
own  safely ;  they  are  not  fighting  men." 

**  Base  wretdi  I**  cried  Youkenna,  in  a  firenzy,  "  *tia  thou 
hast  been  the  contriver  of  this  infamous  treason."* 

His  naked  sword  was  in  his  hand ;  his  actions  were  ev^ 
more  frantic  than  his  words,  and  in  an  instant  the  head  of  his 
meek  and  pious  brother  rolled  on  the  pavement. 

The  people  of  Aleppo  were  in  danger  of  sufiering  more 
from  the  madness  of  the  army  than  they  had  anprehended 
from  the  sword  of  the  invader,  when  a  part  of  tne  Moslei^ 
army  appeared  in  sight,  led  on  by  Slhaled.  A  bloody  battle 
ensued  oefore  the  walls  of  the  town,  three  thousand  of  Yoa* 
kenna's  troops  were  slain,  and  he  was  obliged  to  take  refhge 
with  a  considerable  number  within  the  castk^  where  he  placed 

^*  gtized  by  Google 


€4  8UCCE880B8  OF  HAHOHBT. 

engines  on  the  walls,  and  prepared  to  defend  himself  to  the 
last  extremity. 

A  council  was  held  in  the  Moslem  camp«  Abu  Obeidah 
was  disposed  to  besiege  the  citadel,  and  starve  out  the  gar- 
rison, but  Khaled,  with  his  accustomed  promptness,  was  for 
instant  assault,  before  the  emperor  could  send  reinforcements 
and  supphes.  As  usual,  his  bold  counsel  ^vailed ;  the  castle 
was  stormed,  and  he  headed  the  assault.  The  conflict  was  one 
of  the  fiercest  in  the  wars  of  Syria.  The  besieged  hurled 
huge  stones  from  the  battlements ;  many  of  the  assailants 
were  slain,  many  maimed,  and  Khaled  was  compelled  to  desist 
from  the  attack. 

In  the  dead  of  that  very  night,  when  the  fires  of  the  camp 
were  extinguished,  and  the  Moslems  were  sleeping  after  their 
hard-fought  battle,  Youkenna  sallied  forth  with  his  troops,  fell 
on  tiie  enemy  sword  in  hand,  lolled  sixty,  and  bore  on  fifty 
prisoners :  £haled,  howerer,  was  hard  on  his  traces,  and  killed 
abore  a  hundred  of  his  men  before  they  could  shelter  them- 
selves within  the  castle.  On  the  next  morning  Youkenna 
paraded  his  fifty  prisoners  on  the  walls  of  the  citadel,  ordered 
them  to  be  beheaded,  and  threw  their  heads  among  the  be- 
siegers. 

Learning  from  his  spies  that  a  detachment  of  Moslems 
were  foragmg  the  country,  Youkenna  sent  out,  secretly,  a 
troop  of  horse  in  the  night,  who  fell  upon  the  foragers,  killed 
neany  seven  score  of  them,  slew  or  hamstrung  their  camels, 
mules,  and  horses,  and  then  hid  themselves  in  the  recesses  of 
the  mountains,  awaiting  the  night  to  ^et  back  to  the  castle. 

Some  fugitives  carried  tidings  of  this  skirmish  to  the  camp, 
and  Khaled  and  Derar,  with  a  trooo  of  horse,  were  soon  at 
the  scene  of  combat.  They  found  the  ground  strewed  with 
the  dead  bodies  of  men  and  animals,  learnt  from  some  pea- 
sants whither  the  enemy  had  retreated,  and  were  informed  of 
a  narrow  defile  by  which  they  must  return  to  the  castle. 
Xhaled  and  Derar  stationed  meir  troops  in  ambush  in  this 
defile.  Late  in  the  night  they  perceived  the  enemy  advancing. 
They  suffered  them  to  get  completely  entangled  m  the  defile, 
when,  closing  suddenly  upon  them  on  every  side,  they  slew  a 
number  on  me  spot,  and  took  three  hundred  prisoners.  These 
were  brought  in  triumph  to  the  Moslem  camp,  where  they 
would  have  redeemea  themselves  with  ample  ransom,  but 
their  heads  were  all  stricken  off  in  front  of  the  castle,  by  way 
of  retaliation. 

For  five  months  did  the  siege  of  this  fortress  continue ;  all 
the  attacks  of  the  Moslems  were  repulsed,  allUieir  stratagems 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


OMAS.  85' 

discorered  and  circamyented;  for  Tottkenna  liad  spies  in  the 
verjr  camp  of  the  enemy,  who  gave  him  intelligence  by  word 
or  signal,  of  every  plan  and  movement.  Abu  Obeidah  des- 
paired of  reducing  this  impregnable  castle,  which  impeded 
him  in  his  career  of  conc[uest,  and  wrote  to  the  CaliplC  pro- 
posii^  to  abandon  the  siege  and  proceed  agamst  Autioch. 
The  Calinh,  in  reply,  ordered  him  by  no  means  to  desist,  as 
that  would  give  courage  to  the  enemy,  but  to  press  the  siege 
hard,  and  trust  the  event  to  Grod.  As  an  additional  reliance, 
he  sent  him  a  reinforcement  of  horse  and  foot,  with  twenty 
camels  to  facilitate  the  march  of  the  infantry.  Notwith* 
standing  all  this  aid,  the  siege  was  continued  for  seven-and- 
forty  days,  with  no  greater  prospect  dt  success. 

While  in  this  state  of  vexatious  impediment  and  delay, 
Abu  Obeidah  was  one  day  accosted  by  one  of  the^  neMy- 
arrived  soldiers,  who  told  him  that,  if  he  would  ffive  him 
thirty  men,  all  strong  and  valiant,  he  would  pledge  nis  head 
to  put  him  in  possession  of  the  castle.  The  man  who  made 
this  singular  application  was  named  Damda ;  he  was  of  Her- 
culean strength  and  gif^antic  size,  a  brave  soldier,  and  of 
great  natural  sagacity,  although  unimproved  by  education,  as 
he  was  bom  a  s&ve.  ^  Khaled  backed  his  appucation,  having 
heard  of  great  exploits  performed  by  him  m  Arabia.  Abu 
Obeidah,  m  his  perplexities,  was  willing  to  adopt  any  expe* 
dient  to  get  possession  of  this  obstinate  castle,  and  the  Arabs 
were  always  prone  to  strange  and  extravagant  stratagems  in 
theur  warfare.  He  accordmgly  placed  tlmrty  of  his  bravest 
men  under  command  of  Damas,  charging  them  to  obey  him 
implicitly,  notwithstanding  his  base  conmtion ;  at  the  same 
time,  in  compliance  with  his  request,  he  removed  with  his 
army  to  the  Stance  of  a  league,  as  though  about  to  abandon 
the  siege. 

It  was  now  night,  and  Dam^  concealed  his  thirty  men 
near  to  the  castle,  charging  them  not  to  stir,  nor  utter  a 
sound.  He  then  went  out  aSme,  and  brought  in  six  Christian 
prisoners,  one  after  another.  He  questioned  them  in  Arabic, 
out  they  were  ignorant  of  the  language,  and  reulied  in 
their  own  tongue.  "  The  curse  of  AUah  on  these  Cnristian 
dogs  and  their  barbarous  jargon,  which  no  man  can  imder- 
stand,"  cried  the  rude  Arab,  and  in  his  rage  he  smote  off 
their  heads. 

He  went  forth  again,  and  saw  a  man  sliding  down  the  wall, 
whom  he  seized  tne  moment  he  touched  the  ground.  He 
was  a  Christian  Arab,. and  was  endeavouring  to  escape  from 
the  tyranny  of  Toukenna,  and  from  him  DamUs  obtamed  the 
information  he  desired.    He  instantly  despatched  two  men  to 

gitized  by  Google 


8P'  STOCESSOBS  OF  XIHOHBT. 

Aba  Obeida]]^  rgqnesting  kim  to  send  liim  some  kone  shamk 
gimrifle.  He  then  took  a  goat-akin  from,  kk  wallet^  with, 
wkieh  ke  cohered  kis  back  and  skoyld^na,  and  a  dry  <aniBt  of 
bread  in  kia  kand,  and  crept  on  aU-fbnra  cktse  to  tke  waJl  of 
the  castle.  His  men  crept  silently  after  kim.  Wken  ke  keacd 
A  noise  ke  gnawed  kia  crust  witk  a  sonnd  like  tkat  of  a  do^ 
fflmwing  a  bone^  and  kis  fellowevs  r«nained  motionless.  In. 
^a  way  ke  reaoked  a  part  of  tke  castle  wall  wkick  was  tibd* 
easiest  of  access.  Tken  seating  kims^  <mi  tke  gronnd,  ker 
made  one  of  kia  men  seat  kimseu  on  kia  sfaonld^^  and  sacm: 
until  sevvn  were  tkns  mounted  on  eadi  otker.  Tken  h»  wk^- 
"wm  u^eimost  stood  npriskt,  and  so  did  tke  otkers  ia  aao^ 
cession,  until  Damda  rose  £am  tke  g^nad  xxp<m  kis  feet,  tmit 
snatained  tke  wkole  by  kia  wcmdxons  strengtk^  eack  rem^timfig 
mAi  aid  aa  ke  oonld  by  bearing  against  tbe  walL  Tke  xsp^^ox^ 
most  man.  waa  now  enabled  to  sonunUe  npcm  tbe  battlem«at^ 
•Mkere  ke  fimnd  a  Cknatian  sentinel  dFonk  and  asleep^  He 
seized  uid  threw  kim  down,  to  tke  Moakma  bek^  tke  wall^ 
-mho  instantly  despatcked  kim.  He  tken  unfolded  kia  turban 
and  drew  nn  tiie  man  below  kim»  and  tkey  two  tke  next*  and 
00.  on  until  jDam&a  waa  alK>  on  the  walL 

DamlLs  now  enjoined  silence  on  tiliem  aU  and  left  them. 
He  fonnd  two  ouier  sentineLs  sleepkig»  wkom  ke  despatdted 
wilik  kia  dagg^,  and  then  made  kia  way  to  aa  apertore  for 
^B  disckar^  of  arrows,  looking  ifavongk  wkiek  ne  bekdd 
Xonkenna  m  a  spaeioua  (^amber»  ri^y  ekd,  seated  oa 
tapestry  <^  aeazlet  silk,  fkv^ered  wilk.  gdd,  drinkiiig  and 
Tnaking  meny  witk  a  large  company;  for  k  would  seem  aa  if, 
on  tke  apparent  dti^artnre  <^  the  becaeging  army,  tke  wkole 
castle  kad  been  giren  np  to  feasting  and  caronsii^. 

Dam^s  consiaercd  the  company  too  nnmerons  to  be 
attacked;  retoraing  to  Jiis  men,  tkerefore,  ke  explored  cao- 
tioualy  witk  tkem  tbe  inteadcHr  ni  tke  castle.  C^miBg  suddenly 
upon  tke  guards  at  tke  main  entrance,  wko  kad  no  appro* 
Rension  of  dang^  from  witkin.  they  killed  them,  tkrew  open 
tke  gate,  let  down  the  drawbridge,  and  were  joined  by  tke 
seaidne  of  their  party.  Tke  castl^  was  by  tkis  time  alainned: 
the  garrison,  kau  drunk  and  kalf  aale^,  came  msking  from 
all  quarters  in  wild  c<mftiffion.  Tke  Moslems  defended  tkem- 
■elyes  stoutly  on  tke  drawbridge  and  in  tke  narrow  pass  of 
ike  barbican  until  tke  dawn  of  d^y,  wken  a  skout  <h  Allah 
Aekbar  was  keard,  and  £kaled,  with,  a  tro<^  of  korse,  came 
timndearing  tkrougk  tke  gate. 

Tke  Gmstians  tlurew  down  tkeir  arms  and  cried  for  mercy. 
Kkaled  offered  them  their  ckoice,  deatk  or  tke  faitk  of  Islam. 
Xoukenna  was  tke  foat  to  raise  kia  finger  and  pronounce  tl^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


OMAR.  87 

formula;  his  example  was  followed  by  seyeral  of  his  leading 
men,  whereupon  their  wives,  and  children,  and  property  were 
secored  to  them.  The  castle  havinf^  been  taken  Dy  storm,  was 
completely  plundered,  and  the  spoils  were  divided  among  the 
army,  excepting  the  usual  fiilh  part  reserved  for  the  Caliph. 
Damas  and  his  brave  companions,  who  had  been  ahnost  out 
to  pieces  in  the  fight,  were  praised  to  the  skies,  nor  would  Abu 
Obeidah  stir  with  his  host  un^  those  of  them  who  survived 
were  out  of  danger  from  their  wounds. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

TertOj  of  TotdKona  to  ^fbniier  friends.— Attempts  the  castle  of  AAzas 
t^  tnaclieiyd — Captiue  of  the  castle. 

It  is  a  cireamstance  worthy  of  remarit  in  the  history  both  of 
Mahomet  and  his  successors,  that  the  most  inveterate  enemies 
of  the  Islam  faith,  when  once  converted  to  it,  even  though 
their  conversion  were  by  the  edge  of  the  sword,  that  great 
Moslem  instrument  of  persuasion,  became  its  faithfm  de- 
fenders.   Bach  was  the  ease  with  Youkenna,  who,  from  the 
tone  ho  embraced  Islam  with  the  Arab  scimetar  at  his  throat, 
became  as  determined  a  duumuon  of  its  doctrines  as  he  had 
before  been  an  op|>onent.     tike  all  new  converts,  he  was 
anxious  to  give  striking  proofs  of  his  zeal :  he  had  slain  a 
brother  in  suj^rting  his  old  faith,  he  now  proposed  to  betray 
a  cousin  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  new.    This  cousin, 
whose  name  was  Theodoras,  was  governor  of  an  important 
town  and  fortress,  named  Aazaz,  situated  at  no  great  mstance 
Irom  Aleppo,  and  which  it  was  noeessaiy  for  the  Moslems  to 
secure  befwre  they  left  that  neighbourhood.    The  castle  was 
of  great  strength,  and  had  a  numerous  garrison,  but  Youkenna 
offered  to  put  it  into  the  hands  of  Abu  Obeidah  by  stratagem. 
His  plan  was,  to  have  one  hundred  Moslems  disguised  as 
C^mstian  soldiers:  with  these  he  would  pretend  to  ny  to  the 
fortress  of  Aazaz  for  refdge ;  being  p^ursued  at  a  distance  by 
a  large  body  g£  Arabs,  who,  after  coming  in  sight  of  the  place, 
would  appear  to  retire  in  despair,  but  would  conceal  them- 
selves in  the  ne^hbourhood.     His  cousin  Theodorus,  who 
knew  nothing  of  his  conversion,  would  receive  him  with 
perfect  confi&nce :  at  a  concerted  hour  of  the  night,  he  and 
his  men  would  fall  suddenly  up(m  the  garrison,  and  at  the 
same  iime  throw  open  the  gates  to  the  party  without  the 


S8/  SUCCBSSOBS  OF  MAHOMET. 

walls,  and  between  them  both,  he  had  no  doubt  oi  carryings 
the  place  without  difficulty. 

Abu  Obeidah  held  counsel  with  Xhaled,  who  |>ronounced 
the  stratagem  apt  and  feasible,  provided  the  sincerity  of 
Youkenna's  conversion  mi^ht  be  depended  upon.  The  new 
proselyte  managed  to  obtam  their  confidence,  and  was  des- 
patched on  his  enterprise  with  one  hundred  chosen  men, 
selected  by  tens  from  ten  tribes  of  Arabs.  After  they  had 
departed  a  sufficient  time,  one  thousand  men  were  sent  in 
pretended  pursuit,  headed  by  ]Si{alec  Alashtor,  who  was 
mstructed  in  the  whole  strataeem. 

These  Moslem  wars  were  always  a  tissue  of  plot  and  coun- 
terplot, of  which  this  whole  story  of  Youkenna  is  a  stnkinfi^ 
example.  Scarce  had  this  scheme  of  treachery  been  devised 
in  the  Moslem  camp,  when  the  distant  governor  of  Aazaz  was 
auprised  of  it,  with  a  success  and  celenty  that  almost  seemed 
like  magic.  He  had  at  that  time  a  spy  m  the  Moslem  camp, 
an  Arab  of  the  tribe  of  Gassan,  who  sent  him  a  letter,  tied 
under  the  wing  of  a  carrier  pigeon,  informing  him  of  the 
apostasy  of  Youkenna,  and  of  his  intended  treadierjr;  though 
the  spy  was  ignorant  of  that  part  of  the  plan  relatmg  to  mo 
thousand  men  under  Malec  Alashtar.  On  receiving  thi» 
letter,  Theodorus  put  his  town  and  castle  in  a  posture  of 
defence,  called  in  the  Christiau  Arabs  of  the  neighbouring^ 
villages  capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  despatched  a  messenger 
named  Tarik  al  Gassani  to  Lucas  the  prefect  of  Arrawendin, 
urgiuj?  him  to  re{>air  with  troops  to  his  assistance. 

BeK>re  the  arrival  of  the  latter,  Youkenna  aj^ared  with 
his  pretended  fugitives  before  the  gates  of  Aazaz,  announcing 
that  his  castle  was  taken,  and  that  ne  and  Ms  band  were  flying 
before  pursuers.  Theodorus  sallied  forth  on  horseback,  at  ihe 
head  of  many  of  his  troops,  as  if  to  receive  his  cousin  with  all 
due  honours.  He  even  alighted  from  his  steed,  and,  approadii- 
ing  Youkenna  in  a  reverential  manner,  stooped  as  it  to  kiss 
his  stirrup ;  but  suddenly  cutting  the  saddle  girth,  he  pulled 
him  with  his  face  on  the  ^und,  and  in  an  instant  his  hun- 
dred followers  were  likewise  unhorsed  and  made  prisoners. 
Theodorus  then  spat  in  the  face  of  the  prostrate  x  oukenna, 
and  reproached  him  with  his  apostasy  and  treachery;  threat- 
ening to  send  him  to  answer  for  his  crimes  before  the  emperor 
Heraclius,  and  to  put  all  his  followers  to  the  sword. 

In  the  meantime  Tarik  al  Gassani,  the  Christian  Arab, 
who  had  been  sent  by  Theodorus  to  summon  the  prefect  of 
Arrawendan  to  his  aid,  had  executed  his  errand,  but  on  Hie 
,way  back  fell  into  the  hands  of  Malec,  who  was  lying  in 
<ambuscade  with  his  thousand  men.    the  sight  of  a  nSked 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMIB.  *  89^ 

scimetar  drew  from  Tank  information  tliat  tlie  plot  of  You- 
kenna  h^  been  discoyered ;  that  lie  had  been  sent  after  aid, 
and  that  Lucas,  the  prefect  of  Arrawend&n,  mnst  bo  actuallj 
on  his  way  with  five  nundred  cavalry. 

Profiting  by  this  information,  Malec  placed  his  thousand 
men  so  advantageously,  as  completely  to  surprise  and  capture 
Lucas  and  his  reinforcement,  as  they  were  marching  in  the 
night.  He  then  devised  a  stratagem  still  to  outwit  th» 
governor  of  Aazaz.  First  he  dis^ised  his  five  hxmdred  men 
in  dresses  taken  from  their  Christian  prisoners,  and  gave  them 
the  Christian  standard  of  the  prefect  of  Arrawend&i.  Then 
summoning  Tank  the  messenger  before  him,  and  again  dis* 
playing  the  scimetar,  he  exhorted  him  most  earnestly  to  turn 
Mahometan.  There  was  no  resisting  his  arguments,  and 
Tank  made  a  full  and  hearty  profession  of  the  faith.  Midec 
then  ordered  him  to  prove  ms  zeal  for  the  good  cause  by  pro- 
ceeding to  Aazaz  and  informing  Theodorus,  that  the  prefect 
of  Arrawend^  was  at  hand  with  a  reinforcement  of  &ve 
hundred  men.  The  double-faced  courier  departed  on  his 
errand,  accompanied  by  a  trusty  Moslem,  wno  had  secret 
orders  to  smite  off  hia  head,  if  he  should  be  found  to  waver ; 
but  there  were  still  other  plots  at  work  in  this  tissue  of 
stratagems. 

As  Tarik  and  his  companion  approached  Aazaz,  they  heard 
great  shouting  and  the  sound  of  trumpets,  and  this  was  the 
cause  of  the  cmtnge.  Theodorus,  the  governor,  had  committed 
Youkenna  and  his  men  into  the  custody  of  his  son  Leon. 
l^ow  it  so  happened,  that  the  youth,  having  frequently  visited 
his  father's  mnsmen  at  the  castle  of  Aleppo,  had  become 
violently  enamoured  of  the  daughter  of  Youkenna,  but  had 
met  strong  opposition  to  his  love.  The  present  breach  between 
his  father  and  Youkenna,  threatened  to  place  an  inseparable 
barrier  between  him  and  the  gratification  of  his  passion. 
Maddened  by  his  desires,  the  youth  now  offered  to  Youkenna, 
if  he  would  give  him  his  daughter  to  wife,  to  embrace  Maho- 
metanism,  and  to.  set  him  ana  his  companions  at  liberty.  The 
offer  was  accepted.  At  the  dead  of  the  night,  when  the 
prisoners  were  armed  and  liberated,  they  fell  upon  the  sleep- 
ing garrison;  a  tumultuous  fight  ensued,  in  the  course  of 
which  Theodorus  was  slain,  by  the  hand,  it  is  said,  of  his 
unnatural  son. 

It  was  in  the  height  of  this  conflict  that  Tarik  and  his 
companion  arrived  at  the  place,  and  learning  the  situation  of 
affairs,  hastened  back  to  Malec  Alashtar  with  the  news.  Tho 
latter  hurried  on  with  his  troops,  and  came  in  time  to  com- 
plete the  capture  of  the  place*    He  bestowed  great  praises  on 


'M  81TCCE880BS  OF  ICXHOXET. 

Y<yuke]mft»  bat  tbe  It^i^r,  isSamg  lum  br  the  hand,  ezdaiined, 
«  Thank  Allah  and  this  yoaih."  He  mm  related  the  whcde 
stoj.  Tho^ous  Malee  lifted  up  his  ejes  and  hands  ia 
wonder.  "  When  Allah  wills  a  thing,"  exclaimed  he,  "  he 
pmMres  the  means." 

Leering  Seid  Ibn  Amir  in  eommand  of  the  plaiee,  with 
Youkenna's  band  of  a  hundred  m^d,  as  a  garrison,  Malec 
Ahishtar  returned  to  the  main  armj  with  great  booty  and 
xsany  TOnscmers.  Yodkenna,  howerer,  reAis^  to  accompanj 
him.  JELe  was  mortified  at  the  qnesticmable  result  of  his 
vndOTtaldng  against  Aazaz,  the  pkee  having  been  taken  by 
other  means  tibtn  his  own,  and  rowed  not  to  show  himself  in 
the  Modiem  eamp  until  he  had  retrieyed  his  credit  by  soom 
«ignal  blow.  Just  at  this  time,  there  anired  at  Aazaz,  a 
f enraging  party  of  a  thousand  Moslems,  that  had  been  ravaein^ 
the  neighbouring  country;  among  them  were  two  hunorea 
irenegades,  who  had  iq[>ostatized  wil^  Youkenna,  and  whose 
IsmiSes  and  effects  w^e  in  the  castle  of  Aleppo.  Ther  were 
the  very  men  for  his  purpose,  and  wiHi  these  he  marched  oS 
to  execute  one  of  his  charaMeriBtia  stratagems  at  Antioch. 


CHAPTER  TTT, 

laSrigacvof  Tonkcnia  si  AaUodk, — Siege  of  that  dty  Xij  tbe  Xodeiiis.— 
fliS^  oCtiie  emperor  to  Conftoitiiiople. — Snnender  of  Antiocfa. 

!Fhb  City  of  Antioch  was  at  that  time  ^le  camtal  ^  Syria 
jmd  the  seat  of  the  Soman  goiremiment  in  the  JSast.  It  wm 
^  great  extent^  surrounded  by  stone  walls  and  numerofiia 
ix^wers,  and  stood  in  the  midst  of  a  jBertile  country,  watered 
by  w^  and  fountains  and  abundant  streams.  Here  HeracHus 
held  his  court,  and  here  the  Greeks,  sunk  in  luxury  and 
effeminacy,  had  lost  all  t^  military  disdftline  and  heroiflm 
that  had  made  them  co^ouerors  in  Asia. 

Towards  this  capital  Youkeima  proceeded  with  his  band  of 
two  hundred  men ;  but  in  the  second  watch  of  the  night  he 
left  them,  after  giving  them  orders  to  keep  on  in  the  high  way 
^of  the  caravans,  and  on  arriving  at  Antioch,  to  give  them* 
selves  out  as  ragitives  from  Aleppo.  In  the  meantime,  he, 
witii  two  of  his  relatives,  stra<^  into  a  by-road,  and  soon 
fell  into  the  hands  of  one  of  the  emperor's  outposts.  C^b. 
announcing  himself  Youkenna,  late  governor  of  Aleppo,  he 
uras  sent  und^r  a  guard  of  horse  to  Antioch. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAR.  91 

The  emperor  Heradiiu,  brdceii  in  fspiritbjlik  late  reverses 
>and  Iiis  oontmual  apprehensions,  wept  at  the  sight  of  You- 
kenna,  and  meekly  upbraided  him  with  his  i^K>stasy  and 
treason;  but  the  latter,  with  perfect  self-possession  and 
^ffirontery,  declared  that  whatever  he  had  done  was  for  the 
purpose  of  preserving  his  life  for  the  emperor's  service ;  and 
'cited  the  obstinate  defence  he  had  made  at  Aleppo,  and  his 
TOesent  voluntary  arrival  at  Antioch,  as  proofs  of  his  fidelity. 
The  emperor  was  easily  deceived  by  a  man  he  had  bee«L 
accustomed  to  regard  as  one  of  his  bravest  and  most  devoted 
officers ;  and  ind^d  the  subtle  i^>ostate  had  the  address  ta 
indine  most  of  the  courtiers  in  his  favour.  To  console  him 
for  what  was  considered  his  recent  misfortunes,  he  was  put 
in  command  of  the  two  hundred  pretended  fugitives  of  nis 
former  garrison,  as  soon  as  they  arrived  at  Antioch ;  he  had 
thus  a  band  of  kindred  renegades,  ready  to  aid  him  in  any 
desperate  treachery.  Furthermore,  to  snow  his  entire  con- 
fidence in  him,  the  emperor  sent  him,  with  upwards  of  two 
thousand  men,  to  escort  his  youngest  daughter  from  a  neie^h- 
bouring  jjlace  to  the  court  at  Antioch.  He  performed  his 
mission  with  correctness ;  as  he  and  his  troop  were  escorting 
the  princess  about  midnight,  the  neighing  of  their  horses  put 
ihem  on  the  alert,  and  sending  out  scouts  they  received 
intelligence  of  a  partv  of  Moslems  asleep,  with  their  horses 
finrazin^  near  tiiem.  They  proved  to  be  a  body  of  a  thousand 
C!hristian  Arabs,  under  Haim,  son  of  the  apostate  Jabalah 
Ibn  al  Ayam,  who  had  made  captives  of  Derar  Ibn  al  Azwar 
and  a  foraging  party  of  two  hundred  Moslems.  They  all  pro- 
ceeded together  to  Antioch,  where,  the  emperor  received  his 
daughter  with  great  joy,  and  made  Youkenna  one  of  his  chief 
counsellors. 

Perar  and  his  men  were  brought  into  the  presence  of  the 
emperor,  and  commanded  to  prostrate  themsdves  before  him, 
but  they  held  themselves  erect,  and  took  no  heed  of  the  com- 
mand. It  was  repeated  more  peremptorily.  "  We  bow  to 
no  created  being,'*  replied  Derar,  "  tne  prophet  bids  us  to 
yield  adoration  to  Goa  alone." 

The  emperor,  struck  with  this  reply,  propounded  several 
questions  touching  Mahomet  and  his  doctrmes,  but  Derar, 
whose  province  did  not  lie  in  words,  beckoned  to  Kais  Ibn 
Amir,  an  old  gray  headed  Moslem,  to  answer  them.  A  long 
and  edifying  conference  ensued,  in  which,  in  reply  to  the 
searching  questions  of  the  emperor,  the  venerable  iLais  went 
into  a  history  of  the  prophet*  and  of  the  various  modes  in 
which  inspiration  came  upon  him.  Sometimes  like  the  sound 
ci  a  hell;  sometimes  in  the  likeness  of  an  angel  in  human 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


98  8VCCZ980BS  OV  MAHOMET. 

shape  i  sometimes  in  a  dream ;  sometimes  like  the  brightness 
of  the  dawning  day ;  and  that  when  it  was  npon  him  great 
drops  of  sweat  roUed  finom  his  forehead,  and  a  tremonr  seized 
npon  his  limbs.  He  ibrthermore  descanted  with  eloquence 
upon  the  miracles  of  Mahomet,  of  his  noctumaljonmeyta 
heayen,  and  his  conversation  with  the  Most  High.  The 
emperor  listened  with  seeming  respect  to  all  these  matters, 
but  they  ronsed  the  indignation  of  a  bishop  who  was  present, 
and  who  pronounced  Muiomet  an  impostor.  Derar  took  fire 
in  an  instant ;  if  he  could  not  argue,  ne  could  make  use  of  a 
soldier's  yocabulary,  and  he  roundly  gave  the  bishop  the  lie, 
and  assailed  him  with  all  kinds  of  epithets.  Instantly  a 
number  of  Christian  swords  flashed  from  their  scabbards, 
blows  were  aimed  at  him  from  every  side ;  and  according  to 
Moslem  accounto,  he  escaped  death  only  by  miracle ;  though 
others  attribute  it  to  the  hurry  and  connision  of  his  assaUants, 
and  to  the  interference  of  Youkenna.  The  emperor  was  now 
for  having  him  executed  on  the  spot;  but  here  the  good 
offices  of  Youkenna  again  saved  him,  and  his  execution  was 
deferred. 

In  the  meantime,  Abu  Obeidah,  with  his  main  army,  was 
making  his  victorious  approaches,  and  subjecting  all  Syria  to 
his  arms.  The  emperor,  in  his  miserable  imbeciBty  and  blind 
infatuation,  put  the  treacherous  Youkenna  in  fvJl  command 
of  the  cify  and  army.  He  would  again  have  executed  Derar 
and  his  iellow-prisoners,  but  Youkenna  suggested  that  they 
had  better  be  spared  to  be  exchtmeed  for  any  Christians  that 
might  be  taken  by  the  enemy.  They  were  lien,  by  advice  of 
the  bishops,  taken  to  one  of  the  churches,  and  exhorted  to 
embrace  the  Christian  faith,  but  they  obstinately  reused. 
The  Arabian  writers,  as  usual,  give  them  sententious  replies 
to  the  questions  put  to  them.  "  What  hindersye,"  demanded 
the  ]^atriarch,  **  from  turning  ChristiansP"  "  The  truth  of  our 
religion,"  replied  they.  Heradius  had  heard  of  the  mean 
attire  of  the  Caliph  Omar,  and  asked  them  why,  having  gained 
so  much  wealth  by  his  conquests,  he  did  not  go  riduy  clad 
like  other  princes  r  They  replied,  that  he  oared  not  for  this 
world,  but  for  the  world  to  come,  and  sought  favour  in  the 
eyes  of  God  alone.  "  In  what  kind  of  a  palace  does  he  resideP'" 
asked  the  emperor.  "  In  a  house  built  of  mud."  "  Who  are 
his  attendants  P"  Beggars  and  the  poor."  "  What  tapestry- 
does  he  sit  uponP"  "Justice  and  eqpitv.**  "WTiat  is  his 
thrcmeP"  "Abstinence  and  true  Imowledge."  "What  is 
his  treasure P"  "  Trust  in  God."  "And  who  are  his  guard?" 
"  The  bravest  of  the  Unitarians." 

Of  all  the  prisoners,  one  only  could  be  induced  to  swerve-' 

gitized  by  Google 


OICAB.  93 

from  Hs  faith ;  and  lie  was  a  youth  fascinated  bythe  beanty 
and  the  nnyeiled  charms  of  the  Greek  women.  He  was  bap- 
tized with  triumph;  the  bishops  strove  most  who  should 
honour  him,  and  the  emperor  ^ave  him  a  horse,  a  beautifal 
damsel  to  wife,  and  enrolled  lum  in  the  army  of  Christian 
Arabs,  commanded  by  the  renegade  Jabalah ;  but  he  was  up- 
praided  in  bitter  terms  by  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the 
prisoners,  and  ready  to  die  in  the  faith  of  Islam. 

The  emperor  now  reviewed  his  army,  which  was  drawn  up 
outside  of  the  walls,  and  at  the  head  of  ever^  battalion  was  a 
wooden  oratory  with  a  crucifix,  while  a  precious  crucifix  out 
of  the  main  church,  exhibited  only  on  extraordinary  occa- 
sions, was  borne  as  a  sacred  standa^rd  before  the  treacherous 
Toukenna.  One  of  the  main  dependencies  of  Heraclius  for 
the  safety  of  Antioch  was  in  the  Iron  Bridge,  so  called  from 
its  great  strength.  It  was  a  bridge  of  stone  across  the  river 
Orontes,  guarded  by  two  towers,  and  garrisoned  bya  great 
force,  having  not  less  than  three  hundr^  officers.  The  fate 
of  this  most  important  pass  shows  the  degeneracy  of  Greek 
discipline,  and  the  licentiousness  of  the  soldiery,  to  which  in 
a  great  measure  has  been  attributed  the  rapid  successes  of  the 
Moslems.  An  officer  of  the  court  was  charged  to  visit  this 
fortress  each  day,  and  see  that  everything  was  in  order.  On 
one  of  his  visits,  he  found  those  who  had  diarge  of  the  towers 
drinking  and  revelling,,  whereupon  he  ordered  them  to  be 
punished  with  fif^  stripes  each.  They  treasured  the  disgrace 
m  their  hearts.  The  Moslem  army  approached  to  lay  siege 
to  that  formidable  fortress,  and  when  tne  emperor  expected 
to  hear  of  a  long  and  valiant  resistance,  he  was  astonished  by 
the  tidings  that  me  Iron  Bridge  had  been  surrendered  without 
a  blow. 

Heraclius  now  lost  heart  altogether.  Instead  of  calling  a 
council  of  his  generals,  he  assembled  the  bishops  and  wesJthiest 
citizens  in  the  cathedral,  and  wept  over  the  affairs  of  Syria. 
It  was  a  time  for  dastard  counsel ;  the  apostate  Jabalah  pro- 
posed the  assassination  of  the  Gali{)h  Omar,  as  a  means  of 
throwing  the  affairs  of  the  Saracens  into  con^ion.  The  em- 
peror was  weak  enough  to  consent,  and  Yathek  Ibn  Mosapher, 
a  bold  young  Arab  of  the  tribe  of  Jabalah,  was  despatched  to 
Medina  to  effect  the  treacherous  deed.  The  Arabian  his- 
torians ^ve  a  miraculous  close  to  this  undertaking.  Arriving 
at  Medma,  Yathek  concealed  himself  in  a  tree,  without  the 
walls,  at  a  place  where  the  Caliph  was  accustomed  to  walk 
after  the  hour  of  prayers.  After  a  time,  Omar  approched 
the  place,  and  lay  down  to  sleep  near  the  foot  of  the  tree. 
The  assassin  drew  his  dagger,  and  was  descending,  when  he 


94t  SFCCESSOBB  OW  MAHOMET. 

bebeld  a  lion  walking  round  the  Caliph,  licking  his  feet,  and 
guarding  him  as  he  slept  When  he  -wcke,  the  lion  went 
away ;  upcm  which  Vatfa^k,  oonyinced  that  Omar  was  under 
the  protection  of  heaven,  hastened  down  from  the  tree,  kissed 
his  nand  in  t(^en  of  allegiance,  repealed  his  treacherous 
errand,  and  ayowed  his  conyersion  to  the  Islam  faith. 

The  surrender  of  the  Ircm  l^dge  had  laid  op^i  Antioch 
to  the  approach  of  Abu  Obeidah,  uid  he  advanced  in  batUe 
array,  to  where  the  Christian  army  was  drawn  up  boieath  its 
walls.  Nestorius,  one  of  the  Christian  commanders,  sallied 
forth  &Gm  among  the  troqps,  and  defied  the  Moslems  to  single 
combat.  Dam&s,  the  henmlean  warrior,  who  had  taken  me 
eastle  of  Aleppo,  spurred  forward  to  meet  him,  but  his  horse 
stumbled  and  fell  with  him,  and  he  was  seized  as  the  prisoner 
of  Nestorhis,  and  conyeyed  to  his  tent,  where  he  was  bound 
hand  and  foot.  Dehac,  another  Moslem,  took  his  place,  and 
a  braye  fight  ensued  between  him  and  Nestorius.  The  par* 
ties,  howeyer,  were  so  well  matched,  that,  after  fighting  for  a 
long  time  tmtil  both  were  exhausted,  they  parted  by  mutual 
oonsent.  While  this  fight  was  going  on,  me  soldiers,  horse 
and  foot,  of  eitJier  army,  thronged  to  see  it,  and  in  the  tumult 
the  tent  of  Nestorius  was  thrown  down.  There  were  but 
three  seryants  left  in  charge  of  it.  Fearftd  of  the  anger  of 
ikeir  master,  they  hastened  to  set  it  up  again,  and  loosen^ 
the  bands  of  Dam^  that  he  might  assist  them ;  but  the  mo- 
ment he  was  free,  he  arose  in  his  giant  stren^h,  seized  two  of 
the  attendants,  one  in  each  hand,  dashed  their  heads  against 
the  head  of  the  third,  and  soon  laid  them  all  lifeless  on  the 
ground.  Then  opening  a  chest,  he  arrayed  himself  in  a  dress 
belonging  to  Nestorius,  armed  himself  with  a  sabre,  spran^r 
on  a  horse  that  stood  ready  saddled,  and  cut  his  way  through 
the  Christian  Arabs  of  Jabali^  to  the  Moslem  host. 

While  these  iMn^  were  happening  without  the  walls, 
treason  was  at  work  m  the  ci^.  x  oukenna,  who  commanded 
there,  set  firee  Derar  and  his  ^llow-prisoners,  famished  them 
wiUi  weapons,  and  joined  to  them  his  own  band  of  renegadoes* 
The  tidings  of  this  treachery,  and  the  apprehension  of  revolt 
among  his  own  troops,  struck  despair  to  the  heart  of  Heraclius. 
He  had  been  terrined  by  a  dream,  in  which  he  had  found 
himself  thrust  from  his  throne,  and  his  crown  failing  from 
his  head — ^the  fulfilment  appeared  to  be  at  hand.  Without 
waiting  to  withstand  the  eyu,  he  assembled  a  few  domestics, 
made  a  secret  retreat  to  the  sea-shore,  and  set  sail  for  Con- 
stantinople. 

The  generals  of  Heradius,  more  brave  than  their  emperor, 
l<mgl^  a  pitched  battle  beneath  the  walk ;  but  the  treachery 


of  Yonkenna,  and  tlie  yalonr  of  Derar  and  his  men,  who  fefl 
<m  them  nnawares,  rendered  their  ffallaat  struggle  imayailmjf ; 
the  people  of  Antioch  seeing  the  l>attiie  loet,  capitnlated  ror 
the  safety  of  &eir  city  at  the  oost  of  three  hundred  thousand 
golden  ducats,  and  Abu  Obeidah  entered  the  ancient  capital 
of  Syria  in  triumph.  This  event  took  ^aoe  on  tiie  21st  of 
August,  in  the  year  of  redemption  638. 


CHAPTEE  XXn. 

Expedition  into  the  moantafaM  of  Syria. — 8torf  of  a  miraciiloiiff  cap. 

The  discreet  Abu  Obeidah  feared  to  expose  his  troops  to  the 
enervating  delights  of  Antioch,  and  to  the  allurements  of  the 
Greek  women,  and,  after  three  days  of  repose  and  refresh- 
ment, marched  forth  from  that  luxurious  city.  He  wrote  a 
letter  to  the  Caliph,  relating  his  important  conquest,  and  the 
£ight  of  the  emperor  Heradius;  and  added,  that  he  dis- 
covered a  grievous  propensity  among  his  troops  to  intermarry 
with  the  beautiful  Urecian  females,  which  he  had  forbidden 
them  to  do,  as  contrary  to  the  injunctions  of  the  Koran. 

The  epistle  was  delivered  to  Omar  just  as  he  was  depart- 
ing on  a  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  accompanied  by  the  widows  of 
the  prophet.  When  he  had  read  the  letter,  he  offered  pravers 
and  thanksgiving  to  Allah,  but  wept  over  Abu  Ooeiaah** 
rigour  to  his  soldiers.  Seating  himself  upon  the  ground,  he 
immediately  wrote  a  reply  to  his  general,  expressing  his  satis- 
faction at  lus  success,  but  exhortmg  him  to  more  indulgence 
to  his  soldiers.  Those  who  had  fought  the  good  fight  ought 
to  be  permitted  to  rest  themselves,  and  to  enjoy  the  good 
things  they  had  gained.  Such  as  had  no  wives  at  home  might 
marry  in  Syria,  and  those  who  had  a  desire  for  female  slaves 
might  purchase  as  many  as  they  chose. 

Whue  the  main  army  reposed  after  the  taking  of  Antioch^ 
the  inde&tigable  KbaLed,  at  the  head  of  a  detachment^ 
scoured  the  country  as  far  as  to  the  Euphrates ;  took  Mem- 
beffe,  the  ancient  Hierapolis,  by  force,  and  Berah  and  Bales, 
and  other  places,  by  capitulation,  receiving  a  hundred  thousand 
pieces  of  gold  by  way  of  ransom,  besides  laying  the  inhabit- 
ants under  annual  trioute. 

Abu  Obeidah,  in  an  assemblage  of  his  officers,  now  pro- 
posed an  expedition  to  subdue  the  mountains  of  Syria ;  but 
no  one  stepped  forward  to  volunteer.    The  monntains  were 


00  8TTCCE880S8  OW  MAHOMET. 

rugged  and  sterile,  and  covered  with  ioe  and  snow  for  the 
mater  part  of  the  year,  and  the  troops  already  began  to  feel 
the  effects  of  the  softening  climate  and  delights  of  Syria.  At 
length  a  candidate  presented  himself,  named  Meisara  Ibn. 
Mesrond ;  a  numerous  body  of  picked  men  was  placed  under 
liis  command,  and  a  black  flag  was  given  him,  bearing  the 
inscription,  "  There  is  no  Grod  but  God.  Mahomet  is  the  mes- 
senger of  God."  Bam^  accompanied  him  at  the  head  of  one 
thousand  black  Ethiopian  slaves.  The  detachment  suffered 
greatly  in  the  mountains,  for  they  were  men  of  sultry  climates, 
tmaccustomed  to  ice  and  snow,  and  they  passed  suddenly  from 
a  soft  Syrian  summer  to  the  severity  of  frozen  winter,  and 
from  the  midst  of  abundance  to  regions  of  solitude  and  stenlity. 
The  inhabitants,  too,  of  the  scanty  villages,  fled  at  their 
approach.  At  length  they  captured  a  prisoner,  who  informed 
them  that  an  imperial  army  of  many  thousand  m^i  was  lying 
in  wait  for  them  in  a  valley  about  tiiree  leagues  distant,  ana 
that  aU  the  passes  behind  them  were  guarded.  A  scout,  des* 
patched  in  search  of  intelligence,  con^med  this  news :  where* 
npon  they  intrenched  themselves  in  a  commanding  position, 
and  despatched  a  fleet  courier  to  AbuObeidah,  to  inform  him 
of  their  perilous  situation. 

The  courier  made  such  speed,  that  when  he  reached  the 
presence  of  Obeidah,  he  fainted  through  exhaustion.  Eialed, 
who  had  just  returned  from  his  successful  expedition  to  the 
Euphrates,  instantly  hastened  to  the  relief  of  Meisara  with 
three  thousand  men,  and  was  presently  followed  by  Ayadlbn 
Ganam,  with  two  thousand  more. 

Khaled  found  Meisara  and  his  men  making  desperate  stand 
against  an  overwhelming  force.  At  the  sight  of  this  powerful 
reinforcement,  with  the  black  eagle  of  Khaled  in  the  advance^ 
the  Greeks  gave  over  the  attack  and  returned  to  their  camp, 
but  secretly  retreated  in  the  night,  leaviog  their  tents  stand- 
ing, and  bearing  off  captive  Abdallah  Ibn  Hodafa,  a  near 
relative  of  the  prophet,  and  a  beloved  friend  of  the  Caliph 
Omar,  whom  they  straightway  sent  to  the  emperor  at  Con- 
stantiuople. 

The  Moslems  forbore  to  pursue  the  enemy  through  these 
difficult  mountains,  and,  after  plundering  the  deserted  tents, 
returned  to  the  main  army.  W  hen  the  Caliph  Omar  received 
tidings  from  Abu  Obeidah  of  the  capture  of  Abdallah  Ibn 
Hodafa,  he  was  grieved  at  heart,  and  despatched  instantly  an 
epistle  to  the  emperor  Heraclius  at  Constantinople. 

"  Bismillah !  fii  the  name  of  the  all  merciful  God ! 

"  Praise  be  to  Allah,  the  Lord  of  this  world,  and  of  that 
which  is  to  come,  who  has  neither  companion^  wife,  nor  son; 

gtized  by  Google 


OUAB.  97 

and  blessed  be  Mahomet  his  apostle.  Omar  Ibn  iJ  Xhattlkb, 
servant  of  God,  to  Heraclius,  emperor  of  the  Greeks.  A» 
soon  as  thon  shalt  receive  this  epistle,  fail  not  to  send  to  me  . 
the  Moslem  captive,  whose  name  is  AbdallahlbnHodafa.  If 
thou  doest  this,  I  shall  have  hope  that  Allah  will  conduct  thee 
in  the  ri^ht  path.  If  thou  dost  re^e,  I  will  not  fail  to  send 
thee  such  men  as  traffic  and  merchandise  have  not  turned  from 
the  fear  of  Gk>d.  Health  and  happiness  to  all  those  who  tread 
in  the  right  way !" 

In  the  meantime  the  emperor  had  treated  his  prisoner  with 
great  distinction,  and  as  Abdallah  was  a  cousin-germanto  the 
prophet,  the  son  of  one  of  his  uncles,  he  was  an  object  of  great 
cunosit^  at  Constantinople.  The  emperor  proffered  hin^ 
hbertv  if  he  would  only  make  a  single  sign  of  adoration  to  the 
crucinx,  and  magnificent  rewards  if  he  would  embrace  the 
Christian  faith ;  But  both  proposals  were  rejected.  Heraclius, 
say  the  Arab  writers,  then  changed  his  treatment  of  him ;  shut 
him  up  for  three  days,  with  nothing  to  eat  and  drink  but 
swine's  flesh  and  wine,  but  on  the  fo^h  day  found  both  un* 
touched.  The  faith  of  Abdallah  was  put  to  no  Airther  proof, 
as  by  this  time  the  emperor  received  the  stem  letter  from  the 
Caliph.  The  letter  had  its  effect.  The  prisoner  was  dismissed, 
with  costly  robes  and  rich  presents,  and  Heradius  sent  to 
Omar  a  diamond  of  great  size  and  beauty :  but  no  jeweller  at 
Medina  could  estimate  its  value.  The  abstemious  Omar  re- 
frised  to  appropriate  it  to  his  own  use,  though  urged  to  do  sa 
by  tibe  Moslems.  He  placed  it  in  the  public  treasury,  <^ 
which,  fr^m  his  office,  he  was  the  guardian  and  manager.  It 
was  afterwards  sold  for  a  great  sum. 

A  singular  story  is  related  by  a  Moslem  writer,  but  not 
supported  b;^  any  rumour  or  surmise  among  Christian  his- 
torians. It  is  said  that  the  emperor  Heraclius  wavered  in  his 
faith,  if  he  did  not  absolutely  become  a  secret  convert  of  Ma- 
hometanism,  and  this  is  stated  as  the  cause.  He  was  afflicted 
with  a  violent  pain  in  the  head,  for  which  he  could  find  no 
remedy,  tmtil  me  Caliph  Omar  sent  him  a  cap  of  mysterious 
virtue.  So  long  as  he  wore  this  cap  he  was  at  ease,  but  the 
moment  he  laid  it  aside  the  pain  returned.  Henudius  caused 
the  cap  to  be  ripped  open,  and  found  within  the  lining  a  scrap 
of  paper,  on  which  was  written,  in  Arabic  character,  BiBinillahf 
Arrahmani  Arrahimi !  In  the  name  of  the  all-merciful  God. 
This  cap  is  said  to  have  been  preserved  among  the  Christians 
imtn  the  year  833,  when  it  was  given  up  by  the  goyemor  of 
a  besiegea  town  to  the  Caliph  Almotassem,  on  condition  of  his 
raising  the  siege.  It  was  found  still  to  retain  its  medicinal 
virtues,  which  ^e  pious  Arabians  ascribed  to  the  efficacy  r^ 

H 


9S  8UCCES60BS  OF  XAHOMET. 

tke  defreai  iBBcriptiOD.     An  Tmbdietin^  ChnstiftXL  will  set  it 
down  anoBff  the  thaxma  and  ineantations  whidi  hare  fuQ 


•flfeci  OB  imaf^instive  persons  inelmed  to  credolity,  but  iipon 
iMne  oikess ;  sfadb  persons  abounded  among  the  Arabs. 


CHAPTER  Txrn. 

KipecIflieB  9t  Am  Dm  al  Ajm  agaiMi  Frinee  OwwUiitiae  in  flt^Ti*. — 
ted. 

3?HB  eoorse  of  oar  Idstorj  bow  tnma  to  recmrd  the  Tictoriea 
^  Amrtt  IbA  al  Aaas,  to  wIkmb,  after  the  eaptare  of  JerosaleBi, 
the  Calh^  had  assigned  Hie  inYaaioii  and  soanngalion  of  £gjpt. 
Amro,  howeyer»  did  not  proceed  immediateljto  that  coontr^y 
bnt  remained  finr  some  tune  with  his  dirision  of  the  army,  soi 
Palestine,  where  some  plaees  still  held  oat  for  the  emperor. 
'fhe  natural  and  rehgioiis  sobn^y  of  the  Arabs  was  still 
aorely  endangered  am<m^  the  tscmvtatioQS  of  Syria.  Sererai 
^  the  Moslem  offioers  bem^  seized  while  on  tlie  march,  with 
chills  and  gxipin^  pains  m  consequence  of  eating  xmnpe 
mpes»  were  eonnselled  by  a  cralW  old  Christian  AndK  to 
oxink  fireely  of  wine  whidi  i^pgrodiEBed,  and  whidn  he  pro- 
aonnced  a  sovereign  remedy.  Tner  Mlowed  his  prescriptioDS 
to  lnstily»  that  tl^y  all  came  reelW  krto  the  camp  to  the 
great  scandal  of  Amnu  The  pnnismnent  for  dmnkenness, 
reoommended  by  Ali  and  adopted  br  the  Caliph,  was  admi- 
nistered to  the  aelii^pients ;  who  eaen  receiYed  a  sonnd  basti- 
nado on  the  soles  of  the  feet.  This  sobered  them  completely 
but  so  enraged  them  wil^  the  old  man  who  had  reoonmKoided 
the  notatioiM,  that  they  would  hare  put  him  to  dea^,  had  it 
not  oeen  represented  to  them  that  ne  was  a  stranger  and 
under  Mosl^  uroteeticm. 

Anuru  now  aovanced  upon  the  city  of  Cnsarea,  where  Con- 
stantine,  son  of  the  emperor,  was  posted  with  a  lar^e  army* 
The  Moslems  were  beset  by  spies,  sent  by  the  Christian  com- 
saander  to  obtain  intelligence,  llxese  were  commoxdy  Chris* 
tian  Arabs,  whom  it  was  almost  izopositible  to  distinguish 
from  those  of  the  faith  of  Islam.  Oiiae  of  these,  howeTer, 
after  sitting  one  day  by- the  camp  fires,  as  he  rose  trod  os 
the  end  of  his  own  rol>e  and  stumbled;  in  his  vexation,  he 
uttered  an  oath  "  by  Christ  !*'  He  was  immediately  detected 
by  his  blasphemy  to  be  a  Christian  and  a  spy,  and  was  cut  U^ 
loeces  by  the  Dystanders.    Amru  rebuked  them  fin?  theif 


OKiJi.  99 

precipitanej,  as  he  might  hare  gained  mfoimatioii  from  their 
Tietim;  and  ordered  that  in  ^itnire  all  spies  should  be 
Inrought  to  him. 

The  fears  of  Constantizie  inereased  with  the  approach  of 
the  arm  J,  and  he  now  despatched  a  Christian  priest  to  Amm, 
«)Hdting  him  to  send  some  principal  officer  to  confer  amicably 
with  him.  An  Ethiopian  negro  named  Belal  Ibn  Bebai^ 
offered  to  tmdertake  the  embassy.  He  was  a  man  of  powerM 
frame  and  sonorous  Toiee,  and  had  been  employed  by  Ma- 
homet as  a  Mneszin  or  crier,  to  snmmon  the  people  to  prayers. 
Frond  of  haying  officiated  under  the  prophet,  he  retired  from 
office  at  his  death,  and  had  raised  his  yoice  but  once  since 
that  eyent,  and  that  was  on  the  taking  possession  of  Jera- 
flilem,  the  dty  of  the  prophets,  when  at  the  Oali]^  Omar's 
command,  he  snmmoned  the  true  b^eyers  to  prayers  with  a 
force  of  lungs  that  astonished  the  Jewidi  inhabitants. 

A  mm  would  haye  decHned  the  officious  offer  of  the 
yociierous  Ethiopum,  representing  to  him  that  such  a  mis- 
sion required  a  smooth-spoken  Arab,  rather  than  one  <^  his 
oountry;  bvt,  on  Bekl  conjuring  him  in  the  name  of  Allah 
and  the  prophet  to  let  lum  go,  he  reluctantly  consented. 
When  the  priest  saw  who  was  to  accompany  lum  back  to 
CSonstantine,  he  objected  stoulfy  to  such  an  ambassador, 
and  ^^cinff  contemptuously  at  the  negro  features  of  the 
Ethiopian,  obseryed  that  Constantine  had  not  sent  for  a  slaye 
but  for  an  officer.  The  negro  ambassador,  howeyer,  pernsted 
in  his  di]^matic  errand,  but  was  refused  admission,  and 
returned  mortified  and  indignant. 

Amru  now  determined  to  undertake  the  conference  is 
person.  Eepairin^  to  the  Christian  camp,  he  was  conducted 
to  Oonstantme,  whom  he  found  seated  in  state,  and  who 
ordered  a  chair  to  be  placed  fbr  him;  but  he  put  it  aside, 
9Bd  seated  himself  cross-legged  on  the  ground  after  the  Arab 
fiKshion,  with  his  seimetar  on  has  thi^  and  his  lance  across 
his  knees.  The  curious  conference  that  ensued  is  minutely 
narrated  b^  that  pious  Lnam  and  Cadi,  the  Modem  historian 
Alwakedi,  in  his  dironicle  of  the  conquest  of  Syria. 

Constantine  remonstrated  against  Hie  inyanon,  tiling 
Amru  that  the  Bomans  awT  Greeks  and  Arabs  were 
brethren,  as  being  all  the  children  of  Noah,  although,  it  was 
true,  the  Arabs  were  misbegotten,  as  being  the  descendants 
of  Ishmael,  the  son  of  Hagar,  a  slaye  and  a  concubine,  jet 
•being  thus  brethren,  it  was  ainfol  fbr  ihem  to  war  agamst 
each  other. 

Amru  replied,  Ihat  what  Constantine  had  said  was  true, 
and  thai  Iha  AihIm  gloried  m  acknowtodging  Idbmael  as.1&w 
h2 


100  8irCC£8SOS8  OF  MAHOMET. 

progenitor,  and  enried  not  the  Greeks  their  forefather  Esan, 
who  had  sold  his  birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage.  He 
added,  that  their  difference  related  to  their  religion,  upon 
"Fhich  ground  even  brothers  were  justified  in  warfare. 

Amru  proceeded  to  state  that  Noah,  after  the  deluge^, 
divided  the  earth  into  three  parts,  between  his  sons  Shem, 
Ham,  and  Jajjhet,  and  that  Syria  was  in  the  portion  assigned 
to  Shem,  which  continued  down  through  nis  descenoants 
Xathan  and  Tesm,  and  Jodais  to  Amalek,  the  father  of  the 
Amalekite  Arabs ;  but  that  the  Arabs  had  been  pushed  from 
their  fertile  inheritance  of  Sjrria  into  the  stony  and  thorny 
deserts  of  Arabia. 

"  We  come  now,"  continued  Amm,  "to  claim  our  ancient 
inheritance,  and  resume  the  ancient  partition.  Take  you  the 
stones  and  the  thorns  and  the  barren  deserts  we  haye  occu- 
pied, and  giye  us  back  the  pleasant  land  of  Syria,  with  its 
groyes,  its  pastures,  its  fair  cities  and  nmning  s&eams." 

To  this  Constantme  replied,  that  the  partition  was  already 
made ;  that  time  and  possession  had  confirmed  it ;  and  that 
the  groves  had  been  planted  and  tiie  cities  built  by  the 
present  inhabitants.  Each,  therefore,  ought  to  be  contented 
with  the  lot  that  had  fallen  to  him. 

"  There  are  two  conditions,"  rejoined  Amru,  "on  which  the 
land  may  remain  with  its  present  inhabitants.  Let  them  pro- 
fess the  religion  of  Islam,  or  pay  tribute  to  the  Caliph,  as  is 
due  from  aliunbeHevers." 

"Not  so,"  said  Constantine,  "but  let  each  continue  to 
possess  the  land  he  has  inhabited,  and  enjoy  the  produce  of 
Ids  own  toil,  and  profess  the  faith  which  ne  beheves,  in.  his 
own  conscience,  to  be  true." 

Upon  this  Aynru  sternly  rose.  "One  only  alternative," 
saidne,  "remains.  Since  you  obstinately  refuse  the  con- 
ditions I  propose,  even  as  your  ancestor  Esau  refused 
obedience  to  ms  mother,  let  Grod  and  the  sword  decide  be- 
tween us." 

As  he  waa  about  to  depart,  he  added :  "  We  will  acknow- 
ledge no  kindred  with  you,  while  ye  continue  unbelievers^ 
Ye  are  the  children  of  Esau,  we  of  Ishmael,  through  wHom 
alone  the  seal  and  gift  of  prophecy  descended  from  father  to 
son,  from  our  great  foreiather  Adam,  until  it  reached  the 
prophet  Mahomet.  Now  Ishmael  was  the  best  of  tiie  sons^ 
of  his  father,  and  made  the  tribe  of  Kenanah,  the  best  tribe 
of  Arabia ;  and  the  family  of  Xoreish  is  the  best  of  the  tribe '  - 
of  Kenanah ;  and  the  children  of  Haschem  are  the  best  of 
the  family  of  Koreish:  and  Abdallah  Mot411eb,  grandsire  of 
liahomeit,  was  the  best  of  the  sons  of  Haischem ;  and  Ah- 


OKiB.  101 

dallah,  the  youngest  and  best  of  the  thirteen  sons  of  Abu 
MotMleb,  was  the  father  of  Mahomet  (on  whom  be  peace !) 
who  was  the  best  and  only  issue  of  his  sire ;  and  to  him  the 
angel  Gkibriel  descended  m>m  Allah,  and  inspired  him  with 

ill  A  tnfi-  n^  -niv^TkYiA^nr  " 

Thus  terminated  this  noted  conference,  and  A  mm  returned 
to  his  host.  The  armies  now  remained  in  sight  of  each  other, 
prepared  for  battle,  but  without  coming  to  action.  One  day 
an  officer  richly  arrayed  came  forth  from  the  Ghristiaii  camp, 
defying  the  Moslems  to  single  combat.  Several  were  ea^er 
to  accept  the  challenge  in  hoi>es  of  gaining  such  glittermg 
spoil;  but  Amru  rebuked  their  sordid  motives.  "Let  no 
man  fi^t  for  eain,"  said  he,  "  but  for  the  truth.  He  who 
loses  his  life  fighting  for  the  love  of  God,  will  have  paradise 
as  a  reward ;  but  he  who  loses  it  fighting  for  any  other  ob- 
ject, will  lose  his  life  and  all  that  he  fifi^hts  for." 

A  stripling  now  advanced,  an  Arab  &om  Yemen,  or  Arabia 
the  Happy,  who  had  sought  these  wars  not,  as  he  said,  for 
the  delignts  of  Syria,  or  the  fading  enjoyments  of  this  world, 
but  to  (&vote  himself  to  the  service  oi  God  and  his  apostle. 
His  mother  and  sister  had  in  vain  opposed  his  leaving  his 
peaceful  home,  to  seek  a  life  of  dancer.  "  If  I  fall  in  the 
service  of  Allah,"  said  he,  "  I  shidl  oe  a  martyr ;  and  the 
prophet  has  said,  that  the  spirits  of  the  martyrs  shall  dwell 
m  the  crops  of  the  green  birds  that  eat  of  the  fruits  and 
drink  of  the  rivers  of  paradise."  Finding  their  remonstrances 
of  no  avail,  his  mother  and  sister  had  followed  him  to  the 
wars,  and  they  now  endeavoured  to  dissuade  him  from  fight- 
ing with  an  adversary  so  much  his  superior  in  strength  and 
years;  but  the  youmM  enthusiast  was  not  to  be  moved. 
** Farewell,  mother  and  sister!"  cried  he,  "we  shall  meet 
again  by  that  river  of  joy  provided  in  paradise  for  the 
apostle  and  his  followers.' 

The  youth  rusJied  to  the  combat,  but  obtained  almost  in- 
stantly the  crown  of  martyrdom  he  sought.  Another  and 
another  succeeded  him,  but  shared  the  same  fate.  Serjabil 
Ibn  Hasanah  stepped  forth.  As  on  a  former  occasion,  in 
purifying  the  spint,  he  had  reduced  the  flesh ;  and  a  course 
of  watcEng  and  fasting  had  rendered  him  but  little  com- 
petent to  face  his  powerful  adversary.  After  a  short  combat 
the  Christian  bore  him  to  the  earth,  and  setting  his  foot 
upon  his  breast,  was  about  to  take  his  life,  when  his  own 
hand  was  suddenly  severed  from  his  body.  The  prostrate 
Serjabil  looked  up  with  surprise  at  his  dehverer ;  for  he  was 
in  Grecian  attire,  and  had  come  from  the  Grecian  host.  He 
announced  himself  as  the  unhappy  Tuleia  Ibn  Chowailed, 

gitized  by  VjOO 


102  SirCCBSSOBS  09  XAHOHET. 

Ibnnerhr  a  pretended  prophet  and  an  afisockte  of  Mos^liiuu 
After  l£e  death  of  that  impostor,  he  hflkd  repented  of  haa  falio 
prophedee,  and  beocone  a  Moedem  in  heart,  and  had  aongfat 
an  opportumty  of  signalizing  his  derotion  to  llie  Islam  caoM. 

*'  Oh  brother!*'  cried  S^'abil,  "  the  merer  of  Allah  is  in- 
finite, and  repentance  w^es  wwKf  a&  crimes. 

Serjabii  would  now  laere  taken  him  to  t^e  Moskm  kost» 
bat  Inleia  hxmg  bade ;  and  at  kn^  confessed  that  ke  would 
lon^  since  hare  joined  the  standard  of  Iriam,  but  that  he  waa 
afraid  of  Khal^  that  terror  and  scoorro  of  fidse  pi^pphets, 
who  had  killed  his  friend  MoseOma,  and  who  mi^ht  pwit  him 
to  death  out  of  resentment  foriyt  misdeeds.  Serjalnl  <niiet«d 
his  fears,  bjassurinir  him  thatiGialedwas  not  in  tiie  Moslem 
camp ;  he  then  condneted  him  to  Amro,  who  reoeired  kim 
with  great  fayour,  and  afterwards  gare  him  a  letter  to  tha 
Caliph  setting  fbrth  the  signai  sernoe  he  had  perfbtmed,  and 
his  sincere  cfeyotion  to  <£e  cause  ci  Iriam.  He  was  sub- 
sequentlj  employed  in  the  wars  of  the  Moslems  against  the 
Persians. 

The  weather  was  cold  and  tempestuous,  and  the  Christians^ 
disheartened  by  repeated  rererses,  besan  daily  to  dea^  ihm 
colours.  The  prince  Constimtine  dreaded,  witn  his  diminished 
and  discouraged  troops,  to  encounter  an  enemy  flushed  witk  , 
success,  and  continually  augmenlang  in  foree.  Aeoordin^^ 
he  took  adyantage  of  a  temnestuous  niffht,  and  abandonmr 
his  camp,  to  be  plundered  by  ike  MoMems,  retreated  with 
his  army  to  CsBsarea,  and  ibut  himself  up  wkhin  its  wallf. 
Sither  he  was  soon  followed  by  Amro,  who  laid  dk>se  siege  to 
tiie  place,  but  the  walls  were  strong,  the  garrison  was 
numerous,  and  Constantine  hoped  to  be  Me  to  hcdd  out  until 
the  arriyal  of  rehiforcements.  xhe  tidings  of  further  disasters 
and  disgraces  to  the  imperial  cause,  howeyer,  destroyed  this 
hope ;  and  these  were  brought  abo«it  by  the  stratagems  and 
trracheries  of  that  ardi  deoeiyer  Toukenna.  After  the  sur- 
render of  Antioch,  that  wily  traitor  still  kept  up  his  pretended 
deyotion  to  tiie  Christian  cause,  and  retreated  with  his  band 
of  renegadoes  to  the  town  of  Tripoli,  a  sea-port  in  Syria* 
situated  on  the  Mediterranean.  Here  he  was  cordially  ad> 
mitted,  as  his  treachery  was  BtQl  unknown.  Watching  his 
opportunity,  he  rose  with  his  deyoted  band,  sosed  cm  the 
town  and  citadel  without  noise  or  tumult,  and  kept  the 
standard  of  the  cross  still  flying,  while  he  sent  secret  mtelli- 
gence  of  his  exploit  to  Abu  Obeidah.  Just  at  this  time,  a  fleet  of 
nfty  ships  from  Cyprus  and  Crete  put  in  there,  laden  with, 
arms  and  proyisions  for  Constantino's  anny.  Before  notice 
could  be  giren  of  the  portiae  of  affairs,  xookenna  gained 


oMAx.  lor 

esmm  of  the  ships,  and  embai^ced  on  boatd  oiUlMmi  iiitix 

I  reneeadoes  and  other  tro<^,  deUvering  the  aitj  of  Tripoli 
into  tiie  hands  of  the  force  sent  bj  Abu  Obeidah  to  raonre  it. ; 

Bent  on  new  treadieiies,  Yonkenna  now  sailed  with  thd^ 
fleet  to  Tyre,  displacing  the  Christian  flag,  and  informing  th» 
goremor  that  he  was  come  with  a  reinforcement  for  the  armr 
of  ^  emperor.  He  was  kindlj  receiyed,  and  landed  wim 
nine  hundred  of  his  trocps,  intending  to  rise  on  the  garnson 
in  the  night.  One  of  his  own  men,  howeyer,  betrayed  th» 
plot,  and  Youkenna  and  his  followers  were  seised  and  im^ 
jmsoned  in  tiie  dtadeL 

In  the  meantime  Yezed  Ibn  Abu  Sofian,  who  had  marched 
with  two  thousand  men  against  0s8area,but  had  left  Amru  to 
subdue  it,  came  with  his  troops  into  the  neighbourhood  of* 
Tyre,  in  hopes  to  And  it  in  possession  of  Youkenna.  TW 
goyemor  of  the  city  despising  so  sl^ider  a  force,  sallied  forth 
-wiHk  the  greater  part  of  his  garrison,  and  the  inhabitants, 
mounted  on  the  walls  to  see  the  battle. 

It  was  the  fortune  of  Youkenna,  which  he  deriyed  from  hift 
consummate  skill  in  intrigue,  that  his  £ulure  and  captiyity  on 
this  occasion,  as  on  a  former  one  in  the  castle  of  Aazaz,  seryed 
only  as  a  foundation  for  his  success.  He  contriyed  to  gain 
.  oyer  a  Christian  officer  named  Basil,  to  whose  keeping  he  and 
the  other  prisoners  were  intrusted,  and  who  was  aJr^y  dis* 
posed  to  embrace  the  Islam  faith ;  and  he  sent  information  of 
his  plan  by  a  disguised  messenger  to  Yezed,  and  to  those  of 
his  own  followers  who  remained  on  board  of  the  fleet.  All 
this  was  the  work  of  a  few  hours,  while  the  opposing  fcnroea 
were  preparing  for  action. 

Hie  battle  was  hardly  begun  when  Youkenna  and  his  nine 
hundred  men,  set  free  by  the  apostate  Basil,  and  ocmducted  to 
the  arsenal,  armed  Uiemselyes  and  separated  in  diflerent 
parties.  Some  scoured  the  streets,  shouting  La  ilaha  Allah  1 
and  Allah  Achbar!  Others  stationed  themselyes  at  tiie  pas* 
sages  by  which  alone  the  guard  could  descend  from  the  walbu 
Omers  ran  to  the  port,  where  they  were  joined  by  their  com* 
rades  from  the  fleet,  and  others  threw  wide  the  gates  to  a 
detachment  of  the  army  of  Yezed.  All  this  was  sudd^Jy 
effected,  and  with  such  co-oneration  from  yarious  points,  thsc 
the  place  was  presently  in  me  hands  <^  the  Moslems.  Mosti 
of  the  inhabitants  embraced  the  Islam  &ith ;  the  rest  weed 
pillaged  and  made  slayes. 

It  was  the  tiding  of  the  loss  of  Tripdi  and  IVre,  and  of 
the  capture  of  the  fleet,  with  its  munitions  of  war,  uiat  struck 
dkmay  into  the  heart  of  the  m*ince  Constantiiie,  and  made 
him  quake  within  the  walls  of  CsMazea,    He  felt  as  if  Amm 


104  8UCCB8S0BS  OF  UAHOMET. 

and  Ills  besief;:mff  army  were  already  within  the  walls,  and, 
taking  diseracefm  counsel  from  his  fears,  and  example  from 
liis  father^  flight  from  Antioch,  he  removed  frirtiyely  &om 
Csesarea  with  his  family  and  vast  treasure,  gained  promptly  a 
convenient  port,  and  set  all  sail  for  Constantinople. 
'  The  people  of  CsBsarea  finding  one  morning  tnat  the  son  of 
their  sovereign  had  fled  in  the  ni^ht,  capitulated  with  Amru, 
offering  to  deliver  up  tiie  city,  with  all  the  wealth  belonging 
to  the  family  of  the  late  emperor,  and  two  hundred  thousand 
pieces  of  silver,  as  ransom  for  their  own  property.  Tlieif 
terms  were  promptiy  accepted,  Amru  being  anxious  to  depart 
on  the  invasion  of  iugypt. 

The  surrender  of  Ossarea  was  followed  bv  the  other  places 
in  the  province  which  had  stiU  held  out,  and  thus,  after  a  war 
of  six  years,  the  Moslem  conquest  of  Syria  was  completed,  in 
tiie  5th  year  of  the  Caliph  Omar,  the  29th  of  the  reign  of  the 
emperor  Heraclius,  the  17th  of  the  Hegira^  and  the  639th  year 
of  our  redemption. 

.  Tlie  conquest  was  fc^lowed  by  a  pestilence,  one  of  the  cus- 
tomary attendants  upon  war.  Great  numbers  of  the  people 
of  Syria  perished,  ana  with  them  twenty-five  thousand  of  their 
Arabian  conquerors.  Among  tiie  latter  was  Abu  Obeidah,  the 
oommander-m-chief,  then  fim'-eight  years  of  age;  also  Yezed 
Ibn  Abu  Sofian,  Serjabil,  and.  other  distinguished  generals,  so 
that  the  18th  year  of  the  Hegira  became  designateid  as  '*  The 
year  of  the  mortality." 

In  closing  this  account  of  the  conquest  of  Syria,  we  must 
note  the  fate  of  one  of  the  most  efficient  of  its  conquerors,  the 
invincible  !Khaled.  He  had  never  been  a  favourite  of  Omar, 
who  considered  him  rash  and  headlong ;  arrogant  in  the  exer- 
cise of  command ;  unsparing  in  the  use  of  the  sword,  and 
xapacious  in  grasping  the  spoils  of  victory.  His  brilliant 
acnievements  m  Irak  and  Syria^  and  the  magnanimity  with 
which  he  yielded  the  command  to  Abu  Obeidah,  and  zealously 
fought  under  his  standard,  had  never  sufficed  to  effiEi.ce  the 
prejudice  of  Omar. 

:  After  the  capture  of  Emessa,  which  was  mainly  effected  by 
the  bravery  of  IDxaled,  he  received  con^tulations  on  aU 
liands  as  the  victor.  Eschaus,  an  Arabian  poet,  sang  his 
exploits  in  lofty  verse,  making  him  the  hero  of  the  whole 
Syrian  conquest.  EJialed,  who  was  as  ready  to  squander  as 
to  grasp,  rewarded  the  adulation  of  the  poet  with  thirty  thou- 
sand pieces  of  silver.  All  this,  when  reported  to  Omar,  excited 
his  ^uick  disgust ;  he  was  indignant  at  Khaled  for  arrogating 
to  himself,  as  he  supposed,  all  the  glory  of  the  war;  and  he 
attributed  the  lavish  reward  of  the  poet  to  gratified  vanity. 


OKAS.  105 

**Even  if  the  money  came  from  liis  own  purse,"  said  he,  "it 
was  shameM  squandering ;  and  God,  says  the  Xoran,  loyes 
not  a  squanderer." 

He  now  gave  faith  to  a  charge  made  against  Khaled  of 
embezzling  the  spoils  set  apart  for  the  public  treasury,  and 
forthwith  sent  orders  for  him  to  be  degraded  from  his  com- 
mand in  presence  of  the  assembled  army ;  it  is  even  said  his 
arms  were  tied  behind  his  back  with  his  turban. 

A  rigid  examinationproved  the  charge  of  embezzlement 
to  be  imfoimded,  but  Ehaled  was  subjected  to  a  heavy  fine. 
The  sentence  causing  great  dissatisfaction  in  the  army,  the 
Caliph  wrote  to  the  commanders:  "  I  have  punished  J^aled 
not  on  account  of  fraud  or  falsehood,  but  for  his  vanity  and 
prodigality ;  paying  poets  for  ascribing  to  him  alone  all  the 
successes  of  the  holy  war.  Good  and  evil  come  from  God,  not 
fromKhaled!" 

These  indignities  broke  the  heart  of  the  veteran,  who  was 
already  infirm  from  the  wounds  and  hardships  of  his  arduous 
campaigns,  and  he  gradually  sank  into  the  grave,  regretting 
in  his  last  moments  that  he  nad  not  died  in  the  field  of  battle. 
He  left  a  name  idolized  by  the  soldiery,  and  beloved  by  his 
kindred;  at  his  sepulture,  all  Uie  women  of  his  race  cut  off 
their  hair  in  token  of  lamentation.  When  it  was  ascertained, 
at  his  death,  that  instead  of  having  enriched  himself  by  the 
wars,  Ms  whole  property  consisted  of  his  war-horse,  his  arms, 
and  a  single  slave,  Omar  became  sensible  of  the  injustice  he 
had  done  to  his  faithful  general,  and  shed  tears  over  nis  grave. 


CHAPTEE  XXrV. 

Inrasioii  of  Egypt  hy  Amra. — Capture  of  Hemphis. — Siege  and  surrender 
of  Alexandria. — ^Burning  of  the  Alexandrian  Library. 

A  FBOOF  of  the  religious  infatuation,  or  the  blind  confidence 
in  destiny,  which  hurried  the  Moslem  commanders  of  those 
days  into  the  most  extravagant  enterprises,  is  frimished  in  the 
invasion  of  the  once  proud  empire  of  me  Pharaohs,  the  mighty, 
the  mysterious  Egypt,  with  ?n  army  of  merely  five  thousand 
men.  The  Caliph  himself,  though  he  had  suggested  this  ex- 
pedition, seems  to  have  been  conscious  of  its  rashness,  or 
rather,  to  have  been  chilled  by  the  doubts  of  his  prime  coun- 
sellor Othman ;  for,  while  Amru  was  on  the  march,  he  dis- 
patched missives  after  him  to  the  following  effect :  *'  If  this 

gtized  by  Google 


106  SITCCE8SOB8  OF  MAHOIOST. 

epistle  reach  tiiee  before  thou  hast  crossed  ilie  boimdarj  of 
l&gfpt,  oome  instantly  back;  but  if  it  find  thee  within  the 
Egyptian  territoiy,  march  on  with  the  blessmg  of  Allah,  and 
be  assiured  I  will  send  thee  all  necessary  aid." 

The  bearer  of  the  letter  overtook  Amm  while  yet  within 
Ihe  bounds  of  Syria;  that  wary  general  either  nad  seeret 
information,  or  made  a  shrewd  surmise  as  to  the  piiri>ort  of 
his  errand,  and  continued  his  march  across  the  border  without 
admitting  biTn  to  an  audience.  Haying  encamped  at  the 
Sgyptiaa  village  of  Arish,  he  reoeived  the  oonnw  witili  all 
doe  respect,  and  read  the  letter  aloud  in  the  presence  of  his 
oiBoers.  When  he  had  finished,  he  demanded  of  those  about 
him  whether  they  were  in  Syria  or  Egfpt.  "  In  Egypt,"  waa 
the  reply.  ** T&n"  said  Amru,  "we  will  proceed,  with  the 
blessing  of  Allah,  and  fulfil  the  commands  of  the  CaHph." 

The  first  place  to  which  he  laid  siege  was  Farwak,  or 
Pelusium,  situated  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  on. 
•^e  Isthmus  which  se^rates  that  sea  from  the  Arabian  Gulf, 
and  connects  Egypt  with  Syria  and  Arabia.  It  was  therefiNre 
considered  the  key  to  Egypt.  A  month's  siege  put  Amru  in 
pOBsessicm  of  the  place ;  he  then  examined  the  surrounding 
eountiy  with  more  forethought  than  was  senerally  manifested 
by  the  Moslem  conquerors;  and  proiectea  a  canal  across  the 
Isthmus,  to  connect  the  waters  of  the  Eed  Sea  and  the 
Mediterranean.  His  plan,  howerer,  was  condemned  by  the 
Caliph,  as  calculated  to  throw  open  Arabia  to  a  mantime 
mTa«on  of  the  Christians. 

Amru  now  proceeded  to  Misrah,  the  Memphis  of  the 
ancients,  and  residence  of  the  early  Egyptian  Kings.  This 
city  was  at  that  time  the  strongest  lortress  in  Eg3rpt,  except 
Alexandria,  and  still  retained  much  of  its  ancient  magnin- 
cence.  It  stood  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Kile,  above  the 
Pelta,  and  a  little  east  of  the  pyramids.  The  citadel  was  of 
great  strengtl^  and  well  garrisoned,  and  had  recently  been, 
surrounded  with  a  deep  ditch,  into  idiidi  nails  and  spikes 
had  been  thrown  to  impede  assailants. 

Hie  Arab  armies,  rarely  provided  with  the  engines  neces- 
sary for  the  attack  of  fortified  places,  generally  beleaguered 
them ;  cut  off  all  supplies;  attacked  alffora^g  parties  that 
salHed  forth,  and  thus  destroyed  the  garrison  m  detail,  cr 
starved  it  to  a  surrender.  This  was  the  reason  of  the  lone^ 
duration  of  their  sieges.  Tina  of  Misrah,  or  Memphis,  lasted 
seven  months,  in  the  course  of  which  the  littie  army  of  Amru 
was  much  reduced  by  frequent  skirmishings.  At  the  end  of 
this  time  he  received  a  reinforoement  of  lOur  thousand  men, 
sent  to  him  at  hk  urgent  entreaties  ly  the  Cah^     Still 


hM  ftftee  wcnM  hAre  been  iniiiffimeBt  fi»*  tlie  capioxe  <^  tiie 
place,  Imd  he  not  bee&  aided  by  tiie  treachery  of  its  goremor 
Mokawkas. 

Tliifl  man,  an  orifmal  figyptiaa,  <ar  Copt,  by  borth,  and  of 
noble  rank,  was  a  ]^io£9xind  hypoerite.  like  matt  of  &e 
Oopte,  he  -vraa  of  the  Jaeobite  seet,  who  denied  tbe  double 
nature  of  Christ.  He  had  dissemlded  ham  sectariaa  ereed* 
lion^erer,  and  deoeiv^  tihe  eomeror  Heradm  by  a  ahow  of 
loyalty ;  so  as  to  be  made  {»«fect  of  his  natire  Tproiwmce,  and 
gotemor  of  the  city.  Most  of  the  inhabitants  oi  Memphis 
were  Co^ts  and  JacolHte  Christians,  and  kdd  their  Greek 
feliow-dltizens,  who  wCTe  of  the  regular  CadioHc  ehnrf^  of 
Constantinople,  in  mat  aatipadiT. 

Mokawkas,  in  the  eonrse  of  nis  administration,  had  col- 
lected, by  taxes  and  tribute,  an  immeoie  amount  of  treaamre, 
which  he  had  d^osited  in  tiie  citad^  He  saw  tiiat  the 
power  of  tiie  emporor  was  coming  to  an  cikI  in  thk  quarter, 
«nd  tliom^ht  Hie  preaent  a  good  opportunity  to  proride  for 
his  own  fortune.  Carrying  on  a  Bectet  conespondence  with 
the  Moslem  general,  he  a^ed  to  betray  the  place  into  his 
hands,  on  condition  of  receiTing  the  tareasure  as  a  reward  for 
his  treason.  He  accordingly,  at  an  appointed  time,  remoyed 
the  greater  part  of  the  garrison  firom  me  citadel  to  an  island 
in  tiie  Nile.  Hie  f<nrtress  was  immediatdy  assailed  by  Amm, 
at  ihe  head  of  his  fresh  troops,  and  was  easily  carried  br 
assault,  the  Copts  renderinff  no  assistance.  The  Greek  soL^ 
cUery,  cm  the  Moslem  stanKurd  bein^  hoisted  on  tiie  citadel, 
saw  through  the  treadn^y,  and,  givrng  up  all  aa  lost,  escaped 
in  their  ships  to  the  main  land;  upon  which  the  prefect 
surrendered  the  place  by  capitulation.  An  ammal  tribute  of 
two  ducats  a  head  wasleried  <m  afl  i^  inhdlHtants  of  the 
district,  with  tibe  exception  of  old  men,  women,  and  boys 
under  ^e  age  of  sixteen  years.  It  was  fbrther  conditi<med, 
that  tiie  Moslem  army  shiould  be  fbmished  with  prorisiims, 
fbr  which  tibev  would  pay,  and  tbat  tiie  inhabitants  of  the 
country  should^  f<Hrthwith,  build  bridges  over  all  the  streams 
on  the  way  to  Alexandria.  It  was  also  agreed  that  erery 
Mussulman  traTeiling  through  the  country  imould  be  entitled 
to  three  days'  hospitality  fr^  of  charge. 

1?he  traitor  Mokawlns  was  put  m  possession  of  ha  ill- 
ffotten  wealth.  He  begged  of  Amru  to  be  taxed  witli  Hbe 
Copts,  and  always  to  oe  enrolled  among  them ;  dedaring  his 
almorrence  of  the  Greeks  and  i^eir  doctrines ;  urging  Amm 
to  persecute  them  with  unremitting  Tiolence.    He  extended 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


108  8UCCS880B8  OV  ICAHOMST. 

his  sectarian  bigotry  even  into  the  grave,  atippkting  tbat,  at 
hia  death,  he  should  be  buried  in  the  Chriistian  Jacobite 
church  of  St.  John,  at  Alexandria. 

Amro,  who  was  politic  as  well  as  brave,  seeing  the  irre- 
concilable hatred  oi  the  Coptic  or  Jacobite  Christiaiis  to  the 
Greeks,  riiowed  some  favour  to  that  sect,  in  order  to  make  use 
of  them  in  his  conquest  of  the  country.  He  even  prevailed 
upon  their  patriarch  Benjamin  to  emerge  firom  his  desert  and 
hold  a  conference  with  him ;  and  subse^uentlj  declared  that 
*'  he  had  never  conversed  with  a  Christian  priest  of  more 
innocent  manners  or  venerable  aspect."  This  piece  of  diplo- 
macy had  its  effect,  for  we  are  told  that  aU  the  Copts  above 
and  below  Memphis  swore  alledance  to  the  Caliph. 

Amru  now  pressed  on  for  me  city  of  Alexandria,  distant 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles.  According  to 
stipulation,  the  people  of  tiie  country  repaured  the  roads  and 
erected  bridges  to  &cilitate  his  march ;  ike  Greeks,  however, 
driven  from  various  quarters  by  the  progress  of  their  invaders, 
had  collected  at  different  posts  on  the  island  of  the  Delta, 
and  the  channels  of  the  Tsile,  and  disputed,  with  desperate 
but  fimitiess  obstinacy,  the  onward  course  of  the  conquerors. 
The  severest  check  was  given  at  Keram  al  Shoraik,  by  the 
late  garrison  of  Memphis,  who  had  fortified  themselves  there 
after  retreating  from  the  island  of  the  Nile.  For  tiiree  days 
did  the^r  maintain  a  gallant  confiict  with  the  Moslems,  and 
then  retired  in  good  order  to  Alexandria.  With  aU  the  faci- 
lities furnished  to  them  on  their  march,  it  cost  the  Moslems 
two-and-twenty  days  to  fight  their  way  to  that  ereat  <aty, 

Alexandria  now  lay  before  them,  the  metropous  of  wc^thv 
Egypt,  the  emporium  of  the  East,  a  place  strongly  fortified, 
stored  with  all  the  munitions  of  war,  open  by  sea  to  aU  kinds 
of  supplies  and  reinforcements,  and  geurisoned  by  Greeks, 
aggregated  from  various  quarters,  who  nere  were  to  make  Hie 
last  stand  for  tiieir  Egyptian  empire.  It  would  seem  that 
nothing  short  of  an  enmusiasm  bordering  on  madness,  could 
have  led  Amru  and  his  host  on  an  enterprise  against  this 
powerful  city. 

The  Moslem  leader  on  planting  his  standard  before  the 
place,  summoned  it  to  surrender  on  tiie  usual  terms,  which 
being  promptb^  refused,  he  prepared  for  a  vigorous  siege. 
The  gamson  £d  not  wait  to  be  attacked,  but  made  repeated 
aallies,  and  fought  with  desperate  valottr.  Those  who  gave 
greatest  annoyance  to  tiie  Moslems,  were  their  old  enemies, 
tne  Greek  troops  from  Memphis.  Amru,  seeing  that  ihe 
greatest  defence  was  from  a  main  tower,  or  citadel,  made  a 
gallant  assault  upon  it,  and  carried  it  sword  in  hand.    The 


OHAB.  109 

Chreek  troops,  however,  rallied  to  tliat  point  from  all  parts  of 
tlie  city;  tne  Moslems,  after  a  furious  straggle, ^ave  waj, 
and  Amru,  his  faithM  slave  Werdan,  and  one  of  his  generals, 
named  Moslema  Ibn  al  Mokalled,  fighting  to  the  h^t,  were 
surrotmded,  overpowered,  and  taken  prisoners. 

The  Greeks,  unaware  of  the  importance  of  their  captives, 
led  them  before  the  governor.  He  demanded  of  them, 
haughtily,  what  was  their  object  in  thus  overrunning  the 
world  and  disturbing  the  qmet  of  peaceable  neighbours. 
Amru  made  the  nsnSL  re^ly,  that  thejr  came  to  spread  the 
faith  of  Islam ;  and  that  it  was  their  intention,  before  they 
laid  by  the  sword,  to  make  the  Egyptians  either  converts  or 
tributaries.  The  boldness  of  his  answer,  and  the  loftiness  of 
his  demeanour,  awakened  the  suspicions  of  the  governor, 
who,  supposing  him  to  be  a  warrior  of  note  among  the  Arabs, 
ordered  one  of  his  guards  to  strike  off  his  head.  Upon  this 
Werdan,  the  slave,  understanding  the  Greek  language,  seized 
his  master  by  the  collar,  and,  giving  him  a  buffet  on  the 
cheek,  called  him  an  impudent  dog,  and  ordered  him  to  hold 
his  peace,  and  let  his  superiors  speak.  Moslema,  perceiving 
the  meaning  of  the  slave,  now  interposed,  ana  made  a 
plausible  speech  to  the  governor ;  teUing  him  that  Amru  had 
thoughts  of  raising  the  siege,  having  received  a  letter  to  that 
effect  &om  the  Ca&ph,  who  intended  to  send  ambassadors  to 
treat  for  peace,  and  assuring  the  governor  that,  if  permitted 
to  depart,  they  would  make  a  favourable  report  to  Amru. 

The  governor,  who,  if  Arabian  chronicles  may  be  believed 
on  this  point,  must  have  been  a  man  of  easy  faith,  ordered  the 
prisoners  to  be  set  at  liberty;  but  the  shouts  of  ihe  besieging 
army  on  the  safe  return  of  their  general  soon  showed  him 
how  completely  he  had  been  duped. 

But  scanty  details  of  the  siege  of  Alexandria  have  reached 
the  Christian  reader,  yet  it  was  one  of  the  longest,  most 
obstinately  contested  and  sanguinary,  in  the  whole  course  of 
the  Moslem  wars.  It  endured  fourteen  months  with  various 
success;  the  Moslem  army  was  repeatedly  reinforced,  and 
lost  twen^-three  thousand  men ;  at  length  their  irresistible 
ardour  and  perseverance  prevailed ;  the  capital  of  Egypt  was 
conquered,  and  the  Greek  inhabitants  were  di^rsea  in  all 
dnrections.  Some  retreated  in  considerable  bodies  into  the 
interior  of  the  country,  and  fortified  themselves  in  strong- 
holds ;  others  took  refuge  in  the  ships,  and  put  to  sea. 

Amru,  on  taking  possession  of  the  city,  found  it  nearly 
abandoned;  he  prohibited  his  troops  from  plundering;  and 
leaving  a  small  garrison  to  guard  the  place,  hastened  with 
Ms  main  army  m  pursuit  of  the  fugitive  Greeks.     In  the 


110  SUCCBSSOBfl  aw  MAHOMET. 

meantime  the  sli^  wkich  luuL  takes  off  a  mrt  of  iAk^  gaamaoa 
were  still  lingeniii^  on  the  coast,  and  tidkigs  reached  them 
that  Hhe  Moslem  ffeneraL  had  demarted,  vad  had  left  the 
captured  ciij  nearfy  defenceleaa.  xbcT  immedkit^y  made 
sau  back  for  Alexaiidzia»  and  entered  toe  port  in  tlie  ni|^t. 
The  GredE  soldiers  snrpriaed  the  senfcineis,  sot  possession 
of  the  cit^,  and  pot  most  of  the  Modems  tbe^foimd  there  to 
the  sword. 

Amra  was  in  foU  pnnnit  of  the  Qftetk  foffitiTes,  when 
he  heard  of  the  recapture  of  the  eitj.  Moriafied  at  his  own 
negHsence  in  leafing  so  rieh  a  conquest  witii  so  sHght  a 
gnar^  he  retomed  in  aU  harte,  resohrM  to  retake  it  by  storm. 
The  Greeks,  howerer,  had  fbrtified  thcmaelFes  strtmglj  in 
the  castle,  and  made  stout  raaistance.  ijnni  was  ouiged» 
therefore,  to  besiege  it  a  second  time,  but  the  siege  was 
short  The  castle  was  carried  hj  assantt;  manj  of  the  Greeks 
were  cvt  to  pieces,  the  rest  esci^>ed  onee  more  to  their  diips, 
and  now  gave  up  the  capital  as  lost.  All  this  occurred  in 
ihe  nineteen^  year  d  the  Hegira,  and  the  year  640  of  the 
Christian  era. 

On  Ihis  second  eaptore  of  the  eUAj  by  force  of  arma,  and 
without  cajpitnlatifln,  the  troe^  were  damofoiis  to  be  per- 
mitted to  pAunder.  Amxm  agam  chewed  tiieir  r»paci4y ,  and 
commanded  that  all  persons  and  property  in  the  pmee  should 
remain  inviolate,  unol  the  will  of  the  Gali|di  oouki  be  known. 
So  perfect  waa  his  command  over  hui  troops,  thai  not  the  mod; 
trinal  artide  was  taken.  Hia  letter  to  the  Caliph  dM>ws  what 
mnst  haFe  been  the  population  and  spjfendour  of  .Alenranfh4a» 
and  the  luxury  and  eflfeminaiy  of  its  iahabttaote,  at  the  time 
of  the  Moslem  conqneat.  It  states  the  dty  to  hare  contained 
four  thousand  palaces ;  fire  thoaaand  baths ;  firar  hnndred 
iheatree  and  plaices  of  amusement;  twdre  tiuMisand  gardeners 
whidi  a^^y  it  with  veeetahles,  and  ibrty  thousand  tribntary 
Jews.  It  was  impossil^  he  sud,  to  do  justice  to  its  ridies 
and  magn^cenee.  He  had  hitherto  held  it  aaered  firom  nluB- 
der,  but  lus  troous  having  won  it  hr  force  of  asms,  considered 
themsdves  entitled  to  the  spoila  oc  victory. 

The  CaMph  Omar,  in  repfy,  expressed  a  high  senae  of  hia 
important  services,  but  reproved  nim  for  even  BMntacnme  the 
desire  of  the  soldiery  to  munder  ao  rich  a  citr,  one  of  the 
createst  emporimns  of  the  Sast  He  ehargea  him,  lliece- 
fore,  most  rigidly  to  watch  over  Ihe  rapasioos  piopensifties  of 
his  men;  to  prevent  all  pillage,  viiMenoe,  and  waste;  to 
collect  and  make  ovt  an  account  of  all  moneys,  jewsk,  hsiase 
hold  fomiture,  and  eveiythiii|[^  else  that  wm  Talnabie,  to  he 
appropriated  towaxds  defraying  the  ezpenaes  of  ihia  war  of 


OMAl.  Ill 

Use  fail&L  He  onlered  the  tribnte  also,  coffieeted  in  the  eon.' 
qa^ed  eountrj,  to  be  treasured  iip  at  Alexandiia,  for  the 
supplies  of  the  Mosl^a  troops. 

Tiie  siarreader  of  all  Egypt  followed  the  capture  of  iis 
capitaL  A  tribute  of  two  ducats  was  laid  <m  every  miJe  of 
mature  a^e>  beside  a  tax  <m  all  lands  in  proportion  to  tlieir 
Talue,  and  tJie  revenue  wbidi  resulted  to  tiiie  OaUph  is  est!- 
mated  at  twelve  millions  of  ducats. 

We  bare  shown  that  Amru  was  a  poet  in  his  you^ ;  and 
throughout  all  his  campaigns  he  manifested  an  intelligent  and 
inquirmg  spirit,  if  not  more  IngMv  informed,  at  lesutt  more 
liberal  and  extended  in  his  views  tnan  was  usual  among  the 
early  Moslem  conquerors.  He  delighted,  m  his  hours  of 
leisure,  to  converse  with  learned  men,  and  aoquire  through 
their  means  such  knowledge  as  had  been  denied  to  him  by 
the  deficiency  of  his  education.  Such  a  companion  be  found 
at  Alexandria  in  a  native  of  the  place,  a  Christian  of  the  sect 
of  the  Jacobites,  eminent  for  his  ]^liilological  researches,  ids 
ecmmientariea  on  Moses  and  Anstotle,  and  his  laborious 
treatises  of  various  kinds^  sumamed  PhUoponus,  from  his 
love  of  study,  but  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  Jdba 
tbe  Grammarian.  An  intimacjr  soon  arose  between  tbe  Arab 
conqueror  and  llie  Christian  philologist^—an  intimacy  honour- 
able  to  Amru,.  but  destined  to  be  lamentable  in  its  result  to 
the  cause  of  letters.  In  an  evil  hour,  Jchn  the  Grammarian, 
b^ing  e^eouraged  by  the  &vour  shown  him  by  ihe  Arab 
general,  revealed  to  him  a  treasure  hitherto  unnoticed,  or 
zather  unvalued,  by  the  Moslem  conquerors.  This  was  a 
vast  coUeetion  of  books  or  manuscripts,  since  renowned  in 
idstory  as  the  AlexandbijLK  Libsabt.  Pereeivbg  that  in 
taking  an  account  of  everything  valuable  in  the  city,  and 
sealing  up  all  its  treasures,  Amru  had  taken  no  notice  of  the 
1)Ooks,  John  solicited  that  they  might  be  given  to  him.  Un- 
fortunately, the  learned  zeal  of  the  Grammarian  gave  a  con-  , 
sequence  to  the  books  in  the  eyes  of  Amru,  and  made  him 
scrupulous  of  giving  them  away  without  permission  of  the 
OaHph.  He  forthwith  wrote  to  Omar,  stating  the  merits  of 
John,  and  requesting  to  know  whether  the  books  might  be 
^ven  to  him*  The  reply  of  Omar  was  laconic,  but  fataL 
/*  The  contents  of  those  hooks,"  said  he,  "  are  in  conformity 
•with  the  Koran,  or  they  are  not.  If  they  are,  Ihe  Koran  is 
sufficient  without  them ;  if  they  are  not,  they  are  pernicious. 
3-»et  them,  therefore,  be  destroyed." 

Amru,  it  is  said,  obeyed  the  order  punctnsdly.  The  books 
and  manuscrrots  were  distributed  asmdiamcmg  the  five  thou- 
sand baths  otthe  city ;  but  so  numerous  were  Ihey,  that  it 


112  SUCCB880B8  OT  MAHOMBT. 

took  six  months  to  constiine  them.  This  act  of  bftrbansm, 
recorded  hj  Abulpharagius,  is  considered  somewhat  doabtfol 
by  Gibbon,  in  consequence  of  its  not  being  mentioned  by  two 
of  llie  most  ancient  chroniclers,  Almacin  in  his  Saracenic 
histoiy,  and  Entychins  in  his  annals,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
patriarch  of  Alexandria,  and  has  detailed  the  conquest  of  thfU; 
city.  It  is  inconsistent,  too,  with  the  character  oi  Amru,  as 
a  poet  and  a  man  of  superior  intelligence ;  and  it  has  recently 
been  reported,  we  know  not  on  whai  authority,  that  many  of 
the  literary  treasures  thus  said  to  have  been  destroyed,  do 
actually  exist  in  Constantinople.  Their  destruction,  however, 
is  generally  credited  and  deeply  deplored  by  historians. 
Anmi,  as  a  man  of  genius  and  intelligence,  nut^haye  grieved 
at  the  order  of  the  CaUph ;  while,  as  a  loyal  subject  and  faith- 
ful soldier,  he  felt  bound  to  obey  it.* 

The  fall  of  Alexandria  decided  the  &te  of  Esypt,  and  like- 
wise that  of  the  emperor  Heradius.  ;He  was  already  afflicted 
with  a  dropsy,  and  took  the  loss  of  his  Syrian,  and  now  that 
of  his  Egyptian  dominions,  so  much  to  heart,  that  he  under- 
went a  paroxysm,  which  ended  in  his  death,  about  seven  weeks 
after  the  loss  of  his  Egyptian  capital  He  was  succeeded  by 
his  son  Constantine. 

While  Amru  was  successfully  extending  his  conquests,  a 
great  dearth  and  famine  fell  upon  aU  Arabia,  insomuch  that 
the  Caliph  Omar  had  to  call  upon  him  for  supplies  from  the 
fertile  plains  of  Egypt;  whereupon  Amru  di^atched  such* a 
train  of  camels  IfMien  with  grain,  that  it  is  said,  when  the 
first  of  the  line  had  reached  the  city  of  Medina,  the  last  had 
not  yet  left  the  land  of  Egypt.  But  this  mode  of  conveyance 
proving  too  tardy,  at  the  command  of  the  Caliph  he  das  a 
canal  of  communication  from  the  Nile  to  the  Eed  Sea,  a  dis- 
tance of  eighty  miles,  by  which  provisions  might  be  conveyed 
to  the  Arabian  shores.  This  canal  had  been  commenced  by 
,  Trajan,  the  Boman  emperor. 

The  able  and  indefatigable  Amru  went  on  in  this  manner, 
executing  the  commands  and  fulfilling  the  wishes  of  the 

•  The  Alexandrian  Library  was  formed  by  Ptolemy  Soter,  and  placed  ht 
a  building  called  the  Bmchion.  It  was  augmented  in  sucoessiTe  reigns  to 
400,000  Tolomes,  and  an  additional  800»000  volames  were  placed  in  a 
temple  called  tiie  Serapecm.  The  Bruchion,  with  the  books  it  contained, 
was  burnt  in  the  war  of  Ciesar,  but  the  Serapeon  was  presenred.  Cleopatra, 
it  is  said,  added  to  it  the  library  of  Fergamas,  given  to  her  by  Marc  Antony, 
consisting  of  200,000  volumes.  It  sustained  repeated  injuries  during  various 
subsequent  revolutions,  but  was  always  restored  to  its  ancient  splendour, 
and  numerous  additions  made  to  it.  Sueh  was  its  state  at  tiie  capture  of 
Alexandria  by  the  Moslems. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAB.  113 

Calipli;  and  gOTemedthe  country  lie  liad  conquered  mih 
sucL  sagacity  and  justice,  that  he  rendered  himself  one  of 
the  most  worthily  renowned  among  the  Moslem  generals. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Enterprises  of  the  Moslems  in  Persia.— Defence  of  the  kingdom 
by  Qneen  Arzemia. — ^Battle  of  the  Bridge. 

Fob  the  sake  of  perspicuity,  we  hare  recorded  the  Moslem 
conquests  in  Syria  and  Egypt  in  a  continued  narrative,  with- 
out pausing  to  notice  erents  which  were  occurring  at  the  same 
time  in  other  quarters ;  we  now  recede  several  years,  to  take 
up  the  course  of  affairs  in  Persia,  £rom  the  time  that  Xhaled, 
in  the  thirteenth  year  of  the  Hegira,  in  obedience  to  the  orders 
of  Abu  Beker,  left  his  victorious  army  on  the  banks  of  the 
[Euphrates,  to  take  the  general  command  in  Syria.  The 
victories  of  Xhaled  had  doubtless  been  owing  in  part  to  the 
^tracted  state  of  the  Persian  empire.  In  the  course  of  an 
inconsiderable  number  of  years,  the  proud  sceptre  of  the 
Xhosrus  had  passed  from  nand  to  hand;  Xhosru  U.',  sur- 
2iamed  Parvi^,  having  been  repeatedly  defeated  by  Heraclius, 
wafl  deposed  in  628,  oy  a  party  of  his  nobles,  headed  by  his 
own  son  Siroes,  (or  Sniruyah),  and  was  put  to  death  by  the 
latter  in  a  vaxdt  under  the  palace,  amons  the  treasures  he  had 
amassed.  To  secure  possession  of  the  throne,  Siroes  followed 
up  the  parricide  by  the  massacre  of  seventeen  of  his  brothers* 
It  was  not  ambition  alone  that  instigated  these  crimes.  He 
was  enamoured  of  a  sultana  in  the  narem  of  his  father,  the 
matchless  Shireen.  While  yet  reeking  with  his  falJier's 
blood,  he  declared  his  passion  to  her.  She  recoiled  from  him 
with  horror,  and  when  he  would  have  used  force,  gave  herself  * 
instant  death  to  escape  from  his  embraces.  The  disappoint- 
ment of  his  passion ;  the  upbraidings  of  his  sisters  for  the 
murders  of  their  father  and  their  brothers ;  and  the  stings  ot 
his  own  conscience,  threw  Siroes  into  a  moody  melancholy, 
and  either  caused  or  added  acuteness  to  a  malady  of  which 
he  died  in  the  course  of  eight  months. 

His  infant  son,  Ardisheer,  was  placed  on  the  throne  about 
the  end  of  628,  but  was  presently  slain,  and  the  throne 
usurped  by  Sheriyar,  a  Persian  noble,  who  was  himself  killed 
after  a  very  short  reign.  Turan-Docht,  a  daughter  of  Xhosru 
Parviz,  was  now  crowned^  and  reigned  eighteen  months  whea 

I 


114  StrCOBSSOBS  ot  mahomet. 

As  WM  eet  aside  by  her  oouBin  Shah  Shenandeh,  ^wlio  was 
hiiiis^  deposed  bj  the  nobles,  and  Arsemi-Dodit,*  or 
Arzeiiua»  as  the  name  is  wmmonkj  giren,  another  daughter 
of  iEChosra  Parviz,  waspkoed  on  {he  throne  in  the  year  632 
of  the  Christian  era.  The  Persian  seat  of  goyemment,  whidi 
had  been  often  chanjged,  was  at  this  time  held  in  the  magni- 
ficent city  of  Madain  or  Madayn,  on  the  Tigris,  where  was 
the  ancient  Ctesiphon. . 

Arzemia  was  distin^mshed  alike  for  masculine  talents  and 
feminine  beauty ;  she  had  been  carefnlly  instructed  under  her 
fiither  KhosrH,  and  had  acquired  sad  expmenoe,  during  the 
series  of  conspiracies  and  assassinations  which  bad  beset  the 
Ihrone  for  the  last  fonr  years.  Bejeoting  from  her  oonncB 
I3ie  yezT  tndtors  who  had  placed  me  crown  npon  her  head> 
die  nndertook  to  wield  the  sceptre  without  the  aid  of  a  yizir, 
thereby  girin^  mortal  offence  to  the  most  powerfnl  nobles  d 
her  realm,  one  was  soon  called  npon  to  exert  her  masculine 
spirit  by  the  continued  aggressions  of  the  Moslems. 

The  rrader  will  reooUecfe  that  ^e  Moslem  army  on  the 
Euphrates,  at  the  departure  of  £haled,  was  left  under  the 
command  <^  Mosemia  Ibn  Haris,  (or  Muthenna  Ibn  Hftnth, 
as  the  name  is  sometimes  rendered.)  On  the  accession  of 
Omar  to  the  Galiphat,  he  appointed  Mosenna  endr  or  governor 
of  Sewadf  the  country  recenify  conquered  by  Slhaled^  lying 
ebout  the  lower  part  ot  the  Euphrates  and  the  Tigris,  forming 
a  portion  of  the  Persiaa  province  of  Irak-Arabi.  Hiis  was  in 
eompUanoe  with  the  wishes  and  intentions  of  Abu  Beker; 
tho«^  Omar  does  not  appear  to  have  had  great  confidenee 
in  the  military  talents  of  Mosenna,  ihd  career  of  conquest 
having  langcushed  in  his  hands  since  the  departure  of  Elhaled. 
He  aooor£nglj  sent  Abu  Obeidah  Sakfi,  one  of  iSke  most 
imp<»feant  disaples  of  the  prophet^  at  the  head  of  a  thousand 
chosen  men,  to  reinfinroe  the  army  under  Mosenna,  and  to 
^  take  the  lead  in  military  enterprises.f  He  was  accompanied 
*  by  Sabit  Ibn  Kats,  one  of  the  reterans  of  the  battle  of  beder. 
Hie  Persian  que^i,  hearing  of  the  advance  of  the  Moslem 
army  thus  reinforoed*  sent  an  able  general,  Eustam  Ibn 
Eerukh-Zad  (or  Eerucbsad),  with  thirty  thousand  more,  to 
rep^  them.  Eustam  halted  on  the  confines  of  Irak,  and  sent 
foward  strong  detaehments  under  a  eeneral  named  Dschaban^ 
and  a  Persian  prince  named  Narsi  (or  Narsis).    Hiese  were 

*  Docht,  or  Dokht,  dimimtivs  «f  daUiUr,  fi^BifiM  tke  anoMUxied  er 


t  Tbii  Aba  Obeidah  has  somettBies  been  fioofbonded  witb  the  seaeral  <€ 
Iha  WBit  name,  who  oonmaaded  in  Sjiia;  tfao  latter,  however,  wis  Abs 
OWiah  am  d^fnmh,  0i>i<ea  of  JJHerah.) 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OKAS.  115 

80  roogfaly  h«idled  hj  tiie  Moslems,  tiiat  Bustam  found  it 
necessary  to  hasten  with  his  main  force  to  their  assistance^ 
He  arnyed  too  late ;  they  had  been  seyerally  defeated  and 
put  to  flight*  and  the  whole  country  of  Sewad  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Moslems. 

Queen  Arzemia,  stiU  more  aroused  to  the  danger  of  her 
kingdom,  sent  Bustam  a  reinforcement,  led  by  Behmaa 
Psdiadu,  sumamed  the  Veiled,  from  ihe  shag^  eye-browg 
which  oyershadowed  his  yisage.  He  brought  with  lum  three 
thousand  men  and  thirty  elephants.  These  animals,  of  little 
real  utility  in  warfare,  were  formidable  in  the  eyes  of  those 
unaccustomed  to  them,  and  were  intended  to  strike  terror  into 
the  Arabian  troops.  One  of  them  was  the  white  elephant 
Mahmoud,  famous  for  haying  been  ridden  byAbraha,  the 
Ethiopian  king,  in  foregone  times,  when  he  inyaded  Mecca 
and  assailed  the  Caaba.  It  was  considered  a  harbinger  of 
-victory,  all  the  enterprises  in  which  it  had  been  employed 
haying  proyed  successful. 

With  Behman,  the  heayy-browed,  came  also  the  standard 
of  £laoh,  the  sacred  standard.  It  was  originally  the  leathern 
apron  of  the  blacksmith  £aoh,  which  he  reared  as  a  banner 
when  he  roused  the  people,  and  deliyered  Persia  from  the 
tyranny  of  Sohak.  It  had  been  enlarged  from  time  to  time, 
with  cosily  silk,  embroidered  with  gold,  xmtil  it  was  twenty- 
two  feet  long  and  fifteen  broad;  and  was  decorated  with  gems 
of  inestimame  yalue.  With  this  standard  the  fate  of  the 
kingdom  was  belieyed,  by  superstitious  Persians,  to  be  con- 
nected. 

The  Moslem  forces,  even  with  the  reinforcement  brought 
by  Abu  Obeidah  Sakfi,  did  not  exceed  nine  thousand  in 
number ;  the  Persians,  encamped  near  the  ruins  of  Babylon, 
were  vastly  superior.  It  was  the  counsel  of  Mosenna  and 
the  veteran  Sabit,  that  they  shoxdd  fall  back  into  the  deserts, 
and  remain  encamped  there  until  reinforcements  could  be 
obtained  from  the  Caliph.  Abu  Obeidah,  however,  was  for 
a  totally  difiPerent  course.  He  undervalued  the  prowess  of 
the  Persians ;  he  had  heard  Mosenna  censured  ror  want  of 
enterprise,  and  !Khaled  extolled  to  the  skies  for  his  daring 
achievements  in  this  quarter.  He  was  determined  to  emu- 
late them,  to  cross  the  Euphrates,  and  attack  the  Persians  in 
their  encampment.  In  vain  Mosenna  and  Sabit  remon- 
strated. He  caused  a  bridge  of  boats  to  be  thrown  across 
the  Euphrates,  and  led  the  way  to  the  opposite  bank.  His 
troops  did  not  follow  with  their  usual  alacrity,  for  they  felt 
the  rashness  of  the  enterprise.  While  they  were  yet  crossing 
the  bridge,  they  were  severely  galled  by  a  body  of  archers^ 
i2 


116  8UCCB880B8  OT  MAHOMET. 

detached  in  the  adyance  by  Bostam ;  and  were  met  at  the 
head  of  the  bridge  by  that  warrior,  with  hia  vanguard  of 
cavaky. 

The  conflict  was  severe.  The  banner  of  Islam  passed  from 
hand  to  hand  of  seven  brave  champions,  as  one  alter  another 
fell  in  its  defence.  The  Persians  were  beaten  back,  but  now 
arrived  the  main  body  of  the  army  with  the  thirty  elephants. 
Abu  Obeidah  breasted  fearlessly  the  storm  of  war  wnich  he 
Lad  so  rashly  provoked.  He  caUed  to  his  men  not  to  fear  the 
elephants,  but  to  strike  at  their  trunks.  He  himself  severed, 
'witk  a  blow  of  his  scimetar,  the  trunk  of  the  famous  white 
elephant,  but  in  so  doing  his  foot  slipped,  he  fell  to  the  earth, 
ana  was  trampled  to  death  by  the  enraged  animaL 

The  Modems,  disheartened  by  his  k>ss,  and  overwhelmed 
by  numbers,  endeavoured  to  regain  the  bridge.  The  enemy 
luid  thrown  combustibles  into  the  boats  on  tdiich  it  was  con- 
structed, and  had  set  them  on  fire.  Some  of  the  troops  were 
driven  into  the  water  and  perished  there;  the  main  body 
retreated  along  the  river,  protected  in  the  rear  by  Mosenna, 
who  now  disp&yed  the  skul  of  an  able  general,  and  kept  the 
enemy  at  bay  until  a  slight  bridge  could  be  hastily  thrown 
across  another  part  of  the  river.  He  was  the  last  to  cross  the 
bridge,  and  caused  it  to  be  broken  behind  him. 

Four  thousand  Moslems  were  either  slain  or  drowned  in 
this  rash  affair :  two  thousand  fled  to  Medina,  and  about  three 
thousand  remained  with  Mosenna;  who  encaniped  and  in- 
trenched them,  and  sent  a  fleet  courier  to  the  Caliph,  entreat- 
ing instant  aid.  Kothing  saved  this  remnant  of  the  army 
from  Tetter  destruction  but  a  dissension  which  took  place 
between  the  Persian  commanders,  who,  instead  of  following 
up  their  victory,  returned  to  Madayn,  ihe  Persian  cajntal. 

This  was  the  severest  and  almost  the  only  severe  oiheeic 
that  Moslem  audacity  had  for  a  long  time  experieneed.  It 
took  pkee  in  the  13th  year  of  the  Hegira,  ana  ^e  year  6SA 
of  the  Christian  era ;  and  was  long  and  ruefolly  remembered 
by  the  Arabs  as  the  battle  of  **  El  Jmr,**  or  The  Battle  of  the 
Bridga. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


117 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Hosenna  Ibn  Harii  rarages  the  country  along  the  Euphrates. — Death  of 
Arzemia. — Yezdegird  III.  raised  to  the  throne. — Saad  Ibn  Abu  Wakk&s 
giyen  the  general  command.—Death  of  MoBenna.-~£mba88y  to  Yezde- 
gird.~It8  reception. 

'Ratitsq  received  moderate  reinforcements,  Mosenna  again 
took  the  field  in  Arab  style,  hovering  about  the  confines  of 
Babylonia,  and  sending  detachments  in  different  directions  to 
plunder  and  lay  waste  the  country  bordering  on  the  Euphrates. 
It  was  an  instance  of  the  vicissitude  of  human  affairs,  and  th^ 
instability  of  earthhr  grandeur,  that  this  proud  region,  which 
once  held  the  world  m  awe,  should  be  thus  marauded  and 
insulted  by  a  handful  of  predatory  Arabs. 

To  checK  their  ravages,  Queen  Arzemia  sent  out  a  general 
named  Mahran,  with  twelve  thousand  chosen' cavalry.  Mo- 
senna, hearing  of  their  approach,  called  in  his  plundering  par* 
ties,  and  prepared  for  battle.  The  two  hosts  met  near  Hiridi, 
on  the  bord^  of  the  desert.  Mosenna,  who  in  the  battle  of 
the  bridge  had  been  the  last  man  to  retire,  was  now  the  fore- 
most man  to  charge.  In  the  fury  of  the  fight  he  made  hig 
way,  almost  alone,  into  the  heart  of  the  Persian  army,  and 
wiw  difficulty  fought  his  way  out  again  and  back  to  his  own 
men.  The  Persians,  as  we  nave  noted,  were  chosen  troops^, 
and  foiu^ht  with  unusual  spirit.  The  Moslems,  in  some  pa^ 
of  the  Seld,  began  to  give  way.  Mosenna  galloped  up  and 
tiirew  himself  l^fore  them ;  he  expostulated,  he  threatened, 
he  tore  his  beard  in  the  agon^  of  his  feelings ;  he  succeeded 
in  leading  them  back  to  the^ht ;  which  endured  firom  noon 
until  sunset ;  and  still  continued  doubtful.  At  the  close  of 
ihe  day  Mosenna  encountered  Mahran,  hand  to  hand,  in  the 
midst  of  his  guards,  and  received  a  powerful  blow,  which 
might  have  proved  fatal,  but  for  his  armour.  In  return  ho 
smote  the  Persian  commander  with  his  scimetar  lust  wh^re 
the  neck  joins  to  the  shoxdder,  and  laid  him  dead.  Th|9 
Persians,  seeing  their  leader  fall,  took  to  flight,  nor  stopped 
until  they  reached  Madayn. 

The  Moslems  next  maae  a  plundering  expedition  to  Bagdad^ 
at  that  time  a  mere  village,  but  noted  for  a  great  fair,  the 
resort  of  merchants  from  various  parts  of  the  East.  An.  Arab 
detachment  pounced  upon  it  at  the  time  of  the  fair,  and 
carried  off  many  captives  and  immense  booty. 

The  tidings  of  the  defeat  of  Mahran,  and  the^lundering 

gitized  by  VjOO 


118  StrCCESSOBS  ov  hahohet. 

of  tlie  fair,  spread  consteniation  in  the  Persian  capital.  The 
nobles  and  priests,  who  had  hitherto  stood  in  awe  of  the 
Bpirit  of  the  queen,  now  raised  a  tomnlt.  "  These  are  the 
fruits,"  said  they,  "  of  havinff  a  woman  to  reign  over  us." 

Hie  fate  of  the  beautiful  Arzemia  was  hastened  by  private 
revenge.  Faruch-Zad,  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  her 
nobles,  and  governor  of  Xhorassan,  incited  b^  love  and 
ambition,  had  aspired  to  her  hand.  At  first,  it  is  said,  she 
appeared  to  favour  his  addresses,  fearing  to  provoke  his 
enmity,  but  afterwards  slighted  them ;  whereupon  he  entered 
the  palace  by  night,  and  attempted  to  get  possession  of  ha 
person.  His  attempt  failed,  ana,  by  her  command,  he  received 
instant  deaili  at  the  hands  of  her  guards,  accompanied  by 
some  indignities. 

His  son,  Eustam,  who  had  been  left  by  him  in  the  gorem- 
ment  of  Ehorassan,  hastened,  at  the  head  of  an  armed  foree, 
to  avenge  his  death.  He  arrived  in  the  height  of  tiie  public 
discontent ;  entered  tiie  city  without  oppoeiaon,  stormed  the 
palace,  captured  the  yoxmg  and  beautiM  queen,  subjected  her 
to  degradmg  outrages,  and  put  her  to  death  in  the  most  cmd 
maimer.  She  was  the  sixth  of  the  usurping  sovereigns,  and 
had  not  yet  reigned  a  year. 

A  remaining  son  of  Ehosru  Parriz  was  now  brought  for- 
ward and  plsSced  on  the  sln>pery  tlirone,  but  was  pois<med 
within  forty  days,  some  say  by  his  courtiers,  others  by  a  slave. 
The  priests  and  nobler  now  elevated  a  youth  about  fifteen 
Tears  of  age  te  this  per36us  dignity.  He  was  a  grandson  of 
Khosru  Parviz,  and  had  been  sanded,  during  the  late  period 
of  anarchy  and  assassination,  in  the  city  of  Istakar,  the 
ancient  Persepolis.  He  is  known  by  the  name  of  Yezd^^ird 
in.,  though  some  histerians.  call  lum  Hermisdas  IV.,  Som. 
his  family,  instead  of  his  personal  appellation.  He  was  of  a 
good  natural  disposition,  but  weak  and  irresolute,  and  apt^ 
from  his  vouth  and  inexperience,  te  become  a  passive  instru' 
ment  in  the  hands  of  the  faction  which  had  placed  him  on  the 
throne. 

One  of  the  first  measures  of  the  new  reign  was  to  assemble 
a  powerful  army  and  place  it  under  the  command  of  Eustam, 
the  same  general  who  had  so  Bigna%  revenged  the  death  of 
Lis  father.  It  was  determined,  bv  a  ngnal  blow,  to  sweep  tiie 
Arabian  marauders  from  the  lana.      ^ 

Omar,  on  his  part,  hearing  of  the  changes  and  warlike 
preparations  in  the  Persian  camtal,  made  a  hasty  levy  of 
troops,  and  would  have  marehea  in  person  to  carry  the  war 
into  the  heart  of  Persia.    It  was  with  great  difficulty  he  was 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAB.  119 

^snadod  from  iMs  plan  hj  his  duKareei  oofmeellors,  Otloxiaia 
and  AH,  and  iodnoed  to  send  in  hig  place  Saad  Iba  Abu  . 
Wakkas.  This  was  a  zefdoos  soldier  m  tibe  faitii  who  nsed 
to  boast  that  he  was  the  first  who  had  shed  ^e  blood  of  the 
tmbelieying:  and,  moreorer,  that  the  prophet,  in  the  £brst 
holf  war,  Ibad  intniiBted  to  him  the  care  of  his  ho«iseh<^ 
daring  his  absence :  saying,  "  To  yon,  oh  Saad,  who  are  to  me 
as  mj  father  and  my  mother,  I  c(mfide  my  family/'  To  have 
been  a  favoured  ana  confidential  companion  of  the  proj^t, 
was  fast  growing  to  be  a  ttUe  of  great  distinction  among  the 
faithful. 

Saad  was  invested  with  the  general  command  of  the  forces 
in  Persia ;  and  Mosennt^  thou^  his  recent  good  oondoct  and 
signal  success  entitled  him  to  the  highest  consideration,  was 
ordered  to  serve  under  him. 

Saad  set  out  from  Medina  with  an  army  of  but  kx  or  seven 
thousand  men;  among  these,  however,  were  one  thousand 
well-tried  soldiers  who  had  followed  the  prophet  in  his  cam* 
{Miigns,  and  one  hundred  oi  &e  veterans  of  Beder.  They 
were  led  on  also  by  some  of  the  most  famous  champions  of 
the  faith.  The  army  was  ioined  on  its  march  by  recruits 
from  aU  quarters,  so  that  by  Ihe  time  it  joined  the  troops 
imder  Mosenna,  it  amounted  to  upwards  of  thirty  thousand 
men. 

Mosenna  died  three  days  after  the' arrival  of  his  sucoessos 
in  the  camp ;  the  cause  and  nature  of  his  death  are  not  men* 
tioned.  He  left  behind  him  a  good  name,  and  a  wife  remai^* 
able  for  her  beauty.  The  widow  ^as  easily  brought  to  listen 
to  the  addresses  of  Saad,  who  thus  succeeded  to  Mosenna  in 
bis  matrimonial  as  well  as  his  military  capacity. 
.  The  Persian  force,  under  Bustam,  lay  encamped  at  Sadesia 
(or  XhSdeslyah),  on  the  frontier  of  Saw&d  or  Irak-Arabi, 
and  was  vastly  superior  in  numbers  to  the  Moslems.  Saad 
aent  expresses  to  the  Caliph  entreating  reinforcements.  Ha 
was  promised  them,  but  exhorted  in  the  meantime  to  doubt 
nothmg ;  never  to  regard  the  number  of  the  foe,  but  to  think 
always  that  he  was  fighting  under  the  eye  of  the  CaHph.  He 
was  instructed,  however,  oefore  commencing  hostihties,  to 
send  a  delegation  to  Yezdegird,  invitmg  l?im  to  embrace  the 
faith. 

Saad  accordingly  sent  several  of  his  most  discreet  and 
reteran  ofiScers  on  this  missicm.  Thej  repaired  to  the  magni* 
fieent  city  of  Madayn,  and  were  ushered  through  the  sump- 
tuous halls  and  saloons  of  the  palace  of  the  S^hosrus,  crowded 
with  guards  and  attendants  aU  richly  arrayed,  into  the  ]^re- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


120  8UCCS880BS  OF  MAHOKXT. 

tence  of  the  jouthM  monarch,  wlioin  they  found  seated  in 
state  on  a  tlurone  supported  by  silver  columns,  and  surrounded 
by  the  dazzling  splendour  of  on  Oriental  court. 

The  appearance  of  the  Moslem  envoys,  attired  in  simple 
Arab  style,  in  the  striped  garments  of  Yemen,  amidst  the 
gorgeous  throng  of  nobles  arrayed  in  jewels  and  embroidery, 
was  but  little  (^culated  to  inspire  deference  in  a  young  and 
inconsiderate  prince,  brought  up  in  pomp  and  luxury,  and 
accustomed  to  consider  di^utv  mseparable  firom  splendour. 
He  had,  no  doubt,  also  been  scnooled  for  the  interview  by  his 
crafty  counsellors. 

The  audience  opened  by  a  haught}^  demand  on  his  part, 
through  his  interpreter,  as  to  the  object  of  tiieir  embassy* 
Upon  this,  one  of  their  number,  JN'a  man  Ibn  Muskry,  set 
fordi  the  divine  mission  of  the  prophet,  and  his  dying  com- 
mand to  enforce  his  religion  by  the  sword,  leaving  no  peace- 
able alternative  to  unbeCevers  but  conversion  or  ixwute.  He 
concluded  by  inviting  the  king  to  embrace  the  faith;  if  not, 
to  consent  to  become  a  tributuy;  if  he  should  refuse  both,  to 
prepare  for  battle. 

Yezdegird  restrained  his  indignation,  and  answered  in, 
words  which  hod  probably  been  prepared  for  him.  "  You 
Arabs,"  said  he,  "have  hitherto  been  Jmown  to  us  by  report, 
OS  wanderers  of  the  desert ;  your  food  dates,  and  sometmies 
lizards  and  serpents;  your  drink  brackish  water;  your  gar- 
ments coarse  hair  clotn.  Some  of  you,  who  by  chance  luive 
wandered  into  our  realms,  have  found  sweet  water,  savoury 
food,  and  soft  raiment.  Tkej  have  carried  back  word  of  the 
same  to  their  brethren  in  the  desert,  and  now  you  come  in 
swarms  to  rob  us  of  our  goods  and  our  very  land.  Ye  are 
like  the  starving  fox,  to  whom  the  husbandman  afforded 
shelter  in  his  vineyard,  and  who  in  return  brought  a  troop  of 
his  brethren  to  devour  his  grapes.  Seceive  mum  my  gene- 
rosity whatever  your  wants  require;  load  your  camels  with 
com  and  dates,  and  depart  in  peace  to  your  native  land ;  but 
if  you  tarry  in  Persia,  beware  the  fate  of  the  fox  who  was 
slam  by  the  husbandman." 

The  most  aged  of  the  Arab  envoys,  the  Sheikh  Mukair  Ibn 
Zarrarah,  repied,  with  great  ^vity  and  decorum,  and  an 
imaltered  countenance — "  Oh  king  I  all  thou  hast  said  of  tlie 
Arabs  is  most  true.  The  ^een  lizard  of  the  desert  was  their 
sometime  food ;  the  brackish  water  of  wells  their  drink;  their 
fforments  were  of  hair  cloth,  and  they  buried  their  infant 
daughters  to  restrain  the  increase  of  meir  tribes.  AU  this 
was  in  the  days  of  ignorance.  Thev  knew  not  ffood  from 
evil.    They  were  guil^,  and  they  suffered.    But  jOlah  in  his 

gitized  by  Google 


OICAB.  121 

mercy  sent  Hs  apostle  Mahomet  and  liis  sacred  Koran  amons 
them.  He  rendered  them  wise  and  valiant.  He  commanded 
them  to  war  with  infidels  until  all  should  be  converted  to  the 
true  faith.  On  his  behest  we  come.  AH  we  demand  of  thee 
is  to  acknowledge  that  there  is  no  God  but  God,  and  that 
Mahomet  is  his  apostle,  and  to  pay  from  thy  income  the 
customary  contribution  of  the  Zacat,  paid  by  idl  true  belieyers, 
in  charity  to  the  poor,  and  for  the  support  of  the  family  of  the 

Srophet.  Do  this,  and  not  a  Moslem  shall  enter  the  "Persian 
ominions  without  thy  leave ;  but  if  thou  refuse  it,  and  refuse 
to  pay  the  tribute  exacted  from  all  unbelievers,  prepare  for 
the  subjugation  of  the  sword." 

Hie  forbearance  of  Yezdegird  was  at  an  end.  "  Were  it 
not  unworthy  of  a  great  Padischah,"  said  he,  ''to  put  ambas- 
sadors to  death,  the  sword  should  be  the  only  tongue  with 
which  I  would  reply  to  your  insolence.  Away !  ye  robbers  of 
the  lands  of  others!  ta&e  with  ye  a  portion  oi  the  Persian 
soil  ye  crave."  So  saying,  he  caused  sacks  of  earth  to  be 
bound  upon  their  shoulders,  to  be  delivered  by  them  to  their 
chiefs,  as  symbols  of  the  graves  they  would  be  sure  to  find  at 
Xadesia. 

When  beyond  the  limits  of  the  city,  the  envoys  transferred 
the  sacks  of  earth  to  the  backs  of  their  camels,  and  returned 
with  them  to  Saad  Ibn  Abu  Wakk4s,  shrewdly  interpreting 
into  a  ffood  omen  what  had  been  intended  by  the  Persian 
monarch  as  a  scornful  taunt.  "  Earth,"  said  they,  "  is  the 
emblem  of  empire.  As  surely,  oh  Saad,  as  we  deliver  thee 
these  sacks  of  earth,  so  surely  wiU  Allah  deliver  the  empire 
of  Persia  into  the  hands  of  true  believers." 


CHAPTER  XXVn. 

The  Battle  ofKadeaia. 

Thb  hostile  armies  came  in  presence  of  each  other  on  the 
plains  of  Kadesia  (or  Xddestyah),  adjacent  to  a  canal  derived 
from  the  Euphrates.  The  huge  mass  of  the  Persian  army 
would  have  been  sufficient  to  bear  down  the  inferior  number 
of  the  Moslems,  had  it  possessed  the  Grecian  or  Eoman 
disci]^line ;  but  it  was  a  tumultuous  multitude,  unwieldy  from 
its  nmitary  pomp,  and  encumbered  by  its  splendid  trappings. 
The  Arabs,  on  tne  contrary,  were  veteran  skirmishers  of  me 
desert;  light  and  hardy  horsemen;  dexterous  with  the  bow 


212  8UCCESSOB9  OV  lEAHOMBT. 

and  lanee,  and  sidlled  to  wheel  and  vetareat,  and  to : 
aeain  to  tlie  attack.  Many  indiTidnal  acta  of  proweia  took 
puhce  between  diampions  <^  dither  armj,  who  dared  each 
other  to  tangle  combat  in  front  of  ihe  hosts  when  drawn  out 
in  battle  array.  Hie  eostlj  armour  of  Ihe  Persians,  wron^t 
with  gold,  and  their  belts  or  eirdlee  studded  with  gems,  made 
them  rich  prises  to  thdr  Modem  Tictors;  while  the  Pernrasj 
if  victOTions,  gained  nothing  from  the  rudely-clad  wairiofs  of 
the  desert  but  honour  and  hard  blows. 

Saad  Ibn  Abu  Wakk&s  was  in  an  unfcHrtimate  plight  tat  a 
leiider  of  an  armj  on  sudi  a  momentous  oceanon.  He  was 
ffneyouslj  affiicted  with  boils  in  his  reins,  so  that  he  sat  on 
his  horse  with  extreme  difficulty.  Still  he  animated  his  troops 
by  his  pesenoe,  and  gave  t^  tel^fir,  or  battle-ory— AUak 
Aohbart 

The  P«r»an  foree  eame  on  with  great  shouts^  their  elephanta 
in  the  van.  The  horses  of  the  Moslem  caTslry  recoiled  at 
sight  of  the  latter,  aad  became  unmanageable.  A  great 
number  of  the  horsemea  dismounted,  attacked  the  u&wieldf 
animals  with  their  swords,  and  dro^e  th^n  back  upcm  Hhsa 
own  host.  StiU  the  day  went  hard  with  the  Moslems,  ihjEOi 
force  bdng  so  inferior,  imd  Haeir  graieral  unable  to  take  th& 
lead  and  mingle  in  the  battle.  The  arriralof  a  reinfoieemoDt 
from  Syria  put  ti&em  in  new  heart,  and  they  fought  on  imtil 
the  ai^roaoh  of  night,  wh^i  both  parties  desisted^  and  drev 
off  to  their  encampments.  Thus  ended  the  first  day's  fights 
which  the  Persians  called  the  battle  of  Armikth,  but  the 
Moslema,  the  Day  of  Succour,  from  the  timely  arriyal  of 
reinforcements. 

On  the  following  morning  the  armies  drew  out  again  in 
battle  array,  but  no  general  conflict  took  place.  Stuid  was 
unable  to  mount  his  horse  and  feSd  his  troops  into  action,  and 
the  Persians,  aware  of  the  reinforcements  received  by  the 
Moslems,  were  not  disposed  to  invoke  a  battle.  The  day 
passed  in  light  skirmishes  and  smgle  combats  between  the 
prime  warriors  of  either  host,  who  defied  each  other  to  trials 
of  skill  and  prowess.  These  combats,  of  course,  were  des- 
perate, and  commonly  cost  the  life  c^  cme,  if  net  both  of  the 
combatants. 

Saad  overiooked  the  field  from  the  shelter  of  a  tent,  wh^ie 
he  sat  at  a  repast  with  his  beautifol  bride  beside  him.  Her 
heart  swelled  wi&  grief  at  seeing  so  many  gallant  Moskma 
laid  low  i  a  thought  of  the  yaliant  nusbttid  she  had  lost  passed 
Across  W  mind,  and  the  unwary  ejaculatimL  escaped  her, 
''Alas!  Mosenna  Ibn  Haris,  where  art  thouP"  Saad  waa 
ftong  to  the  ^juiek  by  what  1^  woeeived  a  reproach  en  hit 

gtized  by  Google 


OMAB.  123 

courage  or  activity,  and,  in  ilie  heat  of  ilie  moment,  strook 
her  on  the  face  with  his  dagger.  "  To-morrow,"  muttered  he 
to  himself,  "  I  will  mount  my  horse." 

In  the  ni^t  he  secretij  sent  out  a  detachment  in  the 
direction  of  JDamascus,  to  remain  concealed  until  the  two 
armies  should  be  en^aeed  on  the  following  day,  and  then  to 
come  with  banners  d^payed,  and  a  ereat  souna  of  drum  and 
trumpet,  as  though  they  were  a  reinforcement  hurrying  to  the 
field  of  action. 

The  morning  dawned,  but  still,  to  his  great  mortification^ 
Saad  was  uname  to  sit  upon  his  horse,  ana  had  to  intrust  the 
conduct  of  the  battle  to  one  of  his  generals.  It  was  a  day  ci 
bloody  and  obstinate  conflict ;  and  from  the  tremendous  shodc 
of  the  encountering  hosts,  was  celebrated  among  the  Arabs  aa 
*'  The  day  of  the  Concussion." 

The  arrival  of  the  pretended  reinforcement  inspirited  the 
Moslems,  who  were  ignorant  of  the  stratagem,  ana  dismayed 
ihe  enemy.  Eostam  urged  cm  his  elephants  to  break  down 
the  Arab  host,  but  they  had  become  familiar  with  thoee 
animals,  and  attacked  them  so  vigorously,  that,  aa  before^ 
they  tamed  upon  their  own  employers,  and  trarai^ed  them 
down  in  their  unwieldy  flight  from  the  field. 

The  battle  continued  tlm>u^hout  the  di^  with  yazying  for- 
tune ;  nor  did  it  cease  at  nightfall,  for  IRustam  rode  about 
among  his  troops  urging  them  to  flght  until  mominjg.  That 
night  was  called  by  some  the  nignt  of  delirium ;  S>t  in  the 
dark  ajid  deadly  struggle  the  combatants  struck  at  random, 
and  often  caught  each  other  by  the  beard :  by  others  it  was 
called  the  night  of  howling  and  lamentation,  mmi  ihe  cries  oi 
the  wounded. 

The  battle  ceased  not  even  at  the  dawning,  but  continued 
until  the  heat  of  the  day.  A  whirlwind  of  diut  hid  the  armies 
from  each  other  for  a  time,  and  produced  concision  on  the  field, 
but  it  aided  the  Moslems,  as  it  blew  in  the  faces  of  the  enemy. 
Puring  a  pause  in  the  conflict,  Bustam,  panting  with  heat 
and  fatigue,  and  half  blinded  with  dust,  took  shelter  from  the 
sun  under  a  tent  which  had  been  ptehed  near  the  water,  and 
was  surrounded  by  camels  laden  with  treasure,  and  with  the 
luxurious  frimiture  of  the  camp.  A  gust  of  wii^  whiried  the 
tent  into  the  water.  He  then  Ihrew  himself  upon  the  earth 
in  the  shade  of  one  of  the  camels.  A  band  of  Arab  soldiers 
came  upon  him  by  surprise.  One  of  them,  HellM  Ibn  Alka- 
meh  by  name,  in  his  eagerness  for  plunder,  cut  the  cords 
which  bound  the  buHhen  on  the  camel  A  ptiekage  of  mtmt 
fell  upon  Eustam  and  broke  his  spine.  In  his  agony  he  fell,  at 
threw  himself  into  the  water,  but  was  drawn  out  by  the  kg^ 

gitized  by  Google 


124  STTCCESSOBS  OF  KAHOICET. 

Ms  Iiead  strioken  off,  and  eleyated  on  the  lance  of  HeMI.  llie 
Peniana  recognised  the  bloody  features,  and  fled  amain^ 
abandoning  to  the  victors  their  camp,  with  all  its  rich  fnr- 
nitore  and  oag^age,  and  scores  of  beasts  of  burden,  laden  with 
treasure  and  with  oostly  gear.  The  amount  of  booty  was  in- 
calculable. 

Ihe  saCTed  standard,  too,  was  among  the  spoUs.  To  the 
soldier  who  had  captured  it  thirty  thousand  pieces  of  gold  are 
said  to  hare  been  paid  at  Saad's  command ;  and  the  jewels, 
with  which  it  was  studded,  wereput  with  the  other  booty,  to 
be  shared  according  to  rule.  HeMI,  too,  who  brought  the 
headof  Eustam  to  baad,  was  allowed,  as  a  reward,  to  strip  the 
body  of  his  yictim.  Never  did  Arab  soldier  make  ncher 
spoil.  The  garments  of  Bustam  were  richly  embroidered, 
and  he  wore  two  gorgeous  belts,  ornamented  with  jewels,  one 
worth  a  thousand  pieces  of  gold,  the  other  seventy  tiiousand 
dirhems  of  silver. 

Thirty  thousand  Persians  are  said  to  have  fallen  in  this 
battle,  and  unwards  of  seven  tiiousand  Moslems.  The  loss 
most  deplorea  by  the  Persians  was  that  of  their  sacred  banner, 
with  which  they  connected  the  fate  of  the  reahn. 

This  battle  took  place  in  the  fifteenth  year  of  the  Hegira, 
and  the  six  hundred  and  thirty-sixth  year  of  the  Christian  era, 
and  is  said  to  be  as  famous  among  the  Arabs  as  that  of  Azbela 
among  the  Greeks. 

Complaints  having  circulated  among  the  troops  that  Saad 
had  not  mingled  in  tiie  fight,  he  summoned  several  of 
tiie  old  men  to  his  tent,  and,  stripning  himself,  showed  the 
boils  by  which  he  was  so  gnevously  afflicted;  after  which 
there  were  no  further  expressions  of  dissatisfkction.  It  is  to 
be  hoped  he  found  some  means,  equally  expHdt,  of  excusing 
himself  to  his  beautifbl  bride  for  the  outrage  he  had 'com- 
mitted upon  her. 


CHAPTEE  XXVni. 

Foondiiig  of  Basfonu— Capture  of  the  Persian  capital.— Flight 
of  Yesdeginl  to  HolwAn. 

Aftbb  the  signal  victory  of  Sladesia,  Saad  Ibn  Abu  WakkAs, 
by  command  of  the  Cahph,  remained  for  some  months  in  the 
neighbourhood,  completmff  the  subjugation  of  the  conquered 
country,  collecting  tax  and  tribute,  and  building  mosques  in 
every  direction  for  the  propagation  of  the  faith.    About  the 

gtized  by  Google 


OMAB.  125 

•ame  time  Omar  caxised  the  city  of  Basra,  or  Bassora,  to  be 
founded  in  the  lower  part  of  Irak  Arabi,  on  that  great  river 
formed  hj  the  junction  of  the  Euphrates  and  the  Tigris.  This 
city  was  mtended  to  protect  the  region  conquered  by  the  Mo« 
slems  about  the  mputh  of  the  Euphrates,  to  cut  off  the  trade 
of  India  from  Persia,  and  to  keep  a  check  upon  Ahwaz  (apart 
of  Susiana  or  Eiiusestan),  the  prince  or  satrap  of  which,  Hor- 
mus&n  by  name,  had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  late  battle  of 
Kadesia.  The  city  of  Bassora  was  founded  in  the  fourteenth 
year  of  the  Hegira,  by  Orweh  Ibn  Otbeh.  It  soon  gathered 
within  its  walls  great  numbers  of  inhabitants  from  the  sur- 
rounding countiy,  rose  rapidly  in  importance,  and  has  ever 
since  been  distinguished  as  a  mart  for  the  Indian  commerce. 

Having  brought  all  the  country  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
J[adesia  mto  complete  subjection,  Saad  Ibn  Abu  Wakk&s,  by 
command  of  the  Caliph,  proceeded  in  the  conquest  of  Persia. 
The  late  victories,  and  the  capture  of  the  national  banner,  had 
struck  despair  into  the  hearts  of  the  Persians.  They  consi- 
dered the  downfal  of  their  reli^on  and  empire  at  hand,  and 
for  a  time  made  scarcely  any  resistance  to  the  invaders.  Cities 
and  strongholds  surrendered  almost  without  a  blow.  Babel  is 
incidentally  enumerated  among  the  captured  places ;  but  the 
once  aU-powerful  Babylon  was  now  shruuk  into  such  insigni- 
ficance, that  its  capture  seemed  not  worthy  of  a  boast.  Saad 
crossed  the  Tigris,  and  advanced  upon  Madayn,  the  Persian 
capital.  His  army,  on  departing  m>m  Xadesia,  had  not  ex- 
ceeded twenty  thousand  men,  having  lost  many  by  battle  and 
more  by  disease.  Multitudes,  however,  from  the  subjugated 
cities,  and  from  other  parts,  joined  his  standard  while  on  the 
march,  so  that,  as  he  approached  Madayn,  his  forces  amounted 
to  sixty  thousand  men< 

There  was  abundance  of  troops  in  Madayn,  the  wrecks  of 
yanquishdd  armies  and  routed  garrisons,  but  there  was  no  one 
capable  or  willinjy;  to  take  the  general  command.  All  seemed 
paralyzed  by  their  fears.  The  Jung  summoned  his  counsellors 
about  him,  but  their  only  advice  was  to  fly.  "  Elhorassan  and 
German  are  still  yours,  said  they ;  "let  us  depart  while  we 
may  do  so  in  safety.  Why  should  we  remain  here  to  be  made 
captives?" 

.  X  ezdegird  hesitated  to  take  this  craven  advice,  but  more 
from  weakness  and  indecision  of  character  than  from  any 
manly  repugnance.  He  wavered  and  lingered,  until  what 
might  have  been  an  orderly  retreat  became  a  shameful  flight. 
.Wnen  the  invaders  were  within  one  day's  march  of  his 
capital,  he  ordered  his  valuables  to  be  packed  on  beasts  of 
burthen,  and  set  off,  with  a  worthless  retinae  of  palace 


13i  8UCCESS0BS  OF  MAHOMST. 

minioiis,  ftfctmdants,  and  slavM,  nude  and  female,  for  Holwftn, 
at  the  foot  of  the  Medean  hills.  His  example  was  fdlowed. 
throagkout  ^le  oitj.  There  was  harry  and  tamnlt  in  eveiT' 
part.  Fortunate  was  he  who  had  a  camel,  or  a  horse,  or  an 
ass,  to  load  with  his  most  yaloable  effects.  Snch  as  were  not 
so  provided,  took  what  the^  could  on  their  shoulders ;  but,  in 
sucii  a  hasty  and  panic-stncken  flight,  where  personal  safetf 
was  the  chief  concern,  little  could  oe  preserved;  the  greater 

Srt  of  their  riches  remained  behind.  Thus  the  wealthy 
adayn,  the  once  &mous  Otesiphon,  which  had  formerlj  re^ 
pulsed  a  Eoman  army,  though  furnished  wiih  battering  ramsy 
and  other  warlike  engines,  was  abandoned  without  a  blow  at 
the  approach  of  these  nomad  warriors. 

As  Saad  entered  the  deserted  city,  he  gazed  with  wonder 
and  admiration  at  its  stately  edifices,  surrounded  by  yine- 
yards  and  gardens,  all  left  to  his  mercy  by  the  flying  ownonr. 
In  pious  eiraltation  he  repeated  aloud  a  passage  of  the  Xoran, 
alluding  to  the  abandonment  by  Pharaoh  and  his  troops  <^ 
tiieir  habitations,  when  they  went  in  pursuit  of  the  children 
of  IsraeL  **  How  many  gardens  and  fountains,  and  fields  of 
eom  and  fair  dwellings,  and  other  sources  of  delight,  did 
they  leave  behind  them !  Thus  we  dispossessed  them  thereof 
and  gave  the  same  for  an  inheritance  to  another  people. 
Ifeither  heayen  nor  earth  wept  for  them.  They  were  un- 
pitied.-* 

The  deserted  city  was  sacked  and  pillaged.  One  may 
ima^e  ^e  saddne  of  such  a  place  by  the  ignorant  hordes  o£ 
the  desert.  The  rude  Arabs  beheld  tfaiemselyes  surrounded  by 
treasures  beyond  their  ccmception ;  works  of  art,  the  value  of 
which  the^r  could  not  appreciate,  and  articles  of  luxury  which 
moved  their  ridicule  rather  than  their  admiration.  In  roving 
through  the  streets,  they  came  to  the  famous  palace  of  the 
Xhosrus,  begun  by  XoMd  Ibn  "Firuz,  and  finished  by  Ids  8(m 
Kushirwan,  constructed  of  polished  marble,  and  called  th^ 
white  palace,  from  its  resplendent  appearance.  As  they  paei. 
at  it  in  wonderment,  they  called  to  mind  the  prediction  of 
Mahomet,  when  he  heard  that  the  haughty  monarch  of  Persia 
had  torn  his  letter: — "Even  so  shall  Allah  rend  his  empire 
in  pieces."  "  Behold  the  white  palace  of  Xosru !"  cried  the 
Moslems  to  one  another.  **  This  is  the  fulfilment  of  the  pro- 
phecy of  the  aposUe  of  Gk)d  !** 

Swid  entered  the  lofty  portal  <^  the  palace  iri&.  feelings  of 
devotion.  His  first  act  was  to  make  his  salaam  and  prostm- 
tions,  and  pronounce  the  confession  of  fiuth  in  its  deserted 

•  Koran,  diapter  sdr.  ^         , 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OWUM.  W 

hallB.  He  then  took  note  of  its  eontents,  and  protected  it 
from  the  niTage  of  the  soldiery,  by  making  it  ku  head* 
quarters.  It  was  furnished  throughout  with  (mental  luxury. 
It  had  wardrobes  filled  with  gorgeous  aupazeL  In  tiie  ar« 
moury  were  weapons  of  all  kmds,  magnineendy  wrought;  a 
ooat  of  mail  and  sword,  for  state  occasions,  bededced  with 
jewels  of  incalculable  yalne ;  a  siLyer  lM»»emaa  on  a  gMen 
AOfse,  and  a  golden  rider  on  asilyer  camel,  all  likewise  studded 
with  jewels. 

In  the  yaults  were  treasures  of  gold  and  silyer  and  preeious 
stones,  with  money,  the  Tast  amount  of  which,  though  stated 
hy  Arabian  kistonans,  we  hesitate  to  mention. 

In  some  of  the  apartments  were  gold  and  silrer  vessels 
filled  with  oriental  perfumes.  In  the  magazines  were  stewed 
exquisite  spices,  odoriferons  gums,  ana  medicioal  drugs. 
Among  the  latter  were  quantities  <^  camphor,  which  me 
Arabs  mistook  for  salt,  andmixed  with  their  food. 

Li  one  of  the  chambers  was  a  silken  carpet  of  great  size, 
which  the  kin^  used  in  winter.  Art  and  expense  had  been 
lavished  unon  it.  It  was  made  to  represent  a  garden.  The 
le«Fes  of  tne  plants  were  emeralds ;  the  flowers  were  embroi- 
dered in  their  natural  colours,  with  pearls  and  jewels  and  pre- 
dous  stones ;  the  fountains  were  wrought  with  diamonds  and 
sapphires,  to  represent  the  sparkling  of  their  waters.  Tho 
Tuue  of  the  whole  was  beyond  calculation. 

The  hall  of  audience  surpassed  eveiy  other  part  in  magni* 
ficoice.  The  vaulted  roof,  says  D'Merbelot,  resembled  a 
firmament  decked  wiUi  golden  spheres,  each  with  a  oorre- 
Bponding  morement,  so  as  to  represent  ike  planets  and  the 
signs  of  the  Zodiac.  The  throne  was  of  prodigious  grandeur, 
supported  on  silrer  columns.  Abore  it  was  the  crown  of 
£hosru  Naahirwan,  suspended  by  a  golden  chain  to  bear  the 
immense  weight  of  its  jewels,  but  contxiTed  to  appear  as  if  cm 
the  head  of  tlie  monarch  when  seated. 

A  mule  is  said  to  have  been  pvertaken,  on  which  a  trusty 
officer  of  the  palace  was  bearing  away  some  of  the  jewels  of 
the  crown,  the  tiara  or  diadem  of  Yezoegird,  with  his  belt  and 
scimetar  and  bracelets. 

Saad  appointed  Omar  Ibn  Muskry  to  take  charge  of  all  the 
spoils  for  regular  distribution,  and  criers  were  sent  about  ti 
xnake  prochmiation  that  the  soldiers  should  render  in  their 
booty  to  that  officer.  Such  was  the  enormous  amounl^  that 
after  a  fifbh  had  been  set  apart  for  the  Caliph,  the  remainder, 
divided  among  sixty  thousand  men«  gave  each  of  tliem  twelve 
hundred  dirhnns  of  silver. 

It  took  nine  hundred  hearity  laden  camels^  convey  to 

igitized  by  VjOO_ 


198  8UCCBSSOB8  OF^XAHOMST. 

Medina  ihe  Caliph's  fifth  of  the  spoil,  among  which  the  cai]pet» 
the  clothing,  and  r^alia  of  the  long  were  indnded.  The 
people  of  Medina,  tibongh  of  late  years  accustomed  to  the 
rich  booty  of  the  armies,  were  astonished  at  such  an  amount 
of  treasure.  Omar  ordered  that  a  mosque  should  be  built  of 
part  of  the  proceeds.  A  consultation  was  held  over  the  rojal 
carpet,  whether  it  should  be  stored  away  in  the  public  trea- 
puiy,  to  be  used  by  the  Caliph  on  state  occasions,  or  whether 
it  should  be  induaed  in  the  booty  to  be  shared. 

Omar  hesitated  to  decide  with  his  usual  promptness,  and 
referred  the  matter  to  Ali.  "  Oh,  prince  of  true  behevers !" 
exclaimed  the  latter;  "how  can  one  of  thy  dear  perception 
doubt  in  this  matter  P  In  the  world  nothing  is  thine  but  what 
thou  expendest  in  well-doin^.  What  thou  wearest  will  be 
worn  out ;  what  Ihou  eatest  will  be  consumed ;  but  that  which 
thou  expendest  in  well-doing,  is  sent  before  thee  to  the  other 
world." 

Omar  determined  that  the  carpet  should  be  shared  among 
his  chiefs.  He  divided  it  literally,  with  rigid  equity,  cutting 
it  up,  without  regard  to  the  skill  and  beaul^  of  me  design,  or 
its  I  yalue  as  an  entire  piece  of  workmanship.  Such  was  the 
richness  of  the  materials,  that  the  portion  allotted  to  Ali 
alone,  sold  for  eight  thousand  dirhems  of  silver. 

This  signal  capture  of  the  capital  of  Persia  took  place  in 
the  month  Safar,  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  the  Hegira,  and  the 
year  637  of  the  Christian  era;  the  same  year  with  the  capture 
of  Jerusalem.  The  fame  of  such  immense  spoil,  such  trea- 
sures of  art  in  the  hands  of  ignorant  Arab  soldiery,  sum- 
moned the  crafty  and  the  avaridous  from  all  quarters.  All 
the  world,  it  is  said,  flocked  from  the  West,  from  Yemen,  and 
from  Egypt,  to  purchase  the  costly  stuffs  captured  from  the 
Persians.  It  was  like  the  vultures,  winging  their  way  from 
all  parts  of  the  heavens,  to  gorge  on  the  rdics  of  a  hunting 
camp. 


CHAPTEBXXIX. 
Capture  of  Jlluli.— Flight  of  Yesdeglrd  to  Bet^Foundiag  of  fHiflj     flaul 

Saab  Ibk  Abu  Waseas  would  fain  have  pursued  Yezdedrd 
to  Holw&n,  among  the  hills  of  ancient  Media,  where  he  nad 
taken  refhge ;  but  he  was  restrained  by  the  Caliph  Omar,  who 
kept  a  cautious  dieck  from  Medina  upon  his-oonquering 

Digitized  by  VjOO 


OMAB.  121^ 

generals,  fearful  that  in  the  flush  and  excitement  of  victoiy 
8iey  might  hurry  forward  beyond  the  reach  of  succour.  By 
the  command  of  Omar,  therefore,  he  remained  with  his  main; 
army  in  Madayn,  and  sent  his  brother  Hashem  with  twelve 
thousand  men  m  pursuit  of  the  fugitive  monarch.  Hashem. 
found  a  large  force  of  Persians,  relics  of  defeated  armies, 
assembled  in  JMula,  not  far  from  Holwlin,  where  they  were- 
disposed  to  make  a  stand.  He  laid  siege  to  the  place,  but  it 
was  of  great  strength,  and  maintained  a  brave  and  obstinate 
defence  for  six  months,  during  which  there  were  eighty 
assaidts.  At  length,  the  garrison  being  reduced  by  famine 
and  incessant  fluting,  and  the  commander  slain,  it  sur-^ 
rendered. 

Yezdegird,  on  hearing  of  the  oaptore  of  JMul^  abandoned 
the  city  of  Holw&n,  leaving  troops  there  xmder  a  general 
named  Habesh,  to  check  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  The  place 
of  refuge  which  he  now  sought  was  the  city  of  Eei,  or  BaaV 
the  Bhages  of  Arrian ;  the  Bhaga  and  Bhageia  of  the  Greek 
geographers ;  a  city  of  remote  antiquity,  contemporary,  it  is- 
Baid,  with  Nineveh  and  Ecbatana,  and  mentioned  m  the  book 
of  Tobit ;  who,  we  are  told,  travelled  from  Nineveh  to  Kages^ 
a  city  of  Medea.  It  was  a  favourite  residence  of  the  Parthian 
kings  in  days  of  yore.  In  his  flight  through  the  mountains^ 
the  monarch  was  borne  on  a  chaur  or  litter  between  mules  f 
travelling  a  station  each  day  and  sleeping  in  the  litter^ 
Habesh,  whom  he  had  left  behind,  was  soon  defeated,  and  - 
followed  him  in  his  flight. 

Saad  again  wrote  to  the  Caliph,  urging  that  he  might  be 
permittea  to  follow  the  Persian  long  to  his  place  of  refuge 
among  the  mountains,  before  he  should  have  tune  to  assemble 
another  army;  but  he  again  met  with  a  cautious  check. 
"  You  have  this  year,"  said  the  Caliph,  "  taken  Sawad  and 
Irak;  for  Holwan  is  at  the  extremity  of  Irak.  That  is 
enough  for  the  present.  The  welfare  of  true  believers,  is  of 
more  value  than  booty."  So  ended  the  sixteenth  year  of  the 
Hegira. 

The  climate  of  Madajm  proving  unhealthy  to  his  troops,  and 
Saad  wishing  to  estabhsh  a  fortined  camp  m  the  midst  of  his 
victories,  was  ordered  by  the  Caliph  to  seek  some  favourable 
1^  on  the  western  side  of  the  Euphrates,  where  there  was 
good  air,  a  well  watered  plain  and  plenty  of  grass  for  the 
camels ;  things  highly  appreciated  by  the  Arabs. 

Saad  chose  for  the  purpose  the  village  of  Cufa,  which,^ 
according  to  Moslem  ^adition,  was  the  spot  where  Noah 
embarked  in  the  Ark.  The  Arabs  further  pretend  that  the 
serpent  after  tempting  Eve  was   banished  to   tibis  -place.. 

K  gtized  by  Google 


ISO  succEssoBs  or  jcahomet. 

Henoe,  tkey  bij,  ike  gvile  and  treachery  idt  -wkkk  the  men 
of  Cm&l  Are  pF07«itbial.  liiiB  oiiy  beosme  lo  celebrated  tliafe 
the  Eupkates  was  at  one  tune  f^&nenSfy  deBominated  Kabar 
Oafa,  or  ihe  river  cf  Cola.  I^  most  Ancient  ckaraoters  ei 
tke  Arabic  ab^BoAfet  are  texmed  Otilfic  to  ihe  pregent  d&j. 

In  bniktin^  Onfa,  woaaeh  of  iihe  4rt«ne,  ntarUe,  aad  timber 
fbr  the  fxriiusipal  eioAeea  were  fimiAftd  &<Wi  tbe  minfi  of 
Madayn;  tliesie  being  madk  a  6aBrciij<af  those  nuut^mls  da. 
Bsbjloma  mad  its  Ticinifcy-,  Idoit  tbe  bouses  were  ^feneraUj 
oonstmctod  of  Weks  baked  in  iike  firm  and  cemented  mm 
bitumen.  It  vied  to  be  isaid,  '^haBefare,  that  ike  armr  on  its 
MmoTie  took  witliit»lltiieluni8eB<of  S»wad.  SaadJbnAlnL 
Wakkl^,  who  appears  to  baye  imbibed  a  >taste  for  Persian 
iplendoar,  eveotoi  a«EiD|irfcii<iT]s  £jo^  or  -sfuamer  i^esidence, 
and  decorated  at  ivitk:a  gaaak  portal  taken  &om  tbe  palace  of 
iiie  JQuofims  «Kt  Madoyn.  Wnen  Omar  keard  of  tins  he  was 
8€n*ely  disfdeased,  bis  4preaAi  spqprehension  bepi^  that  kis  ^fen»- 
late  would  lose  ibe  ^od  old  Arab  nunplio^  of  mannexB  in 
1fael«iffio«Bc«ntriestl»7wereoonqner^  Beforikwiik 
fiflpatcked  a  ismst^  emrov;  Makomet  IJbn  ]Vftsk?ignaK  ^npow- 
cred  ik>  giw  fiaaa  Jt  .saliitary  irebnke.  On  arriving  at  Osfiw 
Mdkonet  eanaed  m  ffma^  iijuaatiiby  of  wood  to  be  keayed 
apinst  ike  ioat  ai  Ine  Eaosk,  aiid  sai  -fire  to  it.  Wbaa 
&ad  same  totk  in  amaBemetnt  ai  this  outra^  Makomet  pat 
into  kis  iiands  tbe  iaOowin^  letter  hcsm  the  Cyipk. 

^  I  am  told  iboii  kast  bmbt  a  Mty  pakee,  Bke  to  ^bal  of 
tbe  Ebosrus,  and  decorated  it  with  «  door  taken  iiom  tbe 
latter;  mik a Toew to  b«fe  guands  and  okajaberiaans statJoned 
«boict  it  to  keep  off  ikose  who  may  oooEie  in  quest  of  jnstioa 
or  assistance,  as  was  ihe  practioe  or  tbe  Xbosrus  before  tkee. 
In  so  doing  thou  bast  departed  fiom  the  ways  of  tbe  prophet 
icm  whom  oe  benedictions),  and  bast  Ivllen  into  the  wa^rs  of 
tbe  Persian  snonarchs.  ILnow  that  tbe  Xbosms  baye  passed 
fposn  their  pidace  to  the  tomb ;  while  ihe  prophet^  irom  bis 
lowly  babkaEtion  on  earth,  has  been  elevated  to  the  bigbeat 
heaven.  I  have  sent  Mahomet  Ibn  Muslemah  to  bum  thy 
|)alace.  In  this  world  two  bofuaes  are  sufficient  for  thee ;  one 
to  dwell  in,  the  other  to  contain  the  treasuse  of  tbe  Mos- 
lems." 

Saad  was  too  wary  to  make  any  opposition  to  the  orders  of 
ibe  stem-mmded  Oatar ;  so  be  looEed  on  "without  a  muraEnur 
as  his  stately  Eiosk  was  consumed  W  the  flames.  He  even 
ofiered  Mahomet  presents,  whidi  the  latter  dedinod,  and 
returned  to  Medi»Ek.  Saad  removed  to  a  different  part  of 
<the  city,  and  built  a  more  modest  mansion  for  himself  anid 
^another  for  Idae  treasury* 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


OlEAS.  131 

In  the  same  year  TdtJi  tlie  fotmding  of  Ciifia,  the  CaEph 
Omar  married  0mm  Kolsam,  tke  daughter  of  AK  a»d  Eatama, 
and  granddanditer  of  the  prophet.  This  drew  him  in  gtBtt 
dbser  bonds  offiriendship  and  confidence  with  Ali ;  wht»  witSi 
Othman  shared  his  cotmeiis,  and  aided  him  in  managing  hcna 
Medina  I3ie  rapidly  accnmnlating  affairs  of  the  Moslem  empire. 

It  nmst  be  ahrays  noted,  l£at  however  stem  and  strict 
may  appear  the  hews  and  ordinances  of  Omar,  he  was  rigidly 
impartial  in  enforcing  them ;  and  one  of  his  own  sons,  having 
been  found  intoxicated,  received  the  twenty  bastinadoes  on 
ihe  soles  of  Hie  feet  winch  he  had  decreed  for  oflRenees  of  the 
kind. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

W HT  with  Homrozftn,  the  'Satrap  of  Ahw^ — Hte  conqpe  A  safl  eonven^oii. 

The  fbunding  of  the  «itT  of  Bassorm  had  giv«n  great  annoys 
ance  and  tmeasiness  to  Hommzl^  1^  S£ua*ap  or  vioeroy  df 
Ahw&z,  or  Snsiana.  His  province  lay  between  Babylonia  and 
[Parsistan,  and  he  saw  iSiat  this  liamg  city  of  the  Arabs  wai 
intended  as  a  check  upon  him.  His  province  was  oste  of  the 
richest  and  most  ixnportant  of  Persia,  producing  cotton,  rioe» 
sugar,  and  wheat.  3?t  was  fitndded  w^  cities,  wHdi  the  his- 
torian Tabari  compared  to  a  cluster  of  stars.  In  the  centre 
stood  Ihe  metropofis,  Susa;  one  of  l^e  royal  resorts  of  the 
P^*8ian  kings,  celebrated  in  scriptural  history,  and  said  to 
possess  the  tomb  of  the  prophet  Daniel.  It  was  once  adorned 
wiih  palaces  and  courts,  and  prarks  <rf  prodigious  extent, 
fhougn  now  all  is  a  wtwte,  **  echoing  only  to  Ihe  roar  of  I3ie 
lion,  or  yeU  of  the  hyaena." 

HereHormuzSn,  the  satrap,  emulated  t3ie  state  and  luxury 
of  a  king.  He  was  of  a  haughty  spirit,  priding  himself  upon 
his  descCTit,  his  ancestors  having  once  sat  on  the  throne  of 
Persia.  For  this  reason  his  sons,  being  of  the  blood  royal, 
wirare  pemutted  to  wear  crowns,  though  of  smaller  size  than 
-i^iose  worn  by  kings,  and  his  family  was  regarded  witib  great 
deference  by  the  Persians. 

This  haughly  satrap,  not  rendered  wary  by  the  prowfess  of 
t^  Moslem  arms,  which  he  had  witnessed  and  experienced  at 
Kadesia,  made  preparations  to  crush  tiie^rising  colony  of  Bas- 
sora.  The  founders  of  I3iat  city  caHed  on  the  Caliph  for  pro- 
tection, and  troops  were  marched  to  their  assistance  from 
Medina,  and  from  the  head-quarters  of  Saad  at  Cufa.  Hor- 
k2 


13^  srccESSosa  of  ulamowbh, 

muzlUi  soon  liad  reason  to  repent  his  having  provoked  hos- 
tilities. He  was  defeated  in  repeated  battles,  and  at  length 
If  as  glad  to  make  peace,  with  the  loss  of  half  of  his  territories, 
and  all  but  fonr  or  his  cluster  of  cities.  He  was  not  x>erniitted 
long  to  enjoy  even  this  remnant  of  domain.  Yczdegird,  from 
his  retreat  at  Eei,  reproached  Hormiiz4n  and  the  satrap  of 
the  adjacent  province  of  Farsistan,  for  not  co-operating  to 
withstand  the  Moslems.  At  his  command  thej  united  their 
forces,  and«Hormnz&n  broke  the  treaty  of  peace  which  he  had 
so  recently  concluded. 

The  devotion  of  Honhuz4n  to  his  fugitive  sovereign  ended 
ii;  his  ruin.  The  Caliph  ordered  troops  to  assemble  m)m  the 
different  Moslem  posts,  and  complete  the  conquest  of  Ahwaz. 
Hormuz&n  disputed  his  territory  bravely,  but  was  driven 
from  place  to  place,  until  he  made  his  last  stand  in  the  fortress 
of  Ahw^,  or  Susa.  For  six  months  he  was  beleaguered, 
during  which  time  there  were  many  saUies  and  assaults, 
and  hard  fighting  on  both  sides.  At  length,  Bark  Ibn  M41ek 
was  sent  to  take  command  of  the  besiegers.  He  had  been  an 
especial  favourite  of  the  prophet,  and  there  was  a  superstitious 
feeling  concerning  him.  He  manifested  at  all  times  an  in- 
difference to  life  or  death;  always  pressed  forward  to  the 
place  of  danger,  and  every  action  in  which  he  served  was 
successful. 

On  his  taking  the  command,  the  troops  gathered  round 
him.  "  Oh  Bara !  swear  to  overthrow  these  mfidels,  and  the 
Most  High  will  favour  us." 

Bara  swore  that  the  place  would  be  taken,  and  the  infidels 
put  to  flight,  but  that  he  would  fidl  a  martyr. 

In  the  verynext  assault,  he  was  killed  by  an  arrow  sped  by 
HormuzlUi.  The  amnr  took  his  death  as  a  good  omen.  '*  One- 
half  of  his  oath  is  ndfilled,"  said  they,  "  and  so  will  be  the 
other." 

Shortly  afterward  a  Persian  traitor  came  to  Abu  Shebrali, 
who  had  succeeded  to  the  Moslem  command,  and  revealed  a 
secret  entrance  by  a  conduit  under  the  castle,  by  which  it  was 
supplied  with  water.  A  hundred  Moslems  entered  it  by  night, 
threw  open  the  outward  gates,  and  let  in  the  army  into  the 
court-yards.  HormuzlUi  was  ensconced,  however,  in  a  strong 
tower,  or  keep,  from  the  battlements  of  which  he  held  a  parley 
with  the  Moslem  commander.  "  I  have  a  thousand  expert 
archers  with  me,"  said  he,  "  who  never  miss  their  aim.  Bj 
every  arrow  they  discharge,  you  will  lose  a  man.  Avoid  this 
useless  sacrifice.  Let  me  depart  in  honour;  give  me  saie 
conduct  to  the  Caliph,  and  let  him  dispose  of  me  as  he 
pleases." 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAB.  133 

It  was  agreed.  Hormaz&n  was  treated  with,  respect  as  he 
issued  from  his  fortress,  and  was  sent  under  an  escort  to 
Medina.  He  maintained  the  air  of  one  not  conducted  as  a 
prisoner,  but  attended  by  a  guard  of  honour.  As  he  ap- 
proached the  city  he  halted,  arrayed  himself  in  sumptuous 
apparel,  with  his  jewelled  belt  and  regal  crown,  and  m  this 
guise  entered  the  gates.  The  inhabitants  gazed  in  astonish- 
ment at  such  unwonted  luxury  of  attire. 

Omar  was  not  at  his  dwelling ;  he  had  gone  to  the  mosque» 
Hormuz^  was  conducted  thither.  On  approaching  the  sacred 
edifice,  the  Caliph's  doak  was  seen  hanging  against  the  wall, 
while  he  himself*,  arrayed  in  patched  garments,  lay  asleep  with 
his  staff  under  his  head.  The  officers  of  the  escort  seated 
themselves  at  a  respectful  distance  until  he  should  awake. 
"  This,"  whispered  tney  to  Hormuz^,  '*  is  the  prince  of  true 
believers." 

*'  This  the  Arab  king !"  said  the  astonished  satrap ;  "  and 
is  this  his  usual  attire  ?*'  "  It  is."  "  And  does  he  sleep  thus 
without  guards?"  "  He  does ;  he  comes  and  goes  alone,  and 
lies  down  and  sleeps  where  he  pleases."  "  And  can  he  ad- 
minister justice,  and  conduct  affiors  without  officers  and  mes- 
sengers and  attendants  P"  "  Even  so,"  was  the  reply.  "  This," 
«xchumed  Hormuz&n,  at  length,  "  is  the  condition  of  a  pro- 
phet, but  not  of  a  long."  *'  He  is  not  a  prophet,"  was  the 
reply,  "  but  he  acts  like  one." 

As  the  Caliph  awoke  he  recognised  the  officers  of  the 
escort.  "  What  tidings  do  you  bnngP"  demanded  he — "  But 
who  is  this  so  extrayagantfy  arrayed  P"  rubbing  his  eyes  as 
they  fell  upon  the  embroidered  robes  and  jewelled  crown 
of  the  satrap.  ''This  is  Hormuz^,  the  kmg  of  Ahw&z.' 
'*  Take  the  infidel  out  of  this  place,"  cried  he,  turning  away 
his  head.  "  Strip  him  of  his  riches,  and  put  on  lum  the 
riches  of  Islam." 

Hormuz^  was  accordingly  taken  forth,  and  in  a  little 
time  was  brought  again  before  the  Caliph,  clad  in  a  simple 
garb  of  the  stnped  cloth  of  Yemen. 

The  Moslem  writers  relate  various  auibbles  by  which  Hor- 
muz&n  sought  to  avert  the  death  with  wnich  he  was  threatened, 
for  having  slain  Bar&  Ibn  M&lek.  He  craved  water  to  allay 
his  thirst.  A  vessel  of  water  was  brought.  Afiecting  to 
apprehend  immediate  execution :  "  Shall  I  be  spared  until  I 
have  drunk  this  P"  Being  answered  by  the  Caliph  in  the 
affirmative,  he  dashed  the  vessel  to  the  ground.  ''Now," 
said  he,  "  vou  cannot  put  me  to  death,  for  I  can  never  drink 
the  water. 

The  straightforward  Omar,  however,  was  not  to  be  caught 

cjtized  by  Google 


JM  SVCCESSOBB  OV  MAHOMBT. 


i^! 


'  a  qnibUo.  ^'Yomr  emaumg  wili  do  jou  no  ffood^"  Mod  Ee^ 
'"olhttfi^wiH  Mure  701.  btoi  to  exBlmoe  IskmiBxiL"  The 
jHwhty  fiannmki  ww  mbdaedL  Ha  made  tke  profesaiaa 
of&lh.  im  due  ftjrk,  sad  waa  afc  ooce  onaraikd  aaun^  true 
Wieren. 

He  resided  tiwnoafogrtf>  in  Medina ;  raoiived  ndi  jjKcapnia 
ham  ike  Calipk,  aod  vdbeecnieai^jgaTekim  ma^  aarviceaUa 
information  and  advice  ia  nis  pioaecBfckm  of  tka  war  -wiA 
fenia.  The  eonraeit  of  Alivaa  was  eompleied  m  tko  aiBe- 
ieeaUiyaaroftiheJSegita.  • 


CHAFraiRXXXL 

Bead  toapended  flpgiii  tiie  command. — ^A-  Persian,  anoy  assembled  st  K^AI^ 
read^— C««]ita  a^ta^MMfoe  oTKidiBA.— Battle  ^flTdi&TBMk 

Omab,  ae  we  lukve  bmb^  ke^fr  a  jealooe  and  ^igilttat  ey9  "^fpom 
hsM  diatant  generals^  berag  eonMastly  hacmted  br  ne  met 
tibtat  thej  wcnikl  beocnae  oomtpttfd  ia  the  lioh  ana  Ivxonoaa 
oovairies  tikej  were  inyadtiif,  aad  lose  tiMt  Aaih  aimn^btitj 
wMok  lie  eozuttdered  mestiikia^e  m  itoelf,  and  att-esset&tial  ta 
ike  Bvccesa  d  the<  eauee  of  Islam^  NotwilJiataadrng-  Hht 
severe  reproof  ke  had  given  to-  8aod  Ibn  Aka  WalcldbB  ia, 
ffwnang  down  hia  pahee  at  Ouia,  oomplaizifis  stiB  readied  kim 
l^t  t^e  general  infected  ike  pomp  <^  a  OaJipk,  that  ke  ww- 
wijnst  aad  opFreeaive,  tmMr  in  tke  dvrunon  of  ^^ik,  and 
ak>w  in  oondncti^  mitilary  tcaeenm,  Tkese  ^taxges  pnyved^ 
for  the  moat  part,  anfiwnded^  but  tke^  caused  Saad  to  be 
aaspeaded  firora  his  eomma»d  tuilfl  tkejr  eocdd  be  invee^vated. 

Wh^i  the  news  readied  Teadegird  ai  Bei  tkat  the  MosleA 
general  who  had  conquered  at  £adesia,  slaia  BoBtam,  eap> 
tared  Madajn,  and  (Uivea  himadf  to^  the  mosntatne,  was 
deposed  from  the  eommazid,  ke  eoneemd  firesk  hooes,  aad 
wrote  letters  to  aU  the  ppe^raiees  yet  aBeonqaered,  eaMng  on 
"file  ij^udbxtants  to  take  1^  aims  aoad  make  a  grand  efiS»t  for 
ike  salratiGsi  of  the  empire.  l^ekftTend  was  appointed  as  tke 
pkiee  where  the  tioops  were  to  assesiMe.  It  was  a  ^aee  of 
great  antiquity,  fimnded,  says  tradition,  hr  Noah,  and  eaUed 
aDier  him,  and  was  about  fifteea  leagues  mm  Hamadlko,  tke 
ancient  Eebatana.  Here  troops  g^ered  together  to  tite 
mumber  of  one  kandred  and  ^ty  m>usaBd. 

Omar  assOTabled  kis  eounsellors  at  the  mosque  of  Mediaa, 
and  gave  them  intelligence,  just  received,  of  tnis  great  arma- 
awst.    "^Tkis,*' said  ke,*«  is  proMdytke  kist  great  elfort  of 

gtized  by  Google 


OUJLB.  13S* 

tk0  Peaniainfi.  If  we  defeat  threm  now  tLey  will  never  be  able- 
to  VBofce  agnin/'  He  ecxpveased  a  dispotttion^  therefore,  to. 
take  the  ceaonaaid.  in  person.  Strong  objee^na  were  ad^ 
■vanced.  "  ABRemMe  troopg  fi?em  TaariouBt  parta»"  aaid  QthiBatt; 
''^  but  remain^  j&ojneiS,  eifcber  at  Medina,.  Cu&kt  ok  Solmha,  to 
fend  reinfbrcemsemts  if  reqttired^  or  to  form  a  railyin^  poiiit 
&r  the  Moslems,  if  defentedJ'  Othera  save  di£Eb?eiit  eoiuiseL 
At  length  the  matter  was  referred  to  Abbas  Ibn  Abd  al  Mo- 
t&llefa,  who  was  eeosidered  (ma  of  the  sagett  heads  ^covasel 
in  the  tribe  mi^artishL.  He  fOiTe  it  as  his  Qpinioii  tiia^  tba 
Caliph  sbcMkL  rcoaein  m  Medma,  aaui  gi^e  the  cemBnand  of 
tiie  eampaigB.  to  ]SHi'm4ii  Ibn  Mnlpy,.  who  waa  abeady  i» 
Akw6s^  where  ke  had  been  &iew  since  Saad  hodl  seitt  hdai 
^kiter  firom  Ink.  It  is  sin^;niar  to*  see  the  fate  of  the  ence 
mighty  and  magnifieent  %mjpm  of  the  Orient^  Syizu,  Ckaldea^ 
JIt&fismBkr  ana  the  denztmona  ci  the  Medira  and  Persians^ 
tins  ddbated  and  deeidtd  in  the  mosqxie  of  Medina^  bj  a 
handM  of  gncf -kieaded  Arabs>  who  mat  m.  few  yeaxa  pre* 
riooah*  had  Been  homeleas  &fl;itiye8. 

Ormra  were  new  sest  ta  Nwman  to  nuarcL  to  Hdb^vend^ 
and  reinfipiceBenti  jiuaed  hun  firom  Medina,  Baawjia^  aaid 
Oufa.  His  force,  when  thus  cofleetedv  waa  bufc  moderate,  but 
it  was  nade  np  of  mem  haEdened  ami  sharpened  bj  uioeasant 
marhrtf  rendered  dazing*  and  eos&lent  by-  repeated  Tietoarf, 
and  led  by  able  officen.  Be  waa  afterwaorda  jokied  by  ten 
tiioiiHand  men  freoa  Sawad,  HoIwsLnv  and  otibex  places,  maoy 
of  whom  were  tribntariefii 

The  Persian  army  norw  eoUectcd  at.  KehAicend  waa  eom- 
maaaded  by  Firuzin;.  he  waa  old  and  infirm,  but  Mi  of  istel- 
ligraioe  and  spizstt,  and  the  OTiy  mnaaning  geKeial  conradered 
capable  of  taking  charge  oi  bbc6  a  Ibiecv  tiie  beat  generali 
kanng  fSdien  in  battle*  Ike  vetenm,  lancmmg  the  impe- 
taoail^  of  the  Arab  attacli^  axMi  their  snperioBity*  in  tiw  open 
fidd,  had  taken  a  irtrong  poaition,  ibrnfied  hsa  eainra,  and 
soiroanded  it  wiik  a  deep  SMat  filled  with  water.  Here  ho 
dcfteofnaed  to  tire  oat  the  TOitience  of  tke  Maslsni%  and  await 
aa  opportrutity  ta  strike  &  dieeisiye  blow. 

luLinlba  dmlayed  hda  ioarees  before  the  Pefaian  eamp,  and 
lepeatedly  omeied  battle,  Init  tibe  eantums  vetenzi  was  not  ta 
be  drawn  oat  of  h»  izktrene&mrada.  Two  noatha  ekpsed 
withoat  any  aetion,  and  the  ModMn  troopSy  aa  Piraaftn  had 
Ibreseen*  began  to  grow  dbcontenrted,  and  to  onsmar  at  theor 
general. 

A  stratagem  was  now  resorted  to  by  Nn*mkiL  to  dncw  out 
tile  enemy.  B^reaking  up  hia  camp,  he  nude  a  haatf  ietre«t> 
leaiing   Miind   him  BMsvy  avtidea   of  IM»  ysiat.    The 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


136  8ITCCE8SOB8  OF  MAHOMET. 

ctratagem  succeeded.  The  PeraianB  sallied,  though  cautioxislj, 
in  pursuit.  !Nu*m^n  continued  his  feigned  retreat  for  another 
day,  still  followed  by  the  enemj.  Having  drawn  them  to  » 
sufficient  distance  from  their  fortified  camp,  he  took  up  a 
position  at  nightfall.  ''To-morrow,"  said  he  to  his  troops, 
**  before  the  Sa,j  reddens,  be  ready  for  battle.  I  have  been 
with  the  prophet  in  many  conflicts,  and  he  always  commenced 
battle  after  the  Friday  prayer." 

The  following  day,  when  the  troops  were  drawn  out  in 
order  of  battle,  ne  made  this  prayer  in  their  prtsence.  "  Oh 
Allah !  sustain  this  day  the  cause  of  Islamism;  give  us 
victory  over  the  infidels,  and  grant  me  the  glory  of  martyr- 
dom.' Then  turning  to  his  officers,  he  expressed  a  presenti- 
ment that  he  should  fall  in  the  battle,  and  named  the  person 
who,  in  such  case,  should  take  the  command. 

He  now  appointed  the  signal  for  battle.  "  Three  times," 
6aid  he,  "  I  will  cry  the  tekbir,  and  each  time  will  shake  mv 
standard.  At  the  third  time  let  every  one  fall  on  as  I  shall 
do."  He  gave  the  signal,  Allah  Achbarl  Allah  Achbar! 
Allah  Achbar!  At  the  third  shaking  of  the  standard,  the 
tekbir  was  responded  by  the  army,  and  the  air  was  rent  by 
the  universal  snout  of  Allah  Achbar ! 

The  shock  of  the  two  armies  was  terrific ;  they  were  soon 
enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  dust,  in  which  the  sound  of  scimetars 
and  battle-axes  told  the  deadly  work  tiiat  was  going  on; 
while  the  shouts  of  Allah  Achbar  continued,  mingled  with 
furious  cries  and  execrations  of  the  Persians,  and  dismal 
groans  of  the  wounded.  In  an  hour  the  Persians  were  com- 
pletely routed.  "Oh  Lord!"  exclaimed  Nu'm&n,  in  pious 
ecstasy,  "my  prayer  for  victory  has  been  heard;  may  that 
for  martyrdom  be  likewise  favoured  I" 

He  advanced  his  standard  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  but  at 
ihe  same  moment  a  Parthian  arrow  from  the  fiying  foe  gave 
liim  the  death  he  coveted.  His  body,  with  the  face  covered, 
was  conveyed  to  his  brother,  and  his  standard  given  to  Ha- 
difeh,  whom  he  had  named  to  succeed  him  in  the  command. 

The  Persians  were  pursued  with  great  slaughter.  Firuzan 
fled  towards  Hamadan,  but  was  overtaken  at  midnight  as  he 
was  ascending  a  steep  hill,  embarrassed  among  a  crowd  of 
'  mules  and  camels  laden  with  the  luxurious  superfluities  of  a 
Persian  camp.  Here  he  and  several  thousand  of  his  soldiers 
and  camp-followers  were  cut  to  pieces.  The  boot^  was  im- 
mense. Forty  of  the  mules  were  found  to  be  laden  with  honey; 
which  made  the  Arabs  say,  with  a  sneer,  that  Fimzon's  army 
-was  clogged  with  its  own  honey,  until  overtaken  by  the  true 
believers.    The  whole  mmiber  of  Persians  slain  in  this  battle. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OMAB.  137 

wluch  sealed  the  fate  of  the  empire,  is  said  to  have  amounted 
to  one  hundred  thousand.  It  took  place  in  the  twenty-first 
year  of  the  Hegira,  and  the  year  641  of  the  Christian  era, 
and  was  commemorated  among  Moslems  as  "  The  Victory  of 
Victories." 

On  a  day  subsequent  to  the  battle,  a  man  mounted  on  an. 
ass  rode  into  the  camp  of  Hadifeh.  He  was  one  who  had 
served  in  the  temples  oi  the  fire-worshippers,  and  was  in  great 
consternation,  fearing  to  be  sacrificed  by  the  fanatic  Moslems. 
"  Spare  my  life,"  saiahe  to  Hadifeh,  "and  the  life  of  another 
person  whom  I  shall  designate,  and  I  will  dehver  into  your 
hands  a  treasure  put  under  my  charge  by  Yezdegird  when  he 
fled  to  Sei."  His  terms  being  promised,  he  produced  a  sealed 
box.  On  breaking  the  seal,  Hadifeh  foimd  it  filled  with 
rubies  and  precious  stones  of  various  colours  and  jewels  of 
great  price.  He  was  astonished  at  the  sight  of  what  appeared 
to  him  incalculable  riches.  "  These  jewels,"  said  he,  "  have 
not  been  gained  in  battle,  nor  by  the  sword ;  we  have,  there- 
fore, no  right  to  any  share  in  them.  With  the  concurrence  of 
his  officers,  therefore,  he  sent  the  box  to  the  Caliph  to  be 
retained  by  himself  or  divided  among  the  true  believers  as  he 
shoTild  think  proper.  The  officer  who  conducted  the  fifth  part 
of  the  spoils  to  Medina,  delivered  the  box,  and  related  its 
history  to  Omar.  The  Caliph,  little  skilled  in  matters  of 
luxury,  and  holding  them  in  supreme  contempt,  gazed  with  an 
ignorant  or  scornful  eye  at  the  miperial  jewels,  and  refused  to 
receive  them.  "  You  know  not  what  these  things  are,"  said 
he.  "Neither  do  I;  but  they  lustly  belong  to  those  who 
slew  the  infidels,  and  to  no  one  else."  He  or£red  the  officer* 
therefore,  to  depart  forthwith  and  carry  the  box  back  to 
Hadifeh.  The  jewels  were  sold  by  the  latter  to  the  merchants 
who  followed  tne  camp,  and  when  the  proceeds  were  divided  ; 
among  the  troops,  eacn  horseman  received  for  his  share  four 
thousand  pieces  of  gold. 

Far  other  was  ihe  conduct  of  the  Caliph  when  he  received 
the  letter  giving  an  account  of  the  victory  at  Neh&vend.  His 
first  inquiry  was  after  his  old  companion  m  the  faith,  Nu*man. 
"  May  Goa  grant  you  and  him  mercy !"  was  the  reply.  "  He 
has  become  a  martyr !" 

Omar,  it  is  said,  wept.  He  next  inquired  who  also  were 
martyrs.  Several  were  named  with  whom  he  was  acauaintedj 
but  many  who  were  unknown  to  him.  "  If  I  know  tnem  not^ 
said  he,  piously  quoting  a  text  of  the  Koran,  "  God  does !" 


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1^ 


CHAPTEBXXXn. 

Oq^tnre  of  Hamadftn ;  of  Bei.— Snl^iigatkiD  of  TthtxMam ;  dAmc^ki^ht, — 
CaapaigB  among  tbe  Oaocttiaa  mosntaiiu. 

TsB  Piersisn  troopc  wKo  luid  vorrnvd  tiie  ngnol  deirafe  of 
iPkos^  assemblea  thelt  broken  fbree*  amt  the  city  «f  Haaia- 
^in;  Imt  were  sooa  routed  •gain  by  dgtaAment  acgfraeii»ii 
tttem  hf  Hadlfek,  who  haA  fixed  \m  headtpiflvten  at  %U^ 
▼end.  1^^  them  took  relbge  »  HMnacttw,  and  cBSoenuced 
t&emselTea  Bi  its  s^ong^  Ibr^ss  <»?  citadeL 

Hamadki  war  ^le  seecmd  eiity  in  BBrsia  fer  gHutdssur,  and 
was  boUt  m>on  ^^e  site  of  Edbatana,  iar  old  times  ike  pzk»' 
ftA  eity  of  i^  Medes.  l^ere  were  i&or».  Jema.  aatoog  its 
anhabiUnts  tbaa  were  to  be  found  in  anj  other  eitf  of  Pleraa;: 
and  it  boasted  of  possessing  l^otomlw  of  Bsthcor  and  Moxw 
decai.  It  was  situated  on  a  stee^emiaenioey  dofvn  ^hm  sides  of 
whi^  it  deseended  i»to  a  ftnitmi  pkin,  watwed  hj  sfeewaiaa 
gashing  down  from  the  10%-  Orontes,  now  Mpiart  Dhrand. 
She  T^aoe  was  eommanded  b^  Habedti^  the  same  general  wb» 
liad  been  driven  fifom  Hohrsbi  titer  the  flight  oi  YezdegM. 
Habesh  son^t  an  interriew  with  Hadt£^,  at  his  encammeait 
at  Neh&vendi  and  made  a  tareatr  of  peaee  wi^  him ;  hot  ife 
was  a  fraudulent  one,  and  isxtencsed  Stterelj  to  gain  time.  Be* 
taming  to^  Ham^daoa,  he  tvmed  the  vrhde  city  into  a  fbrtreas^ 
and  assembled  a  strong  garrison,  being  reonimroed  firoiii  ike 
a^hbonring  prorince  g£  Aserbij&n. 

On  b^g  informed  of  this  want  of  rood  &itk  on  the  part 
•f  the  ga7em€»^  of  HsiiMtd^n,  the  Calip&  Chnar  dspcttched  ■ 
strong  loroe  aga^t  the  plaoe>  led  bj  an  abb  offieer  aiind 
l^u'haim  Ibn  Mukrin.  Habesh  had  more  oouraee  than  oaa-> 
takm.  Confident  in  Ae  large  force  he  iuid  asaentmed^  iostaad 
of  remaining  within  hk  stKttglj  fortified  cilj^  he  salHed  £bz& 
and  met  the  Modems  in  op^s,  BeM.  I^  haAJAe  hesked  £br 
^uree  da js>  and  was  harder  £^ht  thasi  even  tibat  of  ItehlkiTeftdr 
but  ended  in  leaving  the  Moslems  triumphant  masten  of  tko 
once  f(»rmidable  eapital  of  Media. 

Kii*haim  now  marched  against  Sei.  late  tise  ph»e  of  rdam 
Cif  Yeadegird.  Ihat  prinee,  howerev,  had  deserted  it  on  ute 
apprott^  of  danger,  leaTin^  it  in  charge  d  a  noble  aamed 
Siy&wesh  Ibn  Barham.  Hither  the  Persian  princes  had  sent 
troops  from  the  yet  imconquered  provinces,  for  Siy&wesh  had 


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mMj  offered  to  laake  koni^  m  a  boekier  to  them,,  and  emat^ 
quer  or  fall  in  their  defence.  His  patriotiam  waa  vaaBnuliBi^ 
treachexj  aad  oom^ptioii  wvre  too  wreraleikt  aawMis  the  Per- 
aians*  Zain»  a  pow^rM  aol^  raaideai  in  S«v  and  a  deMUgr 
enemy  of  l%jaweah»  wxofanA  ta  adnui  two^ihoaaand  MniiWiwa 
VOL  at  on»j;ateef  thacity*  at  tiie  time  whaa  ite  gidhnst  gorenttir 
waa  makmg  a  BwSfy  hjr  ano^heff .  A  Boe&e  of  tmnlt  and  caxv 
na^e  took  place  in  the  atieeta,  vhere  both  amdaa  engagad  in 
deadly  oonffieL  The  patriot  Siykwnh  was  akin  wi^ii  a 
great  part  of  his^  tatoopar  the  city  waa  captagad  and  sacked 
and  iU  e^^adel  dB8troy«d»  asd  ^a  ixmko^  Zam  waa  lavarded 
ior  his  tieachavy  by  heinf^  mada>  gofremaor  of  the  rained 
plaee. 

Nu'haim  now  sent  troopa  m  difleraut  dbrertiomi  aganut 
£imu^  and  Banae^^tki,  and  Jnrean  (the  am^ent  ffircamia), 
aadlTaJbajri^iaju  Th^  met  with  feetderesiBtaiiaa.  The  national 
ifizit  waa brok^i;  eprea  the  natkmal  religion  waa  naai^  at 
an  end.  *^  This  Peraas  rehgioa  ei  onrs  haa  become  oaao^ 
lete,"  aaid  Fadcham,  a  military  aageyto  an  assemblage  of  ooai^ 
aumdfrsy  who  asked  haa  adfioe;  '^tiie  new  rel^pum  ia  earrying 
eyery  thmgbelbre  it;  my  advieeis  to  make  peaee  and  pay 
tribute;"  iBda  advice  was  adopted.  All  Tabaristsn  became 
tributary  in  the  anmaal  sum  of  n^e  hixadred  tfaonsaiad  diarhems; 
wilh  tho  eondltioa  that  the  Moslems  should  levy  no  troops  in 
thatqmarter. 

AzaabipB  waa  next  invaded ;  the  eoxmtry  vfUuik  had  sent 
treopa  to  the  aid  of  HanauUn.  This  proNriBee  lay  novth  of 
!Rei  and  Hamadeiji,  and  extended  to  the  rocky  Caucasus.  It 
wask  the  stronghold  of  the  Magiana  or  Fire* worshi^pexa,  where 
.  they  had  thdr  tenuples^  aad  maiatained  their  perpetoal  £«& 
Hence  the  name  of  the  cvantry,  Azer  smiffmg  fii*e.  The 
pviaees  of  the  countrr  made  an  ineffectuaf  stand ;  ^eir  army 
was  d^eated ;  l^e  altars  of  the  fire-worshippers  were  over- 
ipmed ;  their  temples  destroyed^  and  Azerbij^n  won. 

The  arms  of  Islam  had  aow  been  earned  triamphantiy  to 
ihe  Toy  defiles  of  the  Caneaana;  tlKwe  monmtaiBB  were  yet 
to  be  Bubdned.  Thwr  rocky  sierras  on  the  east  separated 
Azerb^dn  from  Haziz  and  the  shores  of  the  Caspian*  and  on 
the  north  firom  the  vast  Sormafciaa  ra^ns.  The  passes 
through  these  moutttaina  wen  aeenred  of  yore^  by  fortreesea 
and  waUa>  and  iron  gates,  to  bar  against  irraptkms  &om  the 
sbadowy  land  of  Qog  and  Magog,  the  terror  of  the  olden 
fime,  mr  by  these  passes  had  poured  in  the  barbarous  hordes 
of  the  norm,  "  a  mi§[hty  host  all  riding  upon  horses,"  who 
liyed  in  tents,  worshipped  the  naked  swoid  planted  in  the 

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140  8TTCCESS0BS  OF  MAHOMET. 

eartih,  and  decorated  their  steeds  with  the  scalps  of  their 
enemies  slain  in  hattle.* 

Detachments  of  Moslems  under  different  leaders  pene- 
trated the  defiles  of  these  mountains,  and  made  themselves 
masters  of  the  Derbends,  or  mountain  barriers.  One  of  the 
most  important,  and  which  cost  the  ^eatest  struggle,  was  a 
city  or  fortress  called  by  the  Persians,  Der-bend ;  by  the 
Tiiks,  Demir-Capi,  or  the  ^ate  of  Iron ;  and  by  the  Arabs, 
J3ab-el-abwlkb,  (the  Gate  of  Gat^s.)  It  guards  a  defile  be- 
tween a  promontory  of  Mount  Caucasus  and  the  Caspian  sea. 
A  superstitious  behef  is  still  connected  with  it  by  the  Moslems. 
Origmally  it  had  three  gates  ;  two  only  are  left ;  one  of  these 
has  nearly  sunk  into  the  earth ;  they  say  when  it  disappears 
the  day  of  judgment  will  arrive. 

Ab&'lranman  Ibn  Eabiah,  one  of  the  Moslem  commanders 
wh<>  penetrated  the  defiles  of  the  Caucasus,  was  appointed  by 
Omar  to  the  command  of  the  Derbends  or  passes,  witii  orders 
t6  keep  vigilant  watch  over  them ;  for  the  Ualinh  was  in  con* 
tinual  sohcitude  about  the  safety  of  the  Moslems  on  these 
remote  expeditions,  and  was  fearful  that  the  Moslem  troops 
might  be  swept  away  by  some  irruption  from  the  north. 

Abdalrahman,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Caliph,  made  a 
compact  with  Shahr-Zad,  one  of  the  native  chiefs,  by  which 
the  latter,  in  consideration  of  being  excused  from  paving 
tribute,  undertook  to  guard  the  Derbends  against  the  nortnem 
hordes.  The  Arab  general  had  many  conversations  with 
Shahr  -  Zad  about  the  mountains,  which   are  favoured  re- 

*  By  some,  Gog  and  Magog  are  taken  in  an  allegorical  sense,  signifying 
the  princes  of  heathendom,  enemies  of  saints  and  the  church. 

According  to  the  prophet  Ezeldel,  Gog  was  the  king  of  Magog ;  Magog 
signifying  the  i)eople,  and  G^g  the  king  of  the  coantry.  They  are  names 
that  loom  yaguely  and  fearfUIIy  in  the  dark  denunciations  of  the  prophets ; 
and  in  the  olden  time  inspired  awe  throughout  the  eastern  world. 

The  Arabs,  says  Lane,  call  Gog  and  Magog,  Yl^uj  and  M^uj,  and  say 
they  are  two  nations  or  tribes  descended  from  Japliet,  the  son  of  Noah ;  or, 
as  others  write,  Gog  is  a  tribe  of  the  Turks,  and  Magog  those  of  Gilan ;  the 
QeU  and  the  Gels  of  Ptolemy  and  Strabo.  They  made  their  irruptions 
into  the  neighbouring  countries  in  the  spring,  and  carried  off  all  the  fruits 
of  the  earth. — Salens  Koran,  Note  to  ch.  18. 

According  to  Moslem  belief,  a  great  irruption  of  Gog  and  Magog  is  to  be 
one  of  the  signs  of  the  latter  days,  forerunning  the  resurrection  and  final 
Judgment.  They  are  to  come  from  the  north  in  a  mighty  host,  coyering 
the  land  as  a  cloud ;  so  that  when  subdued,  their  shields  and  bucklers,  their 
"bows  and  arrows  and  quivers,  and  the  staves  of  their  spears,  shall  fumisk 
the  faithftil  with  fhel  for  seven  years.  All  which  is  evidently  derived  from 
the  bo<^k  of  the  prophet  Ezekiel ;  with  which  Mahomet  had  been  mada 
acquaints  by  his  Jewish  instructors. 

The  Koran  makes  mention  of  a  wall  built  as  a  protection  against  theie 

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OMAB.  141 

gions  of  Persian  romance  and  fable.  His  imagination  was 
fired  witli  wliat  lie  was  told  about  tbe  people  oeyond  the 
Perbends,  the  Allani,  and  the  E.ns ;  and  about  the  ^eat  wall 
or  barrier  of  YajiVj  and  Majuj,  built  to  restrain  their  inroads. 

In  one  of  the  stories  told  by  Shahr-Zad,  the  reader  will 
perceive  the  germ  of  one  of  the  Arabian  tales  of  Sindbad  the 
Sailor.  It  is  recorded  to  the  following  purport,  by  Tabari, 
the  Persian  historian :  **  One  day  as  Abda'lrahman  was  seated 
by  Shahr-Zad,  conversinj?  with  him,  he  perceived  upon  his 
finger  a  ring  decorated  with  a  ruby,  which  burned  like  fire  in 
the  daytime,  but  at  night  was  of  dazzli^  brilliancy.  *  It 
came,*  said  Shahr-zad,  *from  the  wall  of  Y&jiij  and  Majiij, 
i&om  a  king  whose  dominions  between  the  mountains  is  tra- 
versed by  the  wall.  I  sent  him  many  jjresents,  and  asked 
but  one  ruby  in  return.*  Seeing  the  curiosity  of  Abda'lrah- 
man aroused,  he  sent  for  the  man  who  had  brought  the  ring, 
and  commanded  him  to  relate  the  circumstances  of  his  errand. 

"  *  When  I  delivered  the  presents  and  the  letter  of  Shahr- 
Zad  to  that  king,'  said  the  man,  '  he  called  his  chief  falconer, 
and  ordered  him  to  procure  the  jewel  required.  The  falconer 
kept  an  eagle  for  three  days  witnout  food,  until  he  was  nearly 
starved ;  he  then  took  him  up  into  the  mountains  near  the 
wall,  and  I  accompanied  him.  From  the  summit  of  one  of 
these  mountains,  we  looked  down  into  a  deep  dark  chasm  like 
an  abyss.  The  falconer  now  produced  a  piece  of  tainted  meat, 
threw  it  into  the  ravine,  and  let  loose  tne  eagle.  He  swep 
down  after  it,  pounced  upon  it  as  it  reached  the  ground,  and 
returning  with  it  perched  upon  the  hand  of  the  falconer.  The 

fearful  people  of  the  north  by  Dhalkarndin,  or  the  Two  Homed ;  by  iv4ioin 
some  suppose  is  meant  Alexander  the  Great ;  others,  a  Persian  king,  of  the 
first  race,  contemporary  with  Abraham. 

And  they  said,  O  Dhu'lkameim,  verily,  Gog  and  Magog  waste  the  land. 
....  He  answered,  I  will  set  a  strong  wall  between  you  and  them.  Bring 
jne  iron  in  large  pieces,  until  it  fill  up  the  space  between  the  two  sides  of 
tiiese  mountains.  And  he  said  to  the  workmen.  Blow  with  your  bellows 
until  it  make  the  iron  red  hot ;  and  bring  me  molten  brass,  that  I  may  pour 
upon  it.  Wherefore,  when  this  wall  was  finished,  Gog  and  Magog  could 
not  scale  it,  neither  could  they  dig  through  it. — Sale's  Koran,  ch.  18. 

The  Czar,  Peter  the  Great,  in  his  expedition  against  the  Persians,  saw  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  dty  of  Derbend.  which  was  then  besieged,  the 
ruins  of  a  wall,  which  went  up  hill  and  down  dale,  along  the  Caucasus,  and 
was  said  to  extend  from  the  Euxine  to  the  Caspian.  It  was  fortified  from 
place  to  place,  by  towers  or  castles.  It  was  eighteen  Bussian  stades  in 
height ;  built  of  stones  laid  up  dry ;  some  of  them  three  ells  long,  and  very 
wide.  The  colour  of  the  stones,  and  the  traditions  of  the  country,  showed 
it  to  be  of  great  antiquity.  The  Arabs  and  Persians  said  that  it  was  built 
against  the  invasions  of  Gog  and  Magog.— See  TutoeU  m  the  East,  by  Sir 
WiOkan  OweUy, 

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14^  ST7CCESS0BS  OF  MAHOMET. 

raby  iduldi  sow  sbines  in  tliat  ring  was  ^nrnd  ndkerms^to  tte 
meat. 

•  **  Abdalrahmaa  asked  an  aoconnfc  of  tkewafi.  •  It  is  boiK^' 
replied  the  man,  *  of  Stone,  iran,  and  Iot&bs,  and  extends  dawa 
one  moontain  and  np  anoliiter.'  'This/  said  tlte  dervont  and 
^-bdieving  Abdalrahmaa, '  urast  be  tfee  Teiy  wail  of  wl&di 
tibe  Almighly  makeB  Bmzrtion  in  ^e  Koran.' 

"  He  now  inqtiired<)fShahr-Zad  what  irastliie  Tate©  of  the 
mby.  *  No  one  knows  its  ralne,'  was  tiie  rejjiy;  'Hioci^ 
presents  to  an  immense  amount  had  been  made  in  retom  njt 
it.*  Shahr-Zad  now  drew  tke  riss  ^!om  his  #Bger^  and 
offered  it  to  Abdalrahman,  but  t3ie  Sitter  reused  to  aoeept 
it,  saying  Hkst  a  gem  of  that  Talne  was  not  snitaUe  to  hm. 

*  Had  you  been  one  ctf  the  Persian  longs,'  said  Sfaabr-Zftd,  *  jao. 
would  nave  taken  it  from  me  by  force ;  but  men  who  (xmAact 
likeyou  will  conquer  all  the  w<»]d.' " 

The  stories  which  he  had  heard  had  sux^  on  e^lbet  lapom 
Abda'lrahman,  that  he  i^sol^ed  to  make  aforay  into  tto  mys- 
terious country  beyimd  the  Deibends.^  Still  it  coidd  oi^y  be 
of  a  partial  nature,  as  he  wms  restrained  from  T^ttnring  hst 
hy  ^Bte  eanztious  isjunctions  of  Omar.  **  Were  I  aol  iwfkil 
of  dis^eaong  the  Calijh,"  said  he,  **  I  would  pu^  forwvd 
even  to  Tij^'  and  MAj{^ ,  and  make  conv«9rtB  of  all  -die  infidelB.** 

On  iBsumg  from  the  mountains,  he  found  himself  among  a 
baibairoQfl  peo^e,  the  ancestors  of  Hie  present  Turics,  who 
inhafti^ted  u  region  of  country  between  the  Ihudne  and  4lie 
Caspian  seas.  A  soldier  who  followed  Abdalxahman  in  this 
f&FBj,  gaye  die  following  accoiisrtcf  these  people  to  the  OsMf^ 
on  ms  return  to  Medina.  "  They  were  astonished,"  said  he, 
"at «ur  appearance,  ao  difSsreat  from  Hieir  cid  enemies  the 
Peraans,  and  asked  us,  *  Are  yon  angels,  0r  tiie  sons  <^ 
Adam  P*  to  which  we  replied,  we  are  sons  of  Adam ;  birt 
the  angels  of  heaven  are  on  our  side,  and  aid  us  in  our  war- 
fere." 

Ihe  i&M^  forbore  to  assail  men  thus  protected;  (me, 
however,  hm^o  shrewd  or  dubioiaB  than  die  rest,  stationed 
hims^  behind  a  tree,  sped  an  arrow,  and  dew  a  Moslem. 
The  delusion  was  at  an  end ;  the  Turks  saw  that  the  strangers 
were  mortal,  and  from  that  time  there  was  hard  fighting* 
Abda'lrahman  laid  siege  to  a  place  called  Bdandscher,  the 
city  or  stron^old  of  the  Bulgarians  or  Huns,  aiK>ther  semi- 
barbarous  and  wariike  people  like  the  Turks,  who,  like  them, 
had  not  yet  made  themselves  world-famous  by  their  otm- 
qu^ring  migrations.  The  Turks  came  to  the  aid  of  their 
neaghhSurs;  a.  severe  battle  took  place,  ihe  Moslems  were 
defeated,  and  Abda'lrahman  paid  for  his  daring  enterprise  «Bd 

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01U.B.  llil 

TOdaniie  i^tinosi^y  witk  Lis  life.  The  Turks,  "wiio  still  appear 
to  have  retained  a  superstidous  opinion  of  thfsir  wikaown  io- 
raders,  preserved  iiie  bod^  of  the  Tmfortimate  general  as  a 
reHc,  and  erected  a  shxine  in  honoor  of  it,  a;t  winch  they  used 
to  pnt  Tip  their  prayers  for  rain  in  ^me  erf  dnovi^t. 

The  troops  of  Abda^lraliinan  retreated  mfiiin  tiie  Derv 
bends ;  his  broiler  Belmaa  Ibn  EaMah  vras  a{^<Hnted  to  8vie« 
ceed  him  in  the  eommand  of  iht  GaueasMBL  pafiseB,  and  tkof 
ended  tfee  unfortunate  foray  into  Hie  Imdof  €r<ig  and  Magog, 


CHAPTIER  xXxm. 

The  Caliph  Omar  assasdimted  lyj  a  ftre-^wonii^pw. — ffis  obariota.^- 
Oflmian  deotedOtlJ^. 

Th«  Hfo  and  reign  ^  tiie  Caliph  Omar,  i£stingiB8ked  b j  sfock 
great  aitd  ertrikmg  erviMitB,  w&ee  at  lei^gih  btoi^ht  to  a  suddeft 
amid  irangianary  end.  Axacmg  "Sue  PeiaaaBB  ifho  had  hee^ 
bronght  asfliaveBto  MedinA,  wa«  one  named  JE^irtns,  of  the  aeet 
of  1^  Magi,  <jr  ^aet^wfXpMippeaau  ^3««g.  tased  daiiij  hj  his 
master  two  pieces  of  flili^«r  oiek  of  his  earning,  lie  eoBi|dAaie<l 
of  it  toOmar  bb  an  e^ortion.  TIba  oaliph  mqpuited  mto  hm 
conditioQ,  and,  lading  tkat  he  was  a.  carpewfcer,  and  expert  m 
tibe  eons^'aetion  of  wiifeteiiiB,  replied,  that  the  mftn  who 
«xceBed  in  smeh  a  handjeraf^  oeKud  w^  aiibird  i»  pay  twv 
diihems  a  day.  **  Then,*'  siiitleied  J^imz*  "  Til  eeoitniet  4 
windmiS  for  yon  l^at  shall  keep  grinding  nniil  thd  day  of 
JTtdgment.^  Omar  w«b  643*aok  witii  his  menado^  auu  ^  Th^ 
sla^  threatens  me,**  said  he,  «ain^.  ^  If  I  were  diaposed  to 
mudsh  any  ciie  on  sni^ietan,  I  svonld  isak^  off  hia  head;* 
he  suffered  him,  however,  to  depart  without  Joither  DoAace.  . 

Three  days  afterwards,  as  he  was  ^rayin^  in  the  mos^e, 
l^ruz  entered  anddenfy  and  staibbed  him  thoee  wi^  a  dag^ec 
Hieattendantrmshednponthe  assafiein.  He  made  £mons 
resistance,  slew  some  and  wounded  o&ers,  until  osie  of  h^ 
mssailaints  threw  Ida  vest  over  him  and  seized  huxunpon  which 
lie  stabbed  himself  to  the  heart  and  expired.  Beligk)n  ma^ 
Imve  had  some  «hare  in  pnmiptang  dds  aet  of  Tioksice;  p^> 
haps  reven^  for  the  rtdn  brought  upon  his  luiave  eountrp:. 
"God  be  iSanked,"  said  Omar,  **ihaA  he  by  whose  hand  it 
was  decreed  I  should  &11,  was  not  a  Moslem  f 

The  CaiHph  gathered  strength  suffioient.to  finifih  the  prayer 
in  which  he  hiSi  been  internipted ;  ^  for  he  idio  deserts  Im 


144  817CCESSOBS  OF  HAHOKBT. 

prayers,"  said  he,  "  is  not  in  Islam."  Being  taken  to  liis  house, 
he  Lmgoished  three  days  without  hope  oirecoyeiy,  but  could 
not  be  prevailed  upon  to  nominate  a  successor.  "  I  cannot 
presume  to  do  that,"  said  he,  "  which  the  prophet  himself  did 
not  do."  Some  suggested  that  he  should  nominate  his  son 
Abdailah.  ''  Omar's  family,"  said  he,  "  has  had  enough  in 
Omar,  and  needs  no  more. '  He  appointed  a  council  of  six 
persons  to  determine  as  to  the  succession  after  his  decease ; 
all  of  whom  he  considered  worthy  of  the  Caliphat ;  though  he 
e^ye  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  cnoice  would  oe  either  All  or 
Othman.  "Shouldst  thou  become  Caliph,"  said  he  to  Ali, 
**  do  not  favour  thj  relatives  above  all  others,  nor  nlace  the 
House  of  Haschem  on  the  neck  of  all  mankind ;"  and  he  gave 
the  same  caution  to  Othman  in  respect  to  the  family  of 
Omeya. 

Calling  for  ink  and  paper,  he  wrote  a  letter,  as  his  last  tes- 
tament, to  whosoever  might  be  his  successor,  full  of  excellent 
counsel  for  the  upri^t  management  of  affairs,  and  the  promo- 
lion  of  the  faith.  He  charged  his  son  Abdailah  in  the  most 
earnest  manner,  as  one  of  the  highest  duties  of  Islamism,  to 
repay  eighteen  thousand  dirhems  which  he  had  borrowed  out 
or  the  public  treasury.  All  present  protested  against  this  bm 
unreasonable,  since  the  money  had  been  exp^ided  in  relief  of 
the  poor  and  destitute,  but  C^nar  insisted  upon  it  as  his  last 
will.  He  then  sent  to  Ayesha,  and  procured  permission  of 
her  to  be  buried  next  to  her  father  Abu  Beker. 

Ibn  Abbas  and  All  now  spoke  to  him  in  words  of  comfbrt, 
setting  forth  the  blessings  of  Idam,  which  had  crowned  his 
administration,  and  that  he  would  leave  no  one  behind  him 
who  could  charge  him  with  injustice.  "  Testifythis  for  me," 
said  he,  eamestiy,  ''at  the  day  of  judgment."  They  gave  him 
their  hands  in  promise :  but  he  exacted  that  th^  should  give 
him  a  written  testimonial,  and  that  it  shoidd  be  buried  with 
him  in  the  grave. 

Having  settled  all  his  worldly  affairs,  and  given  directions 
about  his  sepulture,  he  expired,  the  seventh  day  after  his  assas- 
sination, in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age,  after  a  triumphant 
reign  of  ten  years  and  six  months. 

His  death  was  rashly  and  bloodily  revenged.  Mahomet 
Ibn  Abu  Beker,  the  brother  of  Ayeslia,  and  imbued  with  her 
mischief-maldng  propensity,  persuaded  Abdailah,  the  son  of 
Omar,  that  his  father's  murder  was  the  result  of  a  conspiracy; 
Firuz  having  been  instigated  to  the  act  by  his  daughter 
Lulu,  a  Christian  named  Dschofeine,  and  Hormuz^,  the 
once  haughty  and  magnificent  Satrap  of  Susiana.  In  the 
transport  of  his  rage,  and  instigated  by  the  old  Arab  principle 


OXAB.  145 

of  blood  revenue,  Abdallah  slew  all  three  of  tlie  accused ; 
without  reflecting  ou  the  improbability  of  Hormuzin,  at  least, 
being  accessory  to  the  muraer ;  being,  since  his  oonversioiu 
in  close  friendship  with  tiie  late  Cali^ ;  and  Ids  adviser,  on 
many  occasions,  in  the  prosecution  of  the  Persian  war, 

The  whole  history  of  Omar  shows  him  to  have  been  a 
man  of  great  powers  of  mind,  inflexible  integrity,  and  rigid 
justice.  He  was,  more  than  any  one  else,  the  founder  of 
the  Islam  empire ;  confirming  and  carrying  out  the  inspira* 
tions  of  the  prophet ;  aiding  Abu  Beker  with  lus  counsels 
during  his  brief  Cali^hat ;  and  establishing  wise  regulations 
for  the  strict  administration  of  the  laws  throughout  the 
rapidly-extending  bounds  of  the  Moslem  conquests.  The  rigid 
lumd  which  he  kept  upon  his  most  popular  generals  in  me 
midst  of  their  armies,  and  in  the  most  distant  scenes  of  their  • 
triumphs,  give  sipial  evidence  of  his  extraordinary  capacity 
to  rule,  ni  the  simplicity  of  his  habits,  and  his  contempt  for 
all  pomp  and  luxury,  he  emulated  the  example  of  the  prophet 
ana  Abu  Beker.  He  endeavoured  incessantly  to  impress  the 
merit  and  policy  of  the  same  in  his  letters  to  his  generals. 
"  Beware,"  ne  would  say,  "  of  Persian  luxury,  both  in  food 
and  raiment.  Keep  to  the  simple  habits  of  your  country, 
and  Allah  wiU  continue  you  victorious ;  depart  from  them, 
and  he  will  reverse  your  fortunes."  It  was  his  strong  con- 
viction of  the  truth  of  this  policy,  which  made  him  so  severe 
in  punishing  all  ostentatious  style  and  luxurious  indulgence 
in  his  officers.  , 

Some  of  his  ordinances  do  credit  to  his  heart,  as  well  ag 
his  head.  He  forbade  that  any  female  captive  who  had  borne 
a  child  should  be  sold  as  a  slave.  In  his  weekly  distributions 
of  the  surplus  money  of  his  treasury,  he  proportioned  them 
to  the  wants,  not  the  merits  of  the  appKcants.  "  God,"  said 
he,  *'  has  bestowed  the  good  things  of  tnis  world  to  relieve  our 
necessities,  not  to  reward  our  virtues :  those  will  be  rewarded 
in  another  world." 

One  of  the  early  measures  of  his  reign  was  the  assigning 
pensions  to  the  most  faithful  companions  of  the  prophet,  and 
those  who  had  signalized  themselves  in  the  early  service  of  the 
faith.  Abbas,  the  uncle  of  the  prophet,  had  a  yearly  pension 
of  200,000  dirhems ;  others  of  his  relatives  in  graduated  pro- 
portions; those  veterans  who  had  fought  in  ihe  battle  of 
Beder  5000  dirhems ;  pensions  of  less  amount  to  those  who 
had  distinguished  themselves  in  Syria,  Persia,  and  Egypt. 
Each  of  the  prophet's  wives  was  allowed  ten  thousand 
dirhems  yearly,  and  Ayesha  twelve  thousand.  Hasan  and 
Hosein,  the  sons  of  All  and  graad|ons  of  the  prophet,  had 

L 


1^  SUCCBSSOlft  Om  KAHOMET. 

flidi  A  pcB8i<m  of  five  thousand  dUems.    On  any  oi^     ^_ 
Joond  fiudi  wiik  l^eae  dkhnortenaute  ovt  of  the  pa^^ 
Omar  mrokcd  t^M  eurae  of  Allak 

He  waa  the  first  to  eataUidi  &  chanber  of  aceoffnkta  or 
excheqaeat;  i^e  firat  to  date  errNits  fr(»n  the  fiegiia  or  fli^ 
of  Hut  prof^et ;  and  the  first  to  ifitrodoee  a  coinage  into 
the  Mouem  donuniona;  atamnng^  the  ooins  with  HhB  mane 
of  the  reigmng  Califdi,  and  tW  wovda^  '*  There  is  no  €rod 
but  God.'' 

Baring  his  reign,  we  are  told,  there  were  thiriy-Biz 
thooeand  towns,  castles,  and  stumg-holds  taken ;  but  he  was 
Bfit  a  wasteM  conqueror.  He  £aanded  new  cities;  eetaUished 
important  maarts;  bnilt  innnanemble  mosques^  and  linked  ^e 
newly  aoqnired  fnrovinces  into  one  Tast  empire  l^  his  iron 
infleealnlit^  of  purpose.  Aa  has  well  been  obaerred,  ^  his 
Oal^phat,  crowned  with  ihe  gknes  of  its  trij^e  eonqnest  of 
6yna,  Persia,  and  EgyTut,  deserves  to  be  distrngvashea  as  1^ 
heroic  age  of  Saracen  tdslory.  The  giffsntie  taandatims  of 
the  Sanwenie  power  were  per£Mted  in  the  short  space  of  leas 
than  ten  years."  Let  it  be  remembered,  moreorer,  that  this 
great  conqueror,  this  great  Wislator,  this  magnanimoos 
sorer^gn,  was  originally  a  ruas  half-instracted  Arab  of 
Mecca.  Well  may  we  say,  in  regard  to  the  early  ehampiooi 
of  Islam,  ^  there  were  giants  in  l£ose  days." 

After  the  death  <^  Omar,  the  aiz  persons  met  togeth^ 
wliom  he  had  named  as  a  conneil  to  elect  las  soecessor.  They 
were  Ali,  Othman,  Telha  Ibn  Obeid'allah  (Mahomet's  son- 
ittrlaw),  Zooeir,  Abda'baham  Ibn  Aw^  ana  Saad  Ibn  Abii 
WakklUu  They  had  all  been  personally  intimate  w^ 
Kahomet,  and  were  tiiere&>r»  styled  THB  coKPAHiOKS. 

After  mock  diseosnon  and  repeated  meeting*  the  Cddphai 
was  offered  to  Ali,  on  condition  that  he  woud  mromise  to 
gorem  according  to  the  Koran,  and  the  traditions  of  Mahomet^ 
and  the  reffnlatkms  estabtished  by  the  two  seniors  or  ekiersf 
meaning  the  two  preceding  Caliphs,  Abu  Beker  and  Omar. 

AH  replied,  iiiat  he  woiM  govern  aecor^iw  to  the  Koran,, 
and  the  authentic  traditkms;  but  would,  in  aU  other  re^eets^ 
act  according  to  his  own  ii^^ment,  without  reference  to  the 
exxm^  of  the  seniors.  This  reply  mat  being  satislactorytc^ 
ihe  coond],  they  made  tike  same  projposal  to  Othman  Tbn. 
AMn,  who  assented  to  aU  the  conditions,  and  was  imme- 
diately dected,  and  installed  three  days  after  the  death  of  loa 
I^edeeessor.  He  was  serenty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  h» 
election.  He  was  tall  and  swaithy,  and  his  lon^  gray  beard 
was  tinged  with  henna.  He  was  strict  in  his  religions  duties; 
fitting,  meditating,  and  studying  the  ILonai.  uaot  so  sinq^e 

gitized  by  Google 


OTHHAir.  Wf 

m  Mb  habits  as  Ids  jnredeoessors,  but  prone  to  axpcMC  and 
layish  of  bis  ridbies.  His  bcniotifiil  spint^  howefwr,  was 
eviBCed  at  times  in  a  way  timt  rained  hmi  mndbi  jKmilaritPf. 
in  a  time  <^  famine  be  had  snppied  tbe  -poor  of  MecBna  witk 
com.  He  bad  mtrcbased,  at  great  co^  tbe  groond  dboiik 
tbe  mosque  of  Medina,  to  giye  room  for  bouses  for  tke 
proi^t's  wiTes>  He  had  contributed  six  hmsdred  and  Ifty 
camels  and  fifby  hoorses  for  tbe  campaign  against  Tabur. 

He  derived  nracb  respect  amon^  zealous  Moslems  for  hanrv 
ing  nnorried  two  of  the  propket's  daughters ;  and  for  haFmg 
b^n  in  both  of  tbe  Hegiras^  or  flights,  tbe  first  into  Abja- 
skua,  ^e  second,  the  memorable  fii^bst  to  Medina.  Makosact 
used  to  say  of  him,  '^Each  thing  }Sta  its  mate,  and  each  maa 
Ins  associate :  my  associate  in  paradise  is  Othman." 

Scarcely  was  the  new  Caiipn  installed  in  office,  when  the 
veiabatory  punishment  prescribed  by  the  law  waa  iuToked 
upon  Obeid'allab,  tbe  son  of  Omar,  for  the  deaths  so  rashly 
inbieted  cm  those  whom  he  had  suspected  of  instigating  his 
&ther's  assassination.  Othmim  was  perplexed  he^v^een  ^w 
letter  <^  the  law  and  the  odium  of  Mlowing  the  murder  of  liM 
lather  by  the  execution  d  tbe  son.  He  was  kindly  reiieTed 
£rom  his  perplexity  by  ^e  suggestion,,  that  as  the  aei  d 
Obeid*alkh  took  place  in  the  interregnmn  between  th^ 
Cali^hats  of  Omar  and  Othmon,  it  did  not  come  under  the 
eo^ninnce  of  either.  Othman  gbidlr  availed  himself  of  the 
gwbt^ ;  Obeid'aliUkh  escaped  unpujusned,.  and  ike  samfiee  of 
tile  once  magnificent  Horsniz^  and  hss  feUow-rietims  r»* 
mained  vnarenged. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Conclusion  of  the  Persian  conquest. — ^Flight  and  death  of  YezdegJML 

Ths  proud  empire  of  ihe  XbosruA  had  received  its  deatb^ 
blow  during  the  vigorous  Caliphat  q£  Omar ;  what  signa  of 
Hfet  it  yet  ^ave  were  but  its  dyinff  struggles.  The  Moslems^ 
led  by  able  ^enerals^  pursued  uieir  conquests  in  difiereni 
directions.  Some,  turmng  to  the  west,  urged  Hmi  triumphant 
way  through  ancient  Arayria;  crossed  the  Tigris  by  thft 
Inridge  oi  Mosul,  passing  the  ruins  d  mighty  j^ineveh  an 
nnbSedingly  as  tbey  bad  passed  those  of  Babylon ;  completed 
the  subjugation  of  Mesopotamia,  and  planted  their  standarda 
beside  tiioee  of  their  brethren  who  had  achieved  the  conquest 
of  Syria.  ^        , 

]^  2  Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


148  SUCCESSORS  OF  MAHOHET. 

Others  directed  their  course  into  the  southern  and  eastern 

Erovinces,  following  the  retreating  steps  of  Yezdegird.  A 
at  issued  by  the  £te  Caliph  Omar  had  sealed  the. doom  of 
ih&t  unhappy  monarch.  "Pursue  the  fimtive  king  wherever 
he  may  go,  until  you  have  driven  him  £om  the  face  of  Uio 
earth  r 

Yezde^d,  after  abandoning  Eei,  had  led  a  wandering  life, 
shifting  from  city  to  city,  and  province  to  province,  still  flying 
at  the  approach  of  danger.  At  one  time  we  hear  of  him  in 
the  splendid  city  of  Ispahan ;  next  among  the  mountains  of 
Parsistan,  the  original  Persis,  the  cradle  of  the  conquerors  of 
Asia ;  and  it  is  another  of  the  lessons  furnished  by  lustory,  to 
see  the  last  of  the  Khosrus  a  fugitive  among  those  mountains 
whence,  in  foregone  times,  Cyrus  had  led  his  hardy  but  fru^ 
and  rugged  bands  to  win,  by  force  of  arms,  that  vast  empue 
which  was  now  falling  to  ruin  through  its  effeminate  dege- 
neracy. 

For  a  time  the  unhappy  monarch  halted  in  Istaikar,  the 
pride  of  Persia,  where  the  tottering  remains  of  Persepolis,  and 
its  hall  of  a  thousand  columns,  speak  of  the  ancient  glories  of 
the  Persian  kings.  Here  Yezdegird  had  been  fostered  and 
concealed  during  his  youthM  days,  and  here  he  came  near 
being  taken  among  the  reHcs  of  Persian  magnificence. 

From  Farsistan  he  was  driven  to  Xerman,  the  ancient 
Carmania ;  thence  into  Korassan ;  in  the  northern  part  of 
which  vast  province  he  took  breath  at  the  city  of  Merv,  or 
Merou,  on  the  remote  boimdary  of  Bactriana.  In  all  his 
wanderings  he  was  encumbered  oy  the  shattered  pageant  of 
an  oriental  court,  a  worthless  throng  which  had  flea  with  him 
from  Madayn,  and  which  he  had  no  means  of  supporting. 
At  Merv  he  had  four  thousand  persons  in  his  train;  fOl 
xninions  of  the  palace,  useless  hangers-on,  porters,  groomii, 
and  slaves ;  together  with  his  wives  and  concubines,  and  tiieir 
femiale  attend£aLts. 

In  this  remote  halting-place  he  devoted  himself  to  building 
a  fire-temple;  in  the  meantime,  he  wrote  letters  to  such  of 
the  cities  and  provinces  as  were  yet  unconquered,  exhorting 
his  governors  and  generals  to  defend,  piece  by  piece,  the 
firagments  of  empire  which  he  had  deserted. 

The  city  of  Ispahan,  one  of  the  brightest  jewels  of  his 
crown,  was  well  garrisoned  by  wrecks  of  the  army  of  Neh&« 
rend,  and  might  have  made  brave  resistance ;  but  its  governor, 
Kadeskan,  staked  the  fortunes  of  the  place  upon  a  single 
combat  with  the  Moslem  commander  who  had  invested  it, 
and  capitulated  at  the  first  shock  of  lances ;  probably  through 
some  traitoirous  arrangement. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OTHMAK.  14^ 

Ispahan  has  nerer  recovered  from  that  blow.  Modem 
travellers  speak  of  its  deserted  streets,  its  abandoned  palaces^ 
its  silent  bazaars.  "  I  have  ridden  for  miles  among  its  ruins," 
says  one,  "  without  meeting  any  living  creature,  excepting, 
perhaps,  a  jackal  peeping  over  a  waU,  or  a  fox  running  ink> 
nis  hole.  "Now  and  tnen  an  inhabited  house  was  to  be  seen, 
the  owner  of  which  might  be  assimilated  to  Job's  forlorn  man 
dwelling  in  desolate  cities,  and  in  houses  which  no  man 
inhabiteth ;  which  are  ready  to  become  heaps." 

Istakar  made  a  nobler  defence.  The  national  pride  of  the 
Persians  was  too  much  connected  with  this  city,  once  their 
boast,  to  let  it  fall  without  a  struggle.  There  was  another 
gathering  of  troops  from  various  parts;  one  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  are  said  to  have  xmited  under  the  standard 
of  Shah-reg,  the  patriotic  governor.  It  was  all  in  vain.  The 
Persians  were  again  defeated  in  a  bloody  battle ;  Shah-reg 
was  slain,  and  Istakar,  the  ancient  Persepolis,  once  almost  the 
mistress  of  the  Eastern  world,  was  compelled  to  pay  tribute 
to  the  Arabian  Caliph. 

The  course  of  Moslem  conquest  now  turned  into  the  vast 
province  of  Khorassan ;  subdued  one  part  of  it  after  another, 
and  approached  the  remote  region  where  Yezde^d  had  taken 
refuge.  Driven  to  the  boundaries  of  his  dominions,  the  fugi- 
tive monarch  crossed  the  Oxus  (the  ancient  Gihon)  and  the 
sandy  deserts  beyond,  and  threw  himself  among  the  shepherd 
hordes  of  Scythia.  His  wanderings  are  said  to  have  extended 
to  the  borders  of  Tshin,  or  China,  from  the  emperor  of  which 
he  sought  assistance. 

Obscurity  hangs  over  this  part  of  his  story ;  it  is  afSrmed 
that  he  succeeded  in  obtaining:  aid  from  the  great  Shan  of  the 
Tartars,  and,  re-crossing  the  &ihon,  was  joined  by  the  troops 
of  Balkb  or  Bactria,  which  province  was  still  unsubdued  and 
loyal.  With  these  he  endeavoured  to  make  a  stand  against 
his  unrelenting  pursuers.  A  slight  reverse,  or  some  secret 
treachery,  put  an  end  to  the  adhesion  of  his  barbarian  ally, 
llie  Tartar  chief  returned  with  his  troons  to  Turkestan. 

Yezdegird's  own  nobles,  tired  of  following  his  desperate 
fortunes,  now  conspired  to  betray  him  and  his  treasures  into 
the  hands  of  the  Moslems  as  a  price  for  their  own  safety.  He 
was  at  that  time  at  Merv,  or  Merou,  on  the  Oxus,  called 
Merou  al  Eoud,  or  *  Merou  of  the  Eiver,*  to  distinguish  it  from 
Merou  in  Khorassan.  Discovering  the  intended  treachery  of 
his  nobles,  and  of  the  governor  of  the  place,  he  caused  hi» 
slaves  to  let  him  down  with  cords  from  a  window  of  his  palace, 
and  fled,  alone  and  on  foot,  under  cover  of  the  night.  At  the 
break  of  day  he  found  himself  near  a  mill,  on  the  banks  -^^ 


150  SUCCESSOat  II»  Ki-HOMET. 

tlie  m«r,  only  e%kt  miles  from  dw«%-,  aa«L«ff^a«diii6  Bii&er 
liffi  ri&g  aad  bFaimletB,  eDEiebed  with  ffesB,  if  h&  wotM  ieaj 
him  aeross  the  0toetBia.  l!^b(H3r,^fv^l3iewnodiiB^<)fj«i^l^ 
deraaiided  foor  iiiftsr  oboli,  <nr  drtekam,  theaasowrt  of  ft  cb^'s 
eerraia^)  assocNnpcfiisatiaa  ^riMTiBf  his  w^^  Whiietb^ 
were  debstisg,  a  party  of  honeneB,  who  were  in  parsut 
of  the  king,  oamo  t^  wnd  c^ore  Mm  with,  their  wametaau 
Ajftother  aooomiit  ttstes  thart;,  eihansied  axid  &ta^ed  wi^  ths 
weight  of  Ms  emhroideTed  gasrmeixtB,  he  souglit  rest  and  ocab- 
oeaimeiit  ik  ^  mS^  and  thai  tho  oq]^  spread  tb  mat,  on 
Irhidi  he  kid  down  aiid  siept.  His  rich  sttn^e,  however,  Mi 
belt  of  gold  flPtoddod  with  iewek,  Ms  xin^s  and  Mac^ts, 
excited  &b  avanee  of  1^  miilieE,  idbo  slew  hiai  with  aa  axe 
wMle  he  slcrpt,  and  hsmng  vtzifped  the  hodj,  throw  it  inio 
^ke  water.  In  the  noraing  .several  hoTBemeB,  in  eeaa^  «f  Mm, 
amved  at  the  miU,  ^dsere  diseoy^mg,  hy  Ms  dfi>the8  and  jeweli^ 
that  he  had  hsmx  nvirdiered,  ihey  p^  the  milleEr  to  death. 

TMs  miseraible  oatastrDphe  i;o  a  maenhfe  caareer  is  said  to 
have  occnrred  on  the  23rd  August,  in  the  year  ^1  of  th^ 
Ohirist^ui  era.  Yezdegird  was  m  the  iMrty-finuth  year -of  Ms 
see ;  ha^ong  r^^ed  nine  yemr*  p^vkyns  to  the  hMh  -of 
jNdiicvead,  and  since  that  event  hsmn^  been  ten  years  a  fo^ 
ikve.  Hii^oiy  lays  no  ciiiQira  to  Ms  duuBge^  yet  Ms  hard  m*- 
tones  and  untimdiy  end  have  failed  to  xinkesi  the  uscud 
ixiAiereBt  and  syiapathy .  fie  had  been  soheoled  in  Adv^saisj 
hma  hk  early  youth,  yert  he  fisiled  te  profit  by  it  Carrying 
dbont  with  Mm  ^e  wre^Kshed  oe&s  «af  an  efieeuDfibe  eourt,  ha 
sought  only  his  personal  safety,  and  wanted  the  ooui^i^  and 
magmniim^  to  tiirow  himaeif  at  ^e  head  of  Ms  acnaies,  mid 
bame  §cft  Ms  erown  and  eountry  Hke  a  great  ooverd|pi  and  a 
patriot  prinee. 

Empores,  howev^,  Kke  all  o^her  Ihmgs,  havie  their  allotted 
tixae,  And  die,  if  not  hj  violenoe,  at  length  >&£  imbaoslity  and 
xM  age.  Tiiat  of  Persia  had  loag  sicKse  lost  its  jtamioa,  and 
the  energy  of  a  Oyms  weoald  have  been  imaMe  to  infttse  ne^ 
life  into  its  gigantic  but  palsied  iimbs.  At  the  4eaith  <if  Yezr 
tdegird  it  fell  under  the  uadisouted  swa^  of  the  Oah^u;  and 
became  little  better  thazi  a  Enusjaot  province.^ 

*  According  to  popular  traditions  in  Persia.  Yezde^rd,  in  the  course  of 
liis  wanderings,  took  refuge  for  a  time  in  the  castle  of  Fahesider,  near 
Schiraz,  and  bnried  the  crown  jewels  and  treasares  of  KnsMrwan,  in  a  deep 
pit  or  well  under  the  easUe,  where  thej  0tiH  remain,  ^nardod  hf  a  talunomv 
«o  that  tiiey  cannot  be  ibund  or  drawn  ^ordi.  Others  saj  that  he  had  them. 
reaaoved  and  deposited  in  trust  with  the  K;hacan«  or  eii^>eror  of  Chin  or 
Tartary.  After  the  extinction  of  the  royal  Persian  dynasty,  those  treasures 
«iid  the  crown  remained  in  CMn. — Sir  W.  Owdet/'a  Travels  in  tlw  EattyU.  31. 


151 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

ABura  digpiaeed  from  the  govengnwit  of  Egyyt— Ttef^M.  €f  the  1riiahitfit> 
—Alezaadria  letakn  bf  tbe  iH|MrialiBti.--.iABra  MhiBtatod  im  mmt 
manO. — ^Betakes  Atertilrift,  aad  tmatuiUiseB  Egypt.^fM  again  4ia- 
placed. — ^Abdallah  Ibn  Saad  invades  the  north  of  Africa. 

'' Ik  the  eonqneats  of  Syns^  Persia,  And  IBJgyp^ 
writtf,  "  tbe  Aeflh  aiia  vigorous  enthasiasm  of  me  personal 
eomptniooifl  aikd  proBelytes  of  Mshamet  was  esercised  and 
expended,  and  tike  ^enerstioB  ci  warriors  wliose  simple  faiia* 
tidim  had  heeai  inflimed  bj  the  preacliing  of  ^  pseudo* 
prophet,  was  in  a  great  measure  consomed  in  the  san|i^uinir|' 
Aodperpettfal  toils <^  ten aidaooB campaigns." 

We  shaM  now  aee  ^e  e£^t  of  those  oonqaests  on  &• 
jQAiioBal  ehancter  and  habite ;  the  avidity  of  ^aoe  and  power 
and  wealth,  supersediag  xeligioiis  enthusiasm ;  and  the  ener^ 
TatiBg  hixttiy  and  aok  vohi^^uouaness  of  Sjria  and  Perjua 
trapping  ^  rode  hat  mascoliae  simpUcihr  of  the  Arabian 
^dcMoi.  Ahofe  all,  the  sin^le-miadedneBS  oi  Mahomet  andhxi 
two  immediate  Erttooessoro  is  at  im  ^id.  Other  objects  beeidt 
the  mere  adyancement  of  Islamism  distract  ihe  attention  (£ 
its  leadii^  p«)fe8s<M«;  and  the  atrng^le  for  worldlf  wealth 
^and  worluf  away,  for  the  advaAeetaent  of  piiyate  ends,  uid 
ihe  ag|;candifiement  oC  pairtioiilar  tiihes  and!^  &miliea,  destacoj 
the  matj  of  the  empire,  and  beset  ih»  Caliph«t  with  intriga^ 
treason,  and  hbodahed. 

It  was  M  gemt  matter  ai  r^roaeh  i^;aiBSt  tiie  Caliph  Otik- 
jaum  that  he  was  iiyndicioiis  in  his  t^pointmsntSj  and  Jbad  aa 
iaveteMto  fm^ensily  to  eonsnlt  the  latetesls  of  his  xelatiyeB 
aad  friends  before  that  of  the  j^hHe.  One  of  hia  £reateat 
errora  in  this  respoot  was  the  lemoyal  of  Amm  Dm  Al  Aaaa 
from  the  government  of  ^El^m>t,  ax^  the  a^^pointment  of  his 
own  fosteiHbrotber  AbdallahJim  Saad  in  his  place.  This  was 
the  same  Abdallah  who,  in  acting  aaamaauensis  to  Mahometr 
and  wrking  down  his  revdations,  had  interpolated  passages  of 
his  own,  sometimes  of  a  ludiorons  nature.  For  this,  aM  foe 
htB  apotftasy,  he  had  been  paidoned  bf  Mahomet  at  the  soG- 
citation  of  Othman,  and  had  ever  since  acted  w^  apparent 
•  zeal ;  his  interest  coinciding  with  his  diity^ 

He  was  of  a  conraffeous  spiiit,  and  one  of  the  most  expert 
,  horsemenof  Arabia;  out  what  m^ght  have  fitted  him  to  com- 


y  Google 


152  8trCCBS80B8  OF  IfAHOKBT. 

mand  a  horde  of  the  desert,  was  insufBcient  for  the  gOTem- 
ment  of  a  conquered  proTmce.  He  was  new  and  inex^ 
rienced  in  his  present  situation ;  whereas  Amru  had  distm- 
ffoighed  himselt  as  a  legislator  as  well  as  a  conqueror,  and 
had  already  won  the  affections  of  the  Efimptians  bj  his  atten- 
tion to  their  interests,  and  his  respect  for  their  customs  and 
habitudes.  His  dismission  was,  tnerefore,  resented  bj  the 
people,  and  a  disposition  was  numifested  to  revolt  against  the 
new  governor. 

The  emperor  Constantine,  who  had  succeeded  to  his  father 
Heraclius,  nastened  to  take  advantage  of  these  circumstances. 
A  fleet  and  army  were  sent  against  Alexandria  under  a  pre- 
fect named  Manuel.  The  Greeks  in  the  city  secretly  co-ope- 
Tated  with  him,  and  the  metropolis  was,  partly  by  force  of 
arms,  partly  by  treachery,  recaptured  by  the  imperiaiista 
without  much  luoodshed. 

Othman,  made  painfully  sensible  of  the  error  he  had  com- 
mitted, hastened  to  revoke  the  appointment  of  his  foster 
brother,  and  reinstated  Amru  in  the  command  in  Ee;ypt. 
That  able  general  went  hastily  against  Alexandria  wim  an 
army,  in  which  were  many  Copts,  irreconcilable  enemies  of 
the  Ghreeks.  Among  these  was  the  traitor  Makawkas,  who, 
£rom  his  knowledge  of  the  country,  and  his  influence  among 
its  inhabitants,  was  able  to  procure  abundant  supplies  for  the 

liie  Greek  garrison  defended  the  city  bravely  and  obsti- 
nately.  Amru,  enraged  at  having  thus  again  to  lay  sie^e  to 
a  place  which  he  had  twice  alrei^jr  taken,  swore,  by  Allah» 
Hmt  if  he  should  master  it  a  third  time,  he  would  render  it  as 
easy  of  access  as  a  brothel.  He  kept  his  word,  for  when  he 
took  the  city ,  he  threw  down  the  walls  and  demolished  aJl  the 
fortifications.  He  was  merciful,  however,  to  the  inhabitants^ 
and  checked  the  fury  of  the  Saracens,  who  were  daughtering 
all  they  met.  A  mosque  was  afterwards  erected  on  the  spot 
at  which  he  stayed  the  carnage,  called  the  Mosque  of  Mercy» 
Manuel,  the  Glreek  general,  found  it  ei^edient  to  embmrk 
with  all  speed  with  such  of  his  troops  as  ne  could  save,  and 
make  sail  for  Constantinople. 

Scarce,  however,  had  Amru  quelled  every  insurrection,  and 
secured  the  Moslem  domination  in  Egypt,  when  he  was  agaia 
displaced  from  the  government,  and  Abdallah  Ibn  Saad  ap- 
pointed a  second  time  in  his  stead. 

Abdallah  had  been  deeply  mortified  by  the  loss  of  Alex- 
andria, which  had  been  ascribed  to  his  mcapaoity ;  he  waa 
«mulous  too  of  the  renown  of  Amru,  and  felt  the  necessity  ^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


otHMAir.  153 

Tindicatmg  his  claims  to  command  by  some  brilliant  acbieve- 
ment.  The  north  of  AJfrica  presentea  a  new  field  for  Moslem 
enterprise.  We  allude  to  that  vast  tract  extending  west  from 
the  desert  of  Libya  or  Barca,  to  Cape  Non,  embracing  more 
than  two  thousand  miles  of  sea-coast;  comprehending  the 
ancient  diyisions  of  Mamarica,  Cyrenaica,  Carthage,  Numidia, 
and  Mauritania ;  or,  according  to  modem  geographical  desig- 
nations, Barca,  Tripoli,  Tunis,  Algiers,  and  Morocco. 

A  few  words  respecting  the  historical  vicissitudes  of  this 
once  powerM  region  inay  not  be  inappropriate.  The  original 
inhabitants  are  supposed  to  have  come  at  a  remote  time  Srom 
Asia ;  or  rather,  it  is  said  that  an  influx  of  Arabs  drove  the 
original  inhabitants  from  the  sea  coast  to  the  mountains,  and 
the  borders  of  the  interior  desert,  and  continued  their  nomade 
and  pastoral  life  along  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean. 
About  nine  himdred  years  before  the  Christian  era,  the  PhoB- 
nicians  of  Tyre  founded  colonies  along  the  coast ;  of  these 
.  Carthage  was  the  greatest.  By  degrees  it  extended  its  in- 
fluence along  the  African  shores  and  the  opposite  coast  of 
Spain,  and  rose  in  prosperity  and  power  imtd  it  became  a 
rival  republic  to  Eome.  On  the  wars  between  Bome  and 
Carthage  it  is  needless  to  dilate.  They  ended  in  the  downfal 
of  the  Carthaginian  republic,  and  tlie  domination  of  Bome 
over  Northern  Africa. 

This  domination  continued  for  about  four  centuries,  until 
the  Boman  prefect  Bonifacius  invited  over  the  Vandals  from 
Spain  to  assist  him  in  a  feud  with  a  political  rival.  The  invi- 
tation proved  fatal  to  Boman  ascendency.  The  Yandals, 
aided  by  the  Moors  and  Berbers,  and  by  numerous  Christian 
sectarians  recently  expelled  frt>m  the  Catholic  church,  aspired 
to  gain  possession  of  the  country,  and  succeeded.  G-enserlc, 
the  Vandal  general,  captured  and  pillaged  Carthage,  and 
having  subjugated  Northern  Africa,  built  a  navy,  mvaded 
Italy,  and  sacked  Bome.  The  domination  of  the  vandals  by 
sea  and  land  lasted  above  half  a  century.  In  533  and  534, 
Africa  was  regained  by  Belisarius  for  the  Boman  empire,  and 
the  Vandals  were  dnven  out  of  the  land.  After  the  de- 
parture of  Belisarius,  the  Moors  rebelled,  and  made  repeated 
attempts  to  get  the  dominion,  but  were  as  often  defeated  with 
great  loss,  and  the  Boman  sway  was  once  more  established. 

All  these  wars  and  changes  had  a  disastrous  effect  on  ihe 
African  provinces.  The  Vandals  had  long  disappeared;  many 
of  the  Moorish  families  had  been  extirpated ;  the  wealthy  in- 
liabitants  had  fled  to  Sicily  and  Constantinople,  and  a  stranger 
might  wander  whole  days  over  regions,  once  covered  witii 

gtized  by  Google 


154  succEssots  or  mAHOxsT. 

towns  and  dties,  utd  teeaamg  witk  popriatian, 
meeting  &  hunaa  beinff . 

For  near  a  oeBtory  w  ooomiiy  remaiikBd  sank  m  fiitfay 
imd  inactioii,  la&til  now  it  was  to  be  M  wed  fimn  ito  toq^  l^ 
flie  all-perradiiig  aernDes  <^  Idbn. 

8oon  ai%er  the  reappooiteeat  <d  Abd^lak  to  the  go^vscm- 
ment  of  Ej^t,  be  set  o«i  upon  the  oaaqnest  of  tiii8€0«atrT» 
at  the  head  of  fort^  tiMmiand  Araba.  After  <9»6aiiig  tfc^ 
irestem  bonndarj  of  Sg^^t  he  had  to  tra;f«rie  the  dewt  of 
libya,  bat  his  vnof  w»  firoTided  with  camela  aooattosned  *a 
die  sandy  wastes  of  Arabk,  and,  after  a  toilaoae  sianh*  he 
^neampei  before  the  waia  of  l^npoU;  tiien,  aamyw,  one  of  the 
Biost  wealthy  and  powerAd  cities  d  the  HuAmty  touL  The 
piaoe  was  well  ^oortified  and  made  good  reaistaitoe.  Abodjof 
Qrefk  troops  which  were  aeat  to  reinlbroe  it,  were  a«rpr»ed 
by  tiie  besiegen  on  the  aea-ooaat,  and  (fiapened  witL  gveat 
MOEhter. 

The  !Romfln  prefect  Gregozins  hamng  assembled  an  ansy 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thoosand  men,  a  grea^peoportioa 
of  whom  were  <^  hastiiv  levied  aaad  andiadp^Bted  tnbea  of 
toarbary,  advanced  to  defend  bk  provinoe.  He  was  aceott* 
paniedc^  an  Amaaoniaa  daughter  of  wcndcr&l  beaiity«  who 
had  been  taoght  to  manage  the  hoiae,  to  draif  the  bow,  aad 
wield  the  scimetar,  and  who  was  always  at  her  father's  a^ 
k  battle. 

HJeaiing  of  the  approach  nf  Hda  am^,  A  hddfafch  aamended 
the  siege  and  advanced  to  meet  it  A  bnef  pariey  toct  plana 
between  the  hostile  ooeHnanitors.  Abdal&h  pn^sod  tiw 
nsaal  alternatives,  profeaaicm  of  Uamism,  or  paym^  of 
trflyote.  Both  were  indignamt^  rmeoted.  The  aiaaias  ck» 
gagedbefore  tftewa&  of  xripoh.  A  bdaiiah,  whnee  feme  -wm 
tfwed  on  thia  enterprise,  atinuidBted  his  troops  by  word  and 
examtde,  and  charged  the  enemy  n^eatedly  atihe  head  of  his 
HqoaArooB,  Wheievcnr  he  pressed,  the  fbrkme  of  the  daj 
wonld  mcEne  in  fai^ocor  of  the  Moslems ;  bat,  on  the  ethtr 
hand,  CiTegorimi  feit^  with  desperate  braverr,  as  4he  fe;fee 
of  tk^  province  d^ended  on  this  oonfliet ;  ancC  wherei^r  he 
am^eared,  his  da<miter  was  at  his  side,  daBfiHng  all  eyes  bj 
4ihe  sptendoar  of  her  armour  and  the  heroism  of  her  adnevB* 
ments.  The  oontest  was  long,  ardnons,  and  imeertain.  It 
was  not  one  drawn  battle,  but  a  eneoesaion  of  confliots,  ex- 
tendbg  throneh  several  days,  be^innmg  at  early  dawn,  bat 
oeasiag  toward  noon,  when  the  mtolenkUe  heat  ci  the  sam 
oUiged  both  armiea  to  desist,  and  seek  the  diade  of  thM 
tents. 

The    prefect   Gregorius  was  exasperated  at^being  in  a 

gitized  by  VjOO 


OTSMA3r«  155 

rhM  at  })M,j  hy  ma  inferior  fence,  niiek  be  bad  e]> 
pected  to  crash  by  the  sapariorrtf  of  aomibera.  Seem^  tint 
^Ajbdillak  was  lite  lile  and  sool  of  his  *ni^,  he  prodaraied  a 
tewued  of  one  hundred  thousaad  pieoes  of  ^o3d  aad  the  hand 
of  Ml  daiii^;iitertothe  wandorvdiodioiddlad^ 

The  ccDcgtetnMit  eraaed  aanosf  the  Gi^eian  ybvlh.  by  this 
tempting  iprusB,  made  the  olBoetn  of  JJ^iaUah  treiiDbie  ror  hia 
«i^ety«  xhey  lepceaented  to  Mni  the  impoitaiMe  of  his  life 
io  the  araufr  and  the  «^eral  cause,  and  |»«Tai]ed  imon  him 
.  to  heepaloet&om  die  Bfiid  of  battle.  His  ahaenee,  hovfOfBTt 
prodneed  aa  iaoaediate  chao^,  aend  the  Takxcr  of  his  troopa^ 
flfftherlo  sthntdated  by  his  pssenoe,  bmn  to  lan^oiah. 

Zobeir,  a^ooUe  Arab  of  the  tribe  <rf£areish,  amred  at  tho 
field  of  battle  with  a  small  reinforcement  in  the  heat  cf  one  n£ 
the  engagements.  He  found  the  troops  fighting  to  a  dis- 
advantage, and  looked  roiffid  in  tain  for  the  general.  Being 
told  that  he  was  in  his  tent,  he  hastened  thither  and  re- 
proached him  with  his  iAactiTit]^.  Ahdallah  blushed,  but 
explained  the  reason  of  Iris  Temaining  passive.  "  Eetort  on 
the  infidel  commander  his  perfidious  oribe,"  cried  Zobeir; 
**  proclaim  that  his  daughter  as  a  captive,  and  one  hundrect 
Ihousand  pieces  of  gold,  shall  be  the  reward  of  the  ICoskm 
•who  brin^  his  he^"  The  advice  was  adopted,  as  well  a^ 
ihe  IblloNrtBg  stratagem  suggested  hy  Zc^eir.  (hi  the  next 
iBomiBg,  Abdallah  seo&t  fbi^  only  sufficient  foroe  to  keef  up 
A  defe&svvB  Bi^ ;  but,  when  the  sun  had  reached  its  noonli^ 
iMs^ht,  and  the  pasrtTEBg  troops  retiied  as  uvoal  to  their  tenttv 
Abdriiah  axid  Zobeir  ealhed  »>rth  at  the  head  of  the  Teserre, 
fiad  charged  ftnonidy  among  the  fainting  Greeks.  ZobCT 
ciRigled<o^^^  prefeet,  and  slew  him  e^ter  a  w^  contested 
fight,  fiis  ^aiBffhter  pressed  £c>rward  to  avenge  his  death, 
^t  wm  scuToai^M.  sbkI  made  prisoner.  The  (^:«eian  army 
was  eonpletely  routed,  and  fled  to  the  opulent  town  of  Safe- 
ti^,  wtoch  was  tak^i  and  sacked  by  <he  Moslems. 

The  battle  was  OT«r,  <5regoritis  had  fallen,  but  no  on© 
esme  forwawi  to  claim  the  reward  set  upon  his  head.  Hk 
eaptire  daa^ter,  however,  on  beholding  Zobeir,  broke  forl^ 
Hvto  tears  and  exclamations,  and  Ihus  revealed  the  modest 
viel?or.  Zobeir  Teftreed  to  accept  the  maiden  or  the  ^oid.  He 
ioff^t,  he  said,  for  ^e  fdth,  not  for  earthly  objects,  and 
looked  for  his  reward  in  paradise.  In  honour  of  his  adiiere- 
ments,  he  was  sent  with  tidings  of  this  victory  to  the  Oa£i^; 
hut  when  he  announced  it,  in  the  great  mosque  at  Medma, 
in  preecmoe  of  the  assembled  people,  he  made  no  meaition  of 
his  own  services.    His  modesty  enhanced  his  merits  in  the 

gtized  by  Google 


156  sirccEssoBs  of  mahomet. 

eyes  of  the  public,  and  his  name  was  placed  by  the  Moslems 
l>e8ide  those  of  Khaled  and  Amra. 

Abdiillah  found  his  forces  too  much  reduced  and  enfeebled 
by  battle  and  disease  to  enable  him  to  maintjiin  i^ossession  of 
the  country  he  had  subdued ;  and,  after  a  campaign  of  fifteen 
months,  he  led  back  his  victorious  but  diminish^  army  into 
Egypt,  encumbered  with  captives  and  laden  with  booty. 

He  afterwards,  by  the  Caliph's  command,  assembled  an 
aimy  in  the  Thebaid  or  Upper  Egypt,  and  thence  made 
numerous  successM  excursions  into  JS^ubia,  the  Christian  • 
kiujg  of  which  was  reduced  to  make  a  humiliating  treaty,  by 
which  he  boimd  himself  to  send  annually  to  &e  Moslem 
commander  in  Egynt  a  great  number  of  I^ubian  or  Ethiopian 
Blaves  by  way  of  tribute. 


CHAPTEE  XXXVL 

Ifoawysh,  Emir  of  SjtUi. — ^His  naral  victories. — Othman  loses  the  propheffe 
ring. — Suppresses  erroneous  copies  of  the  Koran.— Conspiracies  against 
him. — His  death. 

Akono  the  distinguished  Moslems  who  held  command  of 
the  distant  provinces  during  the  Caliphat  of  Othman,  was 
Moawah  Ibn  Abu  Sofian.  As  his  name  denotes,  he  was  the 
son  of  Abu  Sofian,  the  early  foe  and  subsequent  proselyte  of 
Mahomet.  On  his  father's  death,  he  had  become  chief  of  the 
tribe  of  Koreish,  and  head  of  the  family  of  Omeya  or  Ommiali. 
The  late  Caliph  Omar,  about  four  years  before  his  death,  had 
appointed  him  emir,  or  governor  of  Syria,  and  he  was  con- 
tmued  in  that  office  by  Othman.  He  was  between  thirty  and 
forty  years  of  age,  enterprising,  courageous,  of  qxiick  sagacity, 
extenaed  views,  and  lony  aims.  Having  the  maritime  coast 
and  ancient  ports  of  Syria  imder  his  command,  he  aspired  to 
extend  the  triumphs  of  the  Moslem  arms  by  sea  as  well  as 
land.  He  had  repeatedly  endeavoured,  but  m  vain,  to  obtain 
permission  from  Omar  to  make  a  naval  expedition,  that 
Caliph  being  always  apprehensive  of  the  too  wide  and  rapid 
extension  of  the  enterprises  of  his  generals.  Under  Othimui 
he  was  more  successful,  and  in  the  twenty-seventh  year  of 
the  Hegira  was  permitted  to  fit  out  a  fleet,  with  which  he 
launched  forth  on  the  Sea  of  Tarshish,  or  the  Phoenician  Sea, 
by  both  which  names  the  eastern  part  of  the  Mediterranean 
Sea  was  designated  in  ancient  times. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OTHlfAK.  157 

His  first  enterprise  was  against  the  island  of  Cyprus,  wliicli 
was  still  held  in  allegiance  to  the  emperor  of  Constantinople. 
The  Christian  garrison  was  weak,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Ijie 
island  soon  submitted  to  pay  tribute  to  the  Caliph. 

His  next  enterj^rise  was  against  the  island  of  Aradus, 
where  he  landed  ms  troops  and  besieged  the  city  or  fortress, 
battering  it  with  nulitaiy  en^es.  The  inhabitants  made 
vigorous  resistance,  repelled  Imn  from  the  island,  and  it  waa 
only  after  he  had  come  a  second  time,  with  superior  force, 
that  he  was  able  to  subdue  it.  He  then  expelled  the  natives, 
demolished  the  fortifications,  and  set  fire  to  the  ci^. 

His  most  brilliant  achievement,  however,  was  a  tattle  with 
a  large  fleet,  in  which  the  emperor  was  cruising  in  the  Phoeni- 
cian Sea.  It  was  called  in  Arab  history.  The  Battle  of  Masts, 
from  the  forest  of  masts  in  the  imperial  fleet.  The  Christians 
went  into  action  singing  psalms  and  elevating  the  cross ;  the 
Moslems  repeating  texts  of  the  Koran,  shouting  Allah  Achbar, 
and  waving  the  standard  of  Islam.  The  battle  was  severe; 
the  imperial  fleet  dispersed,  and  the  emperor  escaped  by  dint 
of  sails  and  oars. 

Moawyah  now  swept  the  seas  victoriously,  made  landings 
on  Crete  and  Malta,  captured  the  island  of  Ehodes,  demo- 
lished its  famous  colossal  statue  of  brass,  and,  having  broken  it 
to  pieces,  transported  the  fragments  to  Alexandria,  where  they 
were  sold  to  a  Jewish  merchant  of  Edissa,  and  were  sufficient 
to  load  nine  hundred  camels.  He  had  another  fight  with  a 
Christian  fleet  in  the  bay  of  Feneke,  by  Castel  Bosso,  in  which 
both  parties  claimed  the  victory.  He  even  carried  his  expedi- 
tions along  the  coasts  of  Asia  Minor,  and  to  the  very  port  of 
Constantinople. 

These  naval  achievements,  a  new  feature  in  Arab  warfare, 
rendered  Moawvah  exceedingljr  popular  in  Syria,  and  laid  the 
foundation  for  tnat  power  and  importance  to  which  he  subse- 
quently attained. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  how  the  triumphs  of  an  ignorant 
people,  who  had  heretofore  dwelt  obscurely  in  the  midst  of 
their  deserts,  were  ovemmninff  all  the  histori6al  and  poetical 
regions  of  antiquity.  They  had  invaded  and  subdued  the 
once  mighiy  empires  on  land,  they  had  now  laimched  forth 
from  the  old  Scriptural  ports  of  Tyre  and  Sidon,  swept  the 
Sea  of  Tarshish,  and  were  capturing  the  isles  rendered  famous 
by  classic  fable. 

In  the  midst  of  these  foreign  successes  an  incident,  con- 
sidered Ml  of  sinister  impoii,  happened  to  Othman.  He 
accidentally  dropped  in  a  brook  a  silver  ring,  on  which  was 
inscribed,  "  Mahomet  the  apostle  of  Grod.**    It  had  originally 


168  8XJCCES80S8  OF  MAHOMET. 

belonged  to  Mahomel,  imd  aisce  hU  deaih  ]Md  beeik  ironLbv 
Aba  Beker,  Omar,  and  Othaunw  aa  tbe  ajmbol  of  oQamBoaui, 
ms  rings  bad  been  considered  tbroBgbcmt  tiie  £aai  ftoBi  t2ie 
earliest  timeB.  Tbe  brook  was  aeardied  wxtb  the  moat  yinifffag 
cflre>  but  ^e  ring  was  noi  to  be  foumd.  Tbiavaa  an  ominoas 
loea  in  the  eyes  of  the  sapefstitioaa  Moakoas. 

It  happened  about  this  time  tlmt^  aeandaliaed  bj  the  rmaoB 
Teraions  of  tbe  Koran,  and  the  difirfyutes  tbai  paevailed  efot 
ceming  their  vaiTzng  texts,  he  decreed,  in  n  oouneil  of  the 
cbtef  Moaiema,  that  all  echoes  of  the  Koran  whidit  did  sdt 
a^ee  with  the  gennkte  one  in  the  haosi^  of  Hafaa,  the  widow 
of  Mahomet,  ahooM  be  bumt»  Be^&n  copies  of  Ha£uks  Koran 
were  aceor<bngilj  made;  six  w«re  sent  to  Mecca,  Y&saent 
Syria,  Bahrein,.  Bassora,  and  Cu£eii,  aind  <me  was  retained  in 
Medina.  All  copiea  varjring  from  these  were  to  be  m&Oi  to 
the  flamea.  Thia  meaaure  eanaed  Othman  to  be  caued  the 
Gatherer  of  the  Kooranu  It,  at  a^  rat^  prev^iited  saj 
further  vitialicBi  of  the  sacared  Scriptiure  of  Islam,  whieh  has 
remained  unchanged  from  that  time  to  the  (aresent.  Besides 
this  pious  act,  Othman  caused  a  wall  to  be  built  round  Uie 
Bmaed  house  of  the  Caaba,  and  enlai^ged.  and  beantifLed  the 
moaqne  of  the  mropinet  in  Medina. 

l^otwithfltai^ng  all  this,  disaffection  and  intrigae  w^re 
springing  up  roima  the  Tenearable  CahiiiL  in  Medina.  He  waa 
Inr&ye,  op€»-handed,  and  zmmifieentybai  he  wanted  shrewd 
nees  and  doacreiiott ;  wa* prone  to  fKroiBitismi  yeij  crednloQa 
and  eaaily  deeeired. 

Murmurs  rose  against  him  oik  aU  aides,  and  daily  mcreased 
in  Tbrnlenee.  fiis  conduct,  both  public  and  priyate,  w«a 
reviewed,  and  circumstances,  which  had  been  passed  bj  ai 
trivial,  were  magnified  into  serious  offences.  He  was  cha^|ed 
with  impious  preaumptioai  in  having  taken  his  stand,  on  being 
first  made  Cal^h,  on  the  i^ppcfrnvost  at^  oi  the  p«lpit,  wheare 
Mahomet  himself  used  to  stand,  whereas  Abu  Bek^  bad 
stood  one  step  lower,  and  Omar  two%  A  grav^  accusation, 
and  <Hie  too  well  merited,  waa  that  he  had  disj^iaeed  men  of 
wortioL,  eminent  for  their  services^  and  given  tii^^r  {4aces  to  bis 
own  relatives  and  fivronrites.  This  was  especially  instanced  ii^ 
dismisnn^  Amora  IbnaU  Aasa&om  the  government  of  Egypt* 
and  appomtii^  in  his  stead  his  own  brother  Abdallah  JDba 
Saad,  who  had  onee  been  paroeenbed  by  Mahcanet.  Anotb^r 
accusation  was,  that  he  had  lavished  the  public  money  inpon 
parasites,  giving  one  hundred  thousand  din^  to  one,  foror 
hundred  thousand  to  another,  and  no  less  than  five  hundred 
and  four  thousand  xxpao,  his  secretary  of  state,  Merw^n  Ibn 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


Hakem,  who  had,  it  WM  said,  an  tmdne  aseciukiicF  orer  kim, 
snd  was,  in  fiiet,  ilie  subtie  and  aciiYe  spirit  of  liis:  govern- 
ment. Hie  last  sum,  it  was  alleged,  was  taken  out  oi  a 
portion  of  tlie  spoils  c^  Africa,  wMeh  liad  been  set  impart  for 
the  famdj  ci  the  -ppopheU 

The  ire  of  the  old  Caliph  was  kindled  at  having  his  lavisih 
liberahtj  thus  chareed  upon  him  as  a  crime.  H6  laofonted  the 
Tmlmt,  and  declared  that  the  mooer  m  the  treasnij  beloi^ed 
to  Gfod,  the  dffitribntion  to  the  Oafi|^  at  his  own  di8creti(m« 
as  successor  of  the  prophet;  and  he parajed  €k)d  to  fionfbund 
whoever  should  gainsaj  what  he  had  set  forth. 

JJvoa  this  Amniar  Ibn  Yaser,  one  of  the  primitive  Moskms^ 
of  whom  MalKmiet  himself  had  said  that  he  was  filled  with 
faith  from  the  crown  of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his  foot,  rose 
and  dnpnted  the  words  of  Othman,  whereupon  some  cf  the 
Caliph's  kindred  of  the  house  of  Ommiah  feu  \qpon  the  vene* 
TaUe  Ammar,  and^beat  him  until  he  faulted. 

The  outrage  ofered  to  the  person  of  one  of  the  eariiest 
disci|^es  and  ei5j>edal  favourites  of  the  prophet  was  pronnd- 
gatea  far  and  wide,  and  contributed  to  the  general  disecniteiit, 
whidi  now  assumed  Ihe  aspect  ci  rebeSitm.  The  xm^eader 
of  the  disaffected  was  Ibn  Caba,  iormeAw  a  Jew.  This  scm 
of  misdiief  made  a  fiKtious  tour  from  lemeBr  to  Hidschaf, 
thence  to  Bassora,  to  Oula,  to  Byria,  and  £g7^t,>  decrying  the 
Caliph  and  the  emirs  he  had  appointed ;  aeehunng  idiat  the 
CaHphat  had  been  usurped  by  Oihraan  ftom  Ali,  to  whom  it 
lightly  belonged,  as  the  nearest  rektave  of  the  prof^et,  and 
suggesting  by  word  of  mouth  and  secret  eorrespondesice^  that 
the  malcontents  should  assemble  simultaneously  in  various 
parts  under  pretext  of  a  jnlgrbnage  to  Meeea. 

The  plot  of  ihe  renegade  Jew  succeeded.  In  the  Mness 
of  time  deputations  arrived  from  aH  parts.  One  amounting 
to  a  hundred  and  fifty  persons  from  Bas8<»r&;  anoiher  of  two 
hundred,  under  Malec  Aladbtar,  from  Oufii ;  a  third  of  six 
hundred  from  Egypt,  headed  by  Mahomet,  iJie  son  of  Abu 
Beker,  and  brother  of  Ayesha ;  together  with  numbers  of  a 
sect  of  zealots  called  Kaaregrtes,  who  took  the  lead.  These 
deputies  encamped  like  an  army  within  a  league  of  Medina, 
and  summoned  the  Caliph  by  message  either  to  redress  their 
grievances  or  to  abdicate. 

Othman,  in  constematicm,  applied  to  AH  to  go  forth  and 
vncify  Ihe  midtitude.  He  cimsented,  on  condition  that 
Othman  would  previoui^  make  aton^n^st  fbr  his  errors 
from  the  pulpit.  Harassed  and  dimnayed,  the  aged  Cahph 
mounted  the  pulpit,  and  with  a  voice  broken  by  sobs  and 

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160  SUCCESS0B8  OF  HAHOMST. 

tears,  exclaimed,  "  My  Grod,  I  beg  pardon  of  thee,  and  turn 
to  thee  with  penitence  and  sorrow.*  The  whole  assemblage 
were  moved  and  softened,  and  wept  with  the  Caliph. 

Merwan,  the  intriguing  and  well-paid  secretary  of  Othman, 
and  the  soul  of  his  goremment,  had  been  absent  during  these 
occurrences,  and  on  returning  reproached  the  Caliph  with 
what  he  termed  an  act  of  weakness.  Having  his  permission, 
he  addressed  the  populace  in  a  strain  that  soon  roused  them 
to  tenfold  ire.  Ah  hereupon,  highly  indignant,  renounced 
any  further  interference  in  the  matter. 

Naile,  the  wife  of  Othman,  who  had  heard  the  words  of 
Merwan,  and  beheld  the  fury  of  the  people,  warned  hep 
husband  of  the  storm  gathering  over  his  head,  and  prevailed 
upon  him  again  to  sohcit  the  mediation  of  AIL  The  latter 
suffered  himself  to  be  persuaded,  and  went  forth  among  the 
insurgents.  Partly  by  good  words  and  liberal  donations  nrom 
the  treasury,  partly  by  a  written  promise  from  the  Caliph  to 
redress  all  their  grievances,  the  msurgents  were  quieted,  all 
but  the  deputies  £rom  Egypt,  who  came  to  complain  against 
the  Caliph's  foster-brother,  Abdallah  Ibn  Saad,  \>mo  they  said 
had  oppressed  them  with  exactions,  and  lavished  their  blood 
in  campaigns  in  Barbary,  merely  for  his  own  fame  and  profit, 
without  retaining  a  foothold  in  the  country.  To  pacify  these 
complainants,  Othman  displaced  Abdallah  from  the  govern- 
ment, and  left  them  to  name  his  successor.  They  unanimously 
named  Mahomet,  the  brother  of  Ayesha ;  who  had,  in  fa^t, 
been  used  by  that  intriguing  woman  as  a  firebrand  to  kindle 
this  insurrection,  her  object  being  to  get  Telha  appointed  to 
the  CaHphat. 

The  insurgent  camp  now  broke  up.  Mahomet  with  his  fol- 
lowers set  out  to  take  possession  of  his  post,  and  the  aged 
Caliph  flattered  himself  he  would  once  more  be  left  in  peace. 

Three  days  had  Mahomet  and  his  train  been  on  their 
journey,  when  they  were  overtaken  by  a  black  slave  on  a 
dromedary.  They  demanded  who  he  was,  and  whither  he 
was  travelling  so  rapidly.  He  gave  himself  out  as  a  slave  of 
the  secretary  Merwan  bearing  a  message  from  the  Caliph  to 
his  emir  in  Egypt.  "  I  am  the  emir,"  said  Mahomet.  "  My 
errand,"  said  tne  slave,  "is  to  the  emir  AbdaUah  Ibn  Saad.** 
He  was  asked  if  he  had  a  letter,  and  on  his  prevaricating  was 
searched.  A  letter  was  found  concealed  m  a  water-flask. 
It  was  from  the  Caliph,  briefly  ordering  the  emir,  on  the 
arrival  of  Mahomet  Ibn  Abu  Beker,  to  make  away  with  hiTw 
secretly,  destroy  his  diploma,  and  imprison,  imtil  further 
orders,  those  who  had  brought  complaints  to  Medina. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


OTHioir.  161- 

Mahomet  Ibn  Aba  Beker  returned  fariotis  to  Medina,  and 
showed  the  perfidious  letter  to  Ali,  Zobeir,  and  Telha,  who 
repaired  with  him  to  Othman.  The  latter  denied  any  know- 
leoge  of  the  letter.  It  must  then,  they  said,  be  a  forgery 
of  Merw&n's,  and  requested  that  he  might  be  summoned. 
Othman  would  not  credit  such  treason  on  the  part  of  his 
secretary,  and  insisted  it  must  have  been  a  treacherous  device 
of  one  of  his  enemies.  Medina  was  now  in  a  ferment.  There 
was  a  gathering  of  the  people.  All  were  incensed  at  such  an 
atrocious  breacn  of  faith,  and  insisted  that  if  the  letter  ori^* 
nated  with  Othman,  he  should  resign  the  Caliphat ;  if  with. 
McrwSn,  that  he  should  receive  the  merited  punishment. 
Their  demands  had  no  effect  upon  the  Caliph. 

Mahomet  Ibn  Abu  Beker  now  sent  off  swift  messengers  to 
recal  the  recent  insurgents  from  the  provinces,  who  were 
returning  home,  and  to  call  in  aid  from  the  neighbouring^ 
tribes.  The  dwelling  of  Othman  was  beleaguered;  the 
alternative  was  left  him  to  deliver  up  Merw&n  or  to  abdicate. 
He  refused  both.  His  life  was  now  threatened.  He  barri- 
cadoed  himself  in  his  dwelling.  The  supply  of  water  waa 
cut  off.  If  he  made  his  appearance  on  tne  terraced  roof,  he 
was  assailed  with  stones.  Ali,  Zobier,  and  Telha,  endea- 
voured to  appease  the  multitude,  but  they  were  deaf  to  their 
entreaties,  oaad  Ibn  id  Aass  advised  the  Caliph,  as  the 
holy  month  was  at  hand,  to  sally  forth  on  a  pilgrimage  to 
Mecca,  as  the  piety  of  the  undertaking  and  the  sanctity  of 
the  pilgrim  garb  would  protect  him.  Othman  rejected  the 
advice.  "If  they  seek  my  life,"  sidd  he,  "they  will  not 
rei^ect  the  pilgrim  gpb." 

AU^  Zobier,  and  Telha,  seeing  the  danger  imminent,  sent 
their  three  sons,  Hassan,  Abdidkh,  and  Maliomet,  to  pro- 
tect the  house.  They  stationed  themselves  by  the  door,  and 
for  some  time  kept  the  rebels  at  bay ;  but  the  rage  of  the 
latter  knew  no  bounds.  They  stormed  the  house;  Hassan 
was  wounded  in  its'defence.  The  rebels  rushed  in ;  among 
the  foremost  was  Maliomet,  the  brother  of  Avesha,  and  Am- 
mer  Ibn  Yaser,  whom  Othman  had  orderea  to  be  beaten. 
They  found  the  venerable  Caliph  seated  on  a  cushion,  "im 
beard  flowing  on  his  breast,  the  Xoran  open  on  his  lap,  and 
bis  wife  Naile  beside  him. 

One  of  the  rebels  struck  him  on  the  head,  another  stabbed 
Hm  repeatedlj  with  a  sword,  and  Mahomet  Ibn  Abu  Beker 
thrust  a  javelm  into  his  body  after  he  was  dead.  "Hh  wi& 
was  wounded  in  endeavouring  to  protect  him,  and  her  life  wa» 
only  saved  through  tiie  fiddity  of  a  slave.    His  house  wa» 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


ife  SUCCESSOBlf  Oy  KIHOMIT. 

pltindered,  as  was  Bome  of  ike  ziei^ilxmnaig  booset,  «Milwo 
chambers  of  the  treasmv. 

As  soon  as  the  invioious  Ajesha  heard  that  tilie  xmnrder 
was  accomplished,  she  went  forth  in  hypocritical  guise,  loadly 
bewfuling  the  death  of  a  man  to  whom  she  had  seooretiy  been 
hostile,  and  joining  witibL  tiie  Ommiah  family  in  calliBg  tat 
blood  rerenge. 

The  noble  and  rirtaous  Ali,  willi  greater  sinoOTtty,  was  in« 
censed  at  his  sons  for  not  sacrifieing  their  lives  in  defence  of 
the  Caliph,  and  reproached  the  sons  of  Telha  andZobier  w^ 
beinglnlewarm.  **  Why  are  yo'i  so  angry,  father  of  HassanP" 
said  Telha ;  "  had  Othman  given  up  Merwiia  iMs  evil  would 
not  have  happened." 

In  fact  it  nas  been  generally  affirmed  that  1^  letter  really 
was  written  by  Merwan  withont  ^e  knowledjB;e  of  the  Cali^ 
and  was  intended  to  faU  into  the  hands  of  Mahomet^  and 
produce  the  effect  which  resrdted  from  it.  Merwan,  it  it 
aUeged,  having  the  charge  of  the  oorrespcmdenoe  of  the 
Caliphat,  had  repeatedly  abused  tiie  (xmfid^oe  c^  the  weak 
and  superannuated  Othman  in  like  manner,  but  not  with  sufih 
a  nefanous  aim.  Of  late  he  had  secretly  joined  the  cabal 
figainst  the  Caliph. 

The  body  of  Othman  lajr  exposed  iht  three  days,  and  wm 
tiien  buriea  in  the  clotibies  in  which  he  was  dain,  unwashed 
and  without  any  funeral  ceremony.  He  was  eighty-two  yeait 
old  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  had  reigned  nearly  twelve 
years.  The  event  happened  in  the  thiiiy-fiffch  year  of  ih» 
Hegira,  in  t&e  year  655  of  the  Christian  era.  NotwithstandiBf^ 
his  profusion  and  the  sums  lavished  upon  his  favourites,  iaoh 
mense  treasures  were  found  in  his  dwelling,  a  oonsidfiiable 
part  of  which  he  had  set  apart  for  charitable  purposes. 


CHAPTEE  XSXVn. 

<Sincliditei  Ibr  tlie  Caliphat— Iiuiiiganitioii  of  Ali,  ibnrUi  Caliph.— He  tta- 
dertakeB  measor^  of  reform.  —  Their  eonseqnencee.  —  Gomqiiracgr  «f 
AyeeAia. — She  gets  poasesdoii  of  Baaaora. 

We  have  already  seen  iliat  the  faith  of  Islam  had  be^un  to 
lose  its  influence  in  binding  toother  the  hearts  of  the  faithfid, 
and  uniting  their  feelings  and  interests  in  one  common  cause. 
^^e  factions  which  sprang  up  aii  the  very  death  of  Mahomet 
liad  increased  with  the  e&ction  of  every  euecessor,  and  ca&« 
didatee  for  the  succession  multiplied  as  the  brilliant  saccesses 


OTHICAH.  M 

of  the  Moslem  arms  elevated  yiotorions  generals  to  popularity 
■aad  renown.  On  the  assassination  of  OSiman  four  candidate^ 
were  presented  for  theOaliphat,  and  the  fortuitous  assemblage 
•of  deputies  from  the  various  parts  of  the  Moslem  empu^ 
threatened  to  make  the  election  difficult  and  tumultuous. 

The  most  prominent  candidate  was  Ali,  who  had  thd 
strongest  natural  claim,  being  cousin  and  son-in-law  of  Ma- 
homet, and  his  children  by  Fatima  being  the  only  posterity  of 
the  proj^het.  He  was  of  the  noblest  branch  of  the  noble  raod  ' 
of  iLoreish.  He  possessed  the  three  qualities  most  prized  by 
Arabs, — courage,  eloquence,  and  munificence^  His  intrepid 
spirit  had  gained  him  from  the  prophet  the  appellation  of  The 
Lion  of  God;  specimens  of  his  eloquence  remain  in  some 
Terses  and  sayings  preserved  among  the  Arabs  f  and  hi0 
munificence  was  manifested  in  sharing  amon^  others,  ever^ 
Friday,  what  remained  in  the  treasury*  Of  his  magnanimily 
we  have  given  repeated  instances ;  his  noble  scorn  of  eveiyo 
thing  false  and  mean,  and  the  absence,  in  his  conduct,  of 
eve^hing  like  selfish  intrigue* 

Bis  right  to  tiie  Caliphat  was  supported  by  the  people  oi 
Cufa,  the  Egyptians,  and  a  great  part  of  the  Arabs  who  were 
desirous  of  a  line  of  Calipha  of  tne  blood  of  Mahomet.  He 
was  opposed,  however,  as  formerly,  by  the  implacable  Ayesha^ 
who,  though  well-stricken  in  years,  retained  an  unfoi^ving 
recollection  of  his  having  once  questioned  her  chastity. 

A  second  candidate  was  Zobeir,  the  same  warrior  who  difl* 
tinguished  himself  by  his  valour  in  the  campai^  of  Barbary^ 
by  his  modesty  in  omitting  to  mention  his  aohiievements,  and 
in  declining  to  accept  their  reward.  His  pretensions  to  the 
Caliphat  were  urged  oy  the  people  of  Bassora. 

A  third  candicbte  was  Teiha,  who  had  been  one  of  the  six 
electors  of  Othman,  and  who  had  now  the  powerful  support  of 
Ayesha. 

A  fourth  candidate  was  Moawy  ah,  the  military  governor  of 
Syria,  and  popular  from  his  recent  victories  by  sea  and  land. 
He  had,  morever,  immense  wealth  to  back  his  claims,  and  was 
head  of  the  powerfdl  tribe  of  Xoreish;  but  he  was  distant 
firom  the  scene  of  election,  and  in  his  absence  his  partisane 
could  only  promote  confusion  and  delaj. 

It  was  a  day  of  tumult  and  trouble  in  Medina.  The  hodf^ 
of  Othman  was  still  unburied.  His  wife  Naile,  at  the  instiga- 
tion of  Ayesha,  sent  off  his  bloody  vest  to  be  carried  throi^ 
the  distant  provinces,  a  ghastly  f^peal  to  the  passions  of  tne 
inhabitants. 

The  people,  apprehending  discord  and  disunion,  clamoured 
fSor  the  instant  nomination  of  a  Caliph*    Xhe  depntatiooir 
m2 


164  strccEssoBS  of  hahomst. 

wbiolt  had  come. from  yarioua  parts  with  complaints  aeainst 
Qthman,  he<»me  impatient.  There  were  men  from  Bab^onia, 
and  Mesopotamia,  and  other  parts  of  Persia ;  firom  Syria  and 
Egypt,  as  well  as  from  the  three  divisions  of  Arabia ;  these 
assembled  tumultnously,  and  threatened  the  safety  of  the 
three  candidates,  Ali,  I'elha,  and  Zobier,  unless  an  election 
were  made  in  four-and-twenty  honrs. 

In  this  dilemma  some  of  the  principal  Moslems  repaired 
to  Ali,  and  entreated  him  to  accept  the  office.  He  consented 
with  reluctance,  but  would  do  nothing  clandestinely,  and  re- 
fused to  take  their  hands  (the  Moslem  mode  at  that  time  of 
attesting  fealty),  unless  it  were  in  public  assembly  at  the 
mosque,  lest  he  should  give  cause  of  cavil  or  dispute  to  his 
rivals.  He  refused,  also,  to  make  any  promises  or  conditions. 
** If  I  am  elected  CiJiph,"  said  he,  "I  will  administer  the 
government  with  independence,  and  deal  with  yon  all  accord- 
mg  to  my  ideas  of  justice.  If  you  elect  another,  I  will  ^eld 
obedience  to  him,  and  be  ready  to  serve  him  as  his  vizier.'^ 
They  assented  to  everything  he  said,  and  a^ain  entreated  him 
to  accept,  for  the  gooa  of  the  people  and  of  the  faith. 

On  tne  following  morning  there  was  a  great  assemblage  of 
the  people  at  the  mosque,  and  Ali  presented  himself  at  the 
porUd.  He  appeared  m  simple  Arab  style,  clad  in  a  thin 
cotton  garb,  flprded  round  his  loins,  a  coarse  turban,  and  using 
a  bow  as  a  wiQldng-staff.  He  took  off  his  sHppers  in  reverence 
of  the  place,  and  entered  the  mosque  bearing  them  in  his  left 
hand. 

Finding  that  Telha  and  Zobeir  were  not  present,  he  caused 
them  to  be  sent  for.  They  came,  and  knowing  the  state  of 
the  public  mind,  and  that  all  immediate  opposition  would  be 
useless,  offered  their  hands  in  token  of  allegiance.  Ali  paused, 
and  asked  them  if  their  hearts  went  with  their  hands :  "  Speak 
frankly,"  said  he,  "  if  you  disapprove  of  my  election,  and  will 
accept  the  office,  I  will  give  my  hand  to  eitner  of  you."  They 
declared  their  perfect  satisfaction,  and  gave  tneir  hands. 
Telha's  right  arm  had  been  maimed  in  the  battle  of  Ohod» 
and  he  stretdied  it  forth  with  difficulty.  The  circumstance 
struck  the  Arabs  as  an  evil  omen.  '*  It  is  likely  to  be  a  lame 
business  that  is  begun  with  a  lame  hand,"  muttered  a  by- 
stander.   Subsequent  events  seemed  to  justify  the  foreboding. 

Moawyah,  the  remaining  candidate,  being  absent  at  hia 

government  in  Syria,  the  whole  family  of  Ommiah,  of  which 
e  was  the  head,  with<h!ew  from  the  ceremony.    This,  like- 
wise, boded  future  troubles. 

After  the  inauguration,  Telha  and  Zobier,  with  a  view,  it  ia 
said,  to  excite  disturbance,  applied  to  Ali  to  investigate  and 


S7enge  the  death  of  Othmao.  Ali,  who  knew  thafc  such  i^ 
measure  would  call  up  a  host  of  enemies,  evaded  the  insidious 
proposition.  "  It  was  not  the  moment/'  he  said,  *'  for  such  aa 
investigation.  The  event  had  its  origin  in  old  enmities  and 
discontents  instkated  by  the  devil,  and  when  the  devil  onod 
gained  a  foothold,  he  never  relinquished  it  willingly.  Th» 
very  measure  they  recommended  was  one  of  the  devil's  sug-^ 
gesting,  for  the  purpose  of  fomenting  disturbances.  How- 
ever," added  he,  "  if  you  will  point  out  the  assassins  of  0th- 
man,  I  will  not  fail  to  punish  them  according  to  their  guilt." 

While  Ali  thus  avoided  the  dangerous  litigation,  he  en« 
deavoured  to  cultivate  the  good  will  of  the  Koreishites,  and  to 
strengthen  himself  against  apprehended  difficulties  with  the 
family  of  Ommiah.  Telha  ana  Zobeir,  being  disconcerted  in 
their  designs,  now  applied  for  important  commands.  Telhi^ 
for  the  government  of  Cufa,  and  Zobier  for  that  of  Bassora ; 
but  Ali  again  declined  complying  with  their  wishes,  observing 
that  he  needed  such  able  counselors  at  hand  in  his  present 
emergencies.  They  afterwards  separately  obtained  pcrmissioik 
from  him  to  make  a  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  and  set  off  on  that 
devout  errand  with  piety  on  their  lips  but  crafty  policy  in 
their  breasts.  A^resha  had  abready  repaired  to  the  holy  city, 
bent  upon  opposition  to  the  government  of  the  man  she  nated. 

Ali  was  now  Caliph,  but  did  not  feel  himself  securely  fixed 
in  his  authority.  Many  abuses  had  grown  up  during  the 
dotage  of  his  predecessor,  which  called  for  redi^ss,  and  most 
of  tl^  governments  of  provinces  were  in  the  hands  of  persons 
in  whose  affection  ana  fidelity  he  felt  no  confidence.  He 
determined  upon  a  general  reform ;  and  as  a  first  step,  to 
remove  from  office  aU  the  governors  who  had  been  appointed 
by  the  superannuated  Otbman.  This  measure  was  strongly 
opposed  by  some  of  his  counsellors.  They  represented  to  him 
that  he  was  not  yet  sufficiently  established  to  venture  upon 
iiuch  changes ;  and  that  he  would  make  powerM  enemies  of 
men,  who,  if  left  in  office,  would  probably  hasten  to  declare 
allegiance  to  him,  now  that  he  was  Caliph. 

Ali  was  not  to  be  persuaded.  "  Sedition,'*  he  said,  **  lik* 
fire,  is  easily  extinguished  at  the  commencement;  but  the 
longer  it  bums,  the  more  fiercely  it  blazes." 

He  was  advised,  at  least,  to  leave  his  formidable  rival 
Moawyah,  for  the  present,  in  the  government  of  Syria,  as  he 
was  possessed  of  great  wealth  and  influence,  and  a  powerful 
army,  and  might  rouse  that  whole  province  to  rebelUon ;  and 
•  in  such  case  might  be  joined  by  Telha  and  Zobeir,  who  were 
both  disappointed  and  disaffected  men.  He  had  recently 
shown  his  mfloence  over  the  feelings  of  the  people  under  h£ft 


166  8FCCB880SS  Of  KAHOMBT. 

oommaiid:  when  ihe  Uoody  rwt  of  Othman  arrired  in  {iM- 
piOTinoe,  h»  had  diiplajed  it  from  the  ptil^it  of  the  mosque 
m  Damasoos.  The  mosque  resounded  with  lamentatione 
Bungled  with  clamours  for  the  rerenffe  of  blood ;  for  Othman 
had  won  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  Syria  b j  his  mtmifioenoe. 
Scane  of  the  noblest  inhabitants  of  Damasdus  swore  to  remam 
eraarate  from  their  witob,  and  not  to  lay  i^eir  heads  on  a 
piflow  until  blood  for  blood  had  atoned  for  i^e  death  of  Oth- 
man* Finally  the  Test  had  been  hoisted  as  a  standard,  and 
had  fired  i^e  Syimi  army  with  a  desire  lor  venffeance. 

Ali*s  oounseuor  represented  all  these  things  to  him.  "  Suffer 
Ifoawyah,  therefore,"  added  he,  *'  to  remain  in  command 
mntil  lie  has  acknowledged  your  ffOTemment,  and  then  he  may 
he  displaced  without  turmoiL  Nay,  I  will  pledge  myself «» 
Inring  him  bound  hand  and  foot  into  your  presence.*' 

AJu  spumed  at  this  counsel,  and  swore  he  would  ^raetiae 
1^  such  treachery,  but  would  deal  with  Moawyah  with  the 
•word  alone.  He  commenced  immediately  his  plan  of  reform^ 
wi^  the  nominaticm  of  new  goremors  deybted  to  his  seryioe^ 
4^bdallah  Ibn  Abbas  was  appointed  to  Arabia  Felix*  Ammar 
Ibn  Sahel  to  Gufa,  Othman  Ibn  Hanif  to  Bassora,  Sahel  Ibn 
Hanif  to  Syiia,  and  Saad  Ibn  Kais  to  E^pt.  These  generals 
lost  no  time  in  repairing  to  their  respective  goyemments,  b«l 
the  result  soon  conrinced  Ali  that  he  had  been  precipitate^ 

Jaali,  the  ffoyemor  of  Arabia  Felix,  readily  resigned  }u$ 
post  to  Abdimah  Ibn  Abbas,  and  retired  to  Mecca;  but  ht 
took  with  him  the  publio  treasure,  and  deliyered  it  into  the 
]}ands  of  Ayesha,  and  her  eonfederates  Telha  and  Zobeir.  whty 
were  alreadk  plotting  rebdlion. 

Othman  Ibn  Hanif  on  arriving  at  Bassora  to  take  the  coaar 
l3ELand,  found  the  people  discontented  and  rebellious,  and 
Slaving  no  force  to  subjugate  them,  esteemed  himself  fortum^ 
in  escapinff  from  their  hands  and  returning  to  the  Caliph. 

When  Ammar  Ibn  Sahel  reached  the  confines  of  Cufa,  Ke 
learnt  that  the  peojde  were  unanimous  in  favour  of  Abu  Mua^ 
Alashari,  their  present  governor,  and  determined  to  support 
iaim  by  fraud  or  force.  Ammar  had  no  disposition  to  coniend 
'With  theni,  the  Oufians  being  reputed  the  most  treadieroiie 
and  perfidious  people  of  the  JBam ;  so  he  turned  the  head  of 
liis  horse,  and  journeyed  baok  mortified  and  disconcerted  to 
AJi* 

Saad  Ibn  Xais  was  received  in  Egypt  with  murmnrs  by 
tiie  inhabitants,  who  were  indi^^nant  at  the  assassinaticni.  m 
Othman,  and  refused  to  submit  to  the  ^ovemm^it  of  AJi, 

Stil  justice  was  done  upon  the  perpetra&rs  of  that  mnrdar- 
ad  prudently,  ^erefore,  retraced  his  stepa  to  Medina. 

igitized  by  VjOO; 


6aM  Ibn  Haaif  liad  no  better  moceM  m  Syrk*  lie  was 
met  at  Tabne  bj  a  body  <^  oavatry,  who  demanded  his  name 
and  business.  *'  For  my  name/*  said  he»  "  I  anljSahel,  the 
son  of  Hanif ;  and  for  my  business,  I  am  governor  of  this 
proTiBce,  as  lientenaiiit.of  4he  Caliph  Ali,  Oommander  of  the 
JpaithfuL"  ^ey  assured  him  in  vepk»  that  Syria  had  dUNufy 
an  able  governor  in  Moawyah^  son  of  Aba  Sc&ui,  aa^^f^iat  to< 
their  certain  knowle^e  there  was  not  room  in  th»  provinoe 
Ibr  the  sole  of  his  foot;  so  saying,  they  nnshea^ed  thi^ 
•dmetars. 

The  new  {^omor,  who  was  not  parovided  with  a  body  of 
iatoopB  sufficient  to  enforce  his  authority » returned  also  to  the 
Citiph  with  ^lis  inteUigence.  Thus  ot  the  five  govermors,  a^ 
promptly  sent  forth  by  Ali  in  porsuanoe  <d  his  great  plan  of 
reform,  AbdaQah  Ibn  Abbaa  was  the  only  one  permi^d.  to 
assume  his  post. 

When  AH  received  tidings  of  the  disaffection  of  Syria,  he 
wrote  a  letter  to  Moawyah,  daiiiiing  his  allegiance,  and  tran^^ 
nitted  it  by  an  especial  messenger.  The  la&er  was  detained 
many  days  by  the  Synan  commander,  and  then  sent  back,  ao 
mmpanied  by  another  messenger,  beanng  a  sealed  letter  supeiv 
•mbed,  ^  "From  Moawyah  to  AIL"  The  two  couriers  arrived 
at  Medina  in  the  cool  of  the  evening,  the  hour  of  concourse^ 
«Dd  passed  thrbu^h  the  mnltiiiide  beariaf  the  letter  aloft  on 
m  staff,  so  that  aU  could  see  the  superserqiitioiu  The  peode 
thronged  after  the  measengera  into  the  presence  of  Ah.  On 
opening  t^  Irtter  it  was  found  to  be  a  perfoet  blank,  in  token 
)0i  contempt  and  d^anoe. 

Ali  soon  learned  that  this  was  no  empty  bravado.  He  was 
a^rked  by  his  own  eouier  that  an  army  of  sixty  i^usand 
men  was  actually  on  foot  in  Syria,  and  that  the  blooay  gaimeojt 
of  Othman,  the  standard  of  rebellion,  was  erected  in  th0 
mosque  at  Pamasoos.  Upon  this  he  seknmly  called  AUab 
and  the  prophet  to  witness  thast  he  was  not  guiUy  of  tibat 
mtffder ;  tmt  made  active  preparations  to  put  down  the  rebel- 
lion by  force  of  arms ;  sMioinff  missives  into  all  the  j^rarrincei^ 
demanding  the  assistanoe  oi  me  MthfuL 

The  ll^riems  wisre  now  divided  into  two  parties :  those 
•who  adhered  to  Ali,  among  wbcm  were  the  peonple  of  Medina 
generally ;  and  the  MotaMU,  or  Separatists,  who  were  in  the 
opposition.  Hie  latter  were  headed  by  the  able  and  vindictive 
Ayesha,  who  had  her  head-quarters  at  Mecca,  and  with  tibe 
am  of  Telha  and  Zobier,  was  bu^  organizing  an  insnneotion. 
She  had  induced  the  powerful  iamily  oi  Oimniah  to  join  her 
eaose,  and  had  sent  oouriers  to  all  the  governors  of  rnxmnces 
whom  Ali  had  sapsrsodedy  inviting  them  to  unite  in  Urn  rebel- 
zed  by  Google 


168  81TCCX8SOBS  .OV  ILLHOMXT. 

lion.  The  treasure  brought  to  her  by  Jaali,  the  displaced 
governor  of  Arabia  Felix,  furnished  her  with  the  means  of 
war,  and  the  bloody  garment  of  Othman  proved  a  powerful 
aimliaiy. 

A  council  of  the  leaders  of  this  conspiracy  was  held  at 
Mecca.  Some  inclined  to  join  the  insurgents  m  Syria,  but  it 
was  objected  that  Moawyah  was  sufficiently  powerful  in  that 
country  without  their  aid.  The  intrepid  Ayesha  was  for  pro- 
ceeding immediately  to  Medina,  and  attacking  Ali  in  his 
capital,  but  it  was  represented  that  the  people  of  Medina  were 
tmanimous  in  his  favour,  and  too  powerful  to  be  assailed  with 
success.  It  was  finally  determined  to  march  {or  Bassoia, 
Telha  assuring  them  that  he  had  a  strong  party  in  that  city, 
and  pledging  nimself  for  its  surrender. 

A  prodamation  was  accordingly  made  by  sound  of  trumpet 
through  the  streets  of  Mecca,  to  the  following  effect  :— 

"  In  the  name  of  the  most  hiffh  Grod.  Ayesha,  Mother  of 
the  Faithful,  accompanied  by  me  chiefs  Telha  and  Zobier, 
is  goin^^  in  person  to  Mssora.  All  those  of  the  faithful  who 
bum  with  a  desire  to  defend  the  faith,  and  avenge  the  deatJi 
of  the  Caliph  Othman,  have  only  to  present  themselves* 
and  thev  snail  be  furnished  witn  all  necessaries  for  tiie 
journey. 

Ayesha  sallied  forth  from  one  of  the  gates  of  Mecca, 
borne  in  a  litter  placed  on  the  back  of  a  strong  camel  named 
Alascar.  Telha  and  Zobier  attended  her  on  each  side,  fol- 
lowed by  six  hundred  persons  of  some  note,  aH  mounted  on 
camels,  and  a  promiscuous  multitude  of  about  six  thousand  on 
foot. 

After  marching  some  distance,  the  motley  host  stopped  to 
refresh  themselves  on  the  bank  of  a  rivulet  near  a  village. 
Tlieir  arrival  aroused  the  dogs  of  the  village,  who  surroun&d 
Ayesha,  and  barked  at  her  most  clamorouuy.  Like  all  Arabs, 
€ne  was  superstitious,  and  considered  this  an  evil  omen.  Her 
apprehensions  were  increased  on  learning  that  the  name  of 
the  village  was  Jowab.  "  My  trust  is  in  God,**  exclaimed  she, 
solemnly;  "to  him  do  I  turn  in  time  of  trouble," — a  text 
-from  iiie  Koran,  used  by  Moslems  in  time  of  extreme  danger. 
In  fact,  she  called  to  mind  some  proverb  of  the  prophet  alx>ut 
the  does  of  Jowab,  and  a  prediction  that  one  of  his  wives 
would  DC  barked  at  by  them  when  in  a  situation  of  imminent 
peril.  "I  will  go  no  further,"  cried  Ayesha;  "I  will  halt 
here  for  the  night."  So  saying,  she  struck  her  camel  on  the 
legto  make  him  kneel  tnat  she  might  alight. 

Telha  and  Zobeir,  dreading  any  delay,  brought  some  pea- 
sants whom  they  had  suborn^  to  assign  a  different  name  to 

gitized  by  Google 


ALL  109 

the  village,  and  thus  ooieted  her  supentitioiis  fears.  About 
the  same  time  some  horsemen,  likewise  instructed  by  them* 
rode  up  with  a  false  report,  that  Ali  was  not  far  distant  wiiji 
a  body  of  troops.  Ajesha  hesitated  no  longer,  but  mounting 
nimbfy  on  her  camel,  pressed  to  the  head  of  her  little  army, 
and  they  all  pushed  forward  with  increased  expedition  towards 
Bassora.  Arriyed  before  the  oiiy,  they  had  noped,  from  the 
sanguine  declarations  of  Telha,  to  see  it  throw  open  its  gates 
to  receive  them ;  the  gates,  however,  remained  closely  barred. 
Othman  Ibn  Kanef,  whom  Ali  had  sent  without  success  to 
assume  the  government  of  Cufa,  was  now  in  command  at 
Bassora,  whimer  he  had  been  invited  by  a  part  of  the  inhar 
bitants. 

Ayesha  sent  a  summons  to  the  governor  to  come  forth  and 
join  the  standard  of  the  faithful,  or  at  least  to  tlux>w  open  his 

fates ;  but  he  was  a  timid,  undecided  man,  and  confidmg  the 
efence  of  the  city  to  his  lieutenant  Ammar,  retired  in  great 
tribulation  within  his  own  dwelling  in  the  citadel,  and  went 
to  prayers. 

Amynar  summoned  the  people  to  arms,  and  called  a  meeting 
of  the  principal  inhabitants  m  the  mosque.  He  soon  found 
out,  to  nis  ^eat  discouragement,  that  the  people  were  nearly 
equally  divided  into  two  factions,  one  for  Ali,  since  he  was 
regularly  elected  Caliph,  the  other  composed  of  partisans  of 
Tdha.  The  parties,  instead  of  deliberating,  fell  to  reviling, 
and  ended  by  throwing  dust  in  each  other's  faces. 

In  the  meantime  Ayesha  and  her  host  approached  the 
walls,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  went  forth  to  meet  her. 
Telha  and  Zobier  alternately  addressed  the  multitude,  and 
were  foUowed  by  Ayesha,  who  harane;ued  them  from  her 
camel.  Her  voice,  which  she  elevated  that  it  might  be  heard 
by  all,  became  shrill  and  sharp,  instead  of  intdligible,  and 
provoked  the  merriment  of  some  of  the  crowd.  A  dispute 
arose  as  to  the  justice  of  her  appeal ;  mutual  revilings  again 
took  place  between  the  parties ;  they  gave  each  other  the  lie, 
and  again  threw  dust  in  each  other's  faces.  One  of  the  men 
of  Bassora  then  turned  and  reproached  Ayesha,  "  Shame  on 
thee,  O  Mother  of  the  Faithful !"  said  he.  "  The  murder  of 
the  Caliph  was  a  grievous  crime,  but  was  a  less  abomination 
than  thy  forgetfumess  of  the  modesty  of  thy  sex.  Where- 
fore dost  thou  abandon  thy  quiet  home,  and  thy  protecting 
veil,  and  ride  forth  like  a  man,  barefaced,  on  tnat  accursed 
camel,  to  foment  quarrels  and  dissensions  among  the  faithfol  P" 

Another  of  the  crowd  scoffed  at  Telha  and  Zobier.  **  Yo« 
have  brought  your  mother  with  you,"  cried  he  5  "  why  did  you 
not  also  bring  your  wives  P" 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


190  6VCCB8SORS  OV  KAHOXST. 

Insiilts  were  tdon  follo«red  hj  blows ;  smnrds  were  drswn, 
m  skirmish  ensued,  and  thej  fought  until  the  hoar  of  prayer 
separated  them. 

Ajesha  sat  down  before  Bassora  with  her  armed  host*  and 
■ome  days  passed  in  alternate  skirmishes  and  negotiaticas. 
At  len|2;tli  a  trace  was  amed  np<Hi,  nntil  deputies  oould  \m 
sent  to  Medina  to  learn  me  eanse  of  these  dissouions  aaeag 
the  Moslems,  and  whether  Telha  and  Zobier  agreed  T<^Qnt»- 
lily  to  the  election  of  Afi,  or  did  so  <m  oompnlsioii :  if  the 
jbrmer,  thej  should  be  considered  as  rebels ;  if  the  lsttcc» 
their  partisans  in  Bassora  should  be  considered  jnstifiied  m 
in>holding  them* 

The  insurgents,  however,  only  acquiesced  in  this  agreemort 
lo  get  the  gOTcmor  in  their  powar,  and  so  gain  poeaee8k>B.  of 
ihe  city.  They  endeavoured  to  draw  him  to  thesr  camp  bj 
IHendly  messages,  but  he  apparently  suspected  thdr  intentatam^ 
and  renised  to  come  forth  until  the  answer  should  be  reemed 
from  Medina.  Upon  iMs  Tdha  and  Zobier,  taking  adraofeage 
of  a  stormy  night,  gained  an  entrance  into  the  city  wUh.  s 
chosen  band,  and  surprised  titie  governor  in  the  mosqaoy  where 
Ihey  took  him  prisoner,  after  kfflrng  forty  of  his  guard.  Xhsj 
sent  to  Ayesha  to  know  what  they  should  do  with  their  ea^ 
five.  "  Let  him  be  put  to  death,"  was  her  fierce  rej^.  JJfxm 
this  one  of  the  women  interceded.  "  I  adjure  i^ee,'^  said  ahe^ 
**  in  the  name  of  Allah  and  the  companicms  of  the  apostle»  do 
not  Slav  him.**  Ayesha  was  moved  by  this  a(^Taration>  and 
commuted  his  punishment  into  forty  str^es  and  imnrisonment. 
He  was  doomed,  however,  to  suffer  stiU  greater  evils  befovehe 
escaped  from  the  hands  of  his  captors.  JSis  beard  was  pludced 
out  hair  by  hair,  one  of  the  most  disgraceful  punishments  thait 
ean  be  inmcted  on  an  Arab.  His  eyebrows  were  served  ia  tiie 
same  muiner,  and  then  he  was  contemptuously]  set  at  llber^. 

The  city  of  Bassora  was  now  taken  possession  of  withcmt 
iurther  resistance.  Ayesha  entered  it  m  state,  supp<HPted  by 
Telha  and  Zobier,  and  followed  by  her  troops  and  adhereslt. 
The  inhabitants  were  treated  with  kindness,  as  friends  who 
had  acted  through  error;  and  every  exertion  was  made  to 
secure  their  good-wiU,  and  to  incense  them  against  Ali,  who 
was  represented  aji  a  murderer  and  usurper. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


m 

CHAPTBB  XXXVm. 

JUI  doiteta  tlM  rdMli  imder  A7«fllia.--'Hto  tiMtoMQl  cCte. 

Whin  AH  heard  of  iJie  TOTolt  of  Meooa»  imd  the  maroh  against 
Bassora,  he  called  a  general  meeting  in  the  mosqne,  and 
cndeayoured  to  stir  up  the  people  to  arm  and  follow  him  in 
]^or8uit  oi  the  rebels :  but,  though  he  spoke  with  his  usual 
eloquence,  and  was  popular  in  Medina,  a  coldness  and  apathy 
peiYaded  the  assembly.  Some  dreaded  a  civil  war;  others 
jeoollected  that  the  leader  of  the  rebels,  against  whom  ther 
were  urged  to  take  up  arms,  was  Aresha,  the  favourite  wi& 
of  the  prophet,  the  Mother  of  the  Faithfol ;  others  doubted 
whether  Ali  might  not,  in  some  degree,  be  implicated  in  the 
lieath  of  Othman,  which  had  been  so  artibllj  charged  against 
iom. 

At  length  a  Moslem  of  distinction,  Ziyad  Ibn  Hantelah, 
T0S6  with  generous  warmth,  and,  stuping  up  to  Ali,  **  Let 
whosoever  will,  hold  back,"  cried  he,  •*  we  wm  go  forward,** 

At  the  same  time  two  Ansars,  or  doctors  of  the  law,  men  off 
{Teat  weight,  pronounced  with  oracular  voice,  "The  Imam 
Othman,  master  of  the  two  testimoniee,  dkl  not  die  by  tho 
kand  of  the  master  of  the  two  testimonies  $  "^  that  is  to  say^ 
^Othman  was  not  slain  by  Ali" 

The  Arabs  are  a  mercurial  people,  and  acted  upon  b^  sod- 
den  impulses.  The  example  of  Ziyad,  and  the  declaradon  of 
the  two  Ansars,  caused  an  immediate  excitement  Abu  Ko- 
iada,  an  Ansar  of  distincticm,  drew  his  sword.  "  The  apostle 
of  Gk>d,"  said  he,  "  iukhx  whom  be  peace,  girt  ma  wifch  this 
sword.  It  has  long  been  sheathed.  I  now  devote  it  to  the 
destruction  of  these  deceivers  of  the  faithfuL" 

A  matron  in  a  transnort  of  enthusiasm  exclaimed,  "  Oh^ 
Commander  of  the  FaitnfuL  if  it  were  permitted  by  our  law, 
I  myself  would  go  with  tikee  i  but  here  is  my  cousin,  dearer  t9 
Sie  than  my  own  life,  he  shall  IbUow  thee  and  partake  of  thy 
£flrtunes." 

AH  profited  by  the  excitement  of  the  moment^  and  making 
m  hasty  levy,  marched  out  of  Medina  at  the  head  of  about  nine 
hundred  men,  eagiur  to  overtake  the  rebels  before  they  should 
Teach  Bassora.  Hearing,  however,  that  Ayesha  was  already 
m  possession  of  that  ci^,  he  halted  at  a  place  called  Anab- 

•  The  two  t«rtim<nJe8  mean  tiM  two  ftrndamental  beB^ft  of  the  Koslem 
«raed:  **Ther*  is  but  one  God.  Mahomet  it  the  apoetle  of  God.*  Tho 
OO^  M  inutti  or  poBttf  of  the  MoMalmaa  rat%i^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


172  SUCCESSOBS  07  UAHOMXT. 

dah,  until  lie  slioiild  be  joined  by  reintocements :  Bending 
messengers  to  Aba  Musa  Alashair,  gOTemor  of  Cn&»  acd 
to  yarious  other  commanders,  ordering  speedy  succour.  He 
was  sooo  joined  by  his  eldest  son  Hassan,  who  undertook  to 
review  his  conduct,  and  lecture  him  on  his  pohcy.  **  I  told 
you/'  said  he,  ''  when  the  Caliph  Othman  was  besieged,  to  go 
out  of  the  cily,  lest  you  shoula  be  implicated  in  his  death.  I 
told  you  not  tc  be  inaugurated  until  deputieB  from  the  Ara-  i 
bian  tribes  were  present.  Lastly,  I  told  you  when  Ayesha 
and  her  two  confederates  took  the  field,  to  Keep  at  home  unldl 
they  should  be  pacified;  Sv>  that,  should  any  mischief  result, 
you  might  not  be  made  responsible.  You  haye  not  heeded  my 
adyice..  and  the  consequence  is,  that  you  may  now  be  murdered 
to-morrow,  with  nobody  to  blame  but  yourself." 

Ali  listened  with  impatience  to  this  filial  counsel,  or  ratheir, 
censure :  when  it  was  finished,  he  replied,  "  Had  I  left  the 
city  when  Othman  was  besieged,  I  should  myself  haye  be^ 
flurroimded.  Had  I  waited  for  my  inauguration  until  all  the 
tribes  came  in,  I  should  haye  lost  the  yotes  of  the  people  <^ 
Medina,  the  '  Helpers,*  who  haye  the  priyilege  of  disposmg  of 
the  goyemment.  Had  I  remained  at  liome  after  my  enemies 
had  taken  the  field,  like  a  wild  beast  lurking  in  its  hole,  I 
should  like  a  wild  beast  haye  been  digged  out  and  destroyed. 
If  I  do  not  look  after  my  own  afiairs,  -wm  will  look  after  them  f 
If  I  do  not  defend  myself,  who  will  defend  me  P  Such  are  my 
;rea8ons  for  acting  as  I  haye  acted ;  and  now,  my  son,  hold 
your  peace."    We  hear  of  no  ftirther  counsels  from  Hassan. 

Ali  had  looked  for  powerftd  aid  from  Abu  Musa  Alashair. 
goyemor  of  Cufa,  but  he  was  of  a  lukewarm  spirit,  and  cherished 
no  good  will  to  ike  Caliph,  from  his  haying  sent  Othman  Ibii 
Hanef  to  supplant  him,  as  has  been  noticed.  He  therefore 
receiyed  his  messengers  with  coldness,  and  sent  a  reply  full 
of  evasions.  Ali  was  enraged  at  this  reply ;  and  his  anj?er 
was  increased  by  the  arriyal  about  the  same  time  (^  the  unror^ 
tunate  Othman  Ibn  Hanef,  who  had  been  so  sadly  scourged 
and  maltreated,  and  ejected  from  his  goyemment  at  Bassora* 
What  most  grieyed  tne  heart  of  the  ex-goyemor  was  the 
indignity  that  had  been  offered  to  his  person.  "  Ok,  Com- 
mander of  the  Faithful,"  said  he,  moummUy,  "when  you  sent 
me  to  Bassora  I  had  a  beard,  and  now,  alas,  I  haye  not  a  hair 
on  my  chin !" 

Ali  commiserated  the  unfortunate  man  who  ikoB  deplored 
the  loss  of  his  beard  more  than  of  his  goyemment ;  but  com- 
forted him  with  the  assurance  that  his  sufferings  would  b|Q 
4M>unted  to  him  as  merits.  He  then  spoke  of  his  owncasej 
the  Caliphs,  his  predecessors,  had  reigned  without  ojj^^ositioB  j 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


AM.  173 

but,  for  his  own  part,  tliose  who  had  joined  in  electing  him 
had  proved  false  to  him.  '*  Telha  and  Zobeir/'  said  he, "  have 
submitted  to  Abu  Beker,  Omar,  and  Othman ;  why  have  they 
arrayed  themselves  against  meP  By  Allah  they  shall  find 
Ihat  I  am  not  one  jot  mferior  to  my  predecessors  f" 

Ali  now  sent  more  urgent  messages  to  Abu  Musa,  governor 
of  Cufa,  by  his  son  Hassan,  uid  Aimnar  Ibn  Yaser,  his  general 
(^  the  horse,  a  stem  old  soldier,  ninety  years  of  age,  the  same 
intrepid  spokesman' who,  for  his  hardihood  of  tongue,  had  been 
severely  maltreated  by  order  of  the  Caliph  Othman.  They 
were  reinforced  by  Alashtar,  a  determined  officer,  who  had 
been  employed  in  the  previous  mission,  and  irritated  by  the 
prevarications  of  Abu  Musa. 

Hassan  andAmmar  were  received  with  ceremonious  respect 
by  the  governor,  and  their  mission  was  discussed,  according 
to  usage,  in  the  mosque,  but  Alashtar  remained  with  the  guard 
that  nad  escorted  them.  The  envoys  pressed  their  errand 
with  warmth,  urging  the  necessity  of  their  sending  immediate 
succour  to  the  Caliph.  Abu  Musa,  however,  who  prided  him- 
self more  upon  woras  than  deeds,  answered  tliem  by  an  evasive 
harangue ;  signifying  his  doubts  of  the  policy  of  their  proceed- 
ing; counsefling  that  the  troops  should  return  to  Medina, 
that  the  whole  matter  in  dispute  should  be  investigated,  and 
the  right  to  rule  amicably  ac^usted.  "  It  is  a  bad  ousiness,'^ 
added  he,  ''and  he  that  meddles  least  with  it  stands  less 
chance  of  doing  wrong.  For  what  says  the  prophet  touching 
an  evil  affair  of  the  kindP  He  who  sleepeth  in  it  is  more 
secure  than  he  that  waketh ;  he  that  liethtnanhe  that  sitteth; 
he  that  sitteth  than  he  that  standeth ;  he  that  standeth  than 
he  that  walketh ;  and  he  that  walketh  than  he  that  rideth. 
Sheathe,  therefore,  your  swords,  take  the  heads  from  your 
lances,  and  the  strings  from  your  bows,  and  receive  him  that 
is  injured  into  vour  dwellings,  imtil  all  matters  are  adjusted 
and  reconciled. ' 

The  ancient  general,  Ammar,  replied  to  him  tartly,  that  he 
had  misapplied  the  w<nrds  of  the  prophet,  which  were  meant  to 
rebuke  such  servants  as  himself,  who  were  better  sitting  than 
standing,  and  sleeping  than  awake.  Abu  Musa  would  have 
answer^  him  with  another  long  harangue  in  favour  of  non- 
resistance,  but  was  interrupted  oy  the  sudden  entrance  of  a. 
number  of  his  soldiers,  bearing  evidence  of  having  been 
piteously  beaten.  While  Abu  Musa  had  been  holding  forth 
at  the  mosque,  Alashtar,  the  hardy  officer  who  remained  wiiJi 
tiie  escort,  had  seized  upon  the  castle  of  Cufa,  caused  the- 
garrison  to  be  soundly  scourged,  and  sent  them  to  the  mosque 
to  cut  short  the  negotiation.  This  prompt  measure  of  Alashtar 


174  filTCCBSSOSS  OV  XAHOMBT. 

I^aced  ike  oold-spinted  oondnct  of  Abu  Mnsa  in  so  ridiooloitt 
a  liffht,  that  the  feelings  of  the  populace  were  instantly  turned 
against  him*  Hassan,  i^e  son  of  Ali,  seized  nj^  tlie  moment 
to  address  the  assembly.  He  maintained  the  innocence  of  hit 
father  in  r^ard  to  the  assassination  of  Othman.  "  His  father,** 
he  said,  "luid  either  done  wrong,  or  had  suffered  wrong.  If 
he  had  done  wrong,  God  would  punish  him.  If  he  had  suffered 
wroxig,  God  woum  help  him.  The  case  was  in  the  hand  <tf 
the  Most  High.  Telha  and  Zobeir,  who  were  the  first  to 
inaugurate  him,  were  the  first  to  turn  against  him.  What  had 
be  done,  as  Caliph,  to  merit  such  opposition  P  What  injustice 
bad  he  committed  P  Wbat  coTetous  or  selfish  propensity  had 
be  manifested P  "I  am  going  bade  to  my  father,"  added 
Hassan:  ''those  who  are  disp^d  to  rendw  him  assistance, 
may  follow  me." 

His  eloquence  was  powerfully  effective,  and  the  people  of 
Cufift  followed  him  to  the  number  of  nearly  nine  thousand.  Ik 
the  meantime  the  army  of  Ali  had  been  reinforced  from  other 
quarters,  and  now  amounted  to  thirty  thousand  men,  all  ci 
whom  had  seen  service.  When  he  appeared  with  his  force 
before  Bassora,  Ayesha  and  h^  confeaerates  were  dismayed, 
and  began  to  treat  of  conciliation.  Various  messages  passed 
between  the  hostile  parties,  and  Telha  and  Zobeir,  oonfioing  bk 
the  honourable  faith  of  Ali«  had  several  interviews  with  him. 

When  these  late  deadly  enemies  were  seen  waUdnf  baclr* 
ward  and  forward  together,  in  sieht  of  either  army,  and  holding 
long  conversations,  it  was  confidently  expected  that  a  peace 
would  be  effected ;  and  such  would  have  been  the  case  had  no 
malign  influence  interfered;  for  Ali,  with  his  impressive 
ioloquence,  touched  the  hearts  of  his  opponents  wnen  he 
Teproached  them  with  their  breach  of  faith,  and  warned  them 
ag^dnst  the  judgments  of  heaven.  "  Dost  thou  not  remember/* 
said  he  to  Zobeir,  "  how  Mahomet  once  asked  thee  if  thoa 
didst  not  love  his  dear  son  AliP  and  when  thou  answered 
yea,  dost  thou  not  remember  his  reply :  'Nevertheless  a  day 
will  come  when  thou  wilt  rise  up  against  him,  and  draw  down 
miseries  upon  him  and  upon  all  the  faithful  P' " 

"  I  remember  it  well,**  replied  Zobeir,  "  and  had  I  remem* 
bered  it  before,  never  would  I  have  talcen  up  aims  against 
you." 

He  returned  to  his  camp  determined  not  to  fight  against 
AK,  but  was  overruled  by  the  vindictive  Ayesha.  fiveiy 
attempt  at  pacification  was  defeated  by  that  turbulent  woman, 
and  the  armies  were  at  length  brought  to  battle.  Ayesha  took 
the  field  on  that  memorable  occasion,  mounted  in  a  litter  on 
her  great  camel  Alascar,  and  rode  up  and  down  among  h&t 
troops,  animating  them  by  her  presence  and  her  voice.    The 


AU.  178 

ft^  was  called^  from  ihat  eircamstanoe,  Tbe  Batde  of  ^ 
C^el,  and  also  The  Battle  of  Karibi^  from  tiie  field  on  wlddk 
it  was  fought. 

It  was  an  obstinate  and  bloody  conflict,  for  Moslem  was 
arrajed  against  Moslem,  and  nothing  is  so  merciless  and 
tmyielding  as  civil  war.  In  the  heat  of  the  %ht,  Merwan  Iba 
Hakem,  who  stood  near  Ali,  noticed  Telha  endeaTonring  to 
goad  on  the  flagging  valour  of  his  troops.  "  Behold  tlie  traitor 
Telha,"  cried  he,  "  but  lately  one  of  the  murderers  of  Olimiaii, 
now  the  pretended  avenger  of  his  blood.**    So  saying,  he  let 

Sr  an  arrow,  and  wounded  him  in  the  leg.  Telha  writhed  wiHi 
e  pain,  and  at  the  same  moment  his  horse  reared  and  threw 
him.  In  the  dismay  and  anguish  of  the  moment,  he  impre- 
cated the  vengeance  of  Allah  upon  his  own  head  for  the  dealii 
of  Othman.  Seeing  his  boot  full  of  blood,  he  made  one  of  lug 
followers  take  him  up  behind  him  on  his  horse,  knd  convey 
him  to  Bassora.  Finding  death  approaching,  he  called  to  one 
of  Ali's  men  who  happened  to  be  present :  "  Give  me  your 
hand,"  said  the  dying  penitent,  "  that  I  may  put  mine  m  it, 
and  thus  renew  my  oath  of  fealty  to  Ali."  With  these  words 
ho  expired.  His  dying  sneech  was  reported  to  Ali,  and  touched 
his  generous  heart.  ''  Allah,"  said  he,  "  would  not  call  him  to 
heaven,  until  he  had  blotted  out  his  first  breadi  of  his  word 
by  this  last  vow  of  fidelity." 

Zobeir,  the  other  conspirator,  had  entered  into  the  bat(l» 
wi<h  a  heavy  heart.  His  previous  conversation  with  Ali  had 
awakened  compunction  in  nis  bosom.  He  now  saw  that  old 
Ammar  Ibn  Yaser,  noted  for  probity  and  rectitude,  wa^  in  the 
Caliph's  host ;  and  he  recollected  hearing  Mahomet  say  that 
Ammar  Ibn  Yaser  would  always  be  founa  on  the  side  of  truth 
and  justice.  With  a  boding  spirit  he  drew  out  of  the  battle 
and  took  the  road  towards  Mecca.  As  he  was  urging  his 
melancholy  way,  he  came  to  a  valley  crossed  by  the  brook 
Sabaa,  where  Hanef  Ibn  £ais  was  encamped  with  a  horde  of 
Aa^bs,  awaiting  the  issue  of  the  battle,  ready  to  join  the  oo&« 
queror  and  share  the  spoil.  Hanef  knew  him  at  a  distance. 
"Is  there  no  one,"  said  ne,  "to  bring  me  tidings  of  ZobeirP** 
One  of  his  men,  Amru  Ibn  Jarmuz,  understooathe  hint,  and 
spurred  to  overtake  Zobeir.  The  latter,  suspecting  his  inten- 
tions, bade  him  keep  at  a  distance.  A  short  conversation  put 
them  on  friendly  terms,  and  they  both  dismoxmted  and  con- 
rersed  together.  The  hour  of  prayers  arrived.  "  Salat "  (to 
prayers !)  cried  Zobeir.  "  Salat,"  replied  Amru ;  but  as  Zo- 
beir prostrated  himself  in  supplication,  Amru  struck  off  his 
head,  and  hastened  with  it,  as  a  welcome  trophj,  to  Ali.  That 
generous  conqueror  shed  tears  over  the  bleedmg  heiid  of  6ne 
who  was  once  his  Mend.   Then  turning  to  his  slayer^  "  Henc^ 


m  6UCCB880BS  07.  HAHOMBT. 

miscreant!*'  cried  he,  "and  carir  thy  tidings  to  Ben  Safiak 
in  heU."  So  unexpected  a  malediction,  where  he  expected  a 
reward,  threw  Amru  into  a  transport  of  rage  and  desperation ; 
he  uttered  a  rhapsodjr  of  abuse  npon  Ali,  and  then,  drawing 
his  sword,  plunged  it  into  his  own  bosom. 

Such  was  the  end  of  the  two  leaders  oi  the  rebels.  As  to 
Ajesha,  the  implacable  soul  of  the  revolt,  she  had  mingled  that 
daj  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight.  Tabari,  the  Persian  mstorian^ 
with  national  exaggeration,  declares  that  the  heads  of  three- 
score and  ten  men  were  cut  off  that  held  the  bridle  of  her 
camel,  and  that  the  inclosed  Htter  in  which  she  rode,  was 
bristled  all  over  with  darts  and  arrows.  At  last  her  camel  was 
hamstringed,  and  sank  with  her  to  the  ground,  and  she 
remained  there  until  the  battle  was  concluded. 

Ayesha  might  have  looked  for  cruel  treatment  at  the  hands 
of  Aii,  having  been  his  rindictiye  and  persevering  enemy,  but 
he  was  too  magnanimous  to  triumph  over  a  fallen  foe.  It  is 
said  some  reproached  words  passed  between  them,  but  he 
treated  her  with  respect;  gave  her  an  attendance  of  forty 
females,  and  sent  his  sons  Hassan  and  Hosein  to  escort  her  & 
day's  journey  toward  Medina,  where  she  was  confined  to  her 
own  lK)use,  and  forbidden  to  intermeddle  any  more  with  affairs 
of  state.  He  then  divided  the  spoils  amon?  the  heirs  of  his 
soldiers  who  were  slain,  and  appointed  Abdallah  Ibn  Abbas 
governor  of  Bassora.  This  done,  he  repaired  to  Oufa,  and  in 
reward  of  the  assistance  he  had  received  from  its  inhabitants, 
made  that  city  the  seat  of  his  Caliphat.  These  occurrences 
took  place  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  ox  the  Hegira,  the  655th  (d 
tiie  Onristian  era. 


OHAPTEE  XXXIX. 

Battles  between  JUi  and  Moaw7ah.-~Their  daims  to  the  Galiphtt  left  to 
arbitration ;  the  result.— Deoliue  of  the  power  of  Ali.— Loss  of  Egypt 

The  victory  at  Xaribah  had  crushed  the  conspiracy  of  Ajesha»  < 
and  given  Ali  quiet  dominion  over  Egypt,  Antbia,  and  Persia; 
still  nis  most  formidable  adversary  remained  unsubdued* 
Moawyah  Ibn  Abu  Sofian  held  sway  over  the  wealthy  and 
populous  province  of  Syria ;  he  had  immense  treasures  and  a. 
powerful  army  at  his  command ;  he  had  the  prejudices  of  tibe 
Syrians  in  his  favour,  who  had  been  taught  to  implicate  All 
in  the  murder  of  Othman,  and  refused  to  acknowledge  him  as 
Caliph.    Still  furthei^  to  strengthen  himself  in  defiance  of  the 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


Auu  177 

aoyereign  power,  he  sought  the  aUianoe  of  Amru,  who  had 
been  displaced  from  the  government  of  Effvpt  by  AJi,  and  waa 
now  a  discontented  man  in  Palestine.  Restoration  to  that 
command  was  to  be  the  reward  of  his  successful  co-operation- 
with  Moawyah  in  deposing  Ali:  thd  terms  were  accepted: 
Amm  hastened  to  Damascus  at  the  head  of  a  devoted  mrce ; 
and  finding  the  public  mind  ripe  for  his  purpose,  gave  the 
hand  of  allegiance  to  Moawyah  m  presence  of  the  assembled 
army,  and  proclaimed  him  Caliph  amid  the  shouts  of  the 
multitude. 

Ali  had  in  vain  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  hostility  of 
Moawyah,  bv  all  conciliatory  means ;  when  he  heard  of  this 
portentous  alliance,  he  took  the  field  and  marched  for  Syria, 
at  the  head  of  ninety  thousand  men.  The  Arabians,  with 
l^eir  accustomed  fondness  for  the  marvellous,  signalize  his 
entrance  into  the  confines  of  Syria  with  an  omen.  Having 
halted  his  army  in  a  place  where  there  was  no  water,  he  sum- 
moned a  Christian  hermit,  who  lived  in  a  neighbouring  cave, 
and  demanded  to  be  shown  a  well.  The  anchorite  assured 
him  that  there  was  nothing  but  a  cistern,  in  which  there  were 
scarce  three  buckets  of  ram  water.  Ali  maintained  that  cer-' 
tain  prophets  of  the  people  of  Israel  had  abode  there  in  times 
of  old,  and  had  digged  a  well  there.  The  hermit  replied,  that 
a  well  did  indeed  exist  there,  but  it  had  been  shut  up  for  ages,  * 
and  all  traces  of  it  lost,  and  it  was  only  to  be  discovered  and 
re-opened  by  a  predestined  hand.  He  then,  savs  the  Arabian ' 
tradition,  produced  a  parchment  scroll  written  by  Simeon  ben 
Safa  (Simon  Cephas),  one  of  the  greatest  apostles  of  Jesua 
Christ,  predicting  the  coming  of  Mahomet,  the  last  of  the 
»rophets,  and  that  this  well  would  be  discovered  and  re-opened 
)j  nis  lawM  heir  and  successor. 

Ali  listened  with  becoming  reverence  to  this  prediction ; 
then  turning  to  his  attendants  and  pointing  to  a  spot,  ''  Dig 
there,"  said  he.  They  digf^ed,  and  after  a  time  came  to  an 
immense  stone,  which  havmg  removed  with  difficulty,  the 
miraculous  well  stood  revealed,  afibrding  a  seasonable  supply 
to  the  army,  and  an  un<}uestionable  proof  of  the  legitimate 
daun  of  Ali  to  the  Cahphat.  The  venerable  hermit  was 
struck  with  conviction ;  he  fell  at  the  feet  of  Ali,  embraced 
his  knees,  and  never  afterwards  would  leave  him. 

It  was  on  the  first  day  of  the  thirty-seventh  year  of  the 
Hegira  (ISth  June,  a.d.  6&7),  that  Ali  came  in  sight  of  the 
army  or  Moawyah,  consisting  of  eighty  thousand  men, 
encamped  on  the  plain  of  Seffein,  on  me  banks  of  the 
Euphrates,  on  the  confines  of  Babylonia  and  Syria.  Asso- ' 
ciated  with  Moawyah  was  the  redoubtable  Amru,  a  powerful 

IT  ^ 


I 


178  8FCCB8SOSS  <»  KJlHOMET. 

dy  both  in  oonndl  and  in  the  field.  The  arm  j  of  AH  mm 
inperior  in  number ;  in  hb  host,  too,  he  had  seyeral  Teteraos 
wno  had  fought  under  Mahomet  in  the  famous  battle  of  Beder^ 
and  thence  prided  themselyee  in  the  surname  of  Shahabidi; 
that  is  to  say,  Companions  of  the  Prophet.  The  most  dis- 
tinguished of  these  was  old  Ammar  Ibn  Yaser,  All's  ffeneral 
of  horse,  who  had  fought  repeatedly  b^  the  side  of  MiQiomet. 
He  was  ninety  years  df  age,  yet  fuU  of  spirit  and  activity,  and 
idolized  by  the  Moslem  soldiery. 

The  armies  lay  encamped  in  sisht  of  each  other,  bat  as  it 
was  the  first  montii  of  the  Modem  year,  a  sacred  mon^, 
when  all  warfare  is  prohibited,  it  was  consumed  in  negotiar 
iions ;  for  All  still  wished  to  avoid  the  efiusion  of  kindred 
blood.  His  efibrta  were  in  vain,  and  in  the  next  month  hos-- 
tiilities  commenced ;  siill  AH  drew  his  sword  with  an  trnwiUing 
hand;  he  charged  his  soldiers  never  to  be  the  first  to  fight; 
never  to  harm  those  who  fled,  and  never  to  do  violence  to  a 
woman.  Moawyah  and  Amru  were  likewise  sensible  of  the 
unnatural  character  of  this  war ;  the  respective  leaders,  therft> 
fore,  avoided  any  general  action,  and  m<mths  passed  in  mer» 
skirmishinga.  I^ese,  however,  were  sharp  and  saDguinaiy^ 
and  in  the  course  of  four  months  Moawyah  is  said  to  have 
l<Mtt  five-and-fbrty  thousand  men,  and  Ali  more  than  half  that 
ivumber. 

Among  the  slain  on  the  part  of  Ali,  were  five-and-twenty 
of 4he  Sbahabah,  the  veterans  of  Beder»  and  cemnanicms  ot 
^e  proohet^  GQieir  deaths  were  deplored  even  by  the  enemy  ; 
but  nothing  caused  greater  grief  than  the  fall  of  the  hnsve  old 
Ammar  Hm  Yaser»  Ah's  general  of  horse,  and  the  patrtarck 
of  Moid«n  ohrrahfy.  Moawyah  and  Amru  beheld  him  falL 
"  Do  you  see,"  cried  Moawyah,  "  what  precious  hvea  are 
lest  in  our  diasensicms  F"  "  See  1"  exchumed  Amra ;  "  waoSid 
to  Gk>d  I  had  died  tw«ity  years  since !" 

Ali  forgot  Ins  usual  mooeration  on  beholdii&g  thet  fate  cf 
his  brave  old  general  of  the  horse ;  and  patting  himself  at 
the  head  of  twelve  thousand  eavabry^  made  a  fimous  change 
to  av^i£e  his  death.  The  ranks  ai  the  enemy  were  broken  by 
the  shock;  but  tibte  heart  of  Ali  soon  relented  at  the  siffht  of 
carnage.  Spurrmff  within  call  of  Moawyah,  ''  How  long^*' 
cried  he,."  shall  Moskm  blood  be  shed  like  water  in  owr 
strife?  Come  hrOx,  and  let  Allah  decide  betwe^iUB.  WhieiL- 
ever  k  victor  in  thft  %ht»  let  him  be  ruler." 

Amru  was  struck  with  the  generous  challenge,  and  urged 
Moawyah  to  accept  it;  but  tiM  latter  shunned  an  eneimnter 
with  an  enemy  somaned  '^  The  1km*"  lor  his  prowess^  and 
'v^had  alwafu  ahaa  hia  edreraaryin  aingk  i^hl.    Aorar 

gtized  byT^OOgle 


m 

^ted  at  tlie  disgrace  ihftt  would  attoad  Im  reAiaal;  to 
wluelL  Moawyah  answered  wii&  a  sneer,  '*  You  do  wisely  to 
pfOYoke  a  combat  that  may  make  you  eovemor  of  Syria," 

A  desperate  battle  at  length  took  place,  which  continued 
throughout  the  night.  Many  were  slain  on  both  sides ;  but 
most  on  the  part  of  the  Syrians.  Alashtar  was  the  hero  of 
ihis  fight ;  he  was  mounted  upon  a  piebald  hOTse,  and  wielded 
a  two-edged  sword;  every  stroke  of  that  terrible  weapon 
dove  down  a  warrior,  and  ev^  stroke  was  accompanied  by 
the  shout  of  Allah  Achbar !  He  was  heard  to  utter  that  por- 
tentous exclamation,  say  the  Arabian  historians,  four  hundred 
times  durmg  the  darkness  of  the  night. 

The  day  dawned  disastrously  upon  the  Syrians.  Alashtar 
was  pressing  them  to  their  very  encampment,  and  Moawyahk 
was  m  despair,  when  Amru  suggested  an  expedient,  fomided 
<m  the  religious  scruples  of  the  Moslems.  On  a  sudden,  the 
Syrians  ekvated  the  Koran  <hl  the  points  of  their  lances* 
"  Behold  the  book  of  God,'*  cried  they ;  "  let  that  decide  our 
differences.'*  The  soldiers  of  Ali  instantly  dropped  the  points 
of  their  weapons.  It  was  in  vain  Ali  reuresented  that  thia 
was  all  a  tridc,  and  endeavoured  to  urge  tliem  on.  "  What  I" 
cried  they,  "  do  you  refuse  to  submit  to  the  decision  of  the 
book  of  God!" 

Ali  found  that  to  persist  would  be  to  shock  their  bigot  pre- 
judices, and  to  bring  a  storm  upon  his  own  head ;  reluctantly, 
therefore,  he  sounded  a  retreat;  but  it  required  repeated 
blasts  to  call  off  Alashtar,  who  come,  his  scimetar  dnppinff 
with  blood,  and  murmuring  at  being,  as  he  said,  tricked  out  <S 
ao  glorious  a  victory. 

Umpires  were  now  appointed  to  settle  this  great  dispute 
aecordmg  to  the  dictates  of.i&e  Koran.  Ali  would  hnfo  nomi- 
Bated,  on  his  part,  Abdallah  Ibn  Abbas,  but  he  was  objected 
to,  as  being  his  cousin-german.  He  then  named  the  brave 
Alashtar,  but  he  was  likewise  set  aside,  and  Abu  Musa  pressed 
upon  him — an  upright,  but  simple  and  somewhat  garrulous 
man,  as  has  abresuiy  oeen  showB.  As  to  Moawyah,  he  managed* 
on  his  part,  to  have  Amru  Xbn  al  Aass  appointed,  the  shrewd^ 
est  and  most  sagacious  man  in  all  Araoia.  The  two  rival 
leaders  then  retired,  Ali  to  Oufa,  and  Moawyah  to  Damasoofla 
leaving  generals  in  ocmmiand  of  their  respeddve  armieSn 

The  arUtrators  met  several  montibks  afkWards  at  Jumat  al 
Joudel,  in  presenee  of  both  armies,  who  were  jj^ged  to  sup* 
port  their  decision.  Amru.  who  understood  uie  weak  pointi 
^  Musa's  charact^,  treated  him  with  great  deference,  and^ 
after  having  w<a  im  oonfidenoe,  persuaded  him  that,  to  heal 
thfloe  diaaeiiHioiiB^  aiidpvaveiit  waheddixigofkiiukfiidblood* 
v2 


IgO  ,  8UCCESS0B8  OF  UAHOMST. 

it  would  be  expedient  to  set  aside  both  candidates,  and  let  the 
faithfol  elect  a  third.  This  being  screed  noon,  a  tribunal  was 
erected  between  the  armies,  ana  Amru,  tnrongh  pretended . 
deference,  insisted  that  Musa  should  be  the  first  to  ascend  it 
and  address  the  people.  Abu  Musa  accordingly  ascended, 
and  proclaimed  with  a  loud  voice,  "  I  depose  Ali  and  Moawjidi 
from  the  office  to  which  they  pretend,  even  as  I  draw  this  ring' 
from  my  finger."    So  saying,  he  descended. 

Amru  now  mounted  in  his  turn.  "  You  have  heard,"  said 
he,  "  how  Musa,  on  his  part,  has  deposed  Ali ;  I,  on  my  part, 
depose  him  also ;  and  I  adjudge  the  Caliphat  to  Moawyah, 
and  invest  him  with  it,  as  1  invest  my  finger  with  this  ring ; 
and  I  do  it  with  justice,  for  he  is  the  rightful  successor  and 
avenger  of  Othman." 

Murmurs  succeeded  from  the  partisans  of  Ali,  and  from 
Abu  Musa,  who  complained  of  the  insincerity  of  Amru.  The 
Syrians  applauded  the  decision,  and  both  parties,  being  pre- 
vented from  hostilities  by  a  solemn  truce,  separated  without 
any  personal  violence,  but  with  mutual  revilings  and  auff- 
niented  enndiy.  A  kind  of  religious  feud  sprang  up,  whiSi 
continued  for  a  long  time  between  the  house  of  Ali  and  that 
of  Ommiah ;  they  never  mentioned  each  other  wiiiiout  a 
curse,  and  pronounced  an  excommunication  upon  each  other 
whenever  tney  harangued  the  people  in  the  mosque. 

The  power  of  Ali  now  began  to  wane ;  the  decision  pro- . 
nounced  against  him  influenc^  many  of  his  own  party,  and  a 
revolt  was  at  length  stirred  up  among  his  followers  by  a  set 
of  fanatic  zealots,  called  Karigites,  or  seceders,  who  msisted 
that  he  had  done  wrong  in  referring  to  the  judgment  of  men 
what  ought  to  be  decided  by  Gk)d  fdone ;  and  that  he  had  re- 
fused to  Dreak  the  truce  and  massacre  his  enemies  when  in 
his  jwwer, ,  though  they  had  proved  themselves  to  be  the 
enemies  of  God ;  they  therefore  renounced  allegiance  to  him, 
appointed  Abdallah  Ibn  Waheb  as  their  leader,  and  set  up 
tneir  standard  at  Naharwan,  a  few  miles  from  Bagdad, 
whither  the  disaffected  repaired  from  ail  quarters,  until  they 
amounted  to  twenty-five  tnousand. 

The  appearance  of  Ali  with  an  army  brought  many  of  them 
to  their  senses.  Willing  to  use  gentle  measures,  he  caused 
a  standard  to  be  erected  outside  of  his  camp,  and  proclaimed 
apardon  to  such  of  the  malcontents  as  should  rally  round  it. 
The  rebel  army  immediateW^  began  to  melt  away,  until 
Abdallah  Ibn  Waheb  was  left  witih  only  four  thousand  adhe- 
rents. These,  however,  were  fierce  .enthusiasts,  and  their 
leader  was  a  fanatic.  Trusting  that  AUah  and  ihe  prophet 
woidd  render  him  miraculous  aspiitance,  he  attacked  the 


in.  181 

tucmj  of  AH  with  his  bandM  of  men,  who  fought  witH  such 
desperation  ihat  nine  only  escaped.  These  serred  as  fire- 
brands to  enkindle  future  mischief. 

Moawyah  had  now  recourse  to  a  stratagem  to  sow  troubles 
in  Egypt,  and  ultimately  to  put  it  in  uie  hands  of  Amru. 
Ali,  on  assuming  the  Caliphat,  had  appointed  Saad  Ibn  £ais 
to  the  ^ovemment  of  tluit  prorince,  who  administered  its 
affairs  with  abiHty.  Moawyah  now  forged  a  letter  from  Saad 
to  himself,  professing  devotion  to  his  interests,  and  took 
measures  to  let  it  fall  mto  the  hands  of  Ali.  The  plan  was 
successfrd.  The  suspicions  of  AH  were  excited ;  he  recaHed 
Saad,  and  appointed  m  his  place  Mahomet,  son  of  Abu  Beker, 
and  brother  of  Ayesha.  Mahomet  be^an  to  govern  with  a 
high  hand ;  proscribing  and  exiling  the  leaders  of  the  Othman 
faction,  who  made  the  murder  of  the  late  Caliph  a  question 
of  party.  This  immediately  produced  commotions  and  insur- 
rections, and  all  Egypt  was  getting  into  a  blaze.  AH  again 
sought  to  remedy  the  evil  by  changing  the  governor,  and 
dispatched  Malec  Shutur,  a  man  of  prudence  and  abiHiy,  to 
take  the  command.  In  the  course  of  his  journey,  Malec 
lodged  one  night  at  the  house  of  a  peasant,  on  the  confines  of 
Arabia  and  Egypt.  The  peasant  was  a  creature  of  Moawyah's, 
and  poisoned  nis  unsuspecting  guest  with  a  pot  of  honey. 
Moawyah  foUowed  up  this  treacherous  act  by  sending  Amru 
with  SIX  thousand  horse  to  seize  unon  Egypt  in  its  present 
stormy  state.  Amru  hastened  witii  ioy  to  the  scene  of  his 
former  victories,  made  his  way  rapidly  to  Alexandria,  united 
his  force  with  that  of  Ibn  Shaaig,  the  leader  of  the  Othman 
party,  and  they  together  routed  Mahomet  Ibn  Abu  Beker 
and  took  him  prisoner.  The  avengers  of  Othman  reviled 
Mahomet  with  nis  assassination  of  that  CaHph,  put  him  to 
death,  enclosed  his  body  in  the  carcase  of  an  ass,  and  burnt 
both  to  ashes.  Then  Amru  assumed  the  government  of  Egypt 
as  lieutenant  of  Moawyah. 

WlwBn  Ayesha  heard  of  the  death  of  her  brother,  she  knelt 
down  in  the  mosque,  and  in  the  agony  of  her  heart  invoked 
a  curse  upon  Moawyah  and  Amru,  an  invocation  which  she 
thenceforth  repeated,  at  the  end  of  all  her  prayers.  AH,  also, 
was  afHicted  at  the  death  of  Mahomet,  and  exclaimed,  "  The 
murderers  wiU  answer  for  this  before  Grod." 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


IfiS 


CHAPTEBZL. 

Pkcptfttione  of  AM  te  the  lB?ad<Hi  or  Qjite.— mt 

Thb  Ion  of  Egypt  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  fortunes  of  Ali^ 
aad  he  had  the  mortification  subsequently  to  behold  his  actiTe 
liyal  make  himself  master  of  Hejac,  plant  his  standard  on  tha 
sacred  cities  oi  Mecca  and  Medina*  and  ravage  the  fertila 
porince  of  Yemen.  The  decline  of  his  power  affected  his 
q>irits,  and  he  sank  at  times  into  despondency.  His  melancholr 
was  aggravated  by  the  conduct  of  his  own  brother,  Okail^ 
who,  under  pretence  that  AH  did  not  maintain  him  in  suitabla 
sMe,  deserted  him  in  his  sinking  fortunes*  and  went  over  to 
Moawyah,  who  rewarded  his  unnatural  desertion  with  anipla 
levenues. 

Still  Ali  meditated  one  more  grand  effort.  Sixty  thonsaind 
devoted  adherents  pledged  themselves  to  stand  oy  him  to 
the  death,  and  with  these  he  prepared  to  march  into  Syna. 
While  prenarations  were  going  on,  it  chanced  that  tJiree 
aealots,  of  tne  sect  of  Earigites,  met  as  pilgrims  in  the  mosque 
of  Meooa»  and  fell  into  conversation  about  the  battle  o£ 
Naharwaa,  wherein  four  thousand  of  their  brethren  had  lost 
their  lives.  This  led  to  lam^itaticms  over  the  dissensions  and 
dismemberment  of  tiie  Moslem  empire,  all  which  they  attii- 
buted  to  the  amlntion  of  Ali,  Moawyah,  and  Amru.  'Hie 
Karimtes  were  a  &natio  sect;  and  these  men  were  zealots  ai 
that  dangerous  kind,  who  are  ready  to  sacrifice  their  lives  in 
the  accomplishment  <^  any  bigot  plan.  In  their  inluriate 
seal,  they  determined  that  the  only  way  to  restore  peace  and 
imiiy  to  Idam,  would  be  to  destroy  these  three  ambitious 
leaders,  and  they  devoted  themselves  to  the  taok,  each 
undertaking  to  dispatch  his  victim.  The  several  assassinations 
'Were  to  be  effected  at  the  same  time,  on  Friday,  the  seven- 
teenth of  the  month  "Rumadftn,  at  the  hour  of  prayer;  and 
that  their  blows  might  be  infallibly  mortal,  they  were  to  use 
poisoned  weapcms. 

The  names  of  the  consnirators  were  Barak  Ibn  Abddlab, 
Amru  Ibn  Asi,  and  Abda'Jrahman  Ibn  Melgem.  Barak  re- 
paired to  Damascus,  and  mingled  in  the  retinue  of  Moawyah 
on  the  day  appointed,  which  was  the  Moslem  Sabbath ;  then, 
as  the  usurper  was  officiating  in  the  mosque  as  pontiff,  Barak 
gave  nim  wnat  he  consider^  a  fatal  blow.    The  wound  was 


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XUU  181 

^dasperate,  baft  tlie  Hfe  <>f  MoKwrph  wu  wred  bj  clespenito 
Temedias;  tlie  fliBassin  was  mutilated  of  bands  and  feet,  aai 
suffered  to  live,  but  was  skin  in  after  years  by  a  Mend  of 
Moawyah. 

Amru  Ibn  Asi,  the  second  of  tbese  fanatics,  entered  the 
mosque  in  ^^ypt,  on  the  same  day  and  hour,  and  with  on« 
blow  killed  farijab  tbe  Imam,  who  officiated,  imagining  bint 
to  be  Amru  Ibn  al  Aass,  who  was  prevented  from  attsnding 
the  mosque  through  illness.  The  assassin  being  led  before 
his  intended  victim,  and  informed  of  his  error,  replied  with, 
the  resignation  of  a  predestinarian :  '*  I  intended  ijnru ;  but 
Allah  intended  Karijah."    He  was  presently  executed. 

Abda'lrahman,  the  third  assassin,  repaired  to  Cufa,  where 
AH  held  his  court  Here  he  lodged  with  a  woman  of  the  sect 
of  the  Karigites,  whose  husband  had  been  killed  in  the  battle 
of  Neharw£i.  To  this  woman  he  made  proposals  of  marria^e^ 
but  she  replied  she  would  have  no  man  who  could  not  bring 
her,  as  a  dowry,  three  thousand  drachms  of  silyer,  a  slaye,  m 
nudd-servant,  and  the  head  of  Ali.  He  accepted  the  condi* 
tions,  and  joined  two  other  Karigites,  called  Derwan  and 
Shabib,  with  him  in  the  enterprise.  They  stationed  them^ 
s^yes  in  the  mosque  to  await  the  coming  of  the  Caliph. 

Ah  had  recently  been  afflicted  with  one  of  his  fits  of 
despondency,  and  had  uttered  ejaculations  which  were  after* 
waros  considered  presages  of  his  impending  fate.  In  one  of 
his  melancholy  moods  he  exclaimed,  with  a  heavy  sigh; 
**  Alas,  my  h^urt !  there  is  need  of  patience,  for  there  is  no 
semedy  against  death  T  In  parting  from  his  house  to  go  to 
the  mosque,  there  was  a  clamour  among  his  domestic  &wli^ 
which  he  interpreted  into  a  fatal  omen.  As  he  entered  ihm 
motec^ue  the  assassins  drew  their  swords,  and  pretended  to  be 

S^htmg  among  themselves;  Derwan  aimed  a  blow  at  the 
aliph,  but  it  fell  short,  and  stfuck  the  ^te  of  the  mosque  | 
m  blow  from  Abda'lrahman  was  better  aimed,  and  wounded 
Ali  ii^  the  head.  The  assassins  then  separated  and  fied. 
Derwan  was  pursued  and  slain  at  the  thresnold  of  his  home; 
Shabib  distanced  his  pursuers  and  escaped.  Abda'lrahman* 
after  some  search,  was  discovered  hidden  in  a  comer  of  the 
mosque,  his  sword  still  in  his  hand.  He  was  dragged  forth 
and  brought  before  the  Caliph.  The  wound  of  AJi  was  pro- 
nounced mortal ;  he  consi^ed  his  murderer  to  the  custody  of 
his  son  Hassan,  adding,  with  his  accustomed  clemency,  '*  JLet 
him  want  for  nothing ;  and,  if  I  die  of  my  wound,  let  him  not 
be  tortured  *  let  his  death  be  by  a  single  blow.'*  His  orders* 
according  to  the  Persian  writers,  were  strictly  oonplied  with» 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


184  8irCCB880B8  .or  ILIHOMBT. 

bat  tke  AnlnanB  cLedare  that  lie  was  killed  by  piecemeal;  and 
the  Moslemi  apposed  to  the  sect  of  All  hold  him  up  as  a 
martyr. 

The  death  of  Ali  happened  within  three  days  after  receiy- 
ing  his  wound :  it  was  m  ihe  fortieth  year  of  the  Hesira,  ajd. 
6&.  He  was  abont  sixty-three  years  of  a^e,  of  which  he  had 
reisned  not  quite  fire.  His  remains  were  mterred  about  five 
mi&s  from  Cufa ;  and,  in  after  times,  a  magnificent  tomb» 
ooYered  by  a  mosque,  with  a  sjplendid  dcnne,  rose  oyer  hia 
mye,  and  it  became  the  site  oi  a  city  called  Mecdied  Ali,  or 
tike  SeDulohre  of  Ali,  and  was  enridied  and  beautified  by 
mwoy  Persian  monarchs. 

We  make  no  concluding  comments  on  the  noble  and 
generous  character  of  Ali,  which  has  been  sufficiently  illua- 
trated  throughout  all  the  receded  circumstances  of  his  life. 
He  was  one  of  the  last  and  worthiest  of  the  primitiye  Moslems,, 
"^ho  imbibed  his  religious  enthusiasm  from  companionship 
with  the  prophet  himself;  and  who  followed,  to  the  last,  the 
simplicity  of  nis  example.  He  is  honourably  spoken  of  as  the 
first  Caliph  who  accorded  some  protection  to  JBelles-Lettres* 
He  indulged  in  the  poetic  yein  himself,  and  many  of  his 
maxims  and  proyerbs  are  preserved,  and  have  been  translated 
into  yarious  languages.  His  signet  bore  this  inscription: 
.«  The  kingdom  belongs  to  Grod."  One  of  his  sayin^js  sbowv 
the  little  yalue  he  set  upon  the  transitory  glories  of  this  worlcf. 
f  <  Life  is  but  the  shadow  of  a  cloud ;  the  cEream  of  a  sleeper." 

By  his  first  wife,  Fatima,  the  daughter  of  Mahomet,  he  had 
three  sons,  Mohassan,  who  died  young,  and  Hassan  and 
Hosein,  who  surviyed  him.  After  her  death  he  had  eight 
other  wiyes,  and  his  issue,  in  all,  amounted  to  fifteen  sons  and 
eighteen  daughters.  His  descendants  by  Eatima  are  dis- 
tinguished among  Moslems  as  descendants  of  the  prophet,  and 
are  yer^  numerous,  being  reckoned  both  by  the  male  and 
iemale  une.  They  wear  turbans  of  a  peculiar  fashion,  and 
twist  their  hair  in  a  difierent  manner  nrom  oth^  Moslems. 
They  are  considered  of  noble  blood,  and  designated  in  dif- 
ferent countries  by  yarious  titles,  such  as  SherSfs,  Eatimites^ 
and  Emirs.  The  JPersians  yenerate  Ali  as  next  to  ihe  prophel^ 
.and  solemnize  the  amiiyersary  of  his  martyrdom.  The  Turks 
bold  him  in  abhorrence,  and,  for  a  lon^^  time,  in  their  prayers, 
.accompanied  his  name  with  execrations;  but  subsequently 
abated  in  their  yiolence.  It  is  said  that  Ali  was  bom  in  tiie 
•Oas^  or  holy  temple  of  Mecca,  where  his  mother  was  sud- 
,denly  taken  in  labour,  and  that  he  was  the  only  person  qt 
jmch  distinguished  birth. 

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185 


CHAPTBE  XM. 
Saooenioa  of  Hasmui.  fifth  Caliphs — He  abdicates  in  fliyoar  of  Hoawjab* 

Iir  his  dying  moments  AH  had  refused  to  nominate  a  succes- 
sor, but  his  eldest  son,  Hassan,  then  in  his  thirty-seyenl^ 
▼ear,  was  elected  without  opposition.  He  stood  high  in  the 
fayour  of  the  people,  partly  m>m  his  having  been  a  favourite 
with  his  granafather,  the  prophet,  to  whom,  in  his  features, 
he  bore  a  strong  resemblance ;  but  chiefly  from  the  moral 
excellence  of  his  character,  for  he  was  upright,  sincere,  bene- 
Tolent,  and  devout.  He  lacked,  however,  ^e  energy  and 
courage  necessary  to  a  sovereignty  where  the  sceptre  was  a 
sword ;  and  he  was  unfitted  to  command  in  the  civil  wars 
which  distracted  the  empire,  for  he  had  a  horror  of  shedding 
.Moslem  blood.  He  made  a  funeral  speech  over  his  father's 
remains,  showing  that  his  death  was  coincident  with  great 
and  solemn  events.  '*  He  was  slain,"  said  he,  ''  on  the  same 
night  of  the  year  in  which  the  Koran  was  transmitted  to 
earai ;  in  which  Isa  (Jesus)  was  taken  up  to  heaven,  and  in 
which  Joshua,  the  son  of  Nun,  was  killed.  By  Allah!  none 
of  his  predecessors  surpassed  him,  nor  will  he  ever  be  equalled 
by  a  successor." 

Then  Kais,  a  trusty  friend  of  the  house  of  AH,  commenced 
the  inauguration  of  the  new  CaUph.  ''Stretch  forth  thy 
hand,"  said  he  to  Hassan,  "  in  |>ledge  that  thou  wilt  stand  by 
the  book  of  God,  and  the  tradition  of  the  apostle,  and  malre 
war  against  all  opposers."  Hassan  oompHed  with  the  cere- 
monifu,  and  was  proclaimed  CaHph,  and  the  people  were  called 
upon  to  acknowledge  allegiance  to  him,  and  engage  to  main- 
tiun  peace  with  his  friends,  and  war  with  his  enemies.  Some 
of  the  people,  however,  with  the  characteristic  ficldeness  of 
Babylonians,  murmured  at  the  suggestion  of  frurUier  warfare, 
and  said,  we  want  no  fighting  Cahph. 

Had  Hassan  consulted  his  own  inclination,  he  would  wil- 
lingly have  clung  to  peace,  and  submitted  to  the  usurpations 
of  Moawyah;  but  he  was  surrounded  by  valiant  generals 
eager  for  action,  and  stimulated  by  his  brother  Hosein,  who 
innerited  the  daring  character  of  their  father ;  beside,  there 
were  sixty  thousana  fighting  men,  all  ready  for  the  field,  and 
who  had  been  on  the  point  of  marching  into  Syria  under  AIL 
Unwillingly,  therefore,  he  put  himself  at  the  head  of  this 
force  and  commenced  his  march.  Beceiving  intelHgence  that 
Hoawyah  had  already  taken  the  field  and  was  advancing 

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186  8ITCCB8SOB8  OF  MAHOKET. 

to  meet  him,  he  sent  Xjak  in  the  adyance,  with  12,000  light 
troops,  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  while  he  followed  with, 
the  main  anny.  Kais  executed  his  commission  with  spirit, 
had  a  smart  skirmish  with  the  Syrians,  and  haying  checked 
thmi  in  their  lutvanee,  halted,  tmd  pat  himadf  in  a  positioa 
to  await  the  comiDg  of  the  Caliph. 

HaiBin,  howeyer,  had  alreaoj  beoome  6ei»3^  of  his  hi^ 
competency  to  military  oommand.  lliere  was  disaffectioft 
among  some  of  his  troops,  who  w«re  people  of  Irak  or  Baby- 
lonia, disinclined  to  this  war.  On  reaching  the  city  of 
Hadayn,  an  a£Qray  took  place  among  the  soldiers,  in  whidk 
one  was  slain.  A  fierpe  tomnlt  snoeeeided ;  Hassan  attempted 
to  interfisre,  but  was  jostled  and  woimded  in  the  throng,  and 
oUigedto  retire  into  the  citadel  He  had  taken  ref^  from 
▼ioleaoe,  and  was  in  danger  of  treason,  for  the  ne^Mw  of  tlia 
ffoyemor  of  Madayn  prc^osed  to  his  imcle«  now  that  he  had 
Hassan  within  his  castie,  to  mak^  him  his  prisoner,  and  send 
faim  in  chains  to  Mcawjrah.  "  A  curse  upon  thee  for  a  traitor 
and  an  infidel!"  cried  the  honest  old  goyemor;  ''wouldsl 
thoa  betray  the  son  of  the  danghter  <]€  the  Apostle  of  God  P* 

The  mild4empered  Caliph,  who  had  no  ambition  of  com* 
mand,  was  already  dii^eartraed  by  its  troubleB.  He  sair 
that  he  had  an  actiye  and  powerftil  enemy  to  contend  with, 
vad  fickleness  and  timu^ery  among  his  own  people ;  he  sent 
proposals  to  Moawyah,  offering  to  resign  the  Cidiphat  to  him, 
on  condition  that  he  should  be  aflowea  to  retain  the  maney 
in  the  public  treasury  at  Oo^  and  the  reyenues  of  a  gre» 
estate  m  Persia^  and  that  Moawyah  would  desist  from  dDL 
eyil-speaking  against  his  deceased  father.  Moawyah  assented 
to  the  two  ibrmer  of  these  stipulations,  but  would  only  c(Hfe* 
•Mit  to  refrain  from  iqpeaking  enlof  Aliin  presence  of  Hassasi; 
and*  indeed,  such  was  the  sectarian  hatred  already  engen- 
dered against  AH,  that,  ander  the  sway  of  Moawyah,  hift 
name  was  neyer  mentioned  in  the  mosques  without  a  ourss^ 
and  audi  continued  to  be  the  case  for  seyeral  goierationB 
imder  the  dominion  of  the  house  of  Ommiah. 

Anothor  condition  exacted  by  Hassan,  and  whidi  ultimately 
proyed  fatal  to  him,  was  that  ne  should  be  entitled  to  resume 
Ihe  Caliphat  on  the  death  of  Moaw^rah,  who  was  aboye  a  score 
of  years  his  senior.  These  terms  being  satisfactorily  adju8ted« 
Hassan  abdicated  in  iayour  of  Moawysh,  to  the  great  inctig- 
nation  of  his  brother  Hoeein,  who  considered  the  memory  of 
their  father  Ali  dishonoured  by  this  arrangement.  The  peopli 
of  Cufa  refused  to  comply  widi  that  condition  relatiye  to  tha 
public  treasury ;  insisting  upon  it  that  it  was  their  propertf. 
Moawyah,  hdwersr,  ailowM  Hassan  an  immezoe  Teif&Mf^ 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


m&  wliick  h&  retired  with  his  brother  io  Me<&aa»  id  ^ifyf* 

that  ease  and  tran<]ui]Iity  whi<^  he  bo  mooh  |Nnied»  Hu  wb 
was  exemplary  cuid  deTout,  and  the  greater  purt  of  his  T&reajm 
was  expended  in  acta  of  charity. 

Moawyah  seems  to  have  been  well  aware  of  the  powar  oC 
gold  in  making  the  most  distasteful  thinffs  palataUe.  Aaold 
beldame  of  the  lineage  of  Hsflchem,  and  Immdi  of  AJi,  onM 
reproached  him  with  having  supplanted  that  family,  who  w«r* 
his  cousins,  and  with  having  acted  toward  them  as  PhanM^ 
did  toward  the  children  of  Israel.  Moawyah  gently  r^^ied» 
*'  May  Allah  pardon  what  is  past,"  and  rnqoirod  what  were 
ber  wants.  She  said  two  thousand  pieces  of  gold  fot  her 
poor  relations,  two  thousand  as  a  dower  for  her  children^  and 
two  thousand  as  a  su^ort  ^^r  herself.  The  money  was  gmift 
inatantly.  and  the  tcmgue  of  the  elamonMu  virago  was  aili^^wcb 


CHAPTER  YTiTT. 

BOgA  fif  Uoawyuli  In  tfsrft  Oa]ipb.--4ioeMiiit  oTMsfitei^tlaiate 
brother  Zeyad.— JDMth  of  Amn. 


MoAWTAH  now,  in  the  forty-first  year  of  the  Hegira,  i—  ^ 

legitimate  dominion  over  the  whole  Moslem  empire.    Tho 
Karigites,  it  is  true,  a  fanatic  sect  opposed  to  aU  regular 

fovernment,  spiritual  or  temporal,  excited  an  insurrection  m 
yria,  but  Moawyah  treated  them  with  more  thorough  ri^^our 
than  his  predecessors,  and  finding  the  Syrians  not  suMcieiift 
to  cope  with  them,  called  in  his  newsul^ects,  the  Bal^loiuans, 
to  show  their  allegiance  by  rooting  out  this  pestilent  aeoti 
nor  did  he  stay  his  hand,  imtil  they  were  almost  exterminated^ 
With  this  Caliph  commenced  the  famous  djnastj  of  th» 
Ommiades  or  Omeyades,  so  called  &om  Ommiah  his  greats 
grandfather ;  a  dynasty  which  lasted  for  many  g[enerati(»ia» 
and  gave  some  of  the  most  brilliant  names  to  Arabian  history. 
Moawyah  himself  gave  indications  of  intellectual  refinement* 
He  surrounded  himself  with  men  distinguished  in  science  or 
^ted  with  poetic  talent,  and  from  the  Greek  provinoes  and 
islands  which  he  had  subdued,  the  Greek  sciences  be^an  to 
make  their  way,  and  under  his  protection  to  exert  their  first 
influence  on  the  Arabs. 

One  of  the  measures  ado{)ted  by  Moawyah  to  strengtheii 
himself  in  the  Caliphat  excited  great  sensation,  and  meriti 
particular  detail.    At  the  time  of  the  celebrated  flight  of 

gitizedby  VjOO  • 


'18S  SVCCESSOfiS  OF  MAHOUET. 

-Mahomet,  Abu  Sofian,  father  of  Moawyah,  at  that  time  chief 
of  the  tribe  of  Koreish,  and  as  yet  an  inveterate  per8ecut<»r 
of  tiie  prophet,  halted  one  day  for  refreshment  at  the  house  of 
a  pubhcan  in  Tayef.  Here  he  became  intoxicated  with  wine, 
'and  passed  the  night  in  the  arms  of  the  wife  of  a  Greek  slave, 
named  Somyah,  who  in  process  of  time  made  him  ike  father 
of  a  nude  cnild.  Abu  Sofian,  ashamed  of  this  amour,  would 
not  acknowledge  the  child,  but  left  him  to  his  fate ;  hence  he 
receiyed  the  name  of  Ziyad  Ibn  Abihi,  that  is  to  say,  Ziyad, 
^e  son  of  nobody. 

'  ^®  boy,  thus  deserted,  gave  early  proof  of  enerjor  and 
talent.  When  scarce  arrived  at  manhood,  he  surprisedAmru 
Ibn  al  Aass  by  his  eloquence  and  spirit  in  addressing  a  popu- 
lar assembly.  Amru,  himself  illegitimate,  felt  a  sympathy  in 
the  vigour  of  tins  spurious  offset.  **  By  the  prophet !"  ex- 
claim^ he,  ''if  this  youth  were  but  of  the  noble  race  of 
Xoreish,  he  would  drive  all  the  tribes  of  Arabia  before  him 
with  his  staff!" 

Ziyad  was  appointed  cadi  or  Judjge,  in  the  reign  of  Omar, 
and  was  distinguished  by  his  aecisions.  On  one  occasion, 
certain  witnesses  came  before  him,  accusing  Mogeirah  Ibn 
Seid,  a  distinguished  person  of  unblemished  character,  with 
incontinence,  out  fuled  to  establish  the  charge ;  whereupon, 
Ziyad  dismissed  the  accused  with  honour,  and  causea  hk 
accusers  to  be  scourged  with  rods  for  bearing  false  witness. 
This  act  was  never  rorgotten  by  Moeeirah,  who,  becoming 
afterwards  one  of  the  counsellors  of  uie  Caliph  Ali,  induced 
him  to  appoint  Zivad  lieutenant  or  governor  of  Persia,  an 
arduous  post  of  hign  trust,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged 
with  great  abihty. 

■  Aft^r  the  deatn  of  Ali  and  the  abdication  of  Hassan,  events 
which  followed  hard  upon  each  other,  Ziyad,  who  still  held 
swaj  over  Persia,  hesitated  to  acknowledge  Moawyah  as 
Oahph.  The  latter  was  alarmed  at  this  show  of  opposition, 
fearm^  lest  Ziyad  should  join  with  the  family  of  Haschem, 
the  kmdred  of  the  prophet,  who  desired  the  elevation  of 
Hosein ;  he  therefore  sent  for  Mogeirah,  the  former  patron 
of  Zi^ad,  and  prevailed  upon  him  to  mediate  between  them. 
iSd!ogeirah  repaired  to  Zivad  in  person,  bearing  a  letter  of 
kin&ess  and  invitation  from  the  Caliph,  and  prevailed  on 
him  to  accompany  him  to  Cufa.  On  their  arrival  Moawyah 
embraced  Ziyad,  and  received  him  with  public  demonstrations 
of  respect  and  affection,  as  his  brother  bj  the  father's  side. 
The  fact  of  their  consanguinity  was  estabhshed  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  in  ftdl  assemmy,  by  the  publican  of  Tayef,  who 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


MOAWTAHI.  189.* 

bore  testimony  to  the  intercourse  between  Abu  Sofian  and 
the  beautiM  slaye. 

This  decision,  enforced  by  the  high  hand  of  anthority, 
elevated  Ziyad  to  the  noblest  blood  of  Koreish,  and  maae 
him  eligible  to  the  highest  offices ;  though,  in  fact,  the  strict 
letter  of  the  Mahometan  law  would  have  pronounced  him 
the  son  of  the  Greek  slave,  who  was  husband  of  his  mother. 

The  family  of  the  Ommiades  were  ind^nant  at  having  the 
base-bom  ofispring  of  a  slave  thus  introauced  among  them ; 
but  Moawyah  disregarded  these  murmurs ;  he  had  probably 
gratified  his  own  ^clings  of  natural  affection^,  and  he  had 
nrmly  attached  to  his  interest  a  man  of  extensive  influence; 
and  one  of  the  ablest  generals  of  the  age. 

Moawyah  foimd  good  service  in  his  valiant,  though  mis- 
begotten brother.  Under  the  sway  of  incompetent  governorg 
the  country  round  Bassora  had  become  overrun  with  thieve* 
and  murderers,  and  disturbed  by  all  kinds  of  tumults.  Ziyad 
was  put  in  the  command,  and  hastened  to  take  possession  of 
his  turbulent  post.  He  found  Bassora  a  ctomplete  den  of 
assassins ;  not  a  night  but  was  disgraced  by  riot  and  blood- 
shed, so  that  it  was  unsafe  to  walk  the  streets  af);er  dark. 
Ziyad  was  an  eloquent  man,  and  he  made  a  pubHc  speech 
terribly  to  the  point.  He  gave  notice  that  he  meant  to  rule 
with  the  swori  and  to  wreak  unsparing  punishment  on  all 
offenders ;  he  advised  all  such,  therefore,  to  leave  the  city. 
He  warned  all  persons  from  appearing  in  public  after  evening 
prayers,  as  a  patrol  would  go  the  rounds  and  put  every  one 
to  death  who  should  be  found  in  the  streets.  He  carried 
this  measure  into  effect.  Two  hundred  persons  were  put  to 
death  by  the  patrol  during  the  first  nignt,  only  &ve  during 
the  second,  and  not  a  drop  of  blood  was  shed  afterwards, 
nor  was  there  any  further  tumult  or  disturbance. 

Moawyah  then  employed  him  to  effect  the  same  reforms  in 
Xorassan  and  many  other  provinces,  and  the  more  he  had  to 
execute,  the  more  was  his  ability  evinced;  until  his  mere 
name  would  quell  commotion,  and  awe  the  most  turbulent 
into  quietude.  Yet  he  was  not  sanguinary  nor  cruel,  but 
severely  rigid  in  his  discipline,  and  inflexible  in  the  dispen- 
sation of  justice.  It  was  his  custom,  wherever  he  held  sway, 
to  order  the  inhabitants  to  leave  their  doors  open  at  night, 
with  merely  a  hurdle  at  the  entrance  to  exclude  cattle,  en- 
gaging to  replace  anything  that  should  be  stolen:  and  so 
efSctive  was  his  poHce,  that  no  robberies  were  committed. 

Though  Ziyad  nad  whole  provinces  under  his  government, 
he  felt  himself  not  sufficiently  employ ed ;  he. wrote  to  the 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


no  8UCCS880B8  OF  XAHOICET. 

Caliplu  Hwrcfaro,  oomxpkminnff  tiiat,  wMIe  his  kft  lund  -««• 
oocapied  in  ^oyeming  Babylonia,  his  n^hi  hand  waa  idlfts 
tad  lie  requaslad  the  gOTemment  of  Arabia  Petrea  also, 
idiiek  ^e  GkKph  gladlj  granted  him,  to  ihe  great  tenor  oC 
ita  inhabitaata,  who  dreaaed  bo  stem  a  mlor.  B«t  the  saod 
of  ^jad  waa  exhaitited.  He  waa  attacked  with  the  plagwi 
when  cfn  the  pcont  <^  aetting  out  for  Aralna.  ^Die  ais^iae 
Made  ita  apoearanoa  witik  an  uleer  in  his  hand,  and  the 
agony  made  tarn  ddiiberate  whether  to  smite  it  o01  As  it 
waa  a  case  of  eonaoience  amcm^  predeatinanans,  he  copmltad 
a  TencffaUe  cadL  *If  3ro«i  die,  said  the  eld  expona^kr  of 
thokw^  **  Ton  go  before  €kMl  without  that  hand,  which  -jim 
hare  cut  off  to  avoid  appearing  in  hia  presence.  If  yon  bva^ 
yon  give  abye-name  to  yonr  ^ildren,  who  will  be  called  the 
sons  of  the  cnppto.  I  advise  yon,  therefore,  to  let  it  t^aobJ* 
The  intensity  or  tile  pain,  however,  made  hbn  determine  ca 
amj^ntation,  bat  the  nght  of  the  fire  and  canteriaing  ixxMW 
aram  detetred  him.  He  was  snrroonded  by  the  most  expttti 
phyndans,  bat,  say  tiie  Arabmns,  "  It  was  not  in  their  power 
to  reverse  the  sealed  decree."  He  died  in  tiie  forty-^kfih 
▼ear  of  the  He^;ira  and  of  his  own  age,  md  the  people  ha 
Aad  governed  witii  so  mndi  aeverity  considered  his  deaf&  a 
dehveraneew  W&  son  Obeidallah,  though  cmly  twen]fy*fivs 
yean  of  age,  was  immediately  invested  by  the  Caliph  mik 
ih»  government  of  Korassan,  and  gave  instant  proen  of  in- 
herifing  the  sjpit  <^  has  £sther.  On  hia  wsy  to  hia  ffovectt- 
ment  he  surprised  a  large  Turkish  force,  wid  pnt  iabsm  la 
andi  sudden  fiight,  that  their  ({ueen  left  one  or  her  bnddas 
behind,  whick  ML  into  the  hands  of  her  purEaera,  and  was 
nstimated,  from  the  nchness  of  ita  jewda,  at  two  thonaanJ 
piiecesof  ffokL 

Ziyad  left  ano^er  son  named  Salem^  who  wa8»  mfftBolL 
years  afterwards,  when  but  twenty-four  years  of  age»  an- 
pointed  to  the  goremmentc^  Korassan,  and  rendered  hiaae«f 
ao  beloved  by  me  people,  that  upwards  of  twaity  thonaxfed 
children  wnre  named  after  him.  He  had  a  third  son  called 
Sameil,  who  waa  distinguished  for  sagacity  and  ready  wit, 
and  he  furthermore  left  nomhiaproff^iy  a^rnasty  of  prinesa 
in  Andna  Felix,  who  ruled  under  tiie  denomination  of  tia» 
children  of  Ziyad. 

The  wise  measures  of  Moawyah  poroduced  a  calm  throng- 
<m  this  empire,  althou^  hia  tlurone  seemed  to  be  elevated  on 
the  aorlaoe  of  a  vommo.  He  had  reinstated  the  ftmona 
Amru  Ibn  al  Aasa  in  tiie  government  of  Egypt»  aUowin|[  him 
ta  enjoy  ^le  revenues  of  that  opuknt  profine^  in  giatitiide 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


uoAirtAM  r.  191 

§at  lis  hsnn^  proclaimed  Mm  Oal^  during  Ids  oontesl  wilii 
jUi;  but  stipulatmg  that  he  should  mamtain  Uie  forces 
staldoned  there.  The  yeteran  general  did  not  long  enjoy 
1^8  poet,  as  he  died  in  the  forfy-third  year  of  the  Hegira, 
▲.D.  663,  as  full  of  honours  as  c^  years.  In  him  the  cause  of 
Islam  lost  one  of  its  wisest  m^i  and  most  illustrious  con* 
qiierors.  **  Show  me/*  said  Omar  to  him  on  one  occasion, 
**the  sword  with  whi<^  you  have  fought  so  many  battles  and 
shun  so  many  inMels."  The  Caliph  expressed  surprise  when 
he  unsheathed  an  ordinary  scimetar.  ''Alas!"  said  Amru, 
'*  the  sWord,  without  the  arm  of  the  master,  is  no  sharper 
nor  heayier  than  ^e  sword  of  Farezdak  the  poet." 

Mahomet,  whose  death  preceded  that  of  Amru  upwards  of 
thirty  years,  declared  that  there  was  no  truer  Moslem  thanr 
he  would  prove  to  be ;  nor  one  more  steadfast  in  the  fedth. 
Although  Amru  passed  most  of  his  life  in  the  exercise  ci 
arms,  he  found  time  to  cultrrate  the  softer  arts  whidn  belong 
to  peace.  We  ha?re  already  shown  that  he  was  an  orator 
and  a  poet»  Hie  witty  lampoons,  however,  which  he  wroto 
against  the  prophet  in  his  youth,  he  deeply  regretted  in  his 
declining  age.  He  sought  the  company  of  men  of  learning 
and  science,  and  delighted  in  the  ocmyersation  of  i^iilosophers. 
He  has  left  some  proyerbs  distinguished  for  pithy  wisdom, 
and  some  beautiful  poetry,  and  his  dying  adyioe  to  ia» 
duldren  was  celebrated  for  manly  sense  and  affecting  pathos. 


CHAPTEEXIHL 

Siege  of  OonstanliBOple.— Tehbb  with  the  enptvor.— >llnd«  tt  Hsnan.— 
Death  of  Ayeiha. 

Ihb  Caliph  Moawyah,  beinp;  thoroughly  established  in  his 
sovereignty,  was  ambitious  or  fcweign  conquests,  which  might 
shed  lustre  on  his  name,  and  obliterate  the  memory  of  these 
civil  wars.  He  was  desirous,  also,  of  placing  his  son  Yezid 
in  a  conspicuous  light,  and  gaining  for  him  Qie  affections  (^ 
the  people,  for  he  secretly  entertamed  hopes  of  making  him 
his  successor.  He  determined,  therefore,  to  send  him  with  a^ 
ffreat  force  to  attempt  the  conquest  of  C<mstantuiople,  at  that 
fime  the  camtal  or  the  Greek  and  Boman  empire.  This 
indped  was  a  Kind  of  hdy  war^  £ar  it  was  fulfilling  one  of  tho- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


192  S17CCBSSOB8  OF  MAHOKET. 

most  ardent  wishes  of  M&bomet,  who  had  looiked  forward  to 
the  conquest  of  the  prond  capital  of  the  OiBsars  as  one  of  the 
highest  triumphs  of  Islam,  and  had  promised  foil  pardon  of 
all  their  sins  to  the  Moslem  army  that  should  achiere  it. 

The  general  command  of  the  arm j  in  this  expedition  was 
ffiyen  to  a  reteran  named  Sophian,  and  he  was  accompanied 
by  seyeral  of  those  old  soldiers  of  the  fiuth,  battered  in  t&e 
wars,  and  almost  broken  down  by  years,  who  had  fought  hj 
the  side  of  the  prophet  at  Beder  and  Ohod,  and  were,  there- 
fore, honoured  by  the  title  of  "  Companions,"  and  who  now 
showed,  among  the  ashes  of  age,  the  sparks  of  youthfbl  fire, 
as  they  girdea  on  their  swords  for  this  sacred  enterprise. 

Hosein,  the  yaliant  son  of  Ali,  also  aooompiuued  this 
expedition, — ^in  which,  in  £ict,  the  flower  of  Moslem  chivaliT 
engaged.  Great  preparations  were  made  by  sea  and  lan^ 
and  sanguine  hopes  entertained  of  success ;  tlie  Moslem  troops 
were  numerous  and  hardy,  inured  to  toil,  and  practised  m 
warfare,  and  Hiej  were  ammated  by  the  certainty  of  paradiser 
should  they  be  yictorious.  The  (Greeks,  on  the  other  hand, 
were  in  a  state  of  military  decline,  and  their  emperor,  Con- 
stantino, a  grandson  of  Heradius,  disgraced  his  iUnstrioos 
name  by  in£>lence  and  incapacity. 

It  is  singular  and  to  be  lamented,  that  of  this  momentous 
expedition  we  hare  very  few  particulars,  notwithstandmg 
that  it  lasted  long,  and  must  have  been  checkered  by  striking 
▼icissitudes.  The  Moslem  fleet  passed  without  impediment 
through  the  Dardanelles,  and  the  army  disembarked  within 
seven  miles  of  ConstantinoDle.  For  many  days  they  pressed 
the  siege  with  vigour,  but  tne  city  was  strongly  garrisoned  by 
Aigitive  troops  m>m  various  Quarters,  who  had  profited  by 
sad  experience  in  the  defence  of  fortified  towns;  the  walls  were 
strong  and  high ;  and  the  besieged  made  use  of  Greek  fire,  to 
the  Moslems  a  new  and  terrific  agent  of  destruction. 

Finding  all  their  eflbrts  in  vain,  the  Moslems  consoled 
themselves  bv  ravaging  the  neighbouring  coasts  of  Europe 
and  Asia,  ana  on  the  approach  of  winter  retired  to  the  island 
of  Cyzicus,  about  eigh^  miles  from  Constantinople,  where 
they  had  established  then*  head  quarters. 

Six  years  were  passed  in  this  unavailing  enterprise;  immense 
sums  were  expended ;  thousands  of  lives  were  lost  by  disease; 
ships  and  crews,  by  shipwreck  and  other  disasters,  and  thou* 
sands  of  Moslems  were  slain,  gallantly  fighting  for  paradise 
under  the  walls  of  C6nstantinople.  The  most  renowned  of 
these  was  the  venerable  Abu  Ayub,  in  whose  house  Mahomet 
had  established  his  quarters  when  he  first  fied  to  Medina, 
and  who  had  fought  by  the  side  of  the  prophet  at  Beder  and 

gitizedby  VjOG 


1C0A.WTAH  I.  199 

Ohod.  He  won  an  Honoured  fpn,Te ;  for  thonfirh  it  remained 
for  ages  unknown,  yet  nearly  eight  centuries  after  this  event, 
when  Constantino^e  was  conquered  by  Mahomet  IE.,  the 
spot  was  revealed  m  a  miraculous  vision,  and  consecrated  by 
a  mausoleiun  and  mosque,  which  exist  to  this  day,  and  to 
which  the  grand  seignors  of  the  Ottoman  empire  repair  to  be 
belted  with  the  sdmetar  on  their  accession  to  the  throne. 

The  protracted  war  with  the  Greeks  revived  their  military 
ardour,  and  they  assailed  the  Moslems  in  their  turn.  Moawyan 
found  the  war  which  he  had  provoked  threatening  his  own 
security.  Other  enemies  were  pressing  on  hi^ ;  age  also  had 
sapped  his  bodily  and  mental  vigour,  ^md  he  became  so  anxious 
for  safety  and  repose,  that  he  m  a  manner  purchased  a  truce- 
of  the  emperor  for  thirty  years,  by  agreeing  to  pay  an  annual 
tribute  of  three  thousand  pieces  of  gold,  fi%^  slaves,  and  fifty 
horses  of  the  noblest  Arabian  bloo£ 

Yezid,  the  eldest  son  of  Moawyah,  and  his  secretly-intended 
successor,  had  failed  to  estabhsh  a  renown  in  this  enterprise^ 
and  if  Arabian  historians  speak  true,  his  ambition  led  him  to- 
st, perfidious  act,  sufficient  to  stamp  his  name  with  infamy.  He 
is  accused  of  instigating  the  murder  of  the  virtuous  Itassan.- 
the  son  of  AH,  who  had  abdicated  in  favour  of  Moawyah,  but 
who  was  to  resume  the  Caliphat  on  the  death  of  that  poten- 
tate. It  is  questionable  wneiher  Hassan  would  ever  have 
claimed  this  right,  for  he  was  of  quiet,  retired  habits,  and 
preferred  the  security  and  repose  of  a  private  station.  He 
was  strong,  however,  in  the  affection  of  the  people,  and  to 
remove  out  of  the  way  so  dangerous  a  rival,  Yezid,  it  is  said, 
prevailed  upon  one  oi  his  wives  to  poison  him,  promising  to 
marry  her  in  reward  of  her  treason.  The  murder  took  phioe 
in  the  forty-ninth  year  of  the  Hegira,  jl,  d.  669,  when  Hassaa 
was  forty-seven  years  of  age.  In  his  last  agonies,  his  brother 
Hosein  mquired  at  whose  instigation  he  supposed  himself  to 
have  been  poisoned,  that  he  might  avenge  his  death,  but 
Hassan  refused  to  name  him.  '*  This  world,"  said  he,  "  is 
-  only  a  long  night;  leave  him  alone  until  he  and  I  shall  meet 
in  open  day-li^t,  in  the  presence  of  the  Most  High." 

Yezid  refused  to  fulfil  nis  promise  of  taking  the  murderess 
,  to  wife,  alleging  that  it  would  be  madness  to  intrust  himself 
to  the  embnu^es  of  such  a  female ;  he,  however,  commuted 
the  engagement  for  a  large  amount  in  money  and  jeweb^ 
Moawyah  is  accused,  of  either  countenancing,  or  being  pleased 
with  a  murder  which  made  his  son  more  eligible  to  the  sucoes*' 
sion,  for  it  is  said  that  when  he  heard  of  the  death  of  Hassan, 
*'he  fell  down  and  worshipped" 

Hassan  had  been  somewhat  uxorious;  or  In&ieK,  he  had 

^  Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


IM'  8UCCESSOB8  OV  XAKOMET. 

nmnerooB  wires,  and  wu  vrone  to  chan^  them  when  attraeled 
by  new  beauties.  One  of  them  was  the  daughter  of  Yesde- 
gird,  the  last  king  of  the  Persians,  and  she  l^re  him  seyeral 
children.  He  ha^  altogether,  fifteen  sons  and  fire  daughters, 
and  contributed  greatfy  to  increase  the  race  of  Shenfi&,  or 
Fatimites,  descendants  firom  the  prophet  In  his  testament 
he  left  directions  that  he  should  be  buried  by  the  sepulchre 
of  his  grandsire  Mahomet ;  but  Ajesha,  whose  hatred  for  the 
family  of  AH  went  beyond  the  grave,  declared  that  the 
mansion  was  hen,  and  refused  her  consent ;  he  was,  there- 
fore, interred  in  the  oommcm  burial-ground  of  the  city. 

Ayesha  herself  died  some  time  afterwards,  in  me  fifty- 
eighth  year  of  the  Hegira,  haying  suryiyed  the  prophet  forty- 
seyen  years.  She  was  often  called  the  Prophetess,  and  g«ie« 
rally  denominated  the  Mother  of  the  Eaitnfiil,  although  she 
had  neyer  borne  any  issue  to  Mahomet,  and  had  employed 
her  widowhood  in  intrigues  to  preyent  Ali  and  his  cluldren, 
who  were  the  only  progeny  of  the  prophet,  from  sitting  ook 
the  throne  of  the  Caliphs.  All  the  ottW  wiyes  of  Mahomet 
who  suryiyed  him,  passed  the  remainder  of  their  liyes  ia 
widowhood;  but  none,  saye  her,  seem  to  haye  been  held  ia 
especial  reyerence. 


CHAPTEE  SUV. 

Modem  ecmqanttB  in  NortlMm  AiHca.->-AehieTe]nieBt8  of  AciMli ;  liSf  death*' 

Ths  conauest  of  Northern  Afirica,  so  auspioionsh^oommeiiead 
by  Abdaliah  Ibn  Saad,  had  been  suspended  for  a  number  of 
years  by  the  pressure  of  other  c<moems,  and  particularly  hy^ 
Idle  siege  of  Constantinople,  which  engrossed  a  great  paft  of 
Hie  Moslem  forces ;  in  the  meantime  Cyrene  hi^  shaten  off 
Hie  yoke,  all  Cyrcniaica  was  in  a  state  of  insurrectum*  and 
tibere  was  dang^  that  the  places  which  had  been  taken,  and 
the  posts  whi<m  had  been  established  by  the  Arab  conquerors 
would  be  completely  lost. 

The  Caliph  Moaw3rah  now  looked  round  £ar  some  aeiay» 
and  able  general,  oompet^it  to  secure  and  extend  his  swajr 
along  the  African  sea^coast.  Such  a  one  he  found  in  Acbaa 
Ibn  JN  afe  el  Feikai,  whom  he  despatched  £com  Damascus  witili 
ten  thousand  horse.  Acbah  made  his  way  witii  all  speed  into 
Africa,  his  forces  augmentmg  as  he  proceeded,  by  me  aoces- 
edon  of  barbarian  troops.  He  passed  triumphantly  throu§^' 
©yrenaica  J  laid  dose  siege  to  Uie  city  <rf  Cyrene,  and  retook 


XOAWYAB  %  ld$ 

it,  notwitlustandhig  its  strong  walls  and  greiit  popnlatioii ; 
but  in  the  conrse  of  the  siege  many  of  its  ancient  and  mag« 
fiificent  edifices  were  destroyed. 

Acbah  continned  his  TiotorioiLS  oonrse  westward,  trayersing 
wildernesses  sometimes  barren  and  desolate ;  sometimes  en^ 
tangled  with  forests,  and  infested  by  serpents  and  savage 
animals,  nntil  he  reached  the  domains  of  ancient  Carthage, 
the  present  territory  of  Tunis.  Here  he  determined  to  found 
a  city  to  serve  as  a  stronff-hold,  and  aplace  of  re^e  in  the 
heart  of  these  conquered  regions.  T!ke  site  chosen  was  a 
Talley  closely  wooded,  and  al^unding  with  lions,  tigers,  and 
serpents.  The  Arabs  five  a  marvellous  account  of  the  found- 
ing of  the  city.  Acbim,  say  they,  went  forth  into  the  foresl^ 
and  adjured  its  savage  inhabitants.  ''  Hence !  avaunt !  wild 
beasts  and  serpents!  Hence,  quit  this  wood  and  valley!*^ 
ThJB  solezbn  adjuration  he  repeated  three  several  times,  on 
three  severai  days,  and  not  a  hon,  tiger,  leopard,  nor  serpent, 
bat  departed  from  the  place. 

Others,  less  poetic,  record  that  he  cleared  awa^  a  forest 
which  had  been  a  lurking  place  not  merely  for  wild  beasts 
and  serpents,  but  for  rebds  and  barbarous  nordes ;  that  he 
used  the  wood  in  constructing  waUs  for  his  new  city,  and 
when  these  were  completed,  pluited  his  lance  in  the  centre, 
and  exclaimed  to  his  followers,  ''This  is  your  Caravan." 
Such  was  the  origin  of  the  dty  of  Kairwan  or  Caerwan, 
situated  thirty^thi^  leagues  south-east  of  Carthage,  and 
twelve  from  the  sea  on  the  borders  of  the  great  desert 
Here  Acbah  fixed  his  seat  of  government,  erectmg  mosques 
and  other  public  edifioes,  and  holdmg  all  the  surroxmding 
country  in  subjection. 

While  Acbah  was  thus  honourably  occupied,  the  Caliph 
Moawyah,  little  aware  of  the  immense  countries  embraced  in 
these  recent  conquests,  united  them  with  Egypt  under  one 
command,  as  if  th^  had  been  two  small  provinces,  and 
appointed  Muhegir  Ibn  0mm  Dinar,  one  of  the  Ansari,  as 
emir  or  governor.  Muhegir  was  an  ambitious,  or  rather  an 
envious  and  perfidious  man.  Scarce  had  he  entered  upon 
his  government,  when  he  began  to  sicken  with  envy  of  the 
bnlliant  fame  of  Acbah  and  nis  vast  })opularity,  not  merely 
with  the  anny,  but  throughout  the  country ;  he  accordingly 
made  such  unfavourable  reports  of  the  character  and  conduct 
of  that  general,  in  his  lett^  to  the  Caliph,  that  the  latter 
was  induced  to  displace  him  from  the  command  of  the  African 
army,  and  reeal  him  to  Damascus. 

Th6  letter  of  recal  being  sent  under  cover  to  Muhegir,  he 
transmitted  it  by  Muslama  Ibn  Machlad,  one  of  lus  generals. 


196  8T7CCBS90B8  OF  MAHOKET. 

to  Acbah,  cliargin|^  his  enyoy  to  proceed  with  great  caution, 
and  to  treat  Acban  with  profound  deference,  lest  the  troops^ 
out  of  their  lore  for  him,  should  resist  the  order  for  Bis 
deposition.  Muslama  found  Acbah  in  his  camp  at  Cyrene, 
and  presented  him  the  Caliph's  letter  of  recal,  and  a  letter 
from  Muhegir  as  governor  of  the  prorince,  letting  him  know 
that  Muslama  and  the  other  generals  were  authorized  to 
arrest  him  should  he  hesitate  to  obey  the  command  of  th& 
Oalinh. 

There  was  no  hesitation  on  the  part  of  Acbah.  He  at 
once  discerned  whence  the  blow  proceeded.  "  Oh  God !" 
exclaimed  he,  ''spare  my  life  until  I  can  vindicate  myseK 
from  the  slanders  of  Muhegir  Ibn  0mm  Dinar."  He  then 
departed  instantly,  without  even  entering  his  house;  made 
his  way  with  all  speed  to  Damascus,  and  appeared  before 
Moawyah  in  the  presence  of  his  generals  and  the  officers  of 
his  court.  Addressing  the  Caliph  with  noble  indignation, 
*'  I  have  traversed  deserts,"  said  ne,  "  and  encountered  savage 
tribes ;  I  have  con<][uered  towns  and  re^ons,  and  have  brought 
their  infidel  inhabitants  to  the  knowledge  of  God  and  his  law. 
I  have  built  mosques  and  palaces,  and  fortified  our  dominion 
over  the  land,  and  in  reward  I  have  been  degraded  from  my 
post,  and  summoned  hither  as  a  culprit.  I  appeal  to  your 
justice,  whether  I  have  merited  such  treatment?" 

Moawyah  felt  rebuked  by  the  magnanimous  bearing  of  his 
general,  for  he  was  aware  that  he  had  been  precipitate  in 
condemning  him  on  false  accusations.  "I  am  already  in- 
formed," said  he,  "  of  the  true  nature  of  the  case.  1  now 
know  who  is  Muhegir,  and  who  is  Acbah;  return  to  the 
command  of  the  army,  and  pursue  your  glorious  career  of 
conquest." 

Although  it  was  not  until  the  succeeding  Caliphat,  that 
Acbah  resumed  the  command  in  Africa,  we  will  anticipate 
dates  in  order  to  maintain  unbroken  the  thread  of  his  story. 
In  passing  through  Egypt  he  deposed  Muslama  from  a  com- 
mand, in  which  he  had  been  placed  by  Muhegir,  and  ordered 
him  to  remain  in  one  of  the  Egyptian  towns  a  prisoner  at 
large. 

He  was  grieved  to  perceive  the  mischief  that  had  been  done 
in  Africa,  during  his  absence,  by  Muhegir,  who,  out  of  mere 
envy  and  jealousy,  had  endeavoured  to  mar  and  obliterate  i^ 
traces  of  his  ^ooa  deeds ;  dismantling  the  cities  he  had  built  |. 
destroying  his  public  edifices  at  Caerwan,  and  transferrinjg 
the  inhabitants  to  another  place.  Acbah  stripped  him  of  hi» 
command,  placed  him  in  irons,  and  proceeded  to  remedy  the 
«vils  he  had  perpetrated.    The  population  was  restored  ta 


KOAWYAH  1.  197 

Oaerwan ;  its  edifices  were  rebuilt,  and  it  rose  from  its  tern- 
porary  decline  more  prosperous  and  beautiful  than  erer. 
Acban  then  left  Zohair  Ibn  Kais  in  command  of  this  metro- 

Slis,  and  resumed  his  career  of  western  conquest,  carrying" 
uhegir  with  him  in  chains.  He  crossed  the  kingdom  of 
Numidia,  now  Alters,  and  the  vast  regions  of  Mauritania, 
now  Morocco,  subauing  their  infidel  inhabitants  or  converting 
"tiiem  with  the  sword,  until  coming  to  the  western  shores  of 
Africa,  he  spurred  his  charger  into  the  waves  of  the  Atlantic, 
4mtil  they  rose  to  his  saddle  girths ;  then  raising  his  scimetar 
towards  heaven,  "Oh  AUah!"  cried  the  zealous  Moslem> 
^*did  not  these  profound  waters  prevent  me,  still  farther 
would  I  carry  the  knowledge  of  thy  law,  and  the  reverence 
of  ^y  holy  name !" 

While  Acbah  was  thus  urging  his  victorious  way  to  the 
Tittermost  bounds  of  Mauritania,  tidings  overtook  nim  that 
the  Greeks  and  barbarians  were  rising  in  rebellion  in  his 
rear ;  that  the  mountains  were  pouring  down  their  legions, 
«nd  that  his  city  of  Caerwan  was  in  imminent  danger.  He 
had  in  fact  incurred  the  danger  against  which  the  late  CaliplL 
Omar  had  so  often  cautioned  his  too  adventurous  generals. 
Turning  his  steps  he  hastened  back,  marching  at  a  rapid 
Tate.  As  he  passed  through  Zab  or  Numidia,  he  was  harassed 
by  a  horde  of  Berbers  or  Moors,  headed  by  Aben  Cahina,  a 
native  chief  of  daring  prowess,  who  had  descended  from  the 
fastnesses  of  the  mountains,  in  which  he  had  taken  refage 
from  the  invaders.  This  warrior,  with  his  mountain  band, 
hung  on  thie  rear  of  the  army,  picking  off  stragglers,  and 
often  carrying  havoc  into  the  broken  ramis,  but  never  ventur- 
ing on  a  pitcned  battle.  He  gave  over  his  pursuit  as  they 
crossed  the  bounds  of  Numidia. 

On  arriving  at  Caerwan,  Acbah  foimd  everything  secure ; 
the  rebellion  having  been  suppressed  by  the  energy  and 
bravery  of  Zohair,  aided  by  an  associate  warrior,  Omar  Ibn 
Ah,  of  the  tribe  of  Koreish. 

Acbah  now  distributed  a  part  of  his  army  about  the  neigh- 
bourhood, formed  of  the  residue  a  flying  camp  of  cava&y, 
and  leaving  Zohair  and  his  brave  associate  to  maintain  the 
safety  of  the  metropolis,  returned  to  scour  the  land  of  Zab, 
and  take  vengeance  on  the  Berber  chief,  who  had  harassed 
and  insulted  him  when  on  the  march. 

He  proceeded  without  opposition  as  far  as  a  place  called 
T^huda ;  when  in  some  pass  or  defile,  he  found  himself  sur* 
rounded  by  a  great  host  of  Greeks  and  Berbers,  led  on  by  the 
mountain  chief  Aben  Cahina.  In  fact,  both  Christians  and 
Moors,  who  had  so  often  been  in  deadly  conflict  in  these  very 


198  SirCCE880B8  OF  MAHOMET. 

yeffions,  had  combined  to  drire  these  new  intnidors  &om  the- 
hod. 

Acbah  scanned  the  number  and  array  of  the  advanciiig 
enemy,  and  saw  there  was  no  retreat,  and  that  destraetk« 
y/ns  inevitable.  He  marshalled  his  little  army  of  horsemen, 
howerer,  with  great  calmness ;  put  up  the  usual  pr^ers,  and 
exhorted  his  men  to  fight  yaliantl^.  Summomng  Muhegir  to 
Ills  presence,  "  This,"  said  he,  "  is  a  day  of  liberty  and  gain 
ibr  all  true  Moslems,  for  it  is  a  day  of  martyrdom.  I  would 
not  depriye  you  of  so  great  a  chance  for  paradise."  So  saying, 
)ie  ordered  his  chains  to  be  taken  off. 

Muhegir  thanked  him  for  the  favour,  and  expressed  his 
determination  to  die  in  the  cause  of  the  faith.  Acbah  then 
gave  him  arms  and  a  horse,  and  both  of  them  drawing  thdr 
•words,  broke  the  scabbards  in  token  that  they  would  fight 
imtil  victory  or  death.  The  batde  was  desperate,  and  the 
eamage  terrible.  Almost  all  the  Moslems  fought  to  the  veij 
death,  asking  no  quarter.  Acbah  was  one  of  the  last  of  his 
devoted  bancC  and  his  corpse  was  found,  soimetarinhand^upoa. 
a  heap  of  the  enemy  whom  he  had  slaiiL 


CHAPTEBXLV. 

HoawTih  nimef  Ua  nieoieaQr^Hii  lait  acts  and  deith^--1^^ 
(tfhisolianeter. 

MoAWYAH  was  now  far  advanced  in  years,  and  aware  that  he 
Iiad  not  lon^  to  live ;  he  sought,  therefore,  to  accompliflh  a 
measure  wmch  he  had  lon^  contemplated,  and  whidi  was 
indicative  of  his  ambitious  cmaracter  and  his  pride  of  £unJQty« 
It  was  to  render  the  Caliphat  hereditary,  and  to  perpetuate 
it  in  his  line.  For  this  purpose  he  openly  named  nis  son 
Yezid  as  his  successor,  and  requested  the  different  provinces 
to  send  deputies  to  Damascus  to  perform  ihe  act  or  fealty  to 
1dm.  The  nomination  of  a  successor  was  what  the  prophet 
limself  had  not  done,  and  what  Abu  Beker,  Omar,  and 
Othman  had  therefore  declined  to  do ;  the  attempt  to  render 
the  Caliphat  hereditary  was  in  direct  opposition  to  the  pubhe 
will  manifested  reneatedly  in  respect  to  All ;  Yezid,  to  whom 
he  proposed  to  bequeath  the  government,  was  publicly 
detesteo,  yet,  notwithstanding  tul  these  objections,  suoh 
influence  had  Moawyah  acquir^  over  the  public  mind,  that 
delegates  arrived  at  JDamascus  from  all  parte,  and  gave  their 


XOjLlfYAH  Z.  ^  199 

luuids  io  Yezid  in  pledge  of  fature  fealty.  Thus  was  established 
the  dynasty  of  the  Onuniades,  wIugIl  held  the  Caliphat  for 
nearlir  a  hundred  years.  Theie  were  fourteen  caliphs  of  this 
haoghtv-  line,  known  as  the  Pharaohs  of  the  house  of  Omaya, 
(or  rather  Onuniah.)  The  ambition  of  role  manifested  in 
Moawyah,  the  founder  of  i^e  dynasty,  continued  even  among 
Ids  remote  descendants,  who  exercised  sovereignty  nearly 
four  centuries  afterwards  in  Spain.  One  of  them,  anxious  to 
ascend  the  throne  in  a  time  of  turbulence  and  peril,  exclaimed, 
*'  Only  make  me  king  to-day,  and  you  may  kill  me  to-morrow !" 

The  character  of  me  Oanph  had  much  changed  in  the  hands 
0f  Moawyah,  and  in  the  luxurious  city  of  Damascus  assumed 
more  and  more  the  state  of  the  oriental  sovereigns  which  i^ 
superseded.  The  firn^  simplicity  of  the  Arab,  and  the  stem 
virtues  of  the  primitive  disciples  oi  Islam,  were  softening 
down  and  disappearing  among  the  voluplxious  delights  of 
Syria.  Moawyah,  however,  endeavoured  to  throw  over  his 
favourite  city  of  Damascus  some  of  the  sanctity  with  which 
Mecca  and  Medina  were  invested.  For  this  purpose^  he 
sought  to  transfer  to  it,  from  Medina,  the  pulpit  of  the  pro- 
phet, as  also  his  walkW-staff;  ''for  such  precious  relics  of 
the  apostle  of  Grod,"  saidne,  "  ought  not  to  remaia  among  the 
murderers  of  Othman." 

The  staff  was  found  after  great  search;  but  when  the  pulpit 
was  about  to  be  removed,  there  occurred  so  great  an  eclipse  of 
the  sun  that  the  stars  became  visible.  Hie  superstitious  Arabs 
eonsidered  this  a  signal  of  divine  disapprobation,  and  the 
$i]dpit  was  suffered  to  remain  in  Medina. 
'  Feeling  his  end  a^roadiing,  Moawyah  summoned  his  son 
Yezid  toms  presence,  and  gave  advice  fuU  <^  experience  and 
wisdom.  "Gcmfide  in  the  Arabs,"  said  he,  ''as  the  sure 
foundation  of  your  power.  Prize  the  Syrians,  tor  tfa^y  aro 
faithful  and  enterprising,  though  prone  to  degenerate  when 
out  of  Uieir  own  count^.  Gratify  ihe  people  of  Irak  in  all 
tiieir  demands,  for  thev  are  restless  and  toroulent,  and  would 
xmsheath  a  hundred  tnousand  scimetars  against  thee  on  the 
leastprovooation." 

**  Tkete  are  fbur  rivals,  my  son,'*  added  he,  "  on  whom  thou 
must  k^ep  a  vigilant  eye ;  the  first  is  Hosein,  the  son  of  Ali, 
who  has  great  mfluence  in  Irak,  but  he  is  upright  and  sincere, 
and  thy  own  cousin ;  treat  him,  tiierefore,  with  clemency,  if 
he  Ml  within  thy  power.  The  sec<md  is  Abdallah  Ibn  Omar ; 
but  he  is  a  devout  man,  and  will  eventually  come  under  alle- 
giance to  thee.  The  third  is  Abda'lrahman ;  but  he  is  a  man 
of  no  force  of  mind,  and  merely  speaks  from  the  dictates  of 
others ;  he  is,  moreover,  incontment,  and  a  gambler ;  he  is 

gitized  by  Google 


200  8ITCCX88018  OV,  XIHOICIT. 

not  a  riral  to  be  feared.  The  fourth  is  Abdallah  Hm  Zobeir ; 
he  unites  the  craft  of  the  fox  with  1^  strength  and  courage 
of  the  lion.  If  he  appear  against  thee,  oppose  him  yahantlF ; 
if  he  offer  peace,  accept  it,  and  spare  the  oiood  of  thy  people* 
If  he  fall  witiiin  your  power,  cut  him  to  pieces  !*' 

Moa^ah  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  in  the  sixtieth  year 
of  the  Hegira,  jld,  679,  at  the  age  of  seyenlr,  or,  as  some 
say,  seren^-fiye  years,  of  which  he  had  reigned  nearly  twenty. 
He  was  interred  m  Damascus,  which  he  had  made  the  capital 
of  the  Moslem  empire,  and  which  continued  to  be  so  during 
the  dynasty  of  the  Ommiades.  Hie  inscription  of  his  signet 
was,  "  Erery  deed  hath  its  meed;"  or,  according  to  others,. 
"  All  power  rests  with  God." 

Though  seyeral  circumstances  in  his  reign  savour  of  crafty*^ 
and  even  treacherous  policy,  yet  he  bears  a  high  name  in 
Moslem  history.  His  courage  was  undoubtecC  and  of  ft 
generous  kind,  for  though  fierce  in  combat,  he  was  clement 
in  Tictorf.  He  pridea  himself  greatly  upon  being  of  the 
tribe  of  Koreish,  and  was  highly  aristocratical  before  he 
jattained  to  sorereign  power;  yet  he  was  affable  and  aocessibU^ 
at  all  times,  and  made  himself  popular  among  his  people. 
His  ambition  was  tempered  with  some  cQnsiderations  of  jus^ 
tice.  He  assumed  the  throne,  it  is  true,  by  the  aid  of  the 
Bcimetar,  without  regular  election;  but  he  subsequently  bought 
off  the  right  of  his  rival  Hassan,  the  le^;itimate  Cafiph,  and 
transcencfed  munificentiy  all  the  stipulationB  of  his  purdias^ 

S resenting  him,  at  one  tmie,  with  four  million  pieces  of  gold* 
>ne  almost  regards  with  incredulity  the  stories  of  imm^ase 
sums  passing  from  hand  to  hand  anumg  these  Arab  con- 

guerors,  as  freely  as  baffs  of  dates  in  their  native  deserts  i 
ut  it  must  be  recollected  they  had  the  plundering  of  the  ri^ 
empires  of  the  East,  and  as  yet  were  flush  with  the  spoils  of 
recent  conquests. 

The  liberality  of  Moawyah  is  extolled  as  being  beyond  all 
bounds ;  one  instance  on  record  of  it,  however,  savours  of 
policy.  He  gave  Ayesha  a  bracelet  valued  at  a  hundred  thou* 
sand  pieces  of  gold,  that  had  formerly,  perhaps,  sparkled  on 
the  arm  oi  some  Semiramis ;  but  Ayesna^  he  knew,  was  a 
potent  friend  and  a  dangerous  enemy. 

Moawyah  wtm  sensibfe  to  the  charms  of  poetry,  if  we  may 
judge  from  the  following  anecdotes: — 

A  robber,  who  had  l^n  condemned  by  the  Cadi  to  have 
his  head  cut  off,  appealed  to  the  Caliph  in  a  copy  of  verses, 
pleading  the  poverty  and  want  by  which  he  had  neen  driven, 
xouched  by  tJie  poetry,  Moawyah  reversed  tiie  sentence,  and 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


YEZID.  201 

gave  the  poet  a  piirse  of  gold,  that  he  might  have  no  plea  of 
necessity  for  repeating  the  crime. 

Anotlier  instance  was  that  of  a  young  Arab,  who  had  mar- 
ried a  beautiM  damsel,  of  whom  he  was  so  enamoured,  that 
he  lavished  all  his  fortune  upon  her.  The  governor  of  Cufa 
happening  to  see  her,  was  so  struck  with  her  beauty,  that  he 
took  her  &om  the  youth  by  force.  The  latter  made  his  com^ 
plaint  to  the  Caliph  in  verse,  poured  forth  with  Arab  elo* 
quence,  and  with  all  the  passion  of  a  lover,  prajring  redresd 
or  death.  Moawyah,  as  before,  was  moved  by  the  poetic 
appeal,  and  sent  orders  to  the  governor  of  Cufa  to  restore  the 
wife  to  her  husband.  The  governor,  infatuated  with  her 
charms,  entreated  the  Caliph  to  let  him  have  the  enjoyment 
of  her  for  one  year,  and  then  to  take  his  head.  The  curiosity 
of  the  Caliph  was  awakened  by  this  amorous  contest,  and 
he  caused  the  female  to  be  sent  to  him.  Struck  with  hev 
ravishing  beauty,  with  the  grace  of  her  deportment,  and  the 
eloquence  of  her  expressions,  he  could  not  restrain  his  admix 
ration;  and  in  the  excitement  of  the  moment  told  her  to 
choose  between  the  young  Arab,  the  governor  of  Cufa,  and 
himself.  She  acknowle&ed  the  honour  proffered  by  the 
Caliph  to  be  utterly  beyond  her  merit ;  but  avowed  that  affec- 
tion and  duty  still  mclined  her  to  her  husband.  Her  modesty 
and  virtue  delighted  Moawyah  even  more  than  her  beauty; 
he  restored  her  to  her  husband,  and  enriched  them  both  with 
princely  munificence. 


CHAPTEE  XLVI, 

Succession  of  Yezid,  seventh  Caliph. — ^Final  fortunes  of  Hosein, 
the  son  of  Ali. 

Yezid,  the  son  of  Moawyah,  succeeded  to  the  Caliphat  with- 
out the  ceremony  of  an  election.  His  inauffuration  took  place 
in  the  new  moon  of  the  month  Rajeb,  in  tne  sixtieth  year  of^ 
the  Hegira ;  coincident  with  the  seventh  day  of  April,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  680.  He  was  thirty-four  years  of  age,i 
and  is  described  as  tall  and  thin,  with  a  ruddy  countenance: 
pitted  with  the  small-pox,  black  eyes,  curled  hair,  and  a 
comely  beard.  He  was  not  deficient  in  talent,  and  possessed 
the  popular  gift  of  poetry.  The  effect  of  his  residence  among 
the  luxuries  and  refiaements  of  Syria  was  evinced  in  a  fond- 
ness for  silken  raiment  and  the  deUghts  of  music ;  but  he  was 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


908  8UC0E88OB8  OF  MAHOICBT. 

stigmatized  an  base-spirited,  sordid,  and  covetoiis ;  grosdy 
sensual,  and  scandalously  intemperate. 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  he  was  readily  acknowledged  as 
Caliph  thronghont  the  Moslem  entire,  excepting  by  Meoca* 
Meoina,  and  some  cities  of  Babylonia.  His  first  aim  was  to 
aecnre  undisputed  poisetsitm  g£  the  Oaliphat.    The  only  com- 

etitors  from  whom  he  had  danger  to  apprehraid,  were 
osein,  the  son  of  Ali,  and  Abdulah,  the  scm  of  Zobeir. 
!Chey  were  both  at  Medma,  and  he  sent  orders  to  Waled  Ibn 
Otmkh,  the  governor  of  that  dtr,  to  exact  &om  them  an  oath 
c^  fealty.  Waled,  who  was  or  an  nndedded  character,  con- 
anlted  MerwAn  Dbn  Hakem,  formerly  secretary  of  Othman, 
and  snspeeted  of  forging  the  letter  which  effected  the  ruin  of 
ijhat  Cafiph.  He  was  in  fact  one  of  ihe  most  crafty,  as  w^ 
as  able  men  of  iho  age.  His  advice  to  the  governor  was  to 
summon  Hosein  and  Abdallab  to  his  presence,  before  they 
iliotdd  hear  oi  the  death  of  Moawyali,  and  concert  any  mea- 
sures of  opposition ;  then  to  tender  to  them  ihid  oath  of  feaUy 
to  Yezid,  and  should  ikej  refuse,  to  smite  off  their  heads. 

Hosein  and  Abdallab  discovored  the  plot  in  time  to  effect  * 
their  escape  with  their  families  te  Mecca ;  where  they  declared 
ilmnselyes  openly  in  opposition  to  Yezid.  In  a  little  while 
Hosein  received  secret  messages  from  the  people  of  Cufa» 
inviting  him  to  their  dty ,  assuring  him  not  merely  of  potec- 
iion,  but  of  joyful  homage  as  tiie  son  of  Ali,  Uie  legitimate 
successor  of  the  prophet.  He  had  only,  they  said,  to  show 
liimself  in  their  city,  and  all  Babylonia  would  rise  in  arms  in 
his  favour. 

Hosein  sent  his  cousin,  Muslim  Ibn  Okail,  to  ascertain,  the 
truth  of  tiiese  representations,  and  to  foment  the  spirit  of 
insurrection  should  it  really  exist  among  the  people  of  CufJEu 
Muslim  made  his  way,  almost  unattended,  and  with  great 
peril  and  hardship,  across  the  deserts  of  Irak.  On  arriving  at 
Ou&,  he  was  well  received  by  the  party  of  Hosein;  mey 
assured  him  that  eighteen  tiiousandmen  were  ready  to  sacn- 
jice  their  blood  and  treasure  in  casting  down  tiie  usurper  and 
upholding  the  legitimate  Caliph.  Every  day  augmented  tiie 
number  of  apparent  zealots  in  the  cause,  until  it  amounted  to 
<me  hundred  and  forty  thousand.  Of  all  this,  Muslim  s^it 
repeated  accounts  to  Hosein,  urging  him  to  come  on,  and 
assuring  him  that  the  consniracy  had  been  carried  on  with 
such  secres}r,  that  Nu'mlbilbn  Biasohir,  the  governOT  of  Cu&» 
2iad  no  suspicion  of  it. 

But  though  the  conspiracy  had  escaped  the  vigilance  of 
JCfn'mlkn,  intimation  of  it  had  reached  the  Caliph  Yezid  at 
Damascus,  who  sent  instant  orders  to  Obeid'allah,  the  emir  of 


Basson,  to  repair  with  all  speed  to  Cofo,  dii^Uice  its  neg- 
ligent goveiiM^,  and  take  ^kaJb  place  likewise  imder  liis  coiii>> 
maud. 

Obeid'allab  was  the  son  of  Ziyad,  and  inherited  all  the 
energy  of  his  fatiier.  Aware  that  the  mom^it  was  ciitical,  he 
set  on  from  Bassora  with  about  a  score  of  fleet  horsemen; 
The  people  of  Cufa  were  on  the  look  out  for  the  arrival  of 
Hosein,  whidi  was  daily  expected,  when  Obeid'allah  rode  into 
the  dty  in  Hie  twilight  at  the  head  of  his  troopers.  He  wore 
ft  black  turban,  as  was  the  custom  likewise  witn  jBLosein.  llie 
populace  crowded  round  him,  hailing  the  supposed  grandson 
of  ^e  prophet. 

"  Stand  off  1"  cried  the  horsemen,  fleroely.  *'  It  is  ihe  emir 
Obeid'allah." 

The  crowd  shrank  back  abashed  and  disappointed,  and  the 
emir  rode  on  to  the  castle.  The  popular  ehagrin  increased 
when  it  was  known  that  he  had  command  of  the  province ;  for 
be  was  r^mted  a  second  Ziyad  in  energy  and  decision.  His 
measures  soon  proved  his  claims  to  that  character.  He  dis- 
covered and  disconcerted  the  plans  of  the  oonsmratxHS ;  drofe 
Muslim  to  a  premature  outbreak ;  dispersed  nis  hasby  levy, 
•nd  took  him  piiscmer.  Tbs  latter  ahed  hitter  tears  on  lu8 
Mpture;  not  on  his  own  account,  but  on  the  account  of 
Hosein,  whom  he  feared  his  l^;ters  and  sanguine  representa- 
tions had  involved  in  ruin,  by  inducing  him  to  come  on  to 
Cu£a.  The  head  of  Muslim  was  struck  off  and  sent  to  the 
CaHph. 

Bjs  letters  had  indeed  produced  the  dreaded  effect.  On 
receiving  them,  Hosein  prepared  to  comply  with  the  earnest 
invitation  of  the  people  of  Ou£el  It  was  in  vain  his  friends 
reminded  him  of  me  proverbial  faithlessness  of  these  peofde ; 
it  was  in  vain  they  urged  him  to  wait  until  they  had  com- 
mitted themselves,  by  openlv  taking  the  field*  It  was  in  vain 
that  his  near  relative  Aodallah  Ibn  Abbas  urged  him  at  least 
to  leave  the  females  of  his  family  at  Mecca,  lest  he  should  be 
massacred  in  the  midst  of  them,  like  the  Cidiph  Othman. 
Hosein  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  Moslem  and  predestinarian 
declared  he  would  leave  the  event  to  God ;  and  acoordinely 
let  out  with  his  wives  and  children,  and  a  number  of  his  rda- 
tives,  escorted  by  a  handful  of  Arab  troops. 

Arrived  in  the  confines  of  Babylonia,  he  was  met  by  a 
body  of  a  thousand  horse,  led  on  by  Harro,  an  Arab  of  the 
tribe  of  Temimah.  He  at  first  supposed  them  to  be  a  detach- 
ment of  his  partisans  sent  to  meet  mm,  but  was  soon  infcnrmed 
hj  Harro,  that  he  came  frcmi  the  emir  Obeid'allah  to  conduct 
ium  and  ail  the  people  with  him  to  Cu&.         Cooale 


201  81TCCXS80BS  OT  UjLHOlCIT. 

Hosein  hsa^litily  reihsed  to  rabmit  to  the  emir's  orden  ; 
«nd  represented  uiat  he  came  in  peace,  inyited  by  the  in* 
habitants  of  Cofa,  as  the  rijghtfbl  Cahph.  He  set  forth  at  the 
«ame  time,  the  justice  of  his  chums,  and  endearonred  to  enlist 
Harro  in  his  cause,  but  the  latter,  though  in  no  wise  hostile 
to  him,  aroided  committing  himself,  and  urged  him  to  proceed 
quietly  to  Cofii  nnder  his  escort. 

Wlule  tliey  were  ^et  discoursing,  four  horsemen  rode  up 
accompanied  bj  a  guide.  One  of  iliese  named  Thirmah  was 
known  to  Hosein,  and  was  relnctantlj  permitted  hj  Harro  to 
4X>nTerse  with  him  apart.  Hosein  inquired  about  the  situation 
of  tilings  at  CufiL  "  The  nobles,"  replied  the  other,  "  are  now 
against  jou  to  a  man ;  some  of  the  common  people  are  still 
with  you,  by  to-morrow,  however,  not  a  seimetar  out  will  be 
tinsheathed  against  you.'* 

Hosein  inquired  about  Kais,  a  messenger  idiom  he  had 
sent  in  advance  to  apprise  his  adherents  of  nis  approach.  He 
had  been  seised  on  susj^eion ;  ordered  as  a  test  by  Obeid'allah 
-to  curse  Hosein  and  his  father  Ali,  and  on  his  refusing,  had 
been  thrown  headlong  from  the  top  of  the  citadel. 
•  Hosein  shed  tears  at  hearing  the  fate  of  his  £uthful  meg* 
aenger.  "There  be  some,"  said  he,  in  the  words  of  tbe 
Konn,  "  who  are  already  dead,  and  some  who  living  expect 
death.  Let  their  mansions,  oh  God,  be  in  the  gi^ens  d 
paradise,  and  receive  us  with  them  to  thy  mercv." 

Tliirmah  represented  to  Hosein  that  his  handnil  of  fi^Uowers 
would  be  of  no  avail  against  the  host  prenared  to  oppose  him 
in  the  ulains  of  Cufa,  and  offered  to  conauot  him  to  the  im- 
pregnable mountains  of  Aja,  in  the  province  of  Naja,  wboe 
ten  thousand  men  of  the  tribe  or  Tav  might  soon  be  a8# 
sembled  to  defend  him.  He  declined  nis  luivice,  however,  | 
and  advanced  towards  Kadesia,  the  place  famous  fbr  the  vic- 
tory over  the  Persians.  Harro  and  ms  cavalry  kept  pace  with 
him,  watching  every  movement,  but  offering  no  molestation. 
The  mind  of  Hosein,  however,  was  darkened  by  gloomy  for^ 
bodings.  A  stupor  at  times  hung  over  his  faculties  as  he  rode 
slowly  along ;  he  appeared  to  be  haunted  with  a  presentiment 
of  deatii.  "  We  belong  to  God,  and  to  God  we  must  return,** 
exclaimed  he,  as  he  roused  himself  at  one  time  from  a  dream 
or  reverie.  He  had  beheld  in  his  phantasy  a  horseman,  who 
had  addressed  him  in  warning  words,  "Men  travel  in  the 
night,  and  their  destiny  travels  in  the  night  to  meet  them.** 
This  he  pronounced  a  messenger  of  death. 

In  this  dubious  and  despondlDg  mood  he  was  brought  to  a 
halt,  near  the  banks  of  the  Euphrates,  by  the  appearance  of 
four  thousand  men,  in  hostile  array,  commanded  by  Amar  Ibn. 


Saad.  These,  likewise,  had  been  sent  out  by  the  emir  Obeid*- 
allah,  who  was  full  of  uneasiness  lest  there  should  be  some 
popular  movement  in  favour  of  Hosein.  The  latter,  however^ 
was  painfully  convinced  by  this  repeated  appearance  of  hostile 
troops,  without  any  armament  in  his  favour,  that  the  fickle^ 
people  of  Cufa  were  faithless  to  him.  He  held  a  parley  with. 
Amar,  who  was  a  pious  and  ^ood  man,  and  had  come  out  very, 
unwillingly  against  a  descendant  of  the  prophet,  stated  to  him 
the  manner  in  which  he  had  been  deceived  by  the  people  of 
Cufa,  and  now  offered  to  return  to  Mecca.  Amar  dispatched. 
»  fleet  messenger  to  apprise  the  emir  of  this  favourable  offer, 
hopinff  to  be  excused  from  using  violence  against  Hosein. 
Obeid  allah  wrote  in  reply :  "  Get  between  him  and  the  Eu- 
phrates ;  cut  him  off  from  the  water  as  he  did  Othman ;  force 
him  to  acknowledge  allegiance  to  Yezid,  and  then  we  will 
tareat  of  terms." 

,  Amar  obeyed  these  orders  with  reluctance,  and  the  little 
camp  of  Hosein  suffered  the  extremities  of  thirst.  Still  he 
could  not  be  brought  to  acknowledge  Yezid  as  Caliph.  He 
now  offered  three  things,  either  to  go  to  Damascus  and  nego* 
tiate  matters  personally  with  Yezid ;  to  return  into  Arabia ;  or 
to  repair  to  some  frontier  post  inKhorassan,  and  fight  against 
tihe  Turks.  These  terms  were  likewise  transmitted  by  Amar 
io  Obeid'allah. 

The  emir  was  exasperated  at  these  delays,  which  he  con- 
sidered as  intended  to  gain  time  for  tampering  with  the  public 
feeling.  His  next  letter  to  Amar  was  brief  and  explicit.  "  If 
Hosem  and  his  men  submit  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance^, 
breat  them  Idndly ;  if  they  refuse,  slay  them-— ride  over  them 
«-trample  them  under  the  feet  of  thy  horses !"  This  letter  was 
sent  by  Shamar,  a  warrior  of  note,  and  of  a  fierce  spirit.  He 
had  private  instructions.  "  If  Amar  fail  to  do  as  I  have 
ordered,  strike  off  his  head  and  take  command  of  his  troops." 
He  was  furnished  also  with  a  letter  of  protection,  and  pass* 
ports  for  four  of  the  sons  of  All,  who  had  accompanied  their- 
lurother  Hosein. 

Amar,  on  receivingthe  letter  of  the  emir,  had  another- 
parley  with  Hosein.  He  found  him  in  front  of  his  tent  con- 
versing with  his  brother  Al  Abbas,  just  after  the  hour  of 
evening  prayer,  and  made  known  to  him  the  peremptory  de* 
mand  of  the  emir,  and  its  alternative.  He  also  produced  the 
letter  of  protection  and  the  passports  for  his  brothers,  but- 
ihey  refused  to  accept  theu. 

Hosein  obtained  a  truceuntil  the  morning  to  consider  thC' 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


SOd  SVCCE8S0B8  OT  ILiHOlCXT. 

demand  of  the  emir ;  biit  his  mind  was  alreadjmade  up.  He 
MTW  tibat  all  hope  of  honourable  terms  was  rain,  and  ne  re* 
solved  to  die. 

After  the  departure  of  Amar,  he  remained  seated  alone  at 
the  door  of  his  tent,  leaning  on  his  sword,  lost  in  gloomy 
cogitation  on  the  fate  of  the  coming  day.  A  heayiness  again 
came  orer  him,  with  the  same  kind  of  portentous  fiantaaiea 
that  he  had  already  experienced.  The  approach  of  his  fiiYourite 
sister,  Zenaib,  roused  nim.  He  regarded  her  with  moom^ 
significance.  "  I  have  just  seen,"  said  he,  ''in  a  dream,  our 
grandsire  the  prophet,  and  he  said,  '  Thou  wilt  soon  be  with 
me  in  paradise.' " 

The  boding  mind  of  Zenaib  interpreted  the  portent.  "  Woe 
unto  us  and  our  family,"  cried  she,  smiting  her  breast :  ''our 
mother  Fatima  is  dead,  and  onr  father  AH,  and  our  broilifir 
Hassan !  Alas  for  the  desolation  of  the  past  and  the  destroo- 
tion  that  is  to  come  I"  So  sayim^,  her  grief  overcame  her» 
and  she  fell  into  a  swoon.  Hosein  raised  her  t^aderi^^ 
j^rinkled  water  in  her  face,  and  restored  her  to  oonsdonsneflB. 
He  entreated  her  to  rely  with  confidence  on  God,  reminding* 
her  that  all  the  people  of  the  earth  must  die,  and  everything* 
that  exists  must  perish,  but  that  God,  who  created  ihem, 
would  restore  them  and  take  them  to  himself.  "  My  hJQier, 
and  my  mother,  and  my  brother,"  said  he,  "were better  thatt 
I,  yet  they  died,  and  every  Moslem  has  had  an  example  xa 
the  death  of  the  i^K>stle  of  God."  Taking  her  then  by  the 
hand,  he  led  her  into  the  tent,  charging  h^,  in  case  of  his 
death,  not  to  ^ve  way  thns  to  immoderate  sorrow. 

He  next  addressed  his  firiends  and  fdilowers.  ''These 
troops  by  whom  we  are  surrounded,"  said  he,  "  seek  no  life 
but  mine,  and  will  be  contented  with  my  death.  Tarry  oot 
with  me,  therefore,  to  your  destruction,  out  leave  me  to  my 
fate." 

**  God  forbid,"  cried  Al  Abbas,  **  that  we  should  survive 
your  fdl ;"  and  his  words  were  echoed  by  the  rest. 

Seeing  his  little  band  thus  determined  to  share  his  despe* 
rate  foitnnes,  Hosein  prepared  to  sell  their  lives  dear,  and 
make  their  deaths  a  memorable  sacrifice.  By  his  orders  all 
the  tents  were  disposed  in  two  lines,  and  me  cords  inter- 
woven so  as  to  form  barriers  on  both  sides  of  the  camp, 
while  a  deep  trench  in  the  rear  was  filled  with  wood,  to  be 
set  on  fire  m  case  of  attack.  It  was  assailable,  ther^ore, 
only  in  firont.  This  done,  the  devoted  band,  conscious  thai 
the  next  day  was  to  be  ^eir  last,  passed  the  night  in  peayer ; 
while  a  troop  of  the  enemy's  horse  kept  riding  round  to 
prevent  their  escape. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


YBZIB.  207 

■  When  iihe  morning  dawned,  Hosein  prepared  for  battle. 
His  whole  force  amounted  only  to  two-score  foot  soldiers,  and 
two-and-thirty  horse ;  bnt  all  were  animated  with  the  spirit 
of  martyrs.  Hosein  and  sereral  of  his  chief  men  wasned» 
anointed,  and  perAmied  themselyes ;  *'  for  in  a  little  while/* 
said  they,  "we  shall  be  with  the  black-eyed  Honris  of 
paradise." 

His  steadfastness  of  sonl,  however,  was  shaken  by  the  loud 
lamentations  of  his  sisters  and  daughters,  and  the  thought 
of  the  exposed  and  desolate  state  in  whicb  his  death  would 
leare  them.  He  called  to  mind,  too,  the  advice  which  he  had 
neglected  of  AbdaUah  Ibn  Abbas,  to  leave  his  women  in  safety 
at  Mecca.  "  God  wiil  reward  thee,  Abdallah !"  exclaimed  he, 
in  the  fiilness  of  his  feelings. 

A  squadron  of  thirty  horse,  headed  by  Harro,  now  wheeled 
up,  but  thejr  came  as  mends  and  allies.  Harro  repented  him 
of  having  given  the  first  check  to  Hosein,  and  now  came  in 
atonement  to  fight  and  die  for  him.  "  Alas  for  you,  men  of 
Cufa!"  cried  he,  as  Amar  and  his  troops  approached;  "  yon 
have  invited  the  descendant  of  the  prophet  to  your  d^,  and 
now  you  come  to  fight  against  him.  x  ou  have  out  off  from 
him  and  his  family  the  waters  of  the  Euphrates,  which  are 
jree  even  to  infidels  and  the  beasts  of  the  &ld,  and  have  shut 
him  up  like  a  licm  in  the  toils." 

Amar  beean  to  justify  himself  and  to  plead  the  orders  of 
the  emir;  out  the  fierce  Shamar  cut  short  all  parley  by 
letting  fiy  an  arrow  into  the  camn  of  Hosein ;  calfing  all  to 
witness  th&t  he  struck  the  first  blow.  A  skirmish  ensued, 
but  the  men  of  Hosein  kept  within  their  camp,  where  they 
oould  only  be  reached  by  the  archers.  From  lame  to  time 
there  were  single  combats  in  defiance,  as  was  customary  with 
the  Arabs.  In  theto  the  greatest  loss  was  on  the  side  of  tiie 
enemy,  for  Hosein's  men  fought  with  the  desperation  of  men 
resolved  on  death. 

Amar  now  made  a  general  assauli,  but  the  camp  bein^' 
open  only  in  front,  was  successfully  defended.  Shamar  and 
his  followers  attempted  to  pull  down  the  tents,  but  met  with 

S'g^orous  resistance.  He  thrust  his  lance  throng  the  tent  of 
osein,  and  called  for  fire  to  bum  it.  The  women  ran  out 
shrieking.  "  The  5xe  of  Jehennam  be  thv  portion !"  cried 
Hosein ;  "  wouldst  thou  destroy  mv  family? 

Even  the  savage  Shamar  stayea  his  hand  at  the  sight  of 
defenceless  women,  and  he  ana  his  band  drew  off  wim  the 
loss  of  several  of  their  number. 
Both  parties  desisted  from  the  fight  at  the  hour  of  nocmtide 

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206  81TCCBSS0BS  OT  HJLHOMXT. 

prayer;  and  Hosein  put  up  the  prayer  of  Fear,  which  is  only 
used  in  time  of  extremity. 

When  the  prayers  were  over,  the  enemy  renewed  the 
assault,  but  chieflj[  with  arrows  from  a  distance.  The  faithful 
followers  of  Hosein  were  picked  off  one  by  one,  until  he  was 
left  almost  alone ;  yet  no  one  yentured  to  close  upon  him.  An 
arrow  from  a  distance  pierced  his  little  son  Abdallah,  whom 
he  had  upon  his  knee.  Hosein  caught  his  blood  in  the  hollow 
of  his  hand,  and  threw  it  toward  heayen.  "  Oh  Crod," 
exclaimed  he, "  if  thou  withholdest  help  from  us,  at  least  take 
rene^eance  on  the  wicked  for  this  innocent  blood." 

His  nephew,  a  beautifiil  child  with  jewels  in  his  ears,  was 
likewise  wounded  in  his  arms.  "  Allah  will  receire  thee,  my 
child,"  said  Hosein;  *'thouwilt  soon  be  with  thy  forefatiiers 
in  paradise." 

At  this  moment  Zeinab  rushed  forth,  imprecating  the  yen* 
geance  of  Heayen  upon  the  murderers  of  her  family.  Her 
voice  was  oyerpowered  by  the  oaths  and  curses  of  ohamar, 
who  closed  with  his  men  upon  Hosein.  The  latter  fought 
desperately,  and  laid  many  dead  around  him,  but  his  strength 
was  failing  him;  it  became  a  massacre  rather  than  a  fi^nt; 
he  sank  U>  the  earth,  and  was  stripped  ere  life  was  extmct. 
Thirty  wounds  were  counted  in  his  body,  and  four-and-thirty 
bruises.  His  head  was  then  cut  off  to  be  sent  to  Obeid'allah, 
and  Shamar,  with  his  troops,  rode  forward  and  backward 
oyer  the  body,  as  he  had  been  ordered,  until  he  was  trampled 
into  the  earth. 

.  Seyenty-two  followers  of  Hosein  were  slain  in  Ihis  mtm* 
sacre ;  seventeen  of  whom  were  descendants  from  Fotima* 
Eightr-eight  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  a  great  number 
wounded.  All  the  arms  and  furniture  of  Hosein  and  his 
family  were  taken  as  lawful  spoils,  although  against  the  com* 
mandof  Amar. 

Shamar  dispatched  one  of  his  troopers  to  bear  the  head 
of  Hosein  to  the  emir  Obeid'allah.  He  rode  with  all  speed, 
but  arrived  at  Cufa  after  the  gates  of  the  castle  were  dosed. 
Taking  the  f^ory  trophy  to  his  own  house  until  morning,  he 
showed  it  wilh  triumpn  to  his  wife;  but  she  shrank  from  him 
with  horror,  as  one  guilty  of  the  greatest  outrage  to  the 
family  of  the  prophet ;  and  frcmi  tluit  time  forward  r^iounced 
all  intercourse  with  him. 

When  the  head  was  presented  to  Obeid'allah,  he  smote  it 
on  the  mouth  wilh  his  staff.  A  venerable  Arab  present  wa« 
shocked  at  his  impiety.  "  By  Allah!"  exdaimed  he,  "  I  have 
seen  those  lips  pressed  by  the  saored  lips  of  the  ^K^phetr 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


TEZID.  2Q9 

As  Obeid'allah  went  forth  from  tlie  citadel,  lie  beheld 
several  women,  meanly  attired,  and  seated  disconsolately  on 
the  ground  at  the  threshold.  He  had  to  demand  three  tmies 
who  they  were,  before  he  was  told  Ihat  it  was  Zeinab,  sister 
of  Hosein,  and  her  maidens.  "Allah  be  praised,"  cried  he, 
with  nngenerons  exultation,  "who  has  brought  this  proud 
woman  to  shame,  and  wrou^t  death  upon  her  family." 
**  AUah  be  praised,"  retorted  Zeinab,  haughtily,  "  who  h&iJk 
glorified  our  family  by  his  holy  apostJe  Manomet.  As  to  my 
kindred,  death  was  decreed  to  them,  and  they  have  gone  to 
their  resting-place;  but  God  will  bring  you  and.  them  together, 
and  will  judge  betweeil  you." 

The  wrath  of  the  emir  was  inflamed  by  this  reply,  and  his 
friends,  fearful  he  might  be  provoked  to  an  act  of  violence, 
reminded  him  that  she  wa^  a  woman  and  unworthy  of  his 
anger. 

"  Enough,"  cried  he,  **  let  her  revile ;  Allah  has  given  my 
soul  full  satisfaction  in  the  death  of  her  brother,  andthe  ruqi 
of  her  rebeUious  i-ace." 

"  True !"  replied  Zeinab,  "  you  have  indeed  destroyed  our 
men,  and  cut  us  up  root  and  branch.  If  that  be  any  satis- 
faction to  your  soul,  you  have  it." 

The  enur  looked  at  her  with  surprise.  "  Thou  art  indeed," 
said  he,  "  a  worthy  descendant  of  Ali,  who  was  a  poet  and  a 
man  of  courage." 

"  Courage,"  replied  Zeinab,  "  is  not  a  woman's  attribute; 
but  what  my  heart  dictates,  my  tongue  shall  utter." 

The  emir  cast  his  eyes  on  Aii,  the  son  of  Hosein,  a  youth 
Just  approaching  manhood,  and  ordered  him  to  be  beheaded. 
The  proud  heairt  of  Zeinab  now  gave  way.  Bursting  into 
tears,  she  flung  her  arms  round  her  nephew.  "  Hast  thou 
not  drunk  deep  enough  of  the  blood  of  our  family  P"  cried 
she  to  Obeid'allah ;  "  and  dost  thou  thirst  for  the  blood  of 
this  youth?  Take  mine  too  with  it,  and  let  me  die  with  him." 

The  emir  gazed  on  her  again,  and  with  greater  astonish- 
ment ;  he  mused  for  awhile,  debating  with  himself,  for  his 
was  disposed  to  slay  the  lad ;  but  was  moved  by  the  tender- 
ness of  Zeinab.  At  length  his  better  feelings  prevailed,  and 
the  life  of  Ali  was  spared. 

The  head  of  Hosein  was  transmitted  to  the  Caliph  Yezid, 
at  Damascus,  in  charge  of  the  savage-hearted  Shamar ;  and 
with  it  were  sent  Zeinab  and  her  women,  and  the  youth  Ali. 
The  latter  had  a  chain  round  his  neck,  but  the  youth  carried 
liimself  proudly,  and  would  never  vouchsafe  a  word  to  his 
oonductors. 

When  Shamar  presented  the  head  with  the  greetings  of 


SIO  8T7CCE8SOB8  OT  HAHOKST. 

Obeid'aUah,  ike  Caliph  shed  team,  for  he  recalled  ihe  dying     i 
eonnsel of  hia  father  wilh  respect  to  the  son  of  AIL    "Oh 
Hosein!"  ejaculated  he,  "  hadst  ihon  fallen  into  my  hands,     I 
thou  wonldst  not  have  heen  slain."    Then  giTinir  vent  to  his 
indignation  against  the  ahsent  Oheid'allah,  "The  curse  6f 
Qcai"  exclaimed  he,  "  be  npon  the  son  of  Somyah."* 

He  had  been  urged  by  one  of  his  courtiers  to  kill  Ali,  and 
extinguish  the  whole  generation  of  Hosein,  but  milder  coun- 
sels preyailed.  "When  the  women  and  children  were  brought 
before  him,  in  presence  of  the  Syrian  nobility,  he  was  shocked 
at  their  mean  attire,  and  agam  uttered  a  malediction  an 
Obeid'allah.  In  conversing  with  Zeinab,  he  spoke  with  dia- 
paragement  of  her  father  Ali  and  her  brother  Hosein,  but 
uie  proud  heart  of  this  intrepid  w<nnan  again  rose  to  her  lips,  i 
and  she  replied  with  a  noble^^eom  and  just  invective,  that 
shamed  him  to  silence. 

Yezid  now  had  Zeinab  and  the  other  females  of  the  family 
of  Hosein  treated  with  proper  respect;  baths  were  provided 
for  them,  and  apparel  suited  to  their  rank ;  they  were  enter- 
tained in  his  palace,  and  the  widowed  wives  of  his  &ther  Moa- 
wyah  came  and  kept  them  company,  and  joined  with  tiiem  in 
mourning  for  Hosein.  Yezid  acted  also  with  ^reat  kindness 
towardAli  and  Amru,  the  sons  of  Hosein,  takm^  them  witii 
him  in  his  walks.  Amru  was  as  yet  a  mere  cnild.  Yezid 
asked  him  one  day  jestingly,  "Wilt  thou  fight  with  my  son 
KhaledP'  The  urchin's  eye  flashed  fire.  "  Give  him  a  knifed 
cried  he,  "  and  give  me  one !"  "  Beware  .of  this  child,"  said 
a  crafty  old  courtier  who  stood  by,  and  who  was  an  enemy  to 
the  house  of  Ali — "  beware  of  tms  child,  depend  upon  it,  one 
seip^it  is  the  parent  of  another." 

After  a  time»  when  the  family  of  Hosein  wished  to  depart 
for  Medina,  Yezid  furnished  them  abundantiy  with  every 
eomfort  for  the  journey,  and  a  safe  convoy  under  a  careful 
officer,  who  treated  them  with  all  due  deference.  When  their 
journey  was  accomplished,  Zeinab  and  Fatima,  ihe  young 
daughter  of  Hosein,  would  have  presented  iheir  conductor 
with  some  of  their  jewels,  but  the  worthy  Syrian  declined    i 
their  ofier.    "Had  I  acted  for  reward,"  sudhe,  "less  than 
these  jewels  would  have  sufficed ;  but  what  I  have  done  was  I 
for  the  love  of  God,  and  for  the  sake  of  your  relationship  to  | 
theprophet." 

^  The  Persians  hold  ihe  memoiy  of  Hosein  in  mat  yenara-  . 
lion,  ^ititiing  him  Shahed  or  Ihe  Martyr,  and  Seyejed  or  | 

*A^eer  at  Obeid'aUah'B  Ukgitinwte  descent  fro^  , 

Digitized  by  Google  ' 


TSZIB.  211 

Lord ;  ftnd  he  and  his  lineal  descendants  for  nine  generations 
are  enrolled  among  the  twelve  Imams  or  Pontiffs  of  die  Per- 
sian creed.  The  anniyersarr  of  his  martyrdom  is  called  Ens 
Hosein  (the  daj  of  Hosein),  and  is  ke^t  with  great  scdem- 
nity.  A  splendid  monnment  was  erected  in  after  years  on  the 
spot  where  he  fell,  and  was  called  in  Arabic,  Mesked  Hosein, 
G?he  Sepulchre  of  Hosein.  The  Shjites,  or  sectanes  of  All, 
relate  myers  prodigies  as  haying  sign|dized  his  martyrdom. 
The  sun  withdrew  nis  light,  the  st^  twinlded  at  noonday 
and  clashed  against  each  other,  and  the  donds  rained  showers 
of  blood.  A  supernatural  light  beamed  from  the  head  of  the 
martyr,  and  a  flock  of  white  birds  hoyered  around  it.  These 
miracles,  however,  are  all  stoutly  denied  hj  the  sect  of  Mos- 
lems called  Sonnites,  who  hold  Ali  and  his  race  in  abomi- 
nation. 


CHAPTEE  XLVn. 

InsmrectUm  of  AMtllah  Iba  Zobeir.— Mtdiiift  taken  and  sadced.— 
Xeooa  besl^^-^Death  of  Tezid. 

Thb  death  of  Hosein  had  removed  one  formidalde  rival  of 
Yezid ;  but  gave  strengtibi  to  the  claims  of  anothw,  who  was 
scarcely  less  popular.  Jliis  wasAbdallah,  thesonof  Zobeir; 
honoured  for  his  devotion  to  the  faith;  beloved  for  the 
amenity  of  his  manners,  and  of  such  adroit  policy>  that  ha 
soon  managed  to  be  proclaimed  Calqph^  by  the  partisans  of 
the  house  m  Haschem,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  peo]>le  of 
Medina  and  Mecca.  The  mar^rdom*  as  he  termed  it,  of 
Hosein  furnished  him  a  theme  for  public  harangues,  witli 
which,  after  his  inauguration,  he  sought  to  sway  the  popular 
feelings.  He  called  to  mind  Ihe  virtues  of  that  grandson  of 
the  prophet,  his  pious  watchings,  fastings,  and  prayers;  the 
perfidy  of  the  people  of  Ouf a,  to  which  he  had  fallen  a  victim ; 
the  lofty  heroism  of  his  latter  moments,  and  the  sava^ 
atrocities  which  had  accompanied  his  murder.  The  pubBc 
mind  was  heated  bythese  speeches ;  the  enthusiasm  awaikened 
for  the  memory  of  Hosein  was  extended  to  his  potitic  eulogist. 
An  Egyptian  soothsayer,  famed  for  skill  in  divination,  and 
who  iSd  studied  the  prophet  Daniel,  declared  that  Abdalli^ 
would  live  and  die  a  kmg;  and  this  operated  powerfully  in  his 
£ivour  among  the  superstitious  Ambs,  so  that  his  parly 
Tapidly  increased  in  numbers. 
The  Caliph  Yezid,  although  ahninfA  all  the  proviaoes  of  the 
p2 


212  8UCCES80B8  OF  UJLHOICET. 

empire  were  still  in  allegianoe  to  liim,  was  alarmed  at  the 
movements  of  this  new  rival  He  affected,  however,  to  regard^ 
him  with  contempt,  and  sent  a  silver  collar  to  Merwan  Ibn 
Hakem,  then  governor  of  Medina,  directing  him  to  p»iit  it 
Tomid  the  neck  of  the  **  mock  Caliph,"  should  he  persist  in 
his  folly,  and  send  l^^Tn  in  chains  to  Damascos.  jMEerw^n, 
however,  who  was  of  a  wily  character  himself,  and  aware  of 
the  craft  and  courage  of  Abdallah,  and  his  growing  popu- 
larity in  Medina,  evaded  the  execution  of  the  order. 

Tezid  had  no  better  success  in  his  endeavours  to  crush  the 
xising  power  of  Abdallah  at  Mecca.  In  vain  he  repeatedly 
changed  his  governors  of  that  city ;  each  in  his  turn  was  out- 
witted by  the  superior  sagacity  of  Abdallah,  or  overawed  by 
the  turbulent  discontent  of  the  people. 

Various  negotiations  took  place  oetween  Yezid  and  these 
disaffected  cities,  and  dispatches  were  sent  from  the  latter 
to  Damascus ;  but  these  only  rendered  the  schism  in  the 
Caliphat  more  threatening.  The  deputies  brought  back  ac- 
counts of  the  dissolute  life  of  Yezid,  which  shocked  the  pious 
and  abstemious  Arabs  of  the  sacred  cities.  They  represented 
him  as  destitute  of  religion  and  moraliiy ;  neglectful  of  the 
hours  of  worship ;  a  gross  sensualist,  addicted  to  wine  and 
banqueting ;  an  effeminate  voluptuary,  passing  his  time  amid 
singmg  and  dancing  women,  ustenmg  to  music  and  loose 
minstrelsy,  and  surrounded  by  dogs  and  eunuchs. 

The  contempt  and  loathing  caused  by  their  representations 
were  fomented  by  the  partisans  of  Abdallah  Ibn  Zobeir,  and 
extended  to  the  whole  house  of  Ommiah,  of  which  Yezid  was 
a  member.  Open  rebellion  at  length  broke  out  in  a  manner 
characteristic  of  the  Arabs.  Dunng  an  assemblage  in  the 
mosque  of  Medina,  one  of  the  conspirators  threw  ms  turban 
on  the  ground,  exclaiming,  "  I  cast  off  Yezid  as  I  cast  off 
this  turban."  Another  seconded  him  with  the  exclamation, 
"  I  cast  off  Yezid  as  I  cast  off  this  shoe."  Heaps  of  shoes 
and  turbans  soon  showed  that  the  feeling  was  unanimous. 

The  next  move  was  to  banish  the  house  of  Ommiah  and  all 
its  dependents :  but  these,  to  the  number  of  a  thousand,  took 
refuge  in  the  palace  of  Merwfin  Ibn  Hakem,  the  governor, 
who  was  of  that  race.  Here  they  were  closely  besieged,  and 
sent  off  to  Yezid,  imploring  instant  succour. 

It  was  with  difficulty  Yezid  could  prevail  upon  any  of  his 
generals  to  engage  in  so  unpopular  a  cause.  Meslem  IbnOkbali, 
a  stout-hearted  but  infirm  old  general,  at  length  imdertook  it; 
but  observed,  with  contempt,  uiat  a  thousand  men  who  suf- 
fered themselves  to  be  cooped  up  like  fowls,  without  fighting, 
scarce  deserved  assistance.  r^^^^i^ 

■   Digitized  by  VjOOS?  It 


TIEZID.  21$ 

When  the  troops  were  about  to  depart,  Yezid  rode  about 
among  them,  his  scimetar  bj  his  side,  and  an  Arab  bow  across 
his  shoulder,  calling  upon  them  to  show  their  loyalty  and 
courage.  His  instructions  to  Meslem  were  to  summon  the 
city  of  Medina,  three  days  in  succession,  before  he  made  any 
l^sault ;  if  it  refused  to  surrender,  he  should,  after  taking  it, 
nve  it  up  to  three  days'  pillage.  He  charged  him,  however, 
to  be  careful  of  the  safety  of  the  youth  Ali,  son  of  Hosein, 
who  was  in  the  city,  but  had  taken  no  part  in  the  rebellion. 

Meslem  departed  at  the  head  of  twelVe  thousand  horse  and 
fiye  thousand  foot.  When  ho  arrived  before  Medina,  he 
found  a  hu^^e  trench  digged  round  the  city,  and  great  prepa« 
rations  made  for  defence.  On  three  successive  days  he  sum- 
moned it  to  surrender,  and  on  each  day  received  a  re^d. 
On  the  fourth  day  he  attacked  it  by  storm,  making  his  assault 
on  the  east  side,  that  the  besieged  might  be  blinded  by  the 
risLDg  sun.  The  city  held  out  until  most  of  its  prime  leaders 
were  slain ;  it  would  then  have  capitulated,  but  the  stem  old 
general  compelled  an  unconditional  surrender. 

Meslem  entered  the  dtj  sword  in  hand,  and  sent  instantly 
for  Ali,  the  youthM  son  of  Hosein,  whom  he  placed  on  his 
own  camel,  and  furnished  with  a  trusty  guard.  His  next  care 
was  to  release  the  thousand  men  of  the  house  of  Ommiah 
from  confinement,  lest  they  should  be  involved  in  the  sacking' 
of  the  city ;  this  done,  he  abandoned  the  |>lace  for  three  days 
to  his  soldiery,  and  a  scene  of  slaughter,  violence,  and  rapine 
ensued,  too  horrible  to  be  detailed.  Those  of  the  inhabitants 
who  survived  the  massacre  were  compelled  to  submit  as 
slaves  and  vassals  of  Yezid.  The  rigid  severity  of  old  Meslem, 
which  far  surpassed  his  orders,  gained  him  tne  appellation  of 
Musreph,  or.  The  Extortionate.  His  memory  has  ever  been 
held  in  odium  by  the  Moslems,  for  the  outrages  which  he 
permitted  in  this  sacred  city.  This  capture  of  Medina  to<^ 
place  at  night,  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  the  Hegira,  and  the 
year  682  of  the  Christian  era. 

The  old  general  now  marched  on  to  wreak  the  same  fate 
upon  Mecca ;  but  his  fires  were  burnt  out ;  he  died  on  the 
march,  of  fatigue,  infirmity,  and  old  age,  and  the  command 
devolved  on  a  Syrian  general,  named  Hozein  Ibn  Thamir. 
The  latter  led  his  force  up  to  the  walls  of  Mecca,  where 
Abdallah  Ibn  Zobeir  commanded  in  nerson.  For  the  space 
of  forty  days  he  besieged  the  city :  oattering  the  walls  with 
engines  brought  from  Syria.  In  the  course  of  the  siege,  a 
part  of  the  Caaba  was  beaten  down,  and  the  rest  burnt.  Some 
ascribe  the  fire  to  the  engines  of  the  besiegers ;  others  affirm 
that  Abdallah,  hearing  a  shouting  in  the  night,  caused  a 


214  SUCCESSORS  OF  MAHOICET. 

fiaming  branci  to  be  ekra^d  on  a  lanoe  to  cBsoorer  the  eaxae, 
and  that  tbe  fire  comniiinieated  to  the  reil  whieh  oovered  the 
edifice. 

Meoea  was  reduced  to  extremity,  and  the  inhabitants  began 
to  dread  the  fate  of  Medina,  when  a  swift  messenffer  brought 
to  Ab^^H*^  Ibn  Zobeir  the  joyful  tidings  of  the  death  <^ 
Yezid.  He  immediately  monnted  the  walls,  and  demanded 
of  tiie  besiegers  why  they  c<Hitinned  to  fight,  sedng  that  their 
master  Tend  was  no  more.  They  regarded  his  words  as  a 
mere  subterfuge,  and  continued  the  attack  with  increased 
yiffour.    Hie  intdligence,  howerer,  was  speedily  confirmed. 

•  Moaein  now  held  a  conference  with  Abdallah ;  he  expressed 
an  ardent  desire  to  put  an  end  to  all  farther  efiusion  of  kindred 
blood ;  and  profiered  the  allegiance  of  himself  and  his  army, 
in  which  were  some  of  the  leiuling  men  of  Syria.  Abdallahy 
for  once,  was  too  cautious  for  his  own  good.  He  shrank  from 
trusting  himself  with  Hozein  and  his  army ;  he  permitted 
them,  however,  at  their  earnest  request,  to  walk  in  religious 
procession  round  the  ruins  of  the  Caaba,  of  course  wiUKnit 
arms ;  after  which  Hozein  and  his  host  departed  cm  the  march 
homeward ;  and  the  late  beleaguered  family  of  Ommiah  accom- 
panied them  to  Syria. 

The  death  c^  the  Caliph  Yezid  took  place  at  Hawwamn,  in 
^Tia,  in  the  sixty-fourtn  year  of  the  fiegira,  jl.d.  683,  in  the 
thirty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  after  a  reign  of  three  years  and 
sis  months.  He  was  cut  down  in  the  flower  of  his  days,  say 
the  Moslem  writers,  in  consequence  of  his  imniety  in  orderii^ 
the  sacking  of  Medina,  the  burial-place  of  tne  prophet;  for 
the  latter liad  predicted,  "Whoever  injureth  Medma,  shall 
melt  away  eren  as  salt  melteth  in  water.  The  Persian  writers 
also,  sectarians  of  Ali,  hold  the  memory  of  Yezid  in  abhor- 
rence, charging  lum  with  the  deaths  of  Hassan  and  Hosein, 
and  accompany  his  name  with  the  imprecati(m,  "  May  he  be 
accursed  of  God  r 


CHAPTEE  XLVm. 

lasogimtioii  of  Moawjah  II.,  eighth  Caliph. — Bia  abdieatioii  and  death.-— 
,   MerwiUi  Ibn  Hakem  and  Abdallah  Ibn  Zobeir,  riyal  Caliphs. — Clyil  wan 
hi  Syria. 

Os  the  death  of  Yezid,  his  son,  Moawyah  11.,  was  proclaimed 
at  Damascus,  being  the  third  Calijph  of  the  house  of  Ommiah. 
He  was  in  the  twenty-first  year  of  his  age,  feeble  in  mind  and 
body,  and  swayed  in  his  opmions  and  actions  by  his  fayourite 

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KOAWTAX  m  fl& 

ieaeher  Omar  Ahneksus,  of  tibe  seol  of  tiie  £adarii,  wlio 
mamtain  the  £ree»wiil  of  men,  and  tliat  a  contrary  opinioii 
would  make  Grod  the  aath<»r  of  sin. 

Moawyali  assumed  the  supreme  authority  with  extreme 
reluctance,  and  felt  his  incompetency  to  its  duties ;  for  the 
state  of  his  health  obliged  him  to  shun  dayH^ht,  and  keep  in 
darkened  rooms;  whence  the  Arabs,  in  tneir  propensity  to 
by-names,  gave  him  the  derisive  appellation  of  Abuleuah, 
"Father  of  the  Night." 

He  abdicated  at  the  end  of  six  months,  alleging  his  incom- 
petency. The  Ommiades  were  indignant  at  his  conduct ;  they 
attributed  it,  and  probably  with  reason,  to  the  counsels  of  the 
sage  Omar  Almelraus,  on  whom  they  are  said  to  have  wreaked 
their  rage  by  burying  him  aliTC. 

Moawyah  refused  to  nominate  a  successor.  His  grand- 
&ther  Moawyah,  he  sai4  had  wrested  the  sceptre  from  the 
hands  of  a  better  man ;  his  father  Yezid  had  not  merited  so 
great  a  trust,  and  he  himself,  being  tmworthy  and  unfit  to 
wield  it,  was  equally  unworthy  to  appoint  a  successor ;  he  left 
the  election,  therefore,  to  the  chiero  of  the  people.  In  all 
which  he  probably  spake  according  to  the  dictates  of  the  sage 
Omar  Almeksus. 

As  soon  as  he  had  thrown  off  the  cares  of  goyemment,  he 
shut  himself  up  in  the  twilight  gloom  of  his  c£unber,  whence 
be  neyer  stirred  unlil  his  death,  which  happened  soon  after : 
<»used,  some  say,  by  the  plague,  others  by  noison.  His  own 
diseased  frame  and  morbid  temperament  noweyer,  account 
sufficiently  for  his  dissolution. 

The  election  of  a  Caliph  again  distracted  the  Moslem  empire. 
The  leading  men  at  Damascus  determined  upon  Merwdn  Ibn 
Hakem,  of  thjB  family  of  Ommiah,  and  once  the  secretary  of 
state  of  Othman,  who  had  so  crafld^managed  the  correspond- 
ence of  that  unfortunate  Caliph.  He  was  now  well  stncken 
in  years ;  tall  and  meagre,  with  a  pale  face  and  yellow  beard, 
doubtless  tinged  aocorain^  to  oriental  usage.  Those  who 
elected  him  took  care  to  stipulate  that  he  should  not  nominate 
any  of  his  posterity  as  his  successor ;  but  should  be  succeeded 
by  Xhaled,  the  son  of  Yezid,  as  yet  a  minor.  Merwan,  in 
his  eagerness  for  power,  pledged  himself  without  hesitation; 
bow  faithfully  he  redeemed  hS  pledge  will  be  seen  hereafter. 

While  this  election  was  held  at  Damascus,  AbdaUab  Ibn 
Zobeir  was  acknowledged  as  Caliph  in  Mecca,  Medina,  and 
throughout  Arabia,  as  also  in  Xorassan,  in  Babylonia,  and  in 
Egypt. 

Another  candidate  for  the  supreme  power  imexpectedly 
arose  in  Obeid'allab  Ibn  Ziyad,  the  emir  of  Bassora;  the^ 


916  sirccBsaoBS  of  mahoxxt. 

tame  who  had  caused  the  massacre  of  Hosein.   He  ] 
an  assemblaee  of  the  people  of  Bassora  on  the  state  of^tlie 
contending  factions  in  Syria  and  Arabia;  the  importance  of 
their  own  portion  of  tiie  empire,  so  ci^>able  oi  sustaining^ 
itself  in  independence,  and  the  pohey  of  appointing  some  able 
person  as  a  protector  to  watch  oyer  the  oublic  weal,  until 
these  dissensions  should  cease,  and  a  Calipn  be  unanimously 
appointed.  The  assembly  was  eonyinoed  by  his  reasoning,  and 
urged  him  to  accept  the  appointment.    He  declined  it  repeat- 
edly wilh  poHtic  grace,  but  was  at  length  prevailed  upon;  and 
^e  leaders  gave  him  their  hands,  promising  allegiance  to  him 
as  a  provisional  chief,  until  a  Caliph  should  to  regularly  elected. 
His  aulhori^,  however,  was  out  of  short  duration.     Th» 
people  of  Cufa,  who  had  experienced  his  tynsmj  as  governor, 
rejected  with  scorn  his  Section  as  protector ;  their  example 
j^acted  upon  the  fickle  Bassorians,  who  suddenly  revolDed 
tiLeir  late  act  of  allegiance,  rose  in  tumultuous  opposition  to 
the  man  they  had  so  recently  honoured,  and  Obeia'allah  was 
fain  to  disguise  himself  in  female  attire,  and  take  refuge  in  the 
house  of  an  adherent.    During  his  sway,  however,  he  had 
secured  an  immense  amount  of  gold  from  the  pubUc  treaisury* 
This  he  now  shared  among  his  partisans,  and  distributed  by 
handsM  among  the  multitude :  but  though  he  squandered  in 
this  way  above  two  hundred  thousand  pieces  of  sold  upon  Ihe 
populace,  and  raised  a  few  transient  tumults  in  nis  favour,  he 
was  ultimately  obliged  to  %-  for  his  life,  and  his  effects  were 
pillaged  by  tlie  rabble.   So  mred  it  with  the  temporary  tyrant 
who  smote  the  ^ory  head  of  the  virtuous  Hosein. 

He  fled  by  night  at  the  head  of  only  a  hundred  men ;  after 
a  time  weariness  compelled  him  to  exchange  the  camel  on 
which  he  was  mounted  for  an  ass.  In  this  hiunble  plight,  with 
drooping  head,  and  legs  dangling  to  the  ground,  journeyed  ike 
imperious  Obeid'aUah,  who,  but  the  day  before,  was  govem(»r 
of  J3abylonia,  and  aspired  to  the  throne  of  the  Calipf^.  One 
of  his  attendants  noticing  his  dejection,  and  hearing  him 
mutter  to  himself,  supposed  him  smitten  wilh  contrition,  and 
upbraiding  himself  wim  having  incurred  these  calamities,  as  a 
judgment  for  the  death  of  Hosein :  he  ventured  to  suggest  hia 
thoughts  and  to  offer  consolation ;  but  Obeid'allah  qmokly  let 
bdm  know  that  his  only  repentance  and  self-reproach  were  for 
not  having  attacked  the  faithless  Bassorians,  and  struck  off 
their  hea£  at  the  very  outbreak  of  their  revolt.  Obeid*allah 
effected  his  escape  into  Syria,  and  arrived  at  Damascus  in 
time  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  election  of  Merw^n  to  the- 
Caliphat :  in  the  meantime  Bassora  declared  its  allegiance  to 
Abdallah  Ibn  Zobeir. 

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tfXBWAK  AND  ABDALLAH*  217 

The  claims  of  Merwan  to  the  Caliphat  wete  acknowledged 
in  Syria  alone ;  but  Syria,  if  nndiyided,  was  an  empire  in 
itself  It  was  diyided,  however.  A  powerful  faction,  headed 
by  Dehac  Ibn  EJiis,  late  goyemor  of  Cufa,  disputed  the 
pretensions  of  Merw&n,  and  declared  for  Abdallah.  They 
appeared  in  arms  m  the  plain  near  Damascus.  Merw&n  toot 
the  field  against  them  in  person ;  a  great  and  sanguinary  battle 
took  place;  Dehao  and  fourscore  of  the  flower  of  Syrian 
nobility  were  slain,  and  an  immense  number  of  their  adherents. 
Victory  declared  for  MerwAn.  He  called  off  his  soldiers 
from  the  pursuit,  reminding  them  that  the  fdgitiyes  were 
their  brethren. 

When  the  head  of  Dehac  was  brought  to  him  he  turned 
from  it  with  sorrow.  "  Alas  1"  exclaimed  he,  **  that  an  old  and 
worn-out  man  like  myself  should  occasion  the  young  and 
yigorous  to  be  cut  to  pieces !" 

jBEis  troops  hailed  him  as  Caliph  beyond  all  dispute ;  and 
bore  him  back  in  triumph  to  Damascus.  He  took  up  his  abode 
in  the  palace  of  his  predecessors  Moawyah  and  Yezid ;  but 
now  came  a  harder  part  of  his  task.  It  had  been  stipulated 
that  at  his  death,  Xhaled  the  son  of  Yezid  should  be  his 
successor ;  it  was  now  urged  that  he  should  marry  the  widow 
of  Yezid,  the  mother  of  the  youth,  and  thus  make  himself  his 
legitimate  guardian. 

The  aged  Merwiin  would  fain  haye  evaded  this  condition^ 
but  it  was  forced  upon  him  as  a  measure  of  policy,  and  he 
complied ;  no  sooner,  however,  was  the  marriage  solemnized 
than  he  left  his  capital  and  his  bride,  and  set  off  with  an 
army  for  Egypt,  to  put  down  the  growing  ascendancy  of 
Abdallah  in  that  region.  He  sent  m  advance,  Amru  Ibn 
Saad,  who  acted  with  such  promptness  and  vigour,  that  while 
the  Caliph  was  yet  on  the  march,  he  received  tidings  that  the 
lieutenant  of  Abdallah  had  been  driven  from  the  province,  and 
the  Egyptians  brought  under  subjection ;  whereupon,  Merw^ 
turned  his  face  agam  toward  Damascus. 

Intelligence  now  overtook  him  that  an  army  under  Musab, 
brother  of  Abdallah,  was  advancing  upon  Egypt.  The  old 
Caliph  again  faced  about,  and  resumed  his  march  in  that 
direction,  but  again  was  anticipated  by  Amru,  who  routed 
Musab  in  a  pitched  battle,  and  completely  established  the 
sway  of  Merw&n  over  Egypt.  The  Caliph  now  appointed  his 
son  Abd'alaziz  to  the  government  of  that  important  country, 
and  once  more  returned  to  Damascus,  whither  he  was  soon 
followed  by  the  victorious  Amru. 

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^18  gtrcosssoss  of  xAHOmf . 


CHAPTEE  XLTX. 


state  €f  lAdn  In  KiBtMM]i.F--0»flpiracy  at  C«fik--P^ 
Penttttits;  tiMir  tetuei.— Death  of  the  Gal^  Merwin. 

In  the  present  dirided  state  of  the  Moslem  enqnre,  the  peofde 
of  Korassaa  remained  neuter,  refusing  to  aeknowledge  eitEer 
Caliph.  They  appointed  Salem,  the  son  of  Zijad,  to  act  as 
regent,  until  the  unity  of  the  Moslem  gorenment  should  be 
restored.  He  continued  for  a  length  of  time  in  this  staticm, 
TrtftiTitAining  the  peaco  of  the  province,  and  winning  the  hearts 
of  the  inhabitants  by  his  justice,  equity,  and  moderation. 

About  this  time,  there  was  a  sudden  awakening  among  ibe 
sect  of  M,  in  Babylonia.  The  people  of  Cufii,  proverbially 
fidde  and  faithless,  were  seized  with  tardy  remorse  for  the 
fate  of  Hosein,  of  which  they  were  conscious  of  being  the 
cause.  Those  who  had  not  personally  assisted  in  his  mar- 
tyrdom, formed  an  association  to  avenge  his  death.  Above  a 
bundred  of  the  chief  men  of  the  country  joined  them ;  tbey 
took  the  name  o£  The  Penitents,  to  express  their  contntkm 
for  having  been  instrumental  in  the  death  of  the  martyr,  and 
they  chose  for  their  leader  one  of  the  veteran  companions  of 
the  prophet,  the  venerable  Solyman  Ibn  Sor^  who  devoted 
bisgray  hairs  to  this  pious  vengeance. 

The  awakening  spread  far  and  wide;  in  a  little  while 
upwards  of  sixteen  thousand  names  were  enrolled ;  a  genial 
appeal  to  arms  was  anticipated  throughout  the  country,  and 
we  veteran  Solyman  called  upon  all  tnie  Modieans  disposed  to 
]OTOsecute  this  "hdy  war,"  to  assemble  at  a  place  called 
Kochaik.  Before  the  appointed  time,  however,  the  iemporsry 
remorse  of  the  peo^e  of^Cufa  had  subsided ;  the  enthusiasm 
for  the  memory  of  Hosein  had  cooled  throughout  the  province; 
intriguing  meddlers,  jealous  of  the  appointment  of  Sofyman, 
bad  been  at  work,  and  when  the  vetmm  came  to  the  plaoe  of 
assemblage,  he  found  but  an  inconsiderable  number  prepared 
for  action. 

He  now  dispatched  two  horsemen  to  Cufa,  who  arrived 
there  at  the  hour  of  the  last  evening  prayer,  galloped  througb 
the  streets  to  the  great  mosque,  rousing  the  penitents  with  tne 
war-cry  of  "  Vengeance  for  Hosein."  The  call  was  not  lost 
on  the  real  enthusiasts  ;  a  kind  of  madness  seized  upon  many 
of  the  people,  who  thronged  after  the  couriers,  echoing  the  cry 
of  vengeance.  The  cry  penetrated  into  the  depths  of  the 
bouses.    One  man  tore  Imnself  from  the  arms  of^a  beautiM 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


and  tenderly  beloved  wife,  and  be^an  to  am  for  battle.  She 
asked  him  if  he  were  mad.  "  No  i*  cried  he,  "  but  I  hear  the 
summons  of  the  herald  of  God,  and  I  fly  to  avenge  the  death 
of  Hosein."  "And  in  whose  protection  do  you  leave  our 
child P"  "I  commend  him  and  thee  to  the  protection  of 
AUah !"    So  saying  he  departed. 

Another  called  for  a  lance  and  steed ;  told  his  daughter 
that  he  fled  from  crime  to  penitence ;  took  a  hurried  leave  of 
his  family,  and  galloped  to  the  camp  of  Solyman. 

Still,  when  me  army  of  Penitents  was  mustered  on  the 
following  day  it  did  not  exceed  four  thousand.  Solymaa 
flattered  himself,  however,  that  reinforcements,  promised  him 
from  various  quarters,  would  join  him  when  on  the  march. 
He  haran^ea  his  scanty  host,  roused  their  ardour,  and 
marched  them  to  the  place  of  Hosein's  murder,  where  they 
passed  a  day  and  night  in  prayer  and  lamentation.  They 
then  resumed  their  march.  Their  intention  was  to  depose 
both  Caliphs,  Merwka.  and  Abdallah;  to  overthrow  the 
fanulv  of  Ommiah,  and  restore  the  throne  to  the  house  of  Ali  ; 
but  their  first  object  was  vengeance  on  Obeid'allah,  the  son 
of  Ziyad,  to  whom  they  chiefly  sacribed  the  murder  of  Hosein. 
The  aged  Solyman  led  his  little  army  of  enthusiasts  through 
Syria,  continually  disappointed  of  recruits,  but  unabated  in 
their  expectation  of  aid  firom  heaven,  until  they  were  encoun- 
tered by  Obeid*allah  with  an  army  of  twenty  wousand  horse^ 
men,  and  cut  in  pieces. 

Ill  the  midst  of  these  internal  feuds  and  dissensions,  a 
spark  of  the  old  Saracen  spirit  was  aroused  by  the  news  <^ 
disastrous  reverses  in  Norttiem  Africa.  We  nave  recorded 
in  a  former  chapter,  the  heroic  but  disastrous  end  of  Acbah 
on  the  plains  of  Numidia,  where  he  and  his  little  army 
were  massacred  by  a  Berber  host,  led  on  by  Aben  Cahina. 
That  Moorish  chieftain,  while  flushed  with  victory,  had  been 
defeated  by  Zohair  before  the  walls  of  Caerwan,  and  the 
spirits  of  the  Moslems  had  once  more  revived ;  especially  on 
the  arrival  of  reinforcements  sent  by  Abd'alaziz  from  Egypt. 
A  sad  reverse,  however,  again  took  place.  A  large  force  of 
imperialists,  veteran  and  well  armed  soldiers  from  Constanti- 
nople, were  landed  on  the  African  coast  to  take  advantage  of 
the  domestic  troubles  of  the  Moslems,  and  drive  them  Irom 
their  African  possessions.  Being  joined  by  the  light  troops  of 
!Barbary,  they  attacked  Zobeir  in  open  fleld.  He  fought  long 
and  desperately,  but  being  desertea  by  the  Egyptian  reinforce- 
zxients,  and  overpowered  By  numbers,  was  compelled  to  retreat 
to  Barca,  while  the  conquerinff  foe  marched  on  to  Caerwan, 
captured  that  city,  and  made  themselves  masters  of  the 
gurrounding  country.  ^ 


620  iVCCSSSOBS  OF  ILinOHEf. 

It  was  the  tidings  of  this  disastrous  reverse,  and  of  thd 
loss  of  the  great  outpost  of  Moslem  conquest  in  Northern 
Africa,  that  roused  the  Saracen  spirit  from  its  domestic  feuds< 
Abd'almAlec,  the  eldest  son  of  the  Caliph  Merw^,  who  had 
already  seired  in  Africa,  was  sent  with  an  army  to  assist 
Zobeir.  He  met  thatgeneral  in  Barca,  where  he  was  a^ain 
ooUectinff  an  army.  They  united  their  forces ;  retraced  the 
Irestwara  route  oi  yictory,  defeated  the  enemy  in  every  action, 
and  replaced  the  standard  of  ^e  fiuth  on  the  walls  of  Caerwan. 
Having  thus  wiped  out  the  recent  discfraces,  Abd'almalec  left 
Zobeir  in  command  of  that  region,  and  returned  covered  with 
glory  to  sustain  his  aged  father  in  the  Caliphat  at  Damascus. 

The  latter  days  of  MerwsUi  had  now  arrived.  He  had 
been  intriguing  and  faithless  in  his  youth ;  he  was  equally  so 
in  his  age.  In  his  stipulations  on  receiving  the  Cahphat,  he 
had  promised  the  succession  to  Slhaled,  the  son  of  Yezid;  he 
had  since  promised  it  to  his  nephew  Amru,  who  had  fought  his 
battles  and  confirmed  his  power ;  in  his  latter  days  he  caused 
his  own  son  Abd'almMec,  fr'esh  from  African  exploits,  to  be 
TOOclaimed  his  successor,  and  allegiance  to  be  sworn  to  him. 
Khaled,  his  step  son,  reproadied  hun  with  his  breach  of  faith; 
in  the  heat  of  repljr,  Merw&n  called  the  youth  by  an  oppro- 
brious epithet ;  which  brought  in  question  the  chastity  or  his 
mother.  This  unlucky  word  is  said  to  have  caused  Uie 
sudden  death  of  Merw&n.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Khaled, 
is  charged  with  having  given  him  poison ;  others  say  that  she 
threw  a  pillow  on  his  &e  while  he  slept,  and  sat  on  it  until 
he  was  suffocated.  He  died  in  the  66th  year  of  the  'IS.egin, 
▲.  D.  684,  after  a  brief  reign  of  not  quite  a  year. 


CHAPTER  L. 

Inaagaration  of  Abd'almaleo,  the  elerenth  Caliph— Storjr  of 
Al  Moktar,  the  Areoger. 

Ok  the  death  of  MerwIUi,  his  son  Abd'almMeo  was  inaugurated 
Caliph  at  Damascus,  and  acknowledged  throughout  Syria  and 
Egyp*»  *8  "W'cll  ^  ui  the  newly-conquered  parts  of  Africa.  He 
w;as  m  the  full  vi^jour  of  life,  being  about  forty  years  of  age ; 
his  achievements  m  Africa  testify  his  enterprise,  activity,  and 
^our,  and  he  was  distinguished  for  wisdom  and  learning, . 
From  the  time  of  his  father's  inauguration  he  had  been  loo£« 
ing  forward  to  the  probability  of  becoming  his  successor,  and 


ABD*lI.HiXEC.  22i 

ambition  of  sway  had  taken  place  of  tLe  miKtary  ardour  of  his 
early  youth.  When  the  intelligence  of  his  father's  death 
reached  him,  he  was  sitting  cross-legged,  in  oriental  fashion, 
with  the  Xoran  oj[)en  on  his  knees.  He  immediately  closed 
the  sacred  volume,  and  rising,  exclaimed,  "  Fare  thee  well,  I 
am  called  to  other  matters." 

The  accession  to  sovereignpower  is  said  to  have  wrought  a 
change  in  his  character.  He  had  always  been  somewhat 
superstitious ;  he  now  became  attentive  to  signs,  omens,  and 
dreams,  and  grew  so  sordid  and  covetous,  that  the  Arabs,  in 
their  propensity  to  give  characteristic  and  satirical  surname^, 
used  to  call  him  Eaf  hoi  Hejer,  that  is  to  say,  Sweat- Stone  5 
equivalent  to  our  vulgar  epimet  of  skin-flint. 

Abd^ah  Ibn  Zobeir  was  still  acknowledged  as  Caliph  by 
a  great  portion  of  the  Moslem  dominions,  and  held  his  seat  of 
government  at  Mecca  j  this  gave  him  great  influence  over  the 
true  believers,  who  resorted  in  pilgrimage  to  the  Caaba. 
Abd'almfidec  determined  to  establish  a  rival  place  of  pilgrimage 
within  his  own  dominions.  For  this  purpose  he  chose  the 
temple  of  Jerusalem,  sacred  in  the  eyes  of  the  Moslems,  as 
connected  with  the  acts  and  revelations  of  Moses,  of  Jesus, 
and  of  Mahomet,  and  as  being  surrounded  by  the  tombs  of 
the  prophets.  He  caused  this  sacred  edifice  to  be  enlarged  so 
as  to  include  within  its  walls  the  steps  upon  which  the  Caliph 
Omar  prayed  on  the  surrender  of  that  city.  It  was  thus  con- 
verted into  a  mosque,  and  the  venerable  and  sanctified  stone 
called  Jacob's  pillow,  on  which  the  patriarch  is  said  to  have 
liad  his  dream,  was  presented  for  the  kisses  of  pilgrims,  in  like 
manner  as  the  black  stone  of  the  Caaba. 

There  was  at  this  time  a  general  of  bold,  if  Hot  ferocious 
character,  who  plaved  a  sort  oiindependent  part  in  the  troubles 
and  commotions  of  tiie  Moslem  empire.  He  was  the  son  of  Abu 
Obeidah,  and  was  sometimes  called  Al  Thakifi,  from  his  native 
city  Thay  ef,  but  won  for  himself  the  more  universal  appellation 
of  Al  Mokt&r,  or  the  Avenger.  The  first  notice  we  find  of 
him  is  during  the  short  reign  of  Hassan,  the  son  of  Ali,  being 
zealously  devoted  to  the  family  of  that  Caliph.  We  next  find 
him  at  Cufa,  harbouring  and  assisting  Muslem,  the  emissary 
of  Hosein,  and  secretly  fomenting  the  conspiracy  in  favour  of 
the  latter.  When  the  emir  Obeid'allah  came  to  Cufa,  he  was 
told  of  the  secret  practices  of  Al  Moktdr,  and  questioned  hjm 
on  the  subject.  JEteceiving  a  delusive  reply,  he  smote  him 
over  the  face  with  his  staff  and  struck  out  one  of  his  eyes. 
•He  then  cast  him  ihto  prison,  where  he  lay  until  the  massacre 
of  Hosein.  Intercessions  were  made  in  his  favour  with  the 
Caliph  Yezid,  who  ordered  his  release.    The  emir  executed 


888  sirccBSfloiui  of  mahombt. 

tiie  Older,  but  gare  Al  Moktftr  notice,  that  if,  after  the  earn- 
lation  oi  three  dm,  he  were  found  within  his  jnriBdicticm,  his 
life  ^onld  be  forlfeit. 

Al  MoktAr  departed,  ntterin^  threats  and  maledictions. 
One  of  his  friends  who  met  him,  mqoired  concerning  the  loss 
of  his  eye.  "  It  was  t^  act  of  that  son  of  a  wanton,  Obeid'- 
allah,"  said  he,  bitterly,  "  but  may  Allah  confound  me  if  I  do 
not  one  day  cut  him  in  pieces."  Mood  revenge  for  the  deatJi 
of  Hosein  oecame  now  nis  ruling  thought.  "  May  Allah  for- 
sake me,"  he  would  say,  "  if  I  do  not  kifl  as  many  in  vengeanoe 
of  that  massacre,  as  were  destroyed  to  avenge  the  blood  of 
John,  the  son  of  Zaoharias,  on  wnom  be  peace ! " 

He  now  repaired  to  Mecca,  and  presented  himself  before 
Abdallah  Ibn  Zobeir,  who  had  recently  been  inaugurated ;  but 
he  would  not  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  until  the  Calmh  had 
declared  his  disposition  to  revenge  the  murder  of  Hosein. 
''Never,"  said  he,  "will  the  afStirs  oi  Abdallah  prosper, 
until  I  am  at  the  head  of  his  army,  taking  revenge  for  that 
murder." 

Al  Moktftr  fought  valiantly  in  defence  of  the  saered  ciij 
while  besieged ;  but  when  the  siege  was  raised  in  consequenoe 
of  the  death  of  Yeaid,  and  Abdall^  became  generally  acknow- 
ledged, he  found  the  Cahph  growing  cold  towards  him,  or 
towards  the  constant  purpose  of  his  thoughts ;  he  left  him 
therefore,  and  set  out  for  Cu£a»  visiting  aU  the  mosques  on 
the  way,  haranguing  tiie  people  on  the  subject  of  the  death  of 
Hosein,  and  dadarmg  himself  his  avenger. 

On  arriving  at  Oma,  he  found  his  self-appdnted  office  of 
avenger  likely  to  be  forestalled  by  the  veteran  Solyman,  who 
was  about  to  depart  on  his  mad  enterprise  with  his  crasy 
Penitents.  Calling  together  the  sectaries  of  Ali,  he  produced 
credentials  from  Mahomet,  the  brother  of  Hosein,  whi^ 
Miined  for  him  their  confidence ;  and  then  represented  to  them 
tke  rashness  and  futility  of  the  proposed  expedition ;  and  to 
his  opposition  may  be  ascribea  the  diminished  number  oi 
volunteers  that  assembled  at  the  call  of  Solyman. 

While  thus  oocupiedhe  was  arrested  on  a  charge  of  plotting 
an  insurrection  wim  a  view  to  seize  upon  the  province,  and 
was  thrown  into  the  same  prison  in  which  he  had  been 
confined  by  Obeid*allah.  Durms  his  confinement  he  kept  xxb 
a  correspondence  with  ihe  sectaries  of  Ali  by  letters  conveyed 
in  Hke  lining  of  a  cap.  On  the  death  of  the  Galix^  Merw4a 
he  was  released  from  prison,  and  found  himself  nead  of  the 
Alians,or  powerful  sect  of  AJi;  who  even  offered  their  adhe- 
sion to  him  as  Caliph,  (m  c<mditioa  that  he  would  govem 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


▲BD'iXlCiXBC.  223 

aooording  to  the  Koran,  and  the  Sonna  or  traditioiis,  and 
would  destioj  the  murderers  of  Hosein  and  hia  &mily. 

Al  Mokt&r  entered  heartily  ugoa  the  latter  part  of  his 
duties,  and  soon  established  his  claim  to  the  title  of  Aren^er. 
The  first  aa  whom  he  wreaked  his  vengeance  was  the  ferodous 
Shamar,  who  had  distinguished  himself  in  the  massacre  of 
Hosein.  Him  he  overcame  and  slew.  The  next  was  Caulah, 
who  cut  off  the  head  of  Hosein  and  conveyed  it  to  the  emir 
Obeid'allah.  Him  he  beleaguered  in  his  dwelling,  and  killed, 
and  gave  his  body  to  the  flunes.  His  next  victmi  was  Amar 
Ibn  oaad,  the  commander  of  the  army  that  surrounded  Hosein ; 
with  him  he  slew  his  son }  and  sent  both  oi  their  heads  to 
Mahomet,  the  brother  of  Hosein.  He  ihen  seized  Adi  Ibn 
Hathem,  who  had  stripped  the  body  of  Hosein  while  the  limbs 
were  yet  quivering  with  life.  Him  he  handed  over  to  some  of 
the  sect  of  Ali,  who  stripped  him,  set  him  up  as  a  tari^et,  and 
discharged  arrows  at  him  until  they  stood  out  from  his  body 
like  the  quills  of  a  porcupine.  In  this  way  Al  Mokt&r  wezvt 
on,  searching  out  the  murderers  of  Hosein  wherever  they  were 
to  be  found,  and  inflicting  on  them  a  diversity  oi  deaths. 

Sustained  by  the  AUans,  or  sect  of  Ali,  he  now  maintained  a 
militarv  sway  m  Cu&,  and  held,  in  &ot,  a  soverei^  antiiority 
over  Babylonia;  he  felt,  however,  l^t  his  situation  was 
precarious ;  an  army  out  of  Syria,  sent  by  Abd'almMeo,  was 
threatening  him  on  one  side ;  and  Musab,  brother  of  the 
Caliph  Abdallah,  was  in  great  force  at  Bassora,  menacing  him 
on  tne  other.  He  now  lutd  recourse  to  stratagems  to  sustain 
his  power,  and  accomplish  his  great  scheme  of  vengeance. 
He  made  overtures  to  AbdaUah,  offering  to  join  him  with  his 
forces.  The  wary  Caliph  suspected  his  sincerity,  and  required 
as  proo&  of  it,  the  oath  of  aUegianoe  from  himself  and  his 
people,  and  a  detachment  to  px)oeed  against  the  army  of 
Aba'almMec. 

Al  Moktlr  promptly  sent  off  an  officer,  named  SerjalHl, 
with  three  thousana  men,  with  orders  to  proceed  to  Medina. 
AbdaUah,  still  wary  and  suspicious,  dii^atdied  a  shrewd 
general.  Abbas  Ibn  Safael,  witn  a  oom]^etent  force,  to  meet 
Berjabil  and  sound  his  intentions,  and  if  he  were  convinced 
there  was  lurking  treadiery,  to  act  accordingly. 

Abbas  and  Serjabil  encountered  at  the  hc^  of  their  troops 
on  the  highway  to  Medina.  Ihey  had  an  amicable  conference, 
in  wincbi  Abbas  thou^t  he  discovered  sufficient  proof  of  per- 
fidy. He  took  measures  accordingly.  Findinj^  we  little  army 
of  oeijabil  almost  jbmished  for  lade  of  provisions,  he  kOled  a 
great  niuober  of  fat  she^,  anil  distiibaled  them  among  the 

gitized  by  VjOO 


1124  8irCCB880B8  OF  MAHOMET. 

Jmngry  troops.  A  scene  of  hurry  and  dad  concision  imme- 
diately took  place.  Some  scattered  themselves  about  the 
neighoonrhood  in  search  of  fuel ;  some  were  cooking,  some 
feasting.  In  this  unguarded  moment  Abbas  set  upon  them 
with  his  troops,  slew  Serjabil,  and  nearly  four  hundred  of  his 
men;  but  gave  quarter  to  the  rest,  most  of  whom  enlisted 
imder  his  standard. 

Al  Moktdr,  finding  that  his  good  faith  was  doubted  by  Ab- 
dallah,  wrote  pnrateiy  to  Mahomet,  brother  of  Hosein,  who 
was  permitted  by  the  Caliph  to  reside  in  Mecca,  where  he  led 
a  qmet,  inoffensive  life  offering  to  bring  a  powerful  army 
to  his  assistance  if  he  would  take  iip  arms.  Mahomet  sent  a 
verbal  rejply,  assuring  Al  Mokt&r  of  his  belief  in  the  sincerity 
of  his  oners;  but  declining  all  appeal  to  arms,  saying  he  was 
resolved  to  bear  his  lot  with  patience,  and  leave  the  event  to 
Ood.  As  the  messenger  was  departing,  he  gave  him  a  parting 
word :  *'  Bid  Al  Mold^r  fear  Gii:)d  and  abstoin  from  shedding 
blood." 

The  pious  resignation  and  passive  life  of  Mahomet  were  of 
no  avail  The  suspicious  eye  of  Abdallah  was  fixed  upon  him. 
The  Cufians  of  the  sect  of  Ali,  and  devotees  to  the  mem<»y  of 
Hosein,  who  yielded  allegiance  to  neither  of  the  rival  Caliphs, 
were  still  permitted  to  make  their  pilgrimages  to  the  Caaba, 
and  when  m  Mecca,  did  not  fail  to  do  honour  to  Mahomet  Ibn 
Ali  and  his  family.  The  secret  messages  of  Al  Mokt&r  to 
Mahomet  were  likewise  known.  The  Caliph  Abdallah,  sus- 
pecting a  conspiracy,  caused  Mahomet  ana  his  family,  and 
aeventoen  of  the  principal  pilgrims  firom  Cufa,  to  be  arrested, 
and  confined  in  the  edifice  by  the  sacred  well  Zem  Zem, 
threatening  them  with  death,  unless  by  a  certain  time  they 
gave  the  pledge  of  allenance. 

From  their  prison  mej  contrived  to  send  a  letter  to  Al 
Mokt&r,  apprising  him  of  their  perilous  condition.  He  assem* 
bled  the  Alians,  or  sect  of  Ali,  at  Cufa,  and  read  the  letter. 
''This  comes,"  said  he,  "from  Mahomet,  the  son  of  Ali,  and 
brother  of  Hosein.  He  and  his  family,  the  purest  of  the 
house  of  your  prophet,  are  shut  up  like  sneep  destined  for  the 
slaughter.  Will  you  doaert  them  in  their  extremity,  and 
leave  them  to  be  massacred  as  you  did  the  martyr  Hosein 
and  his  family  P" 

The  appeal  was  effectual;  the  Alians  cried  out  to  be  led  to 
Mecca.  Al  MoktSr  marshalled  out  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  bold  riders,  hard  fighters,  well  armed  and  fleetiy  mounted, 
arranffed  them  in  smaJI  troops,  to  follow  each  other  at  con- 
aiderable  intervals,  troop  aiter  troop,  like  the  waves  of  the 
sea;  the  leader  of  the  first  troop,  composed  of  a  hundred  and 


abd'almalsc.  22^ 

fifty  men,  was  Abu  Abdallah  Aljodali.  He  set  off  first ;  ther^ 
others  followed  at  sufficient  distance  to  be  out  of  sight,  but  all: 
spurred  forward,  for  no  time  was  to  be  lost. 

Abu  Abdallaih  was  the  first  to  enter  Mecca.  His  small 
troop  awakened  no  alarm.  He  made  his  way  to  the  well  of 
Zem  Zem,  crying  "Vengeance  for  Hosein!"  drove  off  thor 
guard,  and  broke  open  the  prison  house,  where  he  liberated 
Mahomet  Ibn  Ali  and  his  family. 

The  tumult  brought  the  Caliph  and  his  guard.  Abu  Abdal- 
lah would  haye  given  them  battle,  but  Mahomet  interfered,  and 
represented  that  it  was  impious  to  fight  within  the  precincta 
of  the  Caaba.  The  Caliph,  seeing  me  small  force  that  wa» 
with  Abdallah,  would  on  liis  part  nave  proceeded  to  violence^ 
when  lo,  the  second  troop  of  hard  riders  spurred  up ;  then 
the  third,  and  presently  all  the  rest ;  shouting  "  Allah  Ach* 
bar !"  and  "  Vengeance  for  Hosein !" 

The  Caliph,  taken  by  surprise,  lost  all  presence  of  mind» 
He  knew  the  popularity  of  Mahomet  Ibn  Ali  and  his  family^, 
and  dreaded  an  msurrection.  Abu  Abdallah  in  the  moment 
of  triumph  would  have  put  him  to  death,  but  his  hand  wa» 
stayed  by  the  pious  and  numane  Mahomet.  The  matter  was 
peaceably  adjusted.  The  CatLph  was  left  unmolested ;  Maho* 
met  distributed  amon^  his  friends  and  adherents  a  great  anat 
of  money,  which  had  been  sent  to  him  by  Al  Mokt&r,  and 
then  with  his  family  departed  in  safety  from  Mecca. 

Al  Moktftr  had  now  to  look  to  his  safety  at  home ;  his  old 
enemy  Obeid'allah,  former  enur  of  Cufa,  was  pressing  forward 
at  the  head  of  an  army  of  the  Caliph  Abd'almAlec,  to  recover 
that  city,  holding  out  to  his  troops  a  promise  of  three  days*^ 
sack  and  pillage.  Al  Moktar  called  on  the  inhabitants  to  takd 
arms  agamst  meir  former  tyrant  and  the  murderer  of  Hosein*. 
A  body  of  troop  sallied  forth  headed  by  Ibrahim,  the  son  of 
Alashtar.  To  nve  a  mysterious  sanctity  to  the  expedition,  Al 
Mokt4r  caused  a  kind  of  throne  covered  with  a  veil  to  bd 
placed  on  a  mule,  and  led  forth  with  the  army ;  to  be  to  them 
what  the  ark  was  to  the  children  of  Israel,  a  sacred  safeguards 
On  going  into  battle,  the  following  prayer  was  to  be  offered 
up  at  it :  "  Oh  God !  keep  us  in  obedience  to  thee ;  and  help 
tis  in  our  need."  To  which  all  the  people  were  to  respond^ 
^'Amenr' 

The  army  of  Ibrahim  encountered  the  host  of  Obeid'allah 
on  the  plains,  at  some  distance  &om  Cufa.  They  rushed  for«> 
ward  with  a  holy  enthusiasm  inspired  by  the  presence  of  their 
ark :  "  Vengeance  for  Hosein!  was  meir  cry,  and  it  smote 
^n)on  the  h^art  of  Obeid'allah.  The  battle  was  fierce  and 
bloody  5  the  Syrian  force,  though  greatly  superior,  was  com- 

a 


22o  SUCCESSOBS  OF  KAHOMBT. 

^etely  routed ;  Obeid'aUah  was  IdUed,  fighting  with  despe- 
rate Talour,  and  more  of  his  soldiers  were  drowned  in  the 
flight  than  were  rianghtered  in  the  field.  This  signal  yictorr 
was  attributed,  in  a  ^reat  measure,  to  the  presence  of  tlie  art 
or  Teiled  tiirone,  which  thenceforward  was  regarded  almoBt 
wi<^  idolatry. 

Ibrahim  caused  the  body  of  Obeid'aUah  to  be  burnt  to 
ashes,  and  sent  his  head  to  Al  MoktAr.  The  gloomy  heart  <k 
ake  ATcnger  throbbed  with  exaltation,  as  he  Mheld  this  relic 
'  of  the  man  who  had  oppressed,  insulted,  and  mutilated  him; 
he  recollected  the  Uow  orer  the  &oe  which  had  deprived  him 
of  an  eye,  and  smote  the  gory  head  of  Obeid'allah,  eren  as  ha 
Jiadbeen  smitten. 

Thus,  says  the  royal  and  pious  historian  AbuHeda,  did 
Allah  make  use  of  tlie  deadly  hate  o£  Al  Mokt&r,  topunish 
Obeid'allah,  the  son<^  Ziyad,  for  the  martyrdom  of  Hosein. 

The  triumph  of  Al  Moktkt  was  not  of  long  duration.  He 
ruled  orer  a  fickle  peo^,  and  he  mled  ihem  with  a  rod  of 
iron.  He  persecuted  all  who  were  not,  or  whom  he  choae  to 
consider  as  not,  of  the  Hosein  party,  and  he  is  diarged  witii 
fomenting  an  insurrection  oi  the  slaves  against  ilie  cSiief  men 
of  the  city  oi  Cu&.  A  combination  was  at  length  f<nrmed 
4urainst  hiin,  and  an  invitation  was  sent  to  Musab  fi>n  Zobeir, 
who  had  been  appointed  emir  of  Bassora,  by  his  brother,  the 
daHphAbdallah. 

The  invitation  was  borne  by  one  Shebet,  an  enthusiast  who 
made  his  entrance  into  Bassora  on  a  mule  with  cropt  ears  and 
tail,  his  dothes  rent,  cTmlaiming  with  a  loud  voice,  "  Ya  gaii- 
iiia!  Yagautiia!  Helpl  heJb!"  He  delivered  his  message 
in  a  style  suited  to  his  garb,  out  accompanied  it  by  lettm 
finom  the  chief  men  of  Cufa,  which  stated  their  grievances  in 
a  more  rational  manner.  Musab  wrote  instantly  to  Al  Mohal- 
kb,  the  emir  of  Persia,  one  of  the  ablest  generals  of  the  time, 
to  ccmie  to  his  aid  witii  men  and  money ;  and  on  his  arrival^ 
joined  Ibnes  with  him  to  attadc  the  Avenger  in  his  seat  of 
power. 

Al  Moktiir  did  not  wait  to  be  l>esie^ed.  He  took  the  &M 
with  his  accustomed  daring,  and  gave  oattle  beneath  the  walls 
of  his  capitsL  It  was  a  oloody  fight ;  the  presence  of  the 
mvsterious  throne  had  its  effect  upon  the  superstitious  minds 
<>i  the  Cufians,  but  Al  MoktAr  had  become  hi^iefiil  from  his 
tyranny,  and  many  of  the  first  peo]de  were  diufTected  to  liim. 
His  army  was  routed ;  he  retreated  into  the  royal  citadel  of 
OufJEi,  and  defended  it  bravely  and  skilAilly,  untd  he  received 
a  mortal  wound.    Their  chief  being  IdllecC  the  garrison  but- 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


IBD'aLKAIiBC. 


rendered  at  discreiion,  and  Mosab  pot  every  mast  to  the 
sword,  to  Hie  number  of  seren  thousand. 

Thus  fell  Al  Mokt^  Ibn  Abu  Obeidaii,  in  his  sixty-seventh 
year,  afl;er  havii^  defeated  the  al^t  generals  of  three 
Caliphs,  and  by  the  sole  power  of  his  sword  made  himself 
the  mdependent  ruler  of  all  Babylonia.  He  is  said  never  to 
have  pardoned  an  enemy ;  to  have  perseeuted  with  inveterate 
hate  all  who  were  hostile  to  the  family  of  AH ;  and  in  ven- 
geance of  the  massacre  of  Hosein,  to  have  shed  the  blood  of 
nearly  Gfty  thousand  men,  exclusive  of  those  who  were  wIm?! 
in  battle.    Well  did  he  merit  tite  title  of  the  Avenge. 


CHAPTEELL 

Wmtb  Ibn  Z6beir  takes  posseMloa  of  B«bf kmia.-^l}iarp»tioa  of  Aonrv  Ibn 
6aad ;  bit  deatb.— Expedition  of  Abd'almiileo  •gainst  Xoaab.— The  ]co* 
8iilt.--OmeD8 ;  their  effisot  upon  Abd'alxnilec.— B:qploiti  of  Al  MohaUeb, 

its  strong  capital,  Oufa,  into  ^e  hands  of  Musab  Ibn  Zobeir, 
brother  to  the  Caliph  Abdallah.  Musab  was  well  calculated 
to  win  the  favour  of  ihe  people.  He  was  in  the  flower  of  his 
days,  being  but  thirty-six  years  of  a^e,  comely  in  person^  en^ 
paging  in  manners,  generous  in  spirit,  and  of  consummate 
bravery,  though  not  much  versed  in  war&re.  He  had  been 
an  intimate  fhend  of  Abd'almlilec  before  the  latter  was  made 
-Caliph,  but  he  was  brother  to  the  rival  Caliph,  and  coimected 
by  marriaee  with  families  in  deadly  opposition  to  the  house 
of  OmmicuL.  Abd'ahnalec,  therefore,  regarded  him  as  a  for* 
midable  foe,  and  warned  by  the  disasters  of  his  army  under 
Obeid'allah,  resolved  now  to  set  out  at  the  head  of  a  second 
expedition  in  person,  designed  for  the  invasion  of  Babylonia. 
'  XxL  setting  forth  on  this  enterprise,  he  confided  the  govern- 
ment of  Damascus  to  his  cousin,  Amru  tbn  Saad ;  he  did  this 
in  consideration  of  the  military  skill  of  Amru,  though  secretly 
there  was  a  long  nourished  hate  between  them.  The  origin 
-of  this  hatred  Siqws  tiie  simplidtjr  of  Saracen  maimers  in 
those  days.  When  bovs,  Abaalmalec  and  Amru  were  often 
-under  tlie  care  of  aa  old  beldame  of  their  family,  who  used 
to  prepare  tibeir  meals,  and  produce  quarrels  between  them  in 
the  alK>tment  of  l^ir  portions.  These  childish  disputes  be- 
came fierce  quarrels  and  broils  as  they  grew  up  together,  and 

Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


228  8UCCB880B8  OF  HAHOHBT. 

were  rivaLi  in  their  youthful  games  and  exercises.  In  man- 
hood they  ripened  mto  deacuy  jealousy  and  envy,  as  they 
became  conquering  generals ;  but  the  elevation  of  Abd'almMec 
to  Hie  Calipnat,  sank  deep  into  the  heart  of  Amm,  as  a  flagrant 
wrong ;  the  succession  having  been  promised  to  him  by  his 
unde,  the  late  Caliph  Merwui,  as  a  reward  for  having  sub- 
jugated  Egypt.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  Abd'almalec  hid  de- 
parted from  Damascus,  Amru,  not  content  with  holding  the 
government  of  the  city,  aspired  to  the  sovereignty  of  Syria  as 
his  rightful  dominion. 

AbaalmMec  heard  of  the  usurpation  while  on  the  march, 
returned  rapidly  in  his  steps,  and  a  bloody  conflict  ensued 
between  the  forces  of  the  rival  cousins  in  the  streets  of 
Damascus.  Hie  women  rushed  between  them,  held  up  their 
children,  and  implored  the  combatants  to  desist  from  tnis  ub- 
natural  warfare.  Amru  laid  down  his  arms,  and  articles  of 
reconciliation  were  drawn  up  and  si^ed  by  the  cousins. 

Abd'ahnMec  proved  faithless  to  his  engagements.  Getting 
Amru  into  his  power  by  an  artM  stratagem,  he  stamckoff  his 
bead,  put  to  death  the  principal  persons  who  had  supported 
him  in  his  usurpation,  and  banished  his  family.  As  the  exiles 
were  about  to  depart,  he  demanded  of  the  widow  of  Amra 
the  written  articles  of  pacification  which  he  had  exchanged 
with  her  husband.  She  replied  that  she  had  folded  them  up 
in  his  winding  sheet,  to  be  at  hand  at  the  final  day  of  judg- 
ment. 

Abd'almMec  now  resumed  his  march  for  Babylonia.  He 
bad  sent  agents  before  him  to  tamper  with  the  fidelity  of  the 
principal  persons.  One  of  Uiese,  Ibrahim  Ibn  Alashtar,  be 
bad  onered  to  make  emir  if  he  would  serve  his  cause.  Ibra- 
him, who  was  of  incorruptible  integrity,  showed  the  letter  ta 
Musab,  warned  him  that  similar  att^pts  must  have  been 
made  to  sap  the  fidelity  of  other  persons  of  importance,  and 
advised  him  to  use  the  scimetar  freely,  wherever  he  suspected 
disaffection ;  but  Musab  was  too  just  and  merciful  to  act  thui^ 
upon  mere  suspicion.  The  event  showed  that  Ibrahim  under- 
stood the  fickle  and  perfidious  nature  of  the  people  of  Irak. 

A  battle  took  place  on  the  margin  of  the  desert,  not  far 
from  Palmyra.  It  commenced  with  a  gallant  diarge  of 
cavaby,  headed  by  Ibrahim  Ibn  Aladitar,  which  broke  the 
ranks  of  the  Syrians,  and  made  great  hayoc.  Abd'almSlea 
came  up  with  a  reinforcement,  and  rallied  his  scattered  troops. 
In  making  a  second  chaise,  howeyer,  Ibrahim  was  slain,  and 
now  the  perfidy  of  the  Gufians  became  apparent.  Musab*i| 
general  of  horse  wheeled  round  and  spurred  ignominious]^ 
from  the  field;  others  of  the  leaders  refiised  to  advance* 


ABDAXXJLLBC,  22^ 

Musab  called  loudly  for  Ibraliiin;  but,  seeing  bis  lifeless 
body  on  tbe  ground,  "Alas!"  lie  exoliumed»  *' there  is  xm> 
Ibrahim  for  me  this  day." 

Turniujg  to  his  son  Isa,  a  mere  stripling,  yet  who  had 
fought  with  manly  valour  by  his  side,  **  Fly,  my  son,"  cried 
he ;  '*  fly  to  thy  uncle,  Abdallah,  at  Mecca ;  tell  him  of  my 
fate,  and  of  the  perfidy  of  the  men  of  Irak."  Isa,  who  in- 
herited the  undaunted  spirit  of  the  £Eunil}r  of  Zobeir,  refused 
to  leaye  his  father.  "  liet  us  retreat,"  said  he,  '*to  Bassora, 
where  you  will  still  find  Mends,  and  may  thence  make  good 
your  return  to  Mecca. 

''No,  my  son!"  replied  Musab,  "neyer  shall  it  be  said 
among  the  men  of  Koreish,  that  I  fled  the  field  of  battle,  or 
entered  the  temple  of  Mecca,  a  vanquished  general!" 

During  an  interval  of  the  battle,  Abd*alm&lec  sent  Musab 
an  ofier  of  his  life.  His  reply  was,  he  had  come  to  conquer 
or  to  die.  The  conflict  was  soon  at  an  end.  The  troops  who 
adhered  to  Musab  were  cut  to  pieces,  his  son  Isa  was  slain 
b;^  his  side,  and  he  himself,  aft^  being  repeatedly  wounded 
with  arrows,  was  stabbed  to  the  heart,  and  his  head  struck 
off: 

When  Abd'almdleo  entered  Cufa  in  triumph,  the  fickle 
inhabitants  thronged  to  welcome  him  and  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  and  he  found  himself  in  ^uiet  possession  of  both 
Sabylonia  and  Persian  Irak.  He  distributed  great  sums  of 
money  to  win  the  lif^ht  affections  of  the  populace,  and  gave  a 
sumptuous  banquet  m  the  citadel,  to  which  all  were  welcome. 

In  the  height  of  the  banquet^  when  all  was  revelry,  ft 
thought  pass^  through  the  mind  of  the  Caliph,  as  to  the 
transient  duration  of  all  human  mmdeur.  "  Alas !"  he  ejacu- 
lated, "how  sweetly  we  might  live  if  a  shadow  would  but 
last !"  The  same  vein  of  melancholy  continued  when  the 
l)anquet  was  over,  and  he  walked  about  the  castle  with  an 
old  gray-headed  inhabitant,  listening  to  his  account  of  its 
antiquities  and  traditions.  Every  reply  of  the  old  man  to  his 
questions  about  things  or  persons,  began  with  the  words> 
«  This  was— That  was— He  was." 

"Alas!"  sighed  the  Caliph,  repeating  a  verse  from  an 
Arabian  poet ;  "  everjijamg  new  soon  ronneth  to  decay,  and 
of  every  one  that  is,  it  is  soon  said.  He  was !" 

While  thus  conversing,  the  head  of  Musab  was  brought  to 
him,  and  he  ordered  a  thousand  dinars  of  gold  to  the  soldier 
who  brought  it,  but  he  refused  the  reward.  "  I  slew  him,** 
he  said,  "  not  for  money,  but  to  avenge  a  private  wrong.** 
The  old  chronicler  of  wie  castle  nowTbroke  forth  on  me 
wonderful  succession  of  events.    "I  am  fourscore  and  te? 


280  8UCCE8SOBS  OV  XABOMET. 

yem  old,"  bM  he,  aad  hAve  outlived  mmj  geneiratkms.  la 
tiiis  Tery  oastle  I  lunre  Men  tlie  liaad  of  Hosem  presented  tc^ 
Obeid'allah,  the  son  of  Ziyad;  then  the  head  of  Obeid'allah 
to  Al  Mokt&r ;  then  the  head  ci  Al  Moktl^  to  Mnsab ;  and 
now  that  of  Mnsab  to  yoanelf/'  The  CaHph  was  super' 
stHioiii,  and  the  words  of  the  old  man  sonnded  ominonslj  aa 
the  presaffe  of  a  brief  career  to  himself.  He  determined  that 
has  own  head  should  not  meet  with  similar  fate  within  that 
castle's  waDs,  and  gare  orders  to  raze  l^e  noble  citadel  of  Cufii 
to  ^  foundataon. 

Abd'afanUec  now  appointed  his  broUier  Besher  Urn  Mer- 
win  to  tiie  goremment  of  S^ibylonia ;  and  as  he  was  extremelj 
jounf,  he  gave  him,  as  chief  counsellor,  or  vizier,  a  Teteraa 
nam^  Musa  Ibn  Nossejr,  who  had  lonj^  eujoyed  the  ccmfi* 
dMioe  of  the  SunSfy  of  Merwiin,  as  had  his  Daiher  before  him. 
It  ii  said  bj  some  iJuit  his  fadier  Nosseyr  was  a  libenvted 
ilare  of  the  Caliph's  brother,  Abd'alaziz,  aad  employed  by 
Mm  in  hidi  functions.  80  great  was  the  ecmfidenee  of  the 
Caliph  in  liiusa,  tiiat  he  entrusted  him  with  all  the  mOitaiy 
rolls  of  the  prorince,  and  signified  to  him  that  in  future  tlie 
responsibility  would  rest  upon  him.  On  taking  possession  of 
his  goTemment,  Besher  denrered  his  seal  of  omce  into  the 
hands  of  Musa,  and  entrusted  him  with  the  entire  manage- 
jnmkt  of  afiairs.  Tim  Musa,  it  wiU  be  firand,  rose  aft^rwaras 
to  great  renown* 

The  Caliph  also  appointed  Shaled  Ibn  Abdallah  to  the 
CMnmand  at  Bassora,  affce^  which  he  returned  to  his  capitel 
of  Damascus.  Hie  province  of  Babylonia,  however,  was  not 
destined  to  remain  lon^  at  peace.  There  was  at  this  time  « 
powerftd  Moslem  sect  m  Persia,  a  branch  of  the  Motalazitei; 
called  Azaraldtes,  from  the  name  of  tiieir  founder  Ibn  Al 
Axunik,  but  known  idso  \3j  tibe  name  of  Separatists.  They 
were  enemies  of  all  regular  government,  and  fomenters  of 
sedition  and  rebellion.  During  the  sway  of  the  unfortunate 
Musab,  they  had  given  him  giiat  trouble  by  insurrections  in 
various  parts  of  the  coui^,  accompanied  by  atrocioas 
cruelties.  They  had  been  kept  in  check,  however,  by  Mohal- 
leb,  the  lieutenant  of  Musab,  and  one  of  the  ablest  generals  of 
tlie  age,  who  was  incessantly  on  the  alert  at  the  head  of  the 
army,  and  never  allowed  tlieir  insurrections  to  come  to  any 
head. 

Mohalleb  was  on  a  distant  command  at  the  time  of  the 
invasion  and  conquest.  As  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  defeat 
and  death  of  Musab,  and  the  change  in  Uie  government  of 
Irak,  he  hastened  to  Bassora  to  acknowledge  allegiance  to 
Abd'ahnMeo.    EJialed  accepted  his  serriees,  in  the  name  of 


abd'aliiaxec.  231 , 

the  Caliph,  but  instead  of  returning  him  to  the  post  he  had 
so  well  sustained  at  the  head  of  the  army,  appointed  liim 
supervisor  or  collector  of  tributes,  and  gave  the  command  of 
the  forces  to  his  own  brother,  named  Abd'alaziz.  The  change 
was  unfortunate.  The  AzaraJdtes  had  already  taken  breathy 
and  acquired  strength  during  the  temporary  absence  of  theii* 
old  adversary,  Monalleb ;  but  as  soon  as  they  heard  he  was 
no  longer  in  command,  they  collected  all  their  forces,  and 
made  a  rapid  inroad  into  Ira£. 

Abd'alaziz  advanced  to  meet  them ;  but  he  was  new  to  hist 
own  troops,  being  a  native  of  Mecca,  and  he  knew  little  of  the 
character  of  the  enemy.  He  was  entirely  routed,  and  his 
wife,  a  woman  of  great  beauty,  taken  captive.  A  violent  dis- 
pute arose  among  the  captors  as  to  the  ransom  of  their  prize^ 
some  valuing  her  at  one  hundred  thousand  dinars ;  until  a 
furious  zealot,  indignant  that  her  beauty  shoxdd  cause  dissen- 
sion amonp  them,  struck  oflf  her  head. 

The  Cahph  Abd*almMec  was  deeply  grieved  when  he  heard 
of  this  defeat,  and  wrote  to  Khaled,  emir  of  Bassora,  reprov- 
ing him  for  having  taken  the  command  of  the  army  &om 
!M^halleb,  a  man  of  penetrating  judgment,  and  hardened  in 
war,  and  given  it  to  Abd'alaziz,  "  a  mere  Arab  of  Mecca." 
He  ordered  him,  therefore,  to  replace  Mohalleb  forthwith, 
and  wrote  also  to  his  brother,  Besher,  emir  of  Babylonia,  to 
send  the  general  reinforcements.  Once  more  Mohalleb  proved 
his  generalship,  by  defeating  the  Azarakites  in  a  signal  and 
bloody  battle  near  the  city  of  AhwSa ;  nor  did  he  simer  them 
to  rally,  but  pursued  them  over  the  borders  and  into  the 
heart  o4  the  mountains,  until  his  troops  lost  almost  aU  their 
horses,  and  returned  crowned  with  victory,  but  wa3rwom  and 
almost  famished. 

The  effect  of  all  these  internal  wars  was  to  dimuush,  for  a 
time,  the  external  terror  of  the  Moslem  name.  The  Greek 
emperor,  during  the  recent  troubles,  had  made  successful 
incursions  into  Syria;  and  Abd'almalec,  finding  enemies 
enough  among  those  of  his  own  faith,  had  been  lain  to 
purchase  a  humiliating  truce  of  the  Christian  potentate  by 
an  additional  yearly  tribute  of  fifty  thousand  ducats. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ  IC 


CHAPTEE  m, 

AM'alnUIae  makes  war  upon  Us  riral  Caliph  In  Meeea.— Siege  of  tbe 
saorad  oHj.— Dea^  of  AbdaIlali.~DemoIition  and  reoonstmctkm  of  the 


Abd'almalec,  by  his  recent  yictories,  had  made  Himself 
KOTereign  of  all  tne  eastern  part  of  the  Moslem  dominions ; 
he  had  protected  himself  also  from  the  Christian  emperor  bj 
^  disgraceful  au^entation  of  tribute ;  he  now  determined  to 
carry  a  war  agamst  his  rival,  Abdallah,  to  the  yery  gates  of 
Mecca ;  and  make  himself  sovereign  of  an  undivided  empire. 

The  general  chosen  for  this  important  enterprise  was  Al 
Hejagijor  Hedjadgi)  Ibn  Yusef,  who  rose  to  renown  as  one 
of  the  ablest  and  most  eloquent  men  of  that  era.  He  set  off 
firom  Damascus  with  but  two  thousand  men ;  but  was  joined 
by  Taric  Ibn  Amar  with  five  thousand  more.  Abd*almalec 
had  made  proclamations  beforehand,  promising  protection 
and  favour  to  such  of  the  adherents  of  Abdall^  as  should 
come  xmto  his  allegiance,  and  he  trusted  that  many  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Mecca  would  desert  to  the  standard  of  Al 
Hejagi. 

Abdallah  sent  forth  troops  of  horse  to  waylay  and  check 
the  advance  of  the  army,  but  they  were  easily  repulsed,  and 
Al  Hejagi  arrived  without  much  difficulty  before  the  sacred 
city.  JBefore  proceeding  to  hostilities,  he  discharged  arrows 
over  ihe  walls  carrying  letters,  in  which  the  inhabitants  were 
4issured  that  he  came  merely  to  release  them  from  th^  tyranny 
of  Abdallah ;  and  were  invited  to  accept  the  most  favourable 
terms,  and  abandon  a  man  who  would  fain  die  with  the  title 
of  CaUph,  though  the  ruins  of  Mecca  should  be  his  sepulchre. 

The  city  was  now  assailed  with  battering-rams  and  cata- 
pultas ;  breaches  were  made  in  the  walls  ;  the  houses  within 
were  shattered  by  great  stones,  or  set  on  fire  by  flaming  balls 
of  pitch  and  naphtmu 

A  violent  storm  of  thunder  and  lightning  killed  several  of 
iihe  besiegers,  and  brought  them  to  a  pause.  "  Allah  is 
wreaking  his  anger  upon  us,"  said  they,  **  for  assailing  his 
lioly  city."  Al  Hejagi  rebuked  their  superstitious  fears,  and 
compelled  them  to  renew  the  attack ;  settmg  them  an  example 
by  discharging  a  stone  with  his  own  hands. 

On  the  following  day  there  was  another  storm,  which  did 
most  injury  to  the  garrison.  "  You  perceive,"  said  Al  Hejagi, 
**  the  thunder  strikes  your  enemies  as  well  as  yourselves. 


ABBAIMALEC. 


The  besieged  held  out  valiantly,  and  reptdsed  every  assault. 
Abdtdlali,  thonsh  now  aged  and  infirm,  proved  himself  a 
worthy  son  of  Zobeir.  During  the  early  part  of  the  siege,  he 
resided  chiefly  in  the  Caaba:  that  sacred  ediflce  therefore 
became  an  object  of  attack ;  a  part  of  it  was  battered  down  by 
stones,  and  it  was  set  on  mre  repeatedly  by  the  balls  of 
naphtha.  He  therefore  abandoned  it,  and  retired  to  his  own 
dwelling.  He  was  sustained  throughout  all  this  time  of  peril 
by  the  presence  and  counsels  of  nis  mother;  a  woman  of 
masculine  spirit  and  unfailing,  energy,  though  ninety  years  of 
age.  She  was  the  granddaughter  of  Abu  Seker,  and  proved 
herself  wortliy  of  her  descent.  She  accompanied  her  son  to 
the  ramparts ;  caused  refreshments  to  be  distributed  among 
the  fighting  men;  was  consulted  in  every  emergency  and 
present  in  every  danger. 

The  siege  continued  with  unremitting  strictness ;  many  of 
Abdallah's  most  devoted  Mends  were  killed ;  others  became 
disheartened;  nearly  ten  thousand  of  the  inhabitants  deserted 
to  the  enemy ;  even  two  of  the  Caliph's  sons,  Hamza  and 
Koheib,  forsook  him,  and  made  terms  for  themselves  with  th4 
besiegers. 

In  this  forlorn  state,  his  means  of  defence  almost  exhausted, 
and  those  who  ought  to  have  been  most  faithful  deserting 
him,  Abdallah  was  tempted  by  an  offer  of  his  own  terms  on 
condition  of  surrender. 

He  turned  to  his  aged  mother  for  advice.  "Judge  for 
yourself,  my  son,"  said  the  resolute  descendant  of  Abu  Seker, 
"  If  you  feel  that  your  cause  is  just,  persevere.  Your  father 
Zobeir  died  for  it,  as  did  many  of  your  friends.  Do  not  bend 
your  neck  to  the  scorn  of  the  haugnty  race  of  Ommiah.  How 
much  better  an  honourable  death,  than  a  dishonoured  life  for 
the  brief  term  you  have  yet  to  live." 

The  Caliph  kissed  her  venerable  forehead.  **  Thy  thoughts  \ 
are  my  own,"  said  he,  **  nor  has  any  other  motive  than  zeal 
for  God  induced  me  thus  far  to  persevere.  From  this  moment, 
consider  thy  son  as  dead;  and  refrain  from  immoderate 
lamentation."  "  My  trust  is  in  Grod,"  replied  she,  **  and  I 
shall  have  comfort  m  thee,  my  son,  whether  I  go  before  or 
follow  thee." 

As  she  took  a  parting  embrace,  she  felt  a  coat  of  mail 
under  the  outer  garments  of  Abdallah,  and  told  him  to  put  it 
off,  as  unsuited  to  a  martyr  prepared  to  die.  "  I  have  worn 
it,"  replied  he,  **  that  I  might  be  the  better  able  to  defend 
thee,  my  mother."  He  added  that  he  had  little  fear  of  death, 
but  a  horror  of  the  insults  and  exposures  to  which  his  body 
might  be  subjected  after  death.  ^ 


SM  sirccESSOBs  of  kahomet. 

'*  A  iheep  onoe  killed,  my  son,  feeli  not  the  fLapng"  With, 
these  WOMB  she  gare  him,  to  rouse  his  spints,  a  cordial 
drauffht,  in  which  was  a  strong  infusion  of  musk,  and  AV 
dallsA  went  forth  a  self-deyoted  martyr. 

This  last  sally  of  the  yeteran  Caliph  struck  terror  and 
astonishment  into  the  enemy.  At  the  head  of  a  handful  of 
tKxmf  he  repulsed  them  from  the  breach ;  drove  them  into  the 
ditch,  and  slew  an  incredible  number  with  his  own  hand; 
Others,  howerer,  tiircmged  up  in  their  place :  he  fought  untfl 
liis  followers  were  slain,  his  arrows  expended,  and  he  had  no 
weapon  but  sword  and  lance.  He  now  retreated,  step  bj 
•te^,  with  his  faee  to  the  foe,  disputing  eyery  inch  of  ground* 
imtil  he  arriyed  in  a  narrow  place,  where  ne  coxdd  only  be 
assailed  in  front.  Here  ha  made  his  last  stand.  His  oppo- 
nents, not  daring  to  come  within  reach  of  his  weapons, 
assailed  him  from  a  distance  with  darts  and  arrows,  and  when 
these  missiles  were  expended,  with  bricks,  and  tiles,  and 
•tones.  A  blow  on  the  head  from  a  stone  made  him  totter, 
and  the  blood  streamed  down  his  face  and  beard.  His 
assailants  gaye  a  shout ;  but  he  reooyered  himself,  and  uttered 
a  yerse  or  a  poet,  **  llie  blood  of  our  wounds  fells  on  our 
instep,  not  on  our  heeHs ;"  implying  that  he  had  not  turned 
his  back  upon  the  foe.  At  lengUi  he  sank  imder  repeated 
wounds  and  bruises,  and  the  enemy  closing  m)on  him,  cut  off 
his  head.  Thus  died  Abdallah  the  son  of  Zobeir,  in  the 
•eventv-third  year  of  the  Hegira,  and  the  seventy-second 
year  or  his  own  age,  after  a  stormy  and  disastrous  reign  of 
nine  years. 

Taric  Hm  Amar,  strode  with  admiration  of  his  persevering 
Talour,  exdaimed,  "  Never  did  woman  bear  a  braver  son ! 
•*  How  is  thii,"  CTied  Al  Hejaffi,  "  do  you  speak  thus  of  an 
enemy  of  the  Commander  of  the  FaitiifulP'  But  Abd'al- 
m&lec,  when  the  speetch  was  reported  to  him,  concurred  in  the 
praise  of  his  &llen  rival  *'  By  Allah !"  exclaimed  he,  "  what 
Tario  haih  spoken  is  the  truth."  When  the  tidings  of 
Abdallah's  death  were  brought  to  his  aged  mother,  she  expe- 
rienced a  revulsion  of  nature,  which  she  had  not  known  for 
fifW  years,  and  died  of  hsemorrhage. 

Abdallah  was  said  to  unite  the  courage  of  the  lion  with  the 
craftiness  of  the  fox.  He  was  free  from  any  glaring  vice, 
but  reputed  to  be  sordidly  covetous  and  miserly,  insomuch 
that  he  wore  the  same  garment  for  several  years.  It  was  a 
saying  in  Arabia,  that  he  was  the  £rst  example  of  a  man 
bein^  at  the  same  time  brave  and  covetous ;  but  the  spoils  of 
foreign  conquest  were  fast  corrupting  the  chivalrous  spirit  of 
the  Arab  conquerors.    He  was  equally  renowned  for  piety. 


abd'almalsc.  835 

being,  acoordin^  to  tradition,  00  £xed  and  inopomble  in 
prayer,  that  a  pigeon  once  perched  npon  his  head,  mistaking 
nim  for  a  statue. 

With  the  death  of  Abdallah  ended  the  riral  Caliphat,  and 
the  conqaering  general  received  the  oaths  of  allegiance  of  the 
Arabs  ^r  Abd'ahp&lec.  His  conduct,  however,  toward  the 
people  of  Mecca  and  Medina  was  as  cruel  and  oppressire  at 
nis  nulitarj  operations  had  been  brilliant.  He  infficted  severo^ 
pxmislunents  tor  trivial  offences,  sometimes  on  mere  suspicion; 
and  marked  many  with  stamps  <^  lead  upon  the  neck,  to  dis* 
grace  them  in  the  pubHc  eye.  His  most  popular  act  was  the 
Teconstruction  of  the  dilapidated  Caaba  on  the  original  form 
which  it  had  borne  before  the  era  of  the  prophet. 

For  a  time  the  people  of  Mecca  and  Medina  groaned  under 
Ins  tyranny,  aad  looked  back  with  repining  to  the  gentler 
away  of  Abdallah;  and  it  was  a  cause  of  general  joy  throu||[h^ 
out  those  cities,  when  the  following  oiroumstances  caused  hm 
to  be  removed  from  their  government  and  promoted  to  a 
distant  command. 

lliough  the  death  of  Abdallah  had  rendered  Abd'abnUec 
sole  sovereign  of  the  Moslem  empire,  the  emir  of  EJiorassaiiy 
Abdallah  Ibn  Hazem,  who  had  been  appointed  by  his  rival, 
hesitated  to  give  in  his  allegiance.  His  province,  so  distant 
and  great  in  extent,  might  make  him  a  dangerous  rebels 
Abd'alm&lec,  therefore,  sent  a  messenger,  claiming  his  oath 
of  fealty,  and  proffering  him  m  reward,  the  gofemment  of 
Xhorassan  for  seven  years,  with  the  enjoyment  of  all  its 
revenues ;  at  the  same  time,  he  sent  him  the  head  of  the 
deceased  Caliph,  to  intimate  the  fate  he  might  expect  should 
he  prove  refractory.  ....  . 

The  emir,  instead  of  being  intimidated,  was  fOled  with 
horror,  and  swore  never  to  acknowledge  Abd'abn^ec  as 
Commander  of  the  Faithftd.  He  reverenthf  Washed  and 
embalmed  the  head,  folded  it  in  fine  linen,  prayed  over  it» 
and  sent  it  to  the  family  of  the  deceased  Cahph  at  Medina. 
(Then  summoning  the  messenger,  he  made  him  eat  the  episttl& 
of  Abd'almfilec  m  his  presence,  and  dismissed  him  witn  tiie 
assurance  that  his  sacred  character  of  herald  alone  saved 
his  head. 

It  was  to  go  against  this  refractory  but  high-minded  emir, 
that  Al  Heja^was  called  off  from  nis  command  in  Arabia. 
He  entered  Khorassan  with  a  nowerfbl  army,  defeated  the 
emir  in  repeated  battles,  and  at  length  slew  mm  and  reduced 
theprovince  to  obedience. 

The  vigour,  activity,  and  indomitable  courage  displayed  by 
Al  Hejagi  in  these  various  services,  pointed  him  out  as  the 


886  8UCCBS80BS  OV  MAHOXBT. 

Terr  man  to  take  charge  of  the  goremment  of  Babylonia,  or 
IxfULt  reoentij'  vacated  by  the  death  of  the  Caliph's  brother, 
Besher;  and  he  was  accordingly  sent  to  break  that  refiractory 
province  into  more  thorough  obedience. 

The  province  of  Babylonia^  thongh  formerly  a  part  of  ih» 
Persian  empire,  had  never  been  reuly  Persian  in  character. 
Governed  by  viceroys,  it  had  partaken  of  t^ie  alien  feeling  (tf 
a  colony;  forming  a  frontier  between  Persia  and  Arabia,  and 
its  population  made  np  icom  both  conntries,  it  was  deficient 
in  the  virtues  of  either.  The  inhabitants  had  neither  the 
simplicity  and  loyalty  of  the  Arabs  of  the  desert,  nor  the 
refinement  and  ^tivation  of  the  Persians  of  the  cities. 
Bestless,  turbulent,  factions,  they  were  ever  ready  to  conspire 
against  their  rulers ;  to  desert  old  faiths,  and  to  adopt  new 
sects  and  heresies.  Before  the  conqnest  by  the  Moslems, 
when  Ink  was  governed  by  a  Persian  satrap,  and  Syria  by 
an  imperial  prefect,  a  spirit  of  rivalry  and  nostility  existed 
between  thrae  frontier  provinces;  the  same  had  revived 
during  the  division  of  the  Caliphat ;  and  while  Syria  was 
sealons  in  its  devotion  to  the  house  of  Ommiah,  Irak  had 
Mpoused  the  cause  of  AIL  Even  since  the  re-union  and 
integrity  of  the  Caliphat,  it  still  remained  a  restless,  unsteady 
part  of  the  Moslem  empire ;  the  embers  of  old  seditions  stiu 
lurked  in  its  bosom,  ready  at  any  moment  once  more  to  burst 
forth  into  fiame*  We  shall  see  how  Al  Hejagi  fared  in  his 
government  of  that  most  combustible  province. 


CHAPTEB  T.TTTt 

Adminktratioii  of  Al  H^agi  as  Emir  of  Babylonia. 

Al  Hxjiei,  aware  of  the  nature  of  the  people  over  whom  he 
was  to  rule,  took  possession  of  his  government  in  military 
style.  Bidmg  into  Cufa  at  the  head  of  four  thousand  hors^ 
lie  spurred  on  to  the  mosque,  alighted  at  the  portal,  and,  aa- 
cendmg  the  pulpit,  delivered  an  narangue-to  the  multitude, 
that  let  them  know  the  rigorous  rule  they  were  to  expect. 
He  had  come,  he  said,  "  to  make  the  wicked  man  bear  his 
own  burden,  and  wear  his  own  shoe;"  and,  as  he  looked 
round  on  the  densely-crowded  assemblage,  he  intimated  he 
saw  before  him  turbaned  heads  ripe  for  mowing,  and  beards 
which  required  to  be  moistened  with  blood. 
His  sermon  was  carried  out  in  practice ;  he  ruled  with  a 


abd'aimalec.  ^  237 

Tigorous  liand,  swearing  lie  would  execute  justice  in  a  style 
IJmt  should  put  to  shame  all  who  had  preceded,  and  serve  as- 
an  example  to  all  who  might  follow  him.  He  was  especially- 
severe,  and  even  cruel,  towards  all  who  had  been  in  any  way 
impHcated  in  the  assassination  of  the  Caliph  Othman.  One^ 
person,  against  whom  he  camepr^ared  to  exercise  the  utmost 
severity,  waa  the  veteran  Musa  Ibn  Nosseyr,  who  had  offi- 
ciated as  prime  minister  to  the  deceased  emir  Basher.  He 
had  been  accused  of  appropriating  and  squandering  the  taxes 
collected  in  the  province,  and  the  Caliph  nad  lent  a  too  ready 
ear  to  the  accusation.  Fortunately,  the  following  letter,  from 
a  friend  in  Damascus,  apprised  Musa  in  time  of  nis  danger : 

*'  Thy  deposition  is  signed ;  orders  have  been  despatched 
to  Al  Hejagi  to  seize  on  thy  person  and  inflict  on  thee  the 
most  severe  punishment :  so  away !  away !  thy  safety  depends 
on  the  fleetness  of  thy  horse.  If  thou  succeed  in  placing  thy- 
self under  the  protection  of  Abd'alaziz  Ibn  Merw&n,  all  will 
go  well  with  thee." 

Musa  lost  no  time,  but  mounted  his  steed  and  fled  to  Da- 
mascus, where  Abd'alaziz  was  then  sojourning,  having  arrived 
with  the  tribute  of  Egypt.  Abd'alaziz  received  with  protect- 
ing kindness  the  veteran  adherent  of  the  family,  and  accom- 
panied him  before  the  Caliph.  "  How  darest  thou  show  thy 
beard  here  ?"  exclaimed  Abd'almMec.  "  Why  should  I  hide 
itP"  replied  the  veteran.  "  What  have  I  done  to  offend  the 
Commander  of  the  Faithful  P"  "  Thou  hast  disobeyed  my 
orders,  and  squandered  my  treasures."  ''I  did  no  sucn 
thing,"  replied  Musa,  firmly  5  **  I  have  always  acted  like  a 
faitlmQ  subject ;  my  intentions  have  been  pure ;  my  actions 
true."  "  By  Allah,"  cried  the  Caliph,  "  ^ou  shalt  make  thy 
defalcation  good  fifty  times  over."  The  veteran  was  about  to 
make  an  angry  reply,  but  at  a  sign  firom  Abd'alaziz,  he 
checked  himself,  and  bowing  his  head,  "  Thy  will  be  done," 
said  he,  **  oh.  Commander  of  the  FaithM."  He  was  fined 
fifty  thousand  dinars  of  gold ;  which,  however,  Abd'alaziz 
enabled  him  to  pay ;  and,  on  his  return  to  his  government  in 
Egypt,  took  his  old  favourite  with  him.  How  he  further  in* 
demnified  Musa  for  his  maltreatment  will  be  shown  hereafter. 

To  resume  the  affairs  of  Al  Hejagi  in  Irak.  Having  exer- 
cised the  rod  of  government  in  Cufa,  he  proceeded  to  Bassora, 
where  he  was  equally  sharp  with  his  tongue,  and  heavy  with 
his  hand.  The  consequence  was,  as  usiud,  an  insurrection.. 
This  suited  his  humour.  He  was  promptly  in  the  field ;  de- 
feated the  rebels  in  a  pitched  battle;  sent  the  heads  of 
eighteen  of  their  leaders  to  the  Caliph,  and  then  returned  ta 
the  administration  of  affairs  at  Bassora.    He  afterwards  sent 


'29S  BVCCB9§OmB  aw  MiiHOMBT. 

two  of  lofl  lieiiteziaiito  to  soppresa  a  new  movement 

the  Aiamdrite  sectaries,  who  were  defeated  and  driyen  out  < 

the  proyinoe. 

In  the  76th  year  of  the  Hegira,  a  cow^ney  was  formed 
against  the  lire  of  AM'almdlec,  by  two  ^Karegite  fanatios, 
named  Shebib  Ibn  Zeid  and  Saleh  Ibn  MarL  Their  oo&- 
spiracy  was  discovered  and  defeated,  bnt  they  made  theor 
escape,  and  repaired  to  the  town  of  Daras,  in  Mesopotamia, 
where  they  managed  to  get  together  adherents  to  the  nambsr 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  men.  Saleh  was  smooth-tongued 
and  seductive,  having  a  melodious  v<Hce.  and  a  j^reat  command 
of  figurative  langoage.  He  completely  &scmated  aod  b^ 
wildered  his  companion  Shebib,  and  their  infatuated  fol- 
lowers, mingling  nis  inflammatory  harangues  with  piovs 
precepts  ana  exnositions  of  ihB  Koran.  In  the  end  he  was 
nailed  Commanoer  of  the  Faithful  by  the  motiley  crew,  and 
gravely  accepted  the  <^^.  His  men  wtire  all  armed,  bat 
most  ^>f  them  were  on  foot;  he,  therefore,  led  them  to  a 
neighbouring  village,  where  they  seized  upon  the  best  hones 
in  &e  name  of  Allah  and  tlie  proj^et^  to  whom  they  reSsmi 
the  owners  for  payment. 

Mahomet,  bro<£er  of  Abd'almllec,  who  was  at  tibat  tims 
enur  <^  Mes<^>otamia,  was  moved  to  laughter  when  he  heard 
ci  this  new  Caliph  and  his  handful  of  rabble  followers ;  and 
ordered  Adi,  one  of  his  officers,  to  take  five  hundred  men  and 
•weep  Ihem  from  the  province. 

Acti  shook  his  head  doubtAiUy.  ''One  madman,"  said  hB, 
*'  is  more  dangerous  than  ^e  soldiers  in  their  senses.** 

"  Take  one  thousand,  then,"  said  the  emir ;  and  with  that 
number,  well  armed  and  mounted,  Adi  set  out  in  quest  of  the 
fimatics.  He  found  them  and  thdr  pseudo  Cidiph  living  in 
free  quarters  on  the  fat  of  the  land,  and  daify  receiving 
recnuts  in  straggling  parties  of  two,  and  three,  and  four  at 
a  time,  armed  with  such  weapons  as  they  could  catch  up  in 
tiieir  haste.  On  the  approach  of  Adi  they  ^epared  fbr 
battle,  having  Aill  confidence  that  a  legion  of  angels  would 
fight  on  their  side. 

Adi  held  a  parley,  and  endeavoured  to  convittce  them  c^ 
the  absurdity  of  their  proceedings,  or  to  persuade  them  to 
oarry  their  marauding  enterprises  elsewhere;  but  Saleh« 
assuming  i3kQ  tone  of  Cali[^  as  well  as  sectarian,  admonished 
Adi  and  his  men  to  conform  to  his  doctrines,  and  come  into 
his  allegiance.  The  conference  ended  while  it  was  yet  the 
morning  hour.  Adi  still  forbore  to  attadc  sudbi  a  handful  of 
misguided  men,  and  paid  dearly  for  his  forbearance.  At  nocm- 
tide,  when  he  and  his  men  were  engaged  in  the  customaiy 


UBD'JLLHAUSC.  239 

prayer,  and  their  steeds  were  feeding,  tiie  entliiifiast  hemd 
<;liArged  suddenly  upon  them  with  ihe  erj  ci  Allah  Aohbar ! 
Adi  was  skin  in  the  onset,  and  his  body  was  trampled  under 
foot ;  his  troop|8  were  slaughtered  or  dispersed,  ana  his  can^ 
Bud  horses,  with  a  good  supply  of  arms,  became  welcome 
booty  to  tiie  victors. 

The  band  of  sectarians  increased  in  nnmbort  and  in  dazing 
after  this  signal  exploit.  Al  Hejagi  sent  five  thousaad  veteran 
troops  against  them,  under  Al  Hareth  AlauKlani.  These  came 
by  surprise  upon  the  two  leaders,  Saleh  and  Shebib,  with  ft 
party  of  only  ninetjr  men,  at  a  village  <m  the  Tigris,  not  £» 
*  from  Mosul,  the  capital  of  Mesopotamia.  The  £uiatic  chiefir 
attacked  the  army  with  a  kind  of  frantic  courage,  but  Saleh, 
the  mock  Caliph,  was  instantiy  killed,  with  a  score  of  his  fol- 
lowers. Shebib  was  siTuek  from  his  horse,  Imt  managed  to 
keep  together  the  remnant  of  hia  party,  made  good  his  retreat 
with  them  into  Montbagi,  a  dismantled  fortress,  and  s?ning  to 
and  secured  the  ponderous  gate. 

The  victors  kindled  a  great  fire  against  the  gate,  and  waited 
patiently  until  it  should  bom  down,  considCTing  their  prey 
aeeure. 

Aa  the  night  advanced,  Shebib,  who,  from  his  desolate  re- 
treat, watched  anxiously  for  some  chance  of  escape,  perceived* 
by  the  light  of  the  fire,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  besiegers, 
fatigued  by  their  march,  were  bmried  ia  deep  sleep.  He  now 
exacted  from  his  men  an  oath  of  implicit  obedience,  which  they 
took  between  his  hands.  He  then  caused  them  to  steep  most 
of  their  cbthing  in  a  tank  of  water  within  the  castle  i  after 
which,  softly  drawing  the  bolts  of  the  flaming  gate,  they  threw 
it  down  on  the  Gie  Jdndled  against  it,  flung  their  wet  far- 
ments  on  the  burning  bridge  thus  suddenly  formed,  and  ruuied 
Ibrth  scimetar  in  hand. 

.  Instead  of  contenting  themselves  with  an  escape,  the  eraay 
zealots  charged  into  the  veiy  heart  of  Ihe  sleepingcamp,  ana 
wounded  the  g^eneral  before  an  alarm  was  given.  The  sddiers 
started  awake  in  the  midst  of  havoc  and  confusion ;  supposing 
themselves  surprised  by  a  numerous  army,  they  fled  in  aa 
directions,  never  ceasing  their  flight  untu  they  had  taken 
refuge  in  Mosul  or  Jukhi,  or  some  othor  walled  city. 

Shebib  established  himself  amid  the  abundanee  of  the 
4eserted  camp ;  scarce  any  of  his  men  had  been  killed  or 
wounded  in  this  midnight  slaughter ;  he  considered  himself 
therefore  invincible,  proclaimed  himself  Commander  of  the 
Fsithfrd,  and  partisans  crowded  to  his  standard.  Strengthened 
by  numbers,  he  led  his  fanatic  horde  against  Cufa,  and  had 
the  address  and  good  fortone  to  make  himself  master  of  it,-^ 


240  8UCCBSSOB8  OF  KAHOMET. 

Al  Hejagi,  ilie  emir,  being  absent  at  Bassora.  He  was  soon 
joined  by  his  wife  Ghizala;  established  himself  as  Caliph  with 
some  ceremonial,  and  doubtless  his  vagabond  sway  waa  more 
acceptable  to  the  people  of  Cnfa  than  the  ircm  role  of  AI 
HeiagL 

The  mock  Caliphat,  however,  was  of  brief  duration*  Al 
Hejagi,  reinforced  by  troops  firom  Syria,  marched  in  person 
against  Ca&.  He  was  boldly  met  in  the  plains  near  that  city 
by  Shebib,  at  the  head  of  fonr  thousand  men.  The  fanatics 
were  defeated,  and  Gazala,  the  wife  of  the  moek  Caliph,  who 
had  accompanied  her  husband  to  the  field,  was  slain.  Shebibj^ 
with  a  remnant  of  his  force,  cut  his  way  through  the  Syrian 
army,  crossed  and  recrossed  the  Tigris,  and  so^ht  reftige 
and  reinforcements  in  the  interior  of  Persia.  Me  soon  re- 
turned into  Irak,  with  a  force  inconsiderable  in  numbers,  but 
formidable  from  enthusiasm  and  desperate  valour.  He  was  en- 
countered  at  the  bridge  of  Dojail  al  Awaz.  Here  a  sudden 
and  imezpected  end  was  put  to  his  fanatic  career.  His  horse 
struck  his  fore-feet  on  some  loose  stones  on  the  margin  of  the 
bridge  and  threw  his  rider  into  the  stream.  He  rose  twice  to 
the  surface,  and  each  time  uttered  a  pious  ejaculation.  "  What 
God  decrees  is  just!"  was  the  first  exclamation.  *' The  will  <^ 
God  be  done !"  was  the  second,  and  the  waters  closed  over 
him.  His  followers  cried  with  loud  lamentations, "  The  Com- 
mander of  the  Faithful  is  no  more  !*'  and  every  man  betook 
himself  to  flight.  The  water  was  dragged  with  a  net,  the 
body  was  found  and  decapitated,  and  tl:^  nead  sent  to  Al  He>* 
jagi,  who  transmitted  it  to  the  Caliph.  The  heart  of  thk 
enthusiast  was  also  taken  out  of  his  breast,  and  is  said  to  have 
been  as  hard  as  stone.  He  was  assuredly  a  man  of  extra- 
ordinary daring. 

Arabian  writers  say  that  the  manner  of  Shebib's  death  was 
]»redicted  before  his  birth.  His  mother  was  a  beautiful  Chris- 
tian captive,  purchased  at  a  public  sale  by  Tezid  Ibn  Nairn  f<^ 
his  harem.  Just  before  she  gave  birth  to  Shebib  she  had  ^ 
dream  that  a  coal  of  fire  prcx^eeded  from  her,  and  after  en* 
kindling  a  flame  over  the  nrmament,  fell  into  ^e  sea  and  was 
extin£;uished.  This  dream  was  interpreted  that  she  would 
give  birth  to  a  man-child,  who  wouldTprove  a  distinguished 
wamor,  but  would  eventually  be  drowned.  So  str^ig  was 
her  belief  in  this  omen,  that  wnen  she  heard,  on  one  oocasiony 
of  his  defeat  and  of  his  alleged  death  on  the  battle-field,  she 
treated  the  tidinffs  as  an  idle  rumour,  saying  it  was  by  water 
only  her  son  woiUd  die.  At  the  time  of  Shebib's  death  he  had 
just  passed  his  fiftieth  year. 

The  emir  Al  Hejagi  was  destined  to  have  still  fiurtber  \ 


ABp'iXlliLBC.  241 

motions  in  his  turbulent  and  inconstant  province.  A  violent 
feud  existed  between  him  and  Abda'bahmanlbn  Mohammed, 
a  general  subject  to  his  orders.  To  put  an  end  to  it,  or  to 
reBeve  himself  from  the  presence  of  an  enemy,  he  sent  him  on 
an  expedition  to  the  frontiers  against  iJie  Tiurks.  Abda'kah- 
man  set  out  on  his  march,  but  when  fairly  in  the  field,  with  a 
force  at  his  command,  conceived  a  project  either  of  revenge  or 
ambition. 

Addressing  his  soldiers  in  a  spirited  harangue,  he  told 
them  that  their  numbers  were  totaJlj;  inadequate  to  the  enter- 
prise ;  that  the  object  of  Al  Hejagi  in  sending  him  on  such  a 
dangerous  service  with  such  incompetent  means,  was  to  effect 
his  defeat  and  ruin,  and  that  they  had  been  sent  to  be  sacri- 
ficed with  him. 

The  haran^e  produced  the  desired  effect.  The  troops 
vowed  devotion  to  Abda'lrahman  and  vengeance  upon  the 
emir.  Without  ^ving  their  passioiv  time  to  cool,  he  led  them 
back  to  put  their  threats  in  execution.  Al  Hejagi  heard  of 
the  treason,  and  took  the  field  to  meet  them,  but  probably 
was  not  well  seconded  by  the  people  of  Babylonia,  for  he  was 
defeated  in  a  pitched  battle.  Abda*lrahman  then  marched  to 
the  city  of  Bassora ;  the  inhabitants  welcomed  him  as  their 
deliverer  from  a  tyrant,  and,  captivated  by  his  humane  and 
engaging  manners,  hailed  him  as  Caliph.  Intoxicated  by  his 
success,  ne  gravely  assumed  the  title,  and  proceeded  toward 
Oufa.  Encountermg  Al  Hejagi  on  ihe  way,  with  a  hastily 
.  levied  army,  he  gave  him  another  signal  defeat,  and  then 
entered  Cma  in  tnumph,  amid  the  shouts  of  its  giddy  popu- 
lace, who  were  delighted  with  any  change  that  released  them- 
from  the  yoke  of  Al  Hejagi. 

Abda'lrahman  was  now  acknowledged  Caliph  throughoutr 
the  territories  bordering  on  the  Eupm'ates  and  the  Tigris,  a 
mighty  empire  in  ancient  days,  and  still  important  from  its 
population,  for  he  soon  had  on  foot  an  army  of  one  hundred 
thousand  men. 

^Repeated  defeat  had  but  served  to  rouse  the  energy  of  Al 
Hejagi.  He  raised  troops  among  such  of  the  people  of  Irak 
as  remained  faithful  to  Abd'ahnmec,  received  reinforcementa 
from  the  CaHph,  and  by  dint  of  indefatigable  exertions  was 
again  enabled  to  take  the  field. 

The  two  generals,  animated  by  deadly  hate,  encamped  their 
armies  at  pmces  not  far  apart.  Here  they  remained  between 
three  and  four  months,  keeping  vigilant  eye  upon  each  other, 
and  engaged  in  incessant  conflicts,  though  never  venturing 
upon  a  pitched  battle. 

The  object  of  Al  Hejagi  was  to  gain  an  advantage  by  hii 


SIS  suocmoBi  ov  mahouet. 

•uperior  militiry  tkO],  and  kd  toooeeded.  By  an  artM 
maDOdvcfTe  he  out  off  Abda'lralmiaii,  with  a  hodj  g£  fire 
tiKmBaad  men,  from  his  main  annj^  $  compelled  liim  to  retreal^ 
and  drove  him  to  take  leftiffe  m  a  fortified  town;  where, 
bong  oloaely  besieffed,  and  liaTing  no  hope  of  e8c^>e,  he 
threw  himself  headlong  from  a  lofty  tower,  rafcher  than  faQ 
into  the  hands  of  his  emel  enemy. 

Thus  terminated  the  rebellion  of  this  second  mock  Caliph, 
and  Al  Hejagi,  to  secure  the  tranqnillity  of  Irdc,  founded  a 
strong  citj^  on  the  Tigris,  called  Al  Wazab,  or  the  Centre, 
frx>m  its  lying  at  equal  distance  from  Cufa,  Bassora,  Bagdad, 
and  Ahwaz,  abcrat  fifty  leagues  from  each. 

Al  Hejagi,  whom  we  shaSl  hare  no  frirther  occasion  to  men- 
tion, continued  emir  of  Irak  until  his  death,  which  took  ph&oe 
under  the  reign  of  the  next  Caliph,  in  the  ninety-fifth  year  of 
tiie  Hegira,  and  the  fifty-fourth  of  his  own  age.  He  is  said  te 
have  cimsed  the  death  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
persons,  independent  of  those  who  fell  in  battle,  and  that,  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  he  left  fifty  thousand  confined  in  different 
prisons.    Can  we  wonder  that  he  was  detested  as  a  tyrant  P 

In  his  last  illness,  say  the  Arabian  historiliis,  he  sent  for  a 
noted  astrologer,  and  asked  Imn  whether  any  great  general 
was  about  to  end  his  days.  The*  learned  man  consulted  the 
atars,  and  replied,  that  a  great  captain  named  Kotaib,  or 
'<  The  Dog,"  was  at  the  pomt  of  death.  "  That,"  said  the 
dTing  emir,  "  is  the  name  my  mother  used  to  caU  me  when  a 
(mild."  He  inquired  of  the  astrdoger  if  he  was  assured  of 
his  jvediotion.  The  sage,  proud  of  nis  art,  declared  that  it 
was  infallible.  '*  Then,  said  the  emir,  **  I  will  take  you  with 
me,  that  I  may  have  the  benefit  of  your  skill  in  Ihe  other 
world."    So  saying,  he  caused  his  head  to  be  struck  off. 

The  tvranny  of  this  general  was  relieved  at  times  by  dis* 
plays  01  great  magnifioenoe  and  acts  of  generosity,  if  not 
clemency.  He  spread  a  thousand  tables  at  a  single  oanquety 
and  bestowed  a  million  dirhems  of  silver  at  a  sin^e  donation. 

On  one  occasi<»i,  an  Arab,  ignorant  of  his  person,  spoke  of 
him,  in  his  presence,  as  a  cruel  tyrant.  "  Do  you  know  meP* 
said  Al  Heja^  ster^."  "  I  do  not,"  retdied  the  Arab.  "I 
am  Al  Hejagi !"  "  Ql^at  may  be,"  implied  the  Arab,  quickly ; 
but  do  you  know  meP  I  am  of  the  family  of  Zobeir,  who 
are  fools  in  the  ftdl  of  the  moon ;  and  if  you  look  upon  ^e 
heavens,  you  will  see  that  this  is  my  day."  The  emir  laughed 
at  his  ready  wit,  and  dismissed  him  with  a  present. 

On  another  occasion,  when  separated  from  his  partr  whi]# 
hunting,  he  came  to  a  spring  where  an  Arab  was  feecung  hi& 
camels,  and  demanded  drink.    The  Arab  bade  him,  roioely. 


ABD*iXMA.LEC.  243 

to  aliffht  and  help  himself.  It  was  during  the  rebellion  of 
Abdajrahman.  After  he  had  slaked  his  thirst,  he  demanded 
of  the  Arab  whether  he  was  for  the  Caliph  Abd'almMec.  The 
Arab  replied,  '*  No ;  for  the  Caliph  had  sent  the  worst  man  in 
the  world  to  goyem  the  provinoe."  Just  then  a  bird,  passing 
oyer  head,  uttered  a  croaldng  note.  The  Arab  tiumed  a 
qtiiek  eye  upon  the  emir:  "  Who  art  thouP"  cried  he,  with 
consternation.  "Wherefore  the  question?"  "Because  I 
understand  the  language  of  birds,  and  he  says  that  thou  art 
chief  of  yon  horsemen  tiiat  I  see  approaching." 

The  emir  snuled,  and  when  his  attendants  came  up,  bade 
them  to  bring  the  camel-driver  with  them.  On  the  next  day, 
he  sent  for  Imn,  had  meat  set  before  him,  and  bade  him  eat. 
Before  he  complied,  the  Arab  uttered  a  grace,—"  Allah,  ffrant 
that  the  end  of  this  meal  be  as  happy  as  the  beginning. 

The  emir  inquired  if  he  recollected  their  conyersation  of 
yesterday.  "  Perfectly !  but  I  entreat  thee  to  forget  it,  for 
it  was  a  secret  which  should  be  buried  in  oblivion." 

"  Here  are  two  conditions  for  thy  choice,"  said  the  emir; 
**  recant  what  t^u  hast  said,  and  enter  into  my  sernce,  or 
abide  the  decision  of  the  Caliph,  to  whom  thy  treasonable 
speech  shall  be  repeated."  "  There  is  a  third  course,"  replied 
tne  Arab,  "  which  is  better  than  either.  Send  me  to  my  own 
home,  and  let  us  be  strangers  to  each  other  as  heretofore." 

The  emir  was  amused  by  the  spirit  of  the  Arab,  and  dis-. 
missed  him  with  a  thousand  dirhems  of  silver. 

Hiere  were  no  further  troubles  in  Irak  during  the  lifetime 
of  Al  Heiagi,  and  even  the  fickle,  turbulent,  and  faithless 
people  of  Cufa  became  submissive  and  obedient.  Abulfaragius 
says  that  this  general  died  of  eating  dirt.  It  appears  that  he 
was  subject  to  dyspepsia  or  indigestion,  for  which  he  used  to 
eat  Terra  Lemma,  and  other  medicinal  or  absorbent  earths. 
Whether  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  malady  or  the  medicine,  is 
not  clesrly  manifest. 


CHAPTEBLIV. 

Benimciatikm  of  tribute  to  the  emperor.— -Battles  in  Northern  Africa.— Th6 
prophet-qQeen  Cahina ;  her  achieTementB  and  fkte. 

The  seventy-second  year  of  the  Hegira  saw  the  Moslem 
dominions  at  length  nree  from  rebellion  and  civil  war,  and 
united  under  one  Caliph.  Abd'almMec  now  looked  abroad, 
and  was  amdous  to  revive  the  foreign  glories  of  Islwn^  which 
b2 


^44  8UCCE8SOSS  OF  UAHOHET. 

liad  declined  duiinff  the  late  vicissitades.  His  first  moTement 
was  to  throw  off  me  filling  tribute  to  the  Greek  exnperc»r. 
This,  under  Moawyah  I.,  h^  originally  been  three  thousand 
dinars  of  gold,  but  had  been  augmented  to  three  kundred  and 
fiixty-fiye  thousand ;  being  one  thousand  for  every  day  in  the 
Christian  year.  It  was  accompaDied  by  three  hundred  and 
sixtV'fLYe  female  slaves,  and  three  himdred  and  sixty-five 
Arabian  horses  of  the  most  generous  race. 

Not  content  with  renouncing  the  payment  of  tqribute. 
Abd'almlklec  sent-Alid,  one  of  his  generals,  on  a  ra>agiiig 
expedition  into  the  imperial  dominions,  availing  himself  of  a 
disaffection  evinced  to  the  new  emperor,  L^ntius.  Ahd 
returned  laden  with  spoils.  The  cities  of  Lazuca  and  Barun- 
cium  were  likewise  delivered  up  to  the  Moslems,  through  the 
treachery  of  Sergius,  a  Christian  general. 

Abd'almlLLec  next  sought  to  vindicate  the  glory  of  tiie 
Moslem  arms  along  the  northern  coast  of  Arnca*  There, 
also,  the  imperialists  had  taken  advantage  of  the  troubles  ci 
the  Caliphat,  to  reverse  the  former  successes  of  the  Moslems, 
and  to  strengthen  themselves  along  the  sea-coast,  of  which 
their  navy  aided  them  to  hold  possession.  Zohair,  who  had 
been  left  by  Abd'almalec  in  command  of  Barca,  had  fallen 
into  an  ambush  and  been  slun  with  many  of  his  men,  and 
the  posts  still  held  by  the  Moslems  were  chiefly  in  the 
interior. 

In  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  the  Hegira,  therefore, 
Abd*alm41ec  sent  Hoss4n  Ion  An-no'man,  at  die  head  of 
forty  thousand  choice  troops,  to  carry  out  the  scheme  of 
Afncan  conquest.  That  general  pressed  forward  at  once 
with  his  troops  against  the  city  of  Carthage,  which,  though 
declined  from  its  ancient  might  and  glory,  was  still  an  im« 
portant  sea-port,  fortified  with  lofty  walls,  haughty  towers 
and  powerful  bulwarks,  and  had  a  numerous  garrison  of 
Greeks  and  other  Christians.  Hoss4n  proceeded  according 
to  the  old  Arab  mode ;  beleaguering  it  and  reducing  it  by  a 
long  siege ;  he  then  assailed  it  by  storm,  scaled  its  lofty  walls 
with  ladders,  and  made  himself  master  of  the  place.  Many 
of  the  inhabitants  fell  by  the  edge  of  the  sword;  many 
escaped  by  sea  to  Sicily  and  Spain.  The  walls  were  then 
demolished;  the  city  was  given  up  to  be  plundered  hj 
the  soldiery,  the  meanest  of  whom  was  enriched  by  booty.* 
Particular  mention  is  made  among  the  spoils  of  victory  of 
a  g^at  number  of  female  captives  of  rare  beauty. 

The  triumph  of  the  Moslem  host  was  suddenly  interrupted. 
While  they  were  revelling  in  the  ravaged  palaces  of  Carthage^ 
a  fleet  appeared  before  the  port ;  snapped  the  strong  chain 


abdVimalec.  i4& 

which  guarded  the  entrance,  and  sailed  into  the  harbour.  It 
was  a  combined  force  of  ships  and  troops  from  Constantinople 
and  Sicily  5  reinforced  by  Goths  from  Spain ;  all  under  me 
command  of  the  prefect  John,  a  patrician  general  of  great 
Yalour  and  experience. 

Hoss^  felt  himself  unable  to  cope  with  such  a  force ;  he 
withdrew,  however,  in  good  order,  and  conducted  his  troom 
laden  with  spoils  to  Tripoli  and  Caerw^,  and  haying  strongly^ 
posted  them,  he  awaited  reinft>rcements  from  the  Caliplu 
These  arrived  in  the  course  of  time,  by  sea  and  land.  Hossaa 
again  took  the  field ;  encountered  the  prefect  John,  not  far 
m>m  Utica,  defeated  him  in  a  pitched  battle,  and  drove  him 
to  embark  the  wrecks  of  his  army,  and  make  all  sail  for 
Constantinople. 

Carthage  was  again  assailed  by  the  victors,  and  now  its 
desolation  was  complete,  for  the  vengeance  of  the  Moslem? 
gave  that  majestic  city  to  the  flames*  A  heap  of  ruins  and  the 
remains  of  a  noble  aqueduct,  are  all  the  relics  of  a  metropolis 
that  once  valiantly  contended  for  dominion  with  Some,  the 
mistress  of  the  world. 

The  imperial  forces  were  now  expelled  from  the  coasts  of 
Northern  Africa,  but  the  Moslems  nad  not  yet  achieved  the 
conquest  of  the  country.  A  formidable  enemy  remained  in 
the  person  of  a  native  ancf  heroic  queen,  who  was  revered  bjr 
her  subjects  as  a  saint  or  prophetess.  Her  real  name  waer 
Bhabba,  but  she  is  ffenerallv  known  m  history  by  the  sur- 
name, given  to  her-  oy  the  Moslems,  of  Cahina  or  the  Sor- 
ceress. She  has  occasionally  been  confoimded  with  her  son 
Aben,  or  rather  Ibn  Cahina,  of  whom  mention  has  been 
made  in  a  previous  chapter. 

Under  the  sacred  standard  of  this  prophet-queen  were 
combined  the  Moors  of  Mauritania  and  the  Beroers  of  the 
moxmtains,  and  on  the  phuns  bordering  on  the  interior  deserts. 
[Roving  and  independent  tribes,  which  had  formerly  warred 
with  each  other,  now  yielded  imidicit  obedience  to  one 
common  leader,  whom  they  regarded  with  religious  reverence* 
The  character  of  marabout  or  saint  has  ever  had  vast  in* 
fluence  over  the  tribes  of  Africa.  Under  this  heroic  woman 
the  combined  host  had  been  reduced  to  some  degree  of  dis- 
cipline, and  inspired  with  patriotic  ardour,  and  were  now 
prepared  to  make  a  more  cflPective  struggle  for  their  native 
land  than  they  had  yet  done  under  their  generals. 

After  repeated  battles,  the  emir  Hoss4n  was  compelled  te 
retire  with  his  veteran  but  diminished  army  to  the  frontiers 
of  Egypt.  The  patriot  queen  was  not  satisfied  with  thi» 
partial  success.    Calling  a  council  of  war  of  the  leaders  and 


940  ST7CCE6SOX8  OF  HAHOHET. 

pxincipal  wtfriors  of  the  difiereat  kordes :  "  Has  retreat  of 
we  enemy,"  said  she,  **  is  but  temporary;  they  will  retnm  in 
ffreater  force.  What  is  it  that  attracts  to  our  land  these 
JLiab  spoilers?  The  wealth  of  our  cities;  the  treasures  of 
silyer  and  gold  digged  from  the  bowels  of  the  eartli ;  the 
fimits  c^  onr  gardens  and  orchards ;  the  produce  of  our  fields. 
Xjet  us  demiuish  our  cities ;  return  these  accursed  treasures 
into  the  earth ;  fell  our  fruit-trees ;  lay  waste  our  fields,  and 
spread  a  barrier  of  desolation  between  us  and  the  counlsry  of 
^ese  robbers !" 

The  words  of  the  royal  pro})hete88  were  reoeired  wifli 
fanatic  enthusiasm  by  her  barbarian  troops ;  the  greater  part 
of  whom,  collected  from  the  mountains  and  from  distant 
parts,  had  little  share  in  the  property  to  be  sacrifioed. 
Walled  towns  were  forthwith  dinnantled;  majestic  edifices 
were  tumbled  into  ruins ;  groves  of  fruit-trees  were  liewn 
down,  and  the  whole  country  from  Tangier  to  Tripoli  was 
converted  from  a  populous  and  fertile  region  into  a  howling 
and  barren  waste,  A  short  time  was  sufficient  to  effect  a 
desolation,  which  centuries  have  not  sufficed  to  remedy. 
'  This  samficial  measure  of  Queen  Cahina,  however  patriotic 
its  intention,  was  fatal  in  the  end  to  herself.  The  inhabitants 
of  the  cities  and  the  plains,  who  had  beheld  their  property 
laid  waste  by  the  infruiated  zeal  of  their  defenders,  hail^  tro 
return  of  the  Moslem  invaders  as  though  they  had  been  the 
saviours  of  the  land. 

The  Moslems,  as  Cahina  predicted, returned  with  auCTiented 
forces :  but  when  she  took  the  field  to  oppose  them  me  ranlis 
of  her  army  were  thinned ;  the  enthusiasm  which  had  formerly 
animated  tnem  was  at  an  end ;  they  were  routed,  after  a  san- 
guinary battle,  and  the  heroine  &11  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Those  who  captured  her  spared  her  life,  because  she 
was  a  woman  and  a  queen.  When  brought  into  the  presence 
of  Hossim,  she  maintained  her  haughty  and  fierce  demeanour. 
He  proposed  the  usual  conditions  of  conversion  or  tribute. 
She  refused  both  with  scorn,  and  fell  a  victim  to  her  patriotism 
and  religious  constancy,  being  beheaded  in  presence  of  the 
emir. 

Hossan  Ibh  An-no'man  now  repaired  to  Damascus,  to  give 
the  Caliph  an  account  of  his  battles  and  victories,  bearingan 
immense  amount  of  booty,  and  several  signal  trophies.  The 
most  important  of  the  latter  was  a  precious  box,  containing 
the  embalmed  head  of  the  slaughtered  Cahina.  He  was 
received  with  great  distinction,  lo^ed  with  honours,  and  the 
government  oi  Barca  was  added  to  his  military  command. 

This  hist  hoiK>ur  proved  fatal  to  Hoss&n.    Abd'alaziz  Ibn 

gtized  by  Google 


3Cerwftn,  fheCalipVa  biotiher,  was  «t  thftttimdeitiarof  Bgypt, 
and  considered  the  province  of  Baroa  a  part  of  the  tmrritonef 
under  liis  goremment.  He  had,  aeomrdingly,  appointed  one  of 
his  officers  to  command  it  as  his  Heutenant.  He  was  extreme^ 
displeased  and  disconcerted,  therefore,  when  he  was  told  ihtA 
Hoss^n  had  solicited  and  obtained  the  government  of  that 
prorince.  Sending  for  the  latter  as  he  passed  through  Sgypt 
on  his  way  to  his  post,  he  demanded  whether  it  was  &ae  uiiut^ 
in  addition  to  his  African  command,  he  wau  reaUr  ap])ointed 
gOYemor  of  Barea.  Being  answered  in  the  awmative,  hd 
appeared  still  to  donbt,  wherenpon  Hoss^  produced  the 
mandate  of  the  Caliph.  Finding  it  correct,  Abd'alazis  urged 
him  to  resign  the  office.  ''Violence  only,"  said  Hosrai, 
*'  shall  wrest  from  me  an  honour  conferred  hy  the  Commandflr 
of  the  Faithful"  "  Then  I  dq)rive  thee  of  both  govern* 
ments  I"  exclaimed  the  emir,  in  a  passion,  "  and  will  appcnnt 
a  better  man  in th^  stead;  and  my  brother  will  soon peroeiva 
the  benefit  he  derives  from  the  dbiange."  80  saying,  he  tore 
the  diploma  in  pieces. 

It  is  added,  that  not  content  with  depriving  Hossfin  of  hit 
.command,  he  despoiled  him  of  all  his  property,  and  carried  his 
persecution  so  far,  that  the  conqueror  or  Carthage,  tiie  slayer 
of  the  patriot  queen, — ^within  a  brief  time  after  her  death*  and 
almost  amid  the  very  scenes  of  his  triumphs, — died  of  a 
broken  heart.  His  cruel  treatment  of  the  heroic  Cshina  re« 
oonciles  us  to  the  injustice  wreaked  upon  himself. 


CHAPTER  LV. 

Wan  Ibn  Noaseyr  made  emir  of  Vertlieni  Aftica.— ^Hit  oampaigas  againit 
theBetben. 

Thb  general  appointed  by  the  Caliph's  brother,  Abd'alasiz  Ibn 
Merwftn,  to  the  command  in  Northern  Africa,  was  Musa  Ibn 
Nosseyr,  the  same  old  adherent  of  the  Merw&n  family  that 
had  l)een  prime  counsellor  of  the  Caliph's  brother  Besher, 
when  emir  of  Irak,  and  had  escaped  by  dint  of  hoof  from  Ihe 
dutches  of  Al  Hejagi,  when  the  latter  was  about  to  arrest  him 
on  a  charge  of  squandering  the  public  folds.  Abd'aLazias,  it 
wiU  be  remembered,  assisted  him  to  pay  the  fifty  thousand 
dinars  of  gold,  in  which  he  was  mulcted  hj  the  Caliph,  and 
took  him  with  him  to  Egypt ;  and  it  m^  have  been  with 
some  view  to  self-reimbursement  that  the  Egyptian  emir  no'^ 


248  SUCCBSdOBS  OF  HABOMXT. 

took  the  Bomewliat  bold  step  of  giying  liim  the  place  assigned 
to  Hoss&n  by  Abd'almdlec. 

At  the  time  of  his  appointment  Mnsa  was  sixty  years  of 
age.  He  was  still  aotiye  and  Tigorous ;  of  noble  presence ; 
and  concealed  his  age  by  tinging  his  hair  and  beard  with 
henna.  He  had  three  brave  sons  who  aided  him  in  his  cam- 
paigns, and  in  whom  he  took  great  pride.  The  eldest  he  had 
named  Abd'ahudz,  after  his  patron :  he  was  brave  and  magna- 
nimous, in  the  freshness  of  nis  youth,  and  his  father's  right 
hand  in  all  his  enterprises.  Another  of  his  sons  he  had  caUed 
Merw&n,  the  family  name  of  Abd'alaziz  and  the  Caliph. 

Musa  joined  the  amnr  at  its  African  encampment,  and 
addressed  his  troops  in  mnk  and  simple  language.  "  I  am  & 
plain  soldier  like  yourselves,"  taid  he ;  "  whenever  I  act  well, 
thank  Gk>d,  and  endeavour  to  imitate  me.  When  I  do  wrong, 
reprove  me,  that  I  may  amend;  for  we  are  all  sinners  and 
liable  to  err.  11  kdj  one  has  at  any  time  a  complaint  to 
make,  let  him  state  it  fraoMy,  and  it  shall  be  attended  to. 
I  have  orders  from  the  emir  Abd'alaziz  (to  whom  Gk>d  be 
bountiful  I)  to  pay  you  three  times  the  amount  of  your  arrears. 
Take  it,  and  make  good  use  of  it."  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
the  address,  especiSly  the  last  part,  was  received  with  accla- 
mations. 

While  Musa  was  making  his  harangue  a  sparrow  fluttered 
into  his  bosom.  Interpretmg  it  as  a  good  omen,  he  called  tot 
a  knife,  cut  ofif  the  bird's  head,  besmeared  the  bosom  of  his 
vest  with  the  blood,  and  scattering  the  feathers  in  the  air 
above  his  head, — "Victory!  Victory!"  he  cried,  "by  the 
master  of  the  Caaba,  victory  is  ours ! 

It  is  evident  that  Musa  understood  the  character  and 
foibles  of  his  troops ;  he  soon  won  tiieir  favour  by  his  munifi- 
cence, and  stiU  more  by  his  affability ;  always  accosting  them 
with  kind  words  and  cheerful  loolcs ;  carefully  avoiding  tiie 
error  of  those  reserved  commanders,  shut  up  in  the  fancied 
dignity  of  station,  who  looked,  he  said,  "  as  if  God  had  tied  a 
knot  in  their  throats,  so  that  tiiey  could  not  utter  a  word." 

"  A  commander,"  he  used  to  say,  "  ought  to  consult  wise 
and  experienced  men  in  every  unc(ertakin|g ;  but  when  he  haa 
made  up  his  mind,  he  should  be  firm  and  steady  of  purpose. 
He  should  be  brave,  adventurous,  at  times  even  rash,  con- 
fiding in  his  good  fortune,  and  endeavouring  to  do  more  than 
is  expected  of  him.  He  should  be  doubly  cautious  after  vic- 
torv---doubly  brave  after  defeat." 

Musa  found  a  part  of  Eastern  Africa,*  forming  the  present 

*  Korthem  AfHca,  extending  frcun  Egypt  to  the  extremity  of  M«uitaiiis» 
WM  subdivided  into  £aatem  and  Western  Aftica. 


abd'alhalec.  24d 

states  of  Tunis  and  Algiers,  in  complete  confusion  and  iusur* 
rection.  A  Berber  chief,  Warkattiu  by  name,  scoured  night' 
and  day  the  land  between  Zaghwan  ana  Caerwan.  The  !&r-^ 
bers  had  this  advantage — i£  routed  in  the  plains,  they  took 
refuge  in  the  mountSns,  which  ran  parallel  to  the  coast, 
forming  part  of  the  great  chain  of  Atlas ;  in  the  fastnesses  of 
these  mountains  they  felt  themselyes  secure ;  but  shotdd  they 
be  driven  out  of  these,  they  could  plunge  into  the  boundless 
deserts  of  the  interior,  and  Did  defimice  to  pursuit. 

The  ener^  of  Musa  rose  with  the  difficulty  of  his  enter* 
prise.  **  TSkc  courace,"  would  he  say  to  his  troops.  "  God 
IS  on  our  side,  and  wul  enable  ns  to  cope  with  our  enemies, 
lioweyer  strong  their  holds.  By  Allah!  I'll  carry  tlie  war 
into  yon  hau^ty  mountains,  nor  cease  until  we  Kave  seized 
upon  their  passes,  surmounted  their  summits,  and  made  our- 
selves masters  of  the  country  beyond." 

His  words  were  not  an  empty  threat.  Having  vanquished 
the  Berbers  in  the  |>lains,  he  sent  his  sons  Abd'alaziz  and 
MerwSn  with  troops  in  different  directions,  who  attacked  the 
enemy  in  their  mountain-holds,  and  drove  them  beyond  to 
the  borders  of  the  Southern  desert.  Warkatt4f  was  slain  with 
many  of  his  warriors,  and  Musa  had  the  Ratification  of  seeing 
his  sons  return  triumphant  from  their  dififerent  expeditions, 
bringing  to  the  camp  thousands  of  captives  and  immense 
booty.  Indeed,  the  number  of  prisoners  of  both  sexes,  taken 
in  these  campaigns,  is  said  to  have  amounted  to  three  hundred 
thousand :  of  whom  one-fifth,  or  sixty  thousand,  formed  the 
Caliph's  share. 

Musa  hastened  to  write  an  account  of  his  victories  to  hici 
patron  Abd'alaziz  Ibn  Merwdn,  and  as  he  knew  covetousness 
to  be  the  prime  failing  of  the  emir,  he  sent  him,  at  the  same 
time,  a  great  share  of  the  spoils,  with  choice  horses,  and 
female  slaves  of  surpassing  beauty. 

The  letter  and  the  present  came  most  opportunely.  Abd'« 
alaziz  had  lust  received  a  letter  from  his  brother,  tiie  Cidiph, 
rebuking  him  for  having  deposed  Hoss4n,  a  brave,  expe<» 
rienced,  and  fortunate  ofE^er,  and  given  his  office  to  Musa,  a 
man  who  had  formerly  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  govern- 
ment ;  and  he  was  ordered  forthwith  to  restore  Hoss^n  to  his 
command. 

In  reply,  Abd'alaziz  transmitted  the  news  of  the  African 
victories.  "  I  have  just  received  from  Musa,"  writes  he,  "  the 
letter  which  I  enclose,  that  thou  mayest  peruse  it,  and  give 
thanks  to  God." 

Other  tidings  came  to  the  same  purport,  accompanied  by  a 
great  amount  of  booty.    The  Cahph's  feelings  toward  Musft 


^60  STTCCEfSOlf  OV  MAHOHET. 

immediatelT  changed.  He  at  once  saw  liii  fitnemi  for  the  poet 
he  occnpiea,  and  oonfirmed  the  appointment  of  Abd'aUudz, 
making  him  eonr  of  Afirica.  He,  moreorer,  granted  jeartf 
pensions  of  two  hundred  pieces  of  gdd  to  hmiself,  and  one 
himdred  to  each  of  his  sons,  and  dirocted  him  to  select  from 
umtmf  his  soldiers  five  hundred  of  those  who  had  most  dis- 
tingoished  themsehres  in  batUe,  or  received  most  wounds,  and 

g've  them  each  thirty  pieces  of  gold.  Lastly,  he  reroked  the 
le  formerly  imposed  upon  him  of  fifty  thousand  dinars  of 
S:>ld,  and  authorised  hun  to  reimburse  himself  out  of  the 
a^h*s  share  of  the  spoil. 

This  last  sum  Musa  declined  to  receive  for  his  own  benefit 
but  pubHoly  devoted  it  to  the  promotion  of  the  fkith,  and  the 
good  of  its  prcMfessors.  Whenever  a  number  of  captives  were 
put  up  for  sale  after  a  victray,  he  diose  from  among  tliem 
those  who  were  young,  vigorous,  intelligent,  of  noHe  origin, 
«nd  who  appeared  dispos^  to  be  instructed  in  the  religion 
of  Islam.  If  th^  were  converted,  and  i«oved  to  have  suf- 
ficient talent,  he  gave  them  their  Hbeity,  and  appointed 
ikem  to  commands  in  his  army ;  if  otherwise,  he  returned 
them  to  ibe  mass  of  ci^ves,  to  be  disposed  of  in  the  usual 
manner. 

The  fame  of  Musa's  viet(»ries,  and  of  the  immense  spdl  o(^ 
leoted  by  his  troops,  brought  recruits  to  his  standard  frcmi 
Egypt  uid  Syria,  snd  other  distant  parts ;  for  rapine  was 
becoming  more  and  more  the  predominant  passion  of  the 
Moslems.  The  aimy  of  Musa  was  no  longer  composed,  like 
the  primitive  armies  of  the  faith,  merely  of  religious  se^lots. 
The  campaigns  in  foreign  countries,  and  the  necessity,  at  dis- 
tant points,  of  recruiimg  the  diminished  ranks  fi*om  such 
sources  as  wore  at  hand,  had  relaxed  the  ancient  scruples  aa 
to  uniiT  of  £Euth,  and  men  of  different  creeds  now  fought 
under  the  standard  of  Islam  without  being  purified  by  eon- 
version.  The  army  was,  therefore,  a  motley  host  of  every 
country  and  kind — ^Arabs  and  Syrians,  Persians  and  Copts, 
and  nomadic  Africans— ^arrayed  m  everv  kind  of  garb,  and 
armed  with  every  kind  of  weapon.  Musa  had  succeeded 
in  enlisting  in  his  service  many  of  the  native  tribes ;  a  few 
of  them  were  Christians,  a  greater  proporticHti  i<k>latersy 
but  the  greatest  number  professed  Judaism.  They  rea<Uly 
amalgamated  with  the  Arabs,  having  the  same  nomad  habits, 
and  the  same  love  of  war  and  rapine.  They  even  traced 
their  origin  to  the  same  Asiatic  stock.  According  to  Iheir 
traditions,  five  colonies,  or  tribes,  came  in  ancient  tunes  firom 
SabflBa,  in  Arabia  the  Happy,  being  expelled  thence  with  their 
king  I&ique.    From  these  descended  the  five  most  poweffid 


ABD*ALMAL1C.  251 

Berber  tribes—the  Zenhagians,  Maeamudas^  Z^ietes,  Qo^ 
meres,  and  Hoares. 

Musa  artfully  availed  binuielf  of  these  traditions ;  addressed 
the  conquered  Berbers  as  Aulad-ajrabi  (sons  of  ihe  Arabs), 
and  so  soothed  their  pride  by  this  pretended  oonsangainitr, 
tJiat  many  readily  embraced  me  Moslem  faith,  and  thousands 
of  iJie  bravest  men  of  ITumidia  enrolled  themselves,  of  their 
own  free  will,  in  the  armies  of  Mam. 

Others,  however,  persisted  in  waging  stubborn  war  with 
the  invaders  of  their  country,  and  amcmg  these,  the  most 
powerful  and  intrepid  were  the  Zenetes.  They  were  a  free, 
mdependent,  and  hauchty  race.  Marmol,  in  his  description 
of  Africa,  represents  mem  as  inhabiting  various  parts  of  the 
country.  Some  leading  a  roving  life  about  the  plains,  living 
in  tents  like  the  Arabs ;  others  having  castles  and  strong- 
holds in  ^e  moimtains ;  others,  very  troglodytes,  infesti^ 
tlie  dens  and  caves  of  Mount  Atlas,  and  omers  pandering  on 
the  borders  of  the  Lybian  desert. 

The  Gromeres  were  also  a  valiant  and  warlike  tribe,  inhabit- 
ing the  mountains  of  the  lesser  Atlas,  in  Mauritania,  border- 
ing the  frontiers  of  Ceuta,  while  the  Muzamudas  lived  in  the 
more  western  part  of  that  extreme  province,  where  the  great 
Atlas  advances  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

In  the  eighty-third  year  of  the  Hegira^  Musa  made  one  of 
his  severest  campaigns  against  a  combined  force  of  these 
Berber  tribes,  collected  tmder  the  banners  of  their  several 
princes.  Hiey  had  posted  themselves  in  one  of  the  fast- 
nesses of  fJie  Atlas  moimtains,  to  which  the  only  approach 
was  through  different  gorges  and  defiles.  All  these  were 
defended  with  great  obstinacy,  but  were  carried,  one  after 
the  other,  after  several  days  of  severe  fighting. 

The  armies  at  length  found  themselves  in  presence  of  each 
other,  when  a  generS  conflict  was  unavoidable.  As  they  were 
drawn  out,  regarding  each  other  with  menacing  aspect,  a 
Berber  chief  advanced,  and  challenged  any  one  of  the  Moslem 
cavaliers  to  single  combat.  There  was  a  delajr  in  answering 
to  the  challenge ;  whereupon  Musa  turned  to  ms  son  Merw^, 
who  had  charge  of  the  banners,  and  told  him  to  meet  the 
Berber  warrior.  The  youth  handed  his  banner  to  his  brother 
Abd'-alaziz,  and  stepped  forward  with  alacrity.  The  Berber, 
a  stark  and  seasoned  warrior  of  the  mountains,  regarded 
with  surprise  and  almost  scorn,  an  opponent  scarce  arrived  at 
manhood.  "Eeturn  to  the  camp,  cried  he,  "I  would  not 
deprive  thine  aged  father  of  so  comely  a  son."  Merw&n  replied 
but  with  his  weapon,  assailing  his  adversary  so  vigorously, 
that  he  retreated  and  sprang  upon  his  horse.    He  now  urged 


252  succsssosfl  of  kihoket. 

his  steed  upon  tlie  youl^  and  made  a  thrust  at  him  with,  a 
jayelin,  but  Merwan  seized  the  weapon  with  one  hand,  and 
with  the  other  throst  his  own  jayelin  through  the  Beiiier'a 
side,  burying  it  in  the  flanks  of  tne  steed ;  so  that  both  horse 
and  rider  were  brought  to  the  ground  and  shun. 

The  two  armies  now  closed  in  a  general  struggle ;  it  was 
bloodf  and  desperate,  but  ended  in  the  complete  defeat  of 
ihe  lierbers.  Kaslejah,  their  long,  fell,  fightmg  to  the  last. 
A  yast  number  of  captiyes  were  taken ;  among  them  were 
many  beautiful  maidens,  daughters  of  princes  and  military 
diieis.  At  the  division  of  the  spoil,  Musa  caused  these  high- 
bom  damsels  to  stand  before  him,  and  bade  Merwdn,  his  son, 
who  had  so  recently  distinguished  himself,  to  choose  among 
them.  The  youth  chose  one  who  was  a  daughter  of  the  late 
king  Eiisleyah.  She  appears  to  haye  found  solace  for  the 
loss  of  her  father  in  the  arms  of  a  youthM  husband ;  and 
ultimately  made  Merwl^  the  father  of  two  sons,  Mnsa  and 
Abd'almalec. 


CHAPTEELVL 

Kayal  oiteiptises  of  HoBa. — Cmiaiogs  of  his  son  Abdolola.-— Death 
ofAbd'ahaMec. 

Thb  bold  and  adventurous  spirit  of  Musa  Ibn  Nosseyr  was 
not  content  with  yictories  on  land.  "  Always  endeavour  to 
do  more  than  is  expected  of  thee,"  was  his  maxim,  and  he 
now  aspired  to  achieve  triumphs  on  the  sea.  He  had  -jppris 
within  his  province,  whence  the  Phoenicians  and  Carthhginians, 
in  the  days  of  their  power,  had  fitted  out  maritime  enter- 
prises.   Why  should  he  not  do  the  same  P 

The  feelings  of  the  Arab  conouerors  had  widely  changed 
in  regard  to  naval  expeditions.  When  Amru,  the  conc^aeror 
of  Egypt,  was  at  Alexandria,  the  Caliph  Omar  required  of 
him  a  description  of  the  Mediterranean.  "  It  is  a  great  pool," 
repHed  Amru,  "  which  some  fool-hardy  people  furrow ;  looking 
like  ants  on  logs  of  wood."  The  answer  was  enough  for 
Omar,  who  was  always  apprehensive  that  the  Moslems  would 
i^ndanger  ther  conquests  oy  rashly  extended  enterpriBes.  He 
forbade  all  maritime  expeditions.  Perhaps  he  feared  thal^ 
the  inexperience  of  the  Arabs  "wovld  expose  them  to  defeat 
£:om  the  Franks  and  Eomans,  who  were  practised  navigators- 

Moawvah,  however,  as  we  have  shown,  more  confiaent  of 
the  Moslem  capacity  for  nautical  wai^are,  had  launched  tito 


abd'almalec.  253: 

banner  of  Islam  on  tlie  sea  from  the  ancient  ports  of  Tyre 
and  Sidon,  and  Iiad  scoured  the  eastern  waters  of  the  Medi-< 
terranean.  The  Moslems  now  had  armaments  in  various 
ports  of  Syria  and  Egypt,  and  warred  with  the  Christians  by 
sea  as  well  as  by  land.  Abd'almMec  had  even  ordered  Mnsa  s 
predecessor,  £toss4n,  to  erect  an  arsenal  at  Tunis ;  Musa  now 
undertook  to  carry  those  orders  into  eflPect ;  to  found  dock- 
yards, and  to  build  a  fleet  for  his  proposed  enterprise. 

At  the  outset  he  was  surrounded  by  those  sage  doubters 
who  are  every  ready  to  chill  the  ardour  of  enterprise.    They 

E renounced  the  scheme  rash  and  impracticable.  A  gray- 
eaded  Berber,  who  had  been  converted  to  Islam,  spoke  in  a 
different  tone.  **  I  am  one  hundred  and  twenty  years  old,'* 
said  he,  "  and  I  well  remember  hearing  my  father  say,  that 
when  the  Lord  of  Carthage  thought  of  building  his  ci^,  the 
people  all,  as  at  present,  exclaimed  against  it  as  impracticable ;[ 
one  alone  rose  and  said,  oh  king,  put  thy  hand  to  the  work 
and  it  will  be  achieved;  for  the  kmgs  thy  predecessors  per- 
severed and  achieved  everything  they  imdertook,  whatever 
might  be  the  difficulty.  And  I  say  to  thee,  oh  emir,  put  thy 
hand  to  this  work,  and  God  will  help  thee  I" 

Musa  did  put  his  hand  to  the  work,  and  so  effectually,  that 
by  the  conclusion  of  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  the  Hegira, 
▲.D.  703,  the  arsenal  and  dock-yard  were  complete,  and  fur- 
nished with  maritime  stoires,  and  there  was  a  numerous  fleet 
in  the  port  of  Tunis. 

About  this  time  a  Moslem  fleet,  sent  by  Abd'alaziz,  the 
emir  of  Egypt,  to  make  a  ravaging  descent  on  the  coast  of 
Sardinia,  entered  the  port  of  Susa,  which  is  between  Caerwaa 
and  Tunis.  Musa  sent  provisions  to  the  fleet,  but  wrote  to 
the  commander,  Att4  Xbn  Eafl,  cautioning  him  that  the 
season  was  too  late  for  his  enterprise,  and  advising  him  to 
remain  in  port  until  more  favourable  time  and  weather. 

Atta  treated  his  letter  with  contempt,  as  the  advice  of  a 
landsman :  and  having  refitted  his  vessels  put  to  sea.  He- 
landed  on  an  island,  called  by  the  Arab  writers,  Salsalah, 
probably  Linosa  or  Lampedosa ;  made  considerable  booty 'of 
gold,  silver,  and  precious  stones,  and  again  set  sail  on  his 
plundering  cruise.  A  violent  storm  arose,  his  ships  were 
dashed  on  the  rocky  coast  of  AiHca,  and  he  and  nearly  all 
his  men  were  drowned. 

Musa,  hearing  of  the  disaster,  dispatched  his  son,  Abd'alaziz, 
with  a  troop  of  horse,  to  the  scene  of  the  shipwreck,  to 
render  all  the  assistance  in  his  power;  ordering  that  the 
vessels  and  crews  which  survived  the  storm,  should  repair  to 
the  port  of  Tunis ;  all  which  was  done.    At  the  place  of  the 


254  8TTCCBS80BS  OF  MAHOMBT. 

wreck  Abd'alam  found  a  heaTjbox  cast  rrp  on  the  sea-dbore; 
en  being  opened,  its  contents  proved  to  be  the  share  of  spent 
d  <me  of  the  warriors  of  the  fleet,  who  had  perished  in  the 
sea. 
The  author  of  the  tradition  from  which  these  facts  are 

Sesned,  adds,  that  one  daj  he  found  an  old  man  sitting  on 
lc  sea-shore  with  a  reed  in  his  hand,  which  he  attempted  to 
take  from  him.  A  scuffle  ensued ;  he  wrested  the  reed  from 
his  hands,  and  struck  him  with  it  over  his  head ;  when  lo, 
it  broke,  and  out  fell  gold  coins  and  pearls  and  jNrecious 
stones.  Whether  the  old  man,  thus  hanllj  treated,  was  one 
of  the  wrecked  cruisers,  or  a  wrecker,  seeking  to  profit  by 
their  misfortunes,  is  not  specified  in  the  traditicm.  The 
anecdote  shows  in  what  a  random  way  the  treasures  of  ihe 
earth  were  in  those  days  scattered  about  the  world  by  the 
predatory  hosts  of  Islam. 

The  surriyin^  ships  haying  been  repaired,  and  added  to 
those  recently  built  at  Tunis,  and  the  season  haying  become 
&yourable,  Musa,  early  in  the  eight^^-fifth  year  of  the  Hegiray 
declared  his  intention  to  undert^e,  in  person,  a  nayal  ex^odi- 
tion.  There  was  a  uniyersal  eagerness  among  the  troops  to 
embark ;  Musa  selected  about  a  thousand  of  the  choicest  of 
his  warriors,  especially  those  of  rank  and  family,  so  that  the 
enterprise  was  afterwards  designated  The  Expedition  of  the 
Kobles.  He  did  not,  however,  accompany  it  as  he  had  pro- 
mised ;  he  had  done  so  merely  to  emist  his  bravest  men  in 
the  undertaking;  the  command  was  given  to  his  son,  Abdolola, 
to  give  him  an  opportunity  to  distinguish  himself;  for  ihe 
leputation  of  his  sons  was  as  dear  to  Musa  as  his  own. 

It  was,  however,  a  mere  predatory  cruise ;  a  type  of  the 
nvafing  piracies  from  the  African  ports  in  after  ages.  Ab- 
dolola  coasted  the  £ur  island  of  Sicuy  with  his  ships,  landed 
on  the  western  side,  and  plundered  a  city  which  yielded  such 
abundant  spoil,  that  each  of  the  thousand  men  embarked  in 
the  cruise  received  one  hundred  dinars  of  gold  for  his  share* 
This  done,  the  fleet  returned  to  Africa. 

Soon  after  the  return  of  his  ships,  Musa  received  news  of 
ihe  death  of  his  patron  Abd'alasiz,  which  was  followed  soon 
after  by  tidings  of  the  death  of  the  Caliph.  On  hearing  of 
the  death  of  the  latter,  Musa  immediately  sent  a  messenger 
to  Damascus  to  take  ike  oath  of  allegiance,  in  lus  name,  to 
the  new  Oaliph ;  to  inform  him  of  the  naval  achievements  of 
his  son  Abdolola,  and  to  deliver  to  him  his  share  of  ike  inw 
mense  booty  gained.  The  eflect  of  course  was  to  secure  h» 
continuance  in  office  as  emir  of  Africa. 

The  malady  which  terminated  in  the  death  of  Abd'almldeil 


WALED.  255- 

is  supposed  to  hare  been  the  dropsy.  It  was  attended  in  its  last 
stages  with  excessive  thirst,  which  was  aggravated  by  the  pro- 
hibition of  his  physicians  that  any  water  should  be  given  to 
him,  lest  it  should  cause  certain  death.  In  the  paroxysms 
of  his  malady  the  expiring  Caliph  demanded  water  of  his  son 
Waled ;  it  was  withheld  Sirough  filial  piety.  His  daughter, 
Fatima,  approached  with  a  flagon,  but  Waled  interfered  and 
preventea  ner ;  whereupon  the  Caliph  threatened  him  with 
disinheritance  and  his  malediction.  Fatima  handed  to  him 
the  flagon,  he  drained  it  at  a  draught,  and  almost  instantly 
expired.  He  was  about  sixty  years  old  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  and  had  reigned  about  twenty  years.  Abulfeda  gives 
Mm  a  character  for  learning,  courage,  and  foresight.  He 
certainly  showed  ability  and  management  in  reuniting,  under 
his  sway,  the  dismemoered-  portions  of  the  Moslem  empire, 
and  quelling  the  various  sects  that  rose  in  arms  against  iiim. 
His  foresight  with  regard  to  his  family  also,  was  crowned 
with  success,  as  four  of  his  sons  succeeded  him,  severally,  in 
the  Caliphat. 

He  evinced  an  ilHberal  spirit  of  hostility  to  the  memory  of 
Ali,  carrying  it  to  such  a  de^e  that  he  would  not  permit  the 
poet  Ferazdak  to  celebrate  m  song  the  virtues  of  any  of  his 
descendants.  Perhaps  this  may  have  gained  for  Abd  aJmdlec 
another  by-name  wim  which  some  of  the  Arab  writers  have 
signalized  ms  memory,  calling  him  the  "  Father  of  Flies ;"  for 
80  potent,  say  they,  was  his  breath,  that  any  fly  which  alighted 
on  nis  lips  died  on  the  spot. 


CHAPTEE  LYEL 

Inftagiiratioii  of  Wftled,  isth  Caliph.— -BeTiTAl  Of  the  arte  under  his  teigu. 
— ^His  taste  for  ardiitecture. — ^Brectioa  of  mosquos.-- Ckmq^BOSts  of  his 
generals. 

Waled,  the  eldest  son  of  Abd'almMec,  was  proclaimed  Caliph 
at  Damascus  immediately  on  the  death  of  nis  father,  in  me 
dghty-sixth  year  of  the  Hegira,  and  the  year  705  of  the 
Christian  era.  He  was  about  thbrty-eight  years  of  age ;  and 
is  described  as  being  tall  and  robust,  witn  a  swarthy  com- 
plexion, a  face  much  pitted  with  the  small-pox,  and  a  broad 
flat  nose ;  in  other  respects,  which  are  left  to  our  conjecture, 
he  is  said  te  have  been  of  a  good  countenance.  His  habits 
were  indolent  and  voluptuous,  yet  he  was  of  a  choleric  temper, 
and  somewhat  indined^to  crae%.  o,tize..v Google 


-2556  8UCCES80B8  07  MAHOMET. 

During  the  reigii  of  Waled  the  arts  began  to  develop 
themselves  under  the  Moslem  swaj,  finding  a  more  genial 
home  in  the  luxurious  city  of  Damascus,  than  they  haddone 
in  the  holy  cities  of  Mecca  or  Medina.  Foreign  conquests 
had  brougnt  the  Arabs  in  contact  with  the  Greeks  ana  the 
Persians.  Intercourse  with  them,  and  residence  in  their  cities. 
Lad  gradually  refined  away  the  ^oss  habits  of  the  desert, — 
Lad  awakened  thirst  for  the  sciences,  and  a  relish  for  the 
elegances  of  cultivated  life.  Little  skilled  in  the  principle? 
of  government,  accustomed  in  their  native  deseits  to  the 
patriarchal  rule  of  separate  tribes,  without  any  extended 
scheme  of  policy,  or  combined  system  of  union,  the  Arabs, 
suddenly  masters  of  a  vast  and  continually  widening  em]^ire. 
Lad  to  study  the  art  of  governing  in  the  political  institutions 
of  the  countries  they  conquered.  Persia,  the  best  organized 
monarchy  in  Asia,  held  out  a  model  by  which  they  were  fain 
to  profit ;  and  in  their  system  of  emirs,  vested  with  the  sway 
of  distant  and  powerful  provinces,  but  strictly  responsible  to 
the  Caliph,  we  see  a  copy  of  the  satraps  or  viceroys,  the  pro- 
vincial depositories  of  the  power  of  the  ELosrus. 

Since  Moawyah  had  moved  the  seat  of  the  Caliphat  to 
Damascus,  a  change  had  come  over  the  style  of  the  Moslem 
court.  It  was  no  longer,  as  in  the  days  of  Omar,  the  con- 
ference of  a  poorly-ckd  Arab  chiefbam  with  his  veteran 
warriors  and  gray-beard  companions,  seated  on  their  mats  in 
the  comer  of  a  mosque :  the  Moslem  Caliph  at  Damascus 
Lad  now  his  divan,  in  imitation  of  the  Persian  monarch,  and 
Lis  palace  began  to  assume  somewhat  of  oriental  state  and 
splendour. 

In  nothing  had  the  Moslem  conquerors  showed  more 
ignorance  of  afiairs  than  in  financial  matters.  The  vast  spoils 
acquired  in  their  con(|uests,  and  ike  tribute  and  taxes  imposed 
on  subjugated  countries,  had  for  a  time  been  treated  like  the 
chance  booty  caught  up  in  predatory  expeditions  in  the  deserts. 
They  were  amassed  in  public  treasuries  without  register  or 
account,  and  shared  and  apportioned  without  judgment,  and 
often  without  honesty.  Hence  continual  frauds  and  pecula- 
tions; hence  those  charges,  so  readily  brought  and  readily 
believed,  against  generals  and  governors  in  distant  stations, 
of  enormous  frauds  and  embezzlements ;  and  hence  that  grasp- 
ing avarice,  that  avidity  of  spoil  and  treasure,  which  were 
more  and  more  destroying  the  original  singleness  of  purpose, 
of  the  soldiers  of  Islam. 

Moawyah  was  the  first  of  the  Cajiphs  who  ordered  that 
registers  of  tribute  and  taxes,  as  well  as  of  spoils,  should  be 
kept  in  the  Islamite  countries,  in  ^eir  respective  languages^ 


WALED.  237 

that  is  to  say,  in  the  Greek  languaffo  in  Syria,  and  in  the 
Persian  language  in  Irak  ;  but  AM'ahnalec  went  further,  and 
ordered  that  they  should  all  be  kept  in  Arabic.  Nothing, 
however,  could  effectually  check  the  extortion  and  corruption 
which  was  prevailing  more  and  more  in  the  administration  of 
the  conquered  provinces.  Even  the  rude  Arab  soldier,  wha 
in  his  desert  would  have  been  content  with  his  tent  of  hair- 
cloth, now  aspired  to  the  possession  of  fertile  lands,  or  tk. 
residence  amid  the  voluptuous  pleasures  of  the  city. 

Waled  had  grown  up  amid  the  refinements  and  corruptions' 
of  the  transplanted  Caliphat.  He  was  more  of  a  Greet  and 
Persian  than  an  Arab  in  his  tastes,  and  the  very  opposite  of 
that  primitive  Moslem,  Omar,  in  most  of  his  habitudes.  Oa 
assuming  the  sovereign  power,  he  confirmed  all  the  emirs  or 
eoveniors  of  provinces,  and  also  the  generals  appointed  by  his 
father.  On  these  he  devolved  all  measures  of  government  and 
warlike  duties ;  for  himself,  he  led  a  soft  luxurious  life  amidst 
the  delights  of  his  harem.  Yet,  though  he  had  sixty-three 
wives,  he  does  not  appear  to  have  left  any  issue.  Much  of  In* 
time  was  devoted  to  the  arts,  and  especially  the  art  of  archi-- 
tecture,  in  which  he  left  some  noble  monuments  to  perpetuate 
his  fame. 

He  caused  the  principal  mosque  at  Cairo  to  be  demolished^ 
and  one  erected  of  greater  majesty,  the  pillars  of  which  had. 
gilded  capitals.  He  enlarged  and  beautified  the  grand 
mosque  erected  on  the  site  ofthe  l^emple  of  Solomon,  lor  he' 
was  anxious  to  perpetuate  the  pilgrimage  to  Jerusalem  estab- 
lished by  his  father.  He  gave  command  that  the  bounds  or 
the  mosque  at  Medina  should  be  extended ;  so  as  to  include 
tiie  tomb  of  the  prophet,  and  the  nine  mansions  of  his  wives^ 
He  furthermore  ordered  that  all  the  buildings  round  the 
Caaba  at  Mecca  should  be  thrown  down,  and  a  magnificent 
quadrangular  mosque  erected,  such  as  is  to  be  seen  at  the 

E resent  dajr.  For  this  purpose,  he  sent  a  body  of  skilful 
yrion  architects  from  Damascus. 

Many  ofthe  faithful  were  grieved,  particularly  those  well* 
stricken  in  years,  the  old  residents  of  Mecca,  to  see  the  ancient 
simplicity  established  by  the  prophet  violated  by  the  splen-^ 
dour  of  tnis  edifice;  especially  as  the  dwellings  of  numeroiuh 
individuals  were  demolished  to  furnish  a  vast  square  for  the 
foundations  ofthe  new  edifice,  which  now  enclosed  within  its- 
eircuit  the  Caaba,  the  well  of  Zem  Zem,  and  the  stations  of 
different  sects  of  Moslems,  which  came  in  pilgrimage. 

All  these  works  were  carried  on  under  the  supervision  oT 
his  emirs,  but  the  Caliph  attended  in  person  to  the  ereetioor 
of  a  grand  mosque  in  nis  capital  of  Daxoascoa.    In  making 

8 


2^  8T7CCBSSOB&  G¥  HAHOUBT. 

arran^ments  for  tilus  muestic  pile,  he  cast  his  e^es  on  tibe 
saperb  church  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  which  had  bees 
embellished  hy  liie  Boman  emperors  during  successive  age8> 
and  enriched  with  the  bones  and  relics  of  samts  and  nurtjxs* 
He  offered  the  ChristiaQS  forty  thousand  dinars  of  g<dd  for 
this  holy  edifice ;  but  ^ej  replied,  fi^old  was  of  no  yahie  in 
comparison  with  ^e  sacred  bones  ens&ined  within  its  walls. 

The  Caliph,  Iherefore,  took  possession  of  the  dmrdi  ou  bis 
own  authority,  and  either  demoHshed  or  altered  it,  so  as  to 
suit  his  purpose  in  the  construction  of  his  mosorue,  and  did  not 
allow  tho  Christian  owners  a  single  dirhem  of  compensatioiu 
He  emj^ojed  twelve  thousand  workmen  oonstantij  m  this 
architectural  enterprise,  and  cme  of  his  greatest  regiists  in  his 
last  moments  was  mat  he  should  not  live  to  see  it  completed. 

The  art^tecture  of  these  mosques  was  a  mixture  of  Greek 
and  Persian,  and  gave  rise  to  the  Saracenic  style,  of  which 
Waled  may  be  said  to  be  founder.  The  slender  and  grae^nl 
palm-tree  may  have  served  as  a  model  for  its  cc^umns,  as  the 
clustering  trees  and  umbrageous  Ibrests  of  the  north  aie 
thought  to  have  thrown  their  masi^ve' forms  and  duidowy 
glooms  into  Gbthio  ardiitectore.  These  t^o  kinds  of  aichi^ 
tecture  have  often  been  confounded,  but  the  Saracenic  tdces 
the  preced^ioe ;  the  Gothic  Ixmowed  graccB  and  eiabellidli- 
ments  from  it  in  the  times  of  the  Orosades. 

While  the  Caliph  Wakd  lived  inddently  and  vohiptuoualy 
at  Daknascus,  or  oeci^pied  hinfficlf  in  erecting  moeques,  his 
generals  extended  Ms  enipire  in  various  dii«ctic«is.  Moslema 
Ibn  Abd'almlilec,  one  of  his  fomrteen  brothers,  led  an  army 
into  Asia  Minor,  invaded  Camradoda,  and  laid  siege  to  T^ana, 
a  strong  city  garrisoned  witid  imperial  troops.  It  was  so 
clostely  invested,  that  it  could  receive  no  provisions ;  but  the 
besiegers  were  equaMy  in  want  of  supi^tes.  The  contest  was 
fierce  on  both  sides,  for  botii  were  sharpened  and  irritated  by 
hunger,  and  it  became  a  contest  whodi  could  hold  out  losigesi 
against  famine. 

The  duration  of  the  nege  enaHed  the  empercnr  to  «eiid 
r^nforeements  to  the  pkce;  but  they  were  raw  undisciphned. 
recruits,  who  were  routed  by  the  hungry  Modems,  ihdr  canq^. 
captured  and  their  provisidns  greedily  devoured.  Tlie  defeat 
of  these  reinforcements  renderod  the  defence  of  the  cttyhope^ 
lei^,  and  the  pressure  of  famine  hastened  a  capitulation,  mt 
besieged  not  being  aware^  that  the  besief^»*8  were  n^ft^  M' 
much  famished  as  thems^es.  Modema  is  accused  by  C^jcaii 
tian  writers  of  having  violated  the  conditioas  of  wffrendAr ; 
many  of  the  inhabitants  w«re  drhren  forih  into  the  daserlii^ 
and  many  of  tito  ve»tedn<£»r  were^takea  for  dbves.    In.a^^bi' 


WALBD.         ^  259 

Bequent  year  Moelema  made  a  saccessM  incarsion  into  Pon* 
tos  and  Armenia,  a  great  part  of  which  he  snbjn^ted,  and 
took  the  city  of  Amyia,  aner  a  serefrelj  contested  siege.  He 
afterwards  made  a  victorious  campaign  into  Galatia»  ravaging 
the  whole  province,  and  bearing  away  nek  spoi£s  and  nnme- 
rons  captives. 

While  Moslema  was  thus  bringing  Asia  Minor  into  subjec- 
tion, his  son  Khafciba,  a  jonth  of  gi«eat  bravery,  was  no  less 
soocessM  in  extending  the  empire  of  the  faith  toward  Ihe 
East.  Appointed  to  &e  government  of  Xhorassan,  he  did 
not  content  himself  with  att^iding  to  the  affairs  of  his  own 
province,  but  crossing  the  Oxos,  rava^red  the  provinces  of 
Turkistan,  ddeated  a  great  army  of  l^irks  and  Tartars,  hf 
which  he  had  been  beleagoered  and  reduced  to  great  straitf, 
aoid  took  the  capital  dSf  oi  Bochara,  with  many  others  of 
in£9rior  note. 

He  defeated  also  Magomrek,  the  Khan  of  Charism,  and 
drove  him  to  take  refuge  in  thegieatdty  of  Samarcand.  Thii 
oii^,  anciently  called  Maroanda»  waa  <me  of  the  ehief  marts  of 
Asia,  as  well  for  the  wares  imported  from  China  and  Tangut 
across  the  desert  of  Cobi,  as  of  tiiose  brought  through  the 
mountains  of  the  great  Thibet,  and  those  conveyed  from  India 
to  the  Caspian  Sea.  It  was,  therefinre,  a  great  res(ni  and  rest-^ 
ing-place  for  caravans  tsm  all  quarters.  The  surroondiniF 
country  was  r^iowned  througluMit  the  East  for  fertitity,  ana 
radced  among  the  pw adises,  or  gardens,  of  Asia. 

To  this  city  £ha3dba  laid  siege,  bat  liie  inhabitants  set  him 
at  defiance,  heiEag  confident  <^flie  strength  <^  their  wails,  and 
aware  that  the  Arabs  had  mo  battenng^rams,  fxyt  other 
enffines  necessary  lor  the  attack  of  fortified  places.  A  long 
and  close  siege,  howev^,  reduced  the  gurrison  to  great  ex- 
tremity, and  finding  that  tiie  besiegers  were  inreparing  to 
carry  the  place  by  storm,  they  oapitolated,  agre^ng  to  pay 
an  annual  tribute  of  one  thovaand  dinars  of  gcAd  and  tluree 
thousand  slaves. 

IDiatiba,  erected  a  magnificent  mosque  in  titat  metrop<^8, 
and  officiated  personaHy  in  expounding  the  doctrines  of  Islam» 
whidi  began  soon  to  sup^seae  the  rwigion  of  the  Magians, 
or  Ghebers. 

Extensive  vict<me8  were  likewise  achieved  in  Lidia  during 
the  reign  of  Waled,  by  Mohamed  Ibn  Casern,  a  native  <» 
Thayef,  one  of  his  tfeneanJs,  who  conquered  the  kingdom  of 
Sindia»  or  Sinde,  knled  its  sovereign  in  battie,  and  sent  his 
head  to  the  Caliph ;  overran  a  great  part  of  Central  India, 
and  first  Ranted  the  standard  of  Islam  on  ike  banks  of  the 
Ganges,  tbesacved  fiver  of  ^le  Hindoos.  ^ 


2da 


CHAPTKR  LVm. 

Tnrther  triumphs  of  Masa  Ibn  Kosseyr. — ^Naval  enterprises.— Descents  In 
Sicily,  Sardinia,  and  Mallorca. — Inraskm  of  Tingitania. — Vn^eeU  ftir 
the  invasion  of  SptAa. — Gondosion. 

To  retom  to  affairs  in  A&ica.  During  the  first  years  of  the 
Caliphat  of  Waled,  the  naral  armaments  fitted  out  by  Musa 
in  the  ports  of  Eastern  Africa,  continued  to  scour  the  Medi- 
terranean, and  carry  terror  and  devastation  into  its  islands. 
One  of  them  coasted  the  island  of  Sicily  in  the  eighty-sixth 
year  of  the  Hegira,  and  attacked  the  city  of  Syracuse ;  but 
the  object  appears  to  have  been  mere  plunder,  not  to  retain 
possession.  Another  ravaged  the  island  of  Sardinia,  sacked 
its  cities,  and  brought  on  a  vast  number  of  prisoners  and 
immense  booty.  Among  the  captives  were  Christian  women 
of  great  beauty,  and  highly  pnzed  in  the  Eastern  harems.- 
The  command  of  the  sea  was  ultimately  given  by  Musa  to  his 
son  Abdolola,  who  added  to  his  nautical  reputation  by  a 
descent  upon  the  island  of  Mallorca. 

While  Abdolola  was  rejoicing  his  father's  heart  bv  exploits 
and  triumphs  on  the  sea,  Abd'iuaziz  contributed  no  less  to  hia 
pride  and  exultation  by  his  achievements  on  land.  Aided  by 
this  favourite  son,  Musa  carried  the  terror  of  the  Moslem 
arms  to  the  western  extremity  of  Mount  Atlas,  subduing^ 
Fez,  DuqueUa,  Morocco  and  Sus.  The  valiant  tribes  of  the 
Zenetes  at  length  made  peace,  and  entered  into  compact  with 
him ;  from  other  tribes  Musa  took  hostages ;  and  by  degreea 
the  sway  of  the  Caliph  was  established  throughout  western 
Almagreb  to  Cape  Non  on  the  Atlantic. 

Musa  was  not  a  ferocious  conqueror.  The  countries  sub-^ 
jected  by  his  arms  became  objects  of  his  paternal  care.  He: 
introduced  law  and  order }  instructed  Ihe  natives  in  the  doc- 
trines of  Islam,  and  defended  the  peaceful  cultivators  of  ihe. 
fields  and  residents  in  Ihe  cities  against  the  incursions  of  pre- 
datorjT  tribes.  In  return  they  requited  Ids  protection  by  can« 
tributing  their  fruits  and  fbcks  to  the  support  of  the  armies^ 
and  furnishing  steeds  matchless  for  «peed  and  beauty. 

One  region,  however,  yet  remained  to  be  subjugated  b^ore 
the  conquest  of  Northern  Africa  would  be  complete;  the 
ancient  Tin^,  or  Tingitania,  the  northern  extremity  of 
Almagreb.  Jffer«  the  continent  of  Africa  protruded  boldbr 
to  meet  the  continent  of  Europe ;  a  narrow  strait  intervenea  ^ 
the  strait  of  Hercules,  the  gate  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea*, 
^'wo  rocky  promontories  appeared  to  goaxd  it  on  each  m^' 


VALED,  261 

the  far-famed  pillars  of  Hercules.  Two  rock-built  cities,  Geuti^ 
mid  Tani^ers,  on  the  African  coast,  were  the  keys  of  this  ffate» 
and  controlled  the  neighbouring  seaboard.  These  had  been  neld 
in  ancient  times  by  the  Berber  kin^s,  who  made  this  region 
their  stronghold,  and  Tangiers  their  seat  of  power ;  but  the 
keys  had  been  wrested  from  their  hands  at  widely-separated 
periods,  first  by  the  Yandals,  and  aflerwards  by  the  Goths» 
the  conquerors  of  the  opposite  country  of  S][>ain;  and  the 
Gothic  Spaniards  had  now  neld  military  possession  for  several 
generations. 

Musa  seems  to  have  reserved  this  province  for  his  last 
African  campaign.  He  stationed  his  son  Merwan,  with  ten 
thousand  men,  m  a  fortified  camp  on  the  frontier,  while  Taric 
Jbn  Zeyad,  a  veteran  general,  scarred  in  many  a  battle, 
scoured  the  country  from  the  fountains  or  head  waters  of  the 
river  Moluya,  to  the  mountains  of  Aldaran.  The  province 
vas  bravely  defended  by  a  Gothic  noble.  Count  Julian  by 
:name ;  but  he  was  graduall]^  driven  to  shut  himself  up  in 
Ceuta.  Meantime  Tangiers  yielded  to  the  Moslem  arms  after 
an  obstinate  defence,  and  was  strongly  garrisoned  by  Arab 
and  Egyptian  troops,  and  the  command  given  to  Taric.  An 
attempt  was  made  to  convert  the  Christian  inhabitant-s  to  the 
faith  of  Islam;  the  Berber  part  easily  conformed,  but  the 
Gothic  persisted  in  unbelief,  and  rather  ihan  give  up  their 
religion,  abandoned  their  abodes,  and  crossed  over  to  Andaluz 
with  the  loss  of  all  their  property. 

Musa  now  advanced  upon  Ceuta,  into  which  Count  Julian 
had  drawn  all  his  troops.  He  attempted  to  carry  it  by  storm, 
but  was  gallantly  repulsed,  ,with  the  loss  of  many  of  nis  best 
troops.  Eepeated  assaults  were  made  with  no  better  success; 
the  city  was  situated  on  a  promontory,  and  stronglv  fortified. 
Musa  now  laid  waste  the  surroundmg  country,  thinking  to 
reduce  the  place  by  famine,  but  the  proximity  of  Spain 
enabled  the  garrison  to  receive  supplies  and  reinforcements 
across  the  straits. 

Months  were  expended  in  this  protracted  and  unavailing^ 
siege.  According  to  some  accounts  Musa  retired  personally 
from  the  attempt,  and  returned  to  his  seat  of  government  at 
Caerwan,  leaving  the  army  and  province  in  charge  of  his  son. 
Merw^,  and  Taric  in  command  of  Tangiers. 

And  now  occurred  one  of  the  most  memorable  pieces  of 
treason  in  history.  Count  Julian,  who  had  so  nobly  defended 
his  posf,  and  checked  the  hitherto  irresistible  arms  of  Islam, 
ail  at  once  made  secret  offers,  not  merely  to  deliver  up  Ceuta 
to  the  Moslem  commander,  but  to  betray  Andaluz  itself  into 
his  hands.    The  country  he  represented  as  rife  for^a  revolt 


Ml  S17CCB8S018  OV  XAHOKBT. 

agniii  Bodegkk,  the  €k)iliic  Img,  who  was  ccnadered  aa 
Vforper ;  and  he  offered  to  aoeonpanj  and  aid  tiie  Moalemf 
ii  a  aeaeeiit  vpon  iiie  coasts  where  he  had  mmieranis  fiiends 
leadr  to  flock  to  his  standard. 

Oi  the  prirate  wrongs  reeeired  by  Count  Jnlian  fnmi  his 
soveragn,  which  provoked  him  to  this  stirpendoiiB  act  of 
treason,  we  shall  hm  saj  nothing.  Mnsa  was  startled  b j  his 
propositioii.  He  had  long  east  a  wistful  eye  at  the  moentains 
of  Andahw,  bri^i^itening  beyond  the  strait,  bvt  hitheErto  ihe 
conquest  of  Northern  Amca  had  tasked  all  his  means.  Sren 
now  he  feared  to  tmst  too  readily  to  a  mas  whose  very  pro- 
positicm  showed  an  ntter  want  of  faifch.  He  detenmned^ 
Iherefore,  to  diqMtch  Tario  Ibn  Zdyad  on  a  reoonnoitnng 
expedition  to  eoast  the  of^osite  shores,  acocHnpaBied  hy  Count 
Jnlian,  and  ascertain  the  troth  of  his  representations. 

Tarie  aoeordin^y  embariced  with  a  few  hindred  men  in 
foor  merchant  yeesels,  crossed  the  straits  under  the  gnidaaoe 
<^  Count  Jnlian,  who,  on  landing,  despatched  emissaries  ta 
his  friends  and  adherents,  summcming  them  to  a  eonfereaee 
at  Jesirah  al  Khadra,  or  the  Green  Island,  now  Algesiras. 
Here,  in  presence  of  Taric,  ^ey  oonfiimed  aH  that  Juliaa 
had  said  m  the  rebellious  dispoution  of  the  ooaittry,  and  a€ 
thor  own  readiness  to  join  the  standard  of  an  invader.  A 
plundering  cruwe  along  the  eoast  conyinced  Tarie  of  the 
wealth  of  the  oountry,  and  he  returned  to  ^b»  African  shares 
with  ample  spoils  ana  female  captives  of  great  beairfy* 

A  new  career  of  conquest  seemed  thus  opening  upon  Mnsa. 
His  predecessor,  Acbah,  had  spisved  his  steed  into  the  w»re8 
of  the  Atlantic,  and  sighed  that  there  were  no  furtiier  hmds  to 
conquer;  but  here  was  another  quarter  ci  the  woirid  inviting 
the  triumphs  of  Islam.  He  fbrUkwith  wrote  to  tibe  Caliph, 
giving  a  ^wing  account  of  the  country  thus  held  ontibr  eom- 
€(peat ;  a  countiy  abounding  in  noble  monumcaits  and  wealthy 
cities ;  rivalling  Syria  in  the  fertility  of  its  soil  and  the  beamty 
of  its  climate ;  Yemen,  or  Arabia  the  Happy,  in  its  tempera* 
tore ;  India  in  its  flowers  and  spices ;  Hegiaa  in  its  fronts  and 
productions;  Cathay  in  its  precious  and  abundant  mines; 
Aden  in  the  excellence  of  its  portsand  harbours.  "  With  the 
aid  ofQodi,**  added  he,  "I  have  reduced  to  obedience  the  Ze* 
notes  and  the  other  Berber  tribes  of  Zab  and  DerHr^  Zaara^ 
Mazamuda,  and  Sus :  the  standard  of  Islam  floats  triumphant 
eo.  the  walls  of  Tangiers ;  thence  to  the  opposite  coast  m  An« 
daluzisbut  aspiu^  oftwdvemllesw  Letovit  fheConnnandn^ 
of  the  FaithM  give  the  word,  and  the  conquomnB  of  Africa 
will  cross  into  iSht  land,  tliere  to  cany  the  knoidedge  of  the 
true  God  and  the  kw  of  theKeran." 


WAiiSD.  263 

The  Arab  spirit  of  the  Caliph  was  roused  by  this  magnifi- 
cent prospect  of  new  conquests.  He  called  to  mind  a  tradi-* 
tion,  that  Mahomet  had  promised  the  extension  of  his  law  to 
the  uttermost  regions  of  the  West;  and  he  now  gave  £ull 
authority  to  Musa  to  proceed  in  his  pious  enterprise,  and 
carry  the  sword  of  Islam  into  the  benighted  land  or  Andaluz. 

We  have  thus  accomplished  our  self-allotted  task.  We 
have  set  forth,  in  simple  and  succinct  narrative,  a  certain 
portion  of  this  wonderful  career  of  fanatical  conquest.  We 
nave  traced  the  progress  of  the  little  cloud  which  rose  out  of 
the  deserts  of  Arabia,  "  no  bigger  than  a  man's  hand,"  imtil 
it  has  spread  out  and  overslmdowed  the  ancient  quarters  of 
the  world  and  all  their  faded  glories.  We  have  shown  the 
huidful  of  proselytes  of  a  pseudo-prophet,  driven  from  city  to 
city,  lurking  in  dens  and  caves  of  the  earth ;  but  at  length 
rismg  to  be  leaders  of  armies  and  mighty  conquerors ;  over- 
coming in  pitched  battle  the  Eoman  cohort,  the  Grecian 
phalanx,  and  the  gorgeous  hosts  of  Persia;  carrying  their 
victories  from  the  gates  of  the  Caucasus,  to  the  western 
descents  of  Mount  Atlas ;  from  the  banks  of  the  Ghmges  to 
the  Sus,  the  ultimate  river  in  Mauritania;  and  now  planting 
their  standard  on  the  pillars  of  Hercules,  and  threatening 
Europe  with  like  subjugation. 

Here,  however,  we  stay  our  hand.  Here  we  lay  down  our 
pen.'  Whether  it  will  ever  be  our  lot  to  resume  the  theme, 
to  cross  with  the  Moslem  hosts  the  strait  of  Hercules,  and 
narrate  their  memorable  conquest  of  Gk>thic  Spain,  is  one  of 
those  uncertainties  of  mortal  life  and  aspirations  of  literary 
zeal,  which  beguile  us  with  agreeable  dreams,  but  too  often 
end  in  disappomtment. 


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