Mohammed alters the Kebla-Many of his Followers greatly offended thereby-Mohammedan Institution of Prayer-Appoints the Fast of The Koreish undertake a new Expedition against the Prophet-The Battle of Ohod-Mohammed and his Army entirely defeated-His Fol- lowers murmur-The Prophet's poor Devices to retrieve the Disgrace incurred in this Action-Resolves it mainly into the Doctrine of Pre- destination-Wine and Games of Chance forbidden--Sophyan, son of The Jews the special Objects of Mohammed's Enmity-Several Tribes of them reduced to Subjection-Undertakes a Pilgrimage to Mecca- The Meccans conclude a Truce with him of ten Years-His Power and Authority greatly increased-Has a Pulpit constructed for his Mosque-Goes against Chaibar, a City of the Arab Jews-Besieges and takes the City, but is poisoned at an Entertainment by a young Mohammed alleges a Breach of Faith on the Part of the Meccans, and marches an Army against them-The City surrendered to the Con- queror-Abu Sophyan and Al Abbas, the Prophet's Uncle, declare themselves Converts-Mecca declared to be Holy Ground--The neigh- bouring Tribes collect an Army of four thousand Men to arrest the growing Power of the Prophet-The Confederates entirely overthrown ---A rival Prophet arises in the Person of Moseilama-Is crushed by The Religion of the Prophet firmly established-The principal Countries subjected by him-The effects of the Poison make alarming Inroads upon his Constitution-Perceives his End approaching-Preaches for the last Time in Public-His last Illness and Death-The Moslenis scarcely persuaded that their Prophet was dead-Tumult appeased ........ ........ Reflections upon the extraordinary Career of Mohammed-Description of his Person-General View and Estimate of his Character.... 156 Account of the Prophet's Wives-Cadijah-Ayesha-Hafsa-Zeinab- Safya-His Concubines-Singular Precepts in the Koran respecting the Wives of Mohammed-His comparative Treatment of Jews and Christians-Predictions of the Prophet alleged by Mohammedans to INTRODUCTION. No revolution recorded in history, if we except that effected by the religion of the Gospel, has introduced greater changes into the state of the civilized world, than that which has grown out of the rise, progress, and permanence of Mohammedanism. The history and character, therefore, of this religion becomes an object of laudable curiosity with every enlightened mind. Considered merely as a department of the general annals of the world, apart from any connexion with the true religion, it furnishes some of the most interesting records of the human race. But when viewed as a part of the great chain of providential and predicted events, designed to have a direct bearing upon the state of the Christian church, through the whole period of its disastrous prevalence, it urges a new and stronger claim upon our attention. By many distinguished writers, who have deeply studied its origin, genius, and history, the religion of the Koran is confidently regarded rather as а Christian heresy, or the product of a Christian heresy, than as a heathen superstition. Conse quently, its fate is involved in that of all false doctrines which have corrupted the Gospel; and as far as the disclosures of prophecy, or the present posture of the nations of the earth, hold out a hope of the speedy downfall of delusion, and of the establishment of the truth, the eye is naturally turned with deepening interest and anxiety to those regions of the globe where this religion has so long prevailed. But in proportion to the interest inspired in the general subject of Mohammedanism, is that which is felt in the life, character, and actions of its founder. That an obscure individual, sprung from the roving tribes of Arabia, following no higher occupation than that of a caravan-trader, possessing no peculiar advantages of mental culture, nor distinguished in the outset by any pre-eminence of power or authority, should yet have been enabled, in spite of numerous obstacles, to found such an extensive empire over the minds, as well as persons, of millions of the human race, and that this dominion should have been continued for more than twelve hundred years, presents a phenomenon which increases our wonder the more steadily it is contemplated. *Hence," says the learned and exemplary Mede, " Mahometanism has frequently been accounted a Christian heresy; and as it had its origin in Christianity, so to Christ it looks in the end. For, according to the creed of the Mahometans, Jesus is expected to descend to earth, to embrace the religion of Mahomet, to slay Antichrist, and to reign with his saints." The same authority affirmns, "that the Mahometans are nearer to Christianity than many of the ancient heretics; the Cerinthians, Gnostics, and Manichees." It is proposed in the ensuing pages to exhibit the prominent events of the life and fortunes of this remarkable man. It will not, of course, be expected that, at this distance of time and remoteness of place, a mass of facts entirely new should be communicated to the world. The discreet use of the materials already extant is all that can now be reasonably required or attempted. Yet we are not without hope, that in one aspect, at least, our theme may present itself arrayed in a character of novelty and of unwonted interest; we mean, in its connexions with Christianity. An enlightened Christian estimate of the prophet of Arabia and his religion is, we believe, seldom formed, simply because the subject has seldom been so presented as to afford the means of such an estimate. A brief sketch, therefore, of the state of Christianity at the time of Mohammed's appearance, especially in that region of the world in which his imposture took its rise, will properly invite the reader's attention at the outset of the work. This will show more clearly the intended providential bearings of the entire fabric of Mohammedan delusion upon the church of Christ; and, apart from this particular view of it, we are persuaded that an entirely correct or adequate judgment of Islamism cannot be formed. |