MOHAMMEDANISM 



3874 



MOHAMMED V 



to idolaters before the time of Mohammed, one 

 of the ancient objects of worship and a place of 

 importance in Islam. The pilgrimage to Mecca 

 may be made at any time of year. The twelfth 

 month, however, is known as the special month 

 of pilgrimage. Then there are observed certain 

 rites and ceremonies not observed at any other 

 time. 



The Koran teaches the sanctity of marriage 

 according to Oriental standards. Polygamy is 

 allowed, though not now generally practiced. 



against the followers of all other faiths, a fear 

 which has probably not been realized because 

 of dissensions among Mohammedans. After 

 the death of the prophet his followers were di- 

 vided by those contending for the place of high- 

 est authority. This has been a source of great 

 weakness in Islam. The improbability of uni- 

 fied action and the better understanding and' 

 sympathy among men that has come with the 

 passing years have very much lessened the dan- 

 ger of a Holy War. E.B.H. 



MOHAMMEDANS AT PRAYER 



Whether alone in the desert or on a crowded street, the devout Mohammedan observes a strict 

 compliance with devotional commands. Thirteen attitudes are required before his prayer is fully 

 offered. He must face towards Mecca, must remove his shoes and must prostrate himself on his 

 prayer rug. 



Murder, forbidden in general, is punished ac- 

 cording to circumstances. The vendetta, or 

 blood feud, is common and sanctioned among 

 Mohammedans. The one who kills an infidel, 

 a follower of a different faith, is splendidly re- 

 warded in the life beyond the grave. Infidelity 

 to Islam is to be punished by death. All those 

 slain in what are called Holy Wars are martyrs 

 and obtain martyrs' rewards. 



The Koran forbids drinking of intoxicating 

 liquors, gambling, taking of usury and the mak- 

 ing of an image of any living object, man or 

 beast. 



It has long been the fear of nations that Mo- 

 hammedans might bring about a Holy War 



Consult Margoliouth's Mohammed and the Rise 

 of Islam; Zwemer's Arabia. 



Related Subjects. The following articles in 

 these volumes will be of interest in connection 

 with a study of Mohammedanism : 

 Bible Koran 



Christianity Mecca 



Fatalism Medina 



Hegira Mohammed 



Islam Predestination 



Kaaba 



MOHAMMED V (1844-1918), twenty-ninth sul- 

 tan of the Turkish Empire since the conquest 

 of Constantinople (1453), and the thirty-sixth 

 in male descent of the House of Othman. Mo- 

 hammed was the third son of Abd-ul-Medjid. 



