198 LIFE OF MOHAMMED. 



of religion and morals, — of heretical divisions and 

 clerical degeneracy, which paved the way for the 

 downfall of the Eastern Church ; and such were the 

 favourable opportunities held out to the daring fana 

 ticism of the Arabian Prophet for establishing that 

 gigantic superstition, which so soon threw its bale- 

 ful shadow over the first conquests of the apostles, 

 and the fairest provinces of Christianity. 



CHAPTER VI. 



LIFE OF MOHAMMED. 



Contradictory Views of Mohammed's Life and Character — His 

 Birth and Education — Visits Syria as a Merchant — Marries 

 Kadijah — Affects an austere and retired Life — Proposes to 

 reform Religion — Assumes the Title and Office of the Apostle 

 of God — His tirst Converts — Announces publicly his prophetic 

 Mission— His unfavourable Reception — His Proselytes in- 

 crease — Miracle of spUtting the Moon — The famous Night 

 Journey to Heaven — His Secret League with the Medinian 

 Converts — The Koreisti resolve to put him to Death — His 

 Escape and Flight to Medina — Proclaims a Holy War against 

 the Infidels— Battle of Bedr — Defeat of the Moslems at Ohud 

 — Quarrel with the Jews — Siege of iMedina — Expedition to 

 Mecca, and Truce with the Koreish — Siege and Capitulation 

 of Khaibar — Attempt to poison the Prophet — Mohammed 

 sends Letters and Ambassadors to Foreign Courts — Respect 

 shown him by his Followers— Battle of Muta — Capture of 

 Mecca by the Moslems — Demolition of Idols and Images — 

 Battle of Honain — Surrender of TaVf— Expedition to Tabuc — 

 Increased Power and Success of Mohammed — His valedictory 

 Pilgrimage to Mecca— His Sickness and Death — His personal 

 Appearance — His private Character and Habits — His Wives 

 and Concubines — His supposed Ignorance of Letters — Con- 

 cluding Reflections. 



The life of Mohammed, and the peculiar institu- 

 tions of which he was the author, have been treated 

 at great length, and by an infinite number of \vriters ; 

 some of whom have spoken of them in a tone of 



