253 LIFE OF MOHAMME0. 



recommended them to believe in one God; and 

 pointed to his victories as a triumphant proof of his 

 claims to the prophetic character. 



The laws of conquest gave him the right to make 

 the citizens his slaves ; but his anger was directed 

 more against the idols than the inhabitants of the 

 country ; and instead of indulging in a cruel retali- 

 ation, the generous exile forgave the guilt and ap- 

 peased the factions of Mecca by restoring its politi- 

 cal rights and sacred privileges. Interest more than 

 clemency might dictate this compromise, for the 

 people merited their freedom by submitting to his 

 authority and professing his religion ; and when the 

 chiefs of the Koreish were summoned to his pres- 

 ence, and humbly demanded his mercy, — " What 

 treatment but chains and bondage can you expect 

 from the man you have wronged, and whom God 

 has made your master 1"—" That of a brother and a 

 kinsman," said the suppliants. " Go, then ; you are 

 safe, — you are free." The only exception to this 

 general amnesty was the execution of four criminals, 

 who had rendered themselves personally obnoxious 

 to the conqueror. 



The whole inhabitants, male and female, with the 

 haughty Abu Sofian and the ferocious Henda at their 

 head, took the oath of fidelity and allegiance ; and 

 thus within eight years after his banishment the 

 orphan son of Abdallah was enthroned as prince and 

 prophet of his native city. INIecca was henceforth 

 declared an inviolable sanctuaiy, where it was un- 

 lawful to commit bloodshed or cut down a tree. Its 

 temple, instead of the promiscuous homage that 

 formerly disgraced it, was to be shut for ever except 

 to the partisans of the Koran ; and a perpetual law 

 was enacted, that no unbeliever should dare, under 

 pain of death, to set his foot within the haram, or 

 holy territory. 



Fifteen days were spent in regulating the affairs 

 of the Meccan government, and plamiing mihtary 



