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258 LIFE OF MOHAMMKD. 



which the fate of Mecca had attracted to acknow- 

 ledge the power or supplicate the protection of the 

 conqueror. 



Various arrangements were put in operation to 

 consolidate the strength of the infant monarchy. 

 Officers were appointed to collect and superintend 

 the ecclesiastical revenues ; and the opprobrious 

 name of tribute was exchanged for that of alms or 

 oblations for the service of religion. All former 

 edicts or treaties implying liberty, or exemptions in 

 favour of infidels, were revoked. Some rites in the 

 great annual solemnity were altered ; the ihram 

 was declared the essential dress of all pilgrims in fu- 

 ture ; and the indecent custom, which had prevailed 

 in the Times of Ignorance, of performing the seven 

 circuits naked, was abolished. To give the sanction 

 of his own example, and furnish a model to the 

 faithful in all succeeding ages for the exact and 

 acceptable discharge of this ceremony, Mohammed 

 determined to make a valedictory or farewell pil- 

 gi-image. The piety of the Moslem world Avas 

 kindled, and a flock of 114,000 obsequious devotees 

 accompanied his journey. His camp included all 

 his wives, who, riding on camels, were enclosed 

 within pavilions of embroidered silk ; and was fol- 

 lowed by an immense number of victims for sacrifice, 

 crowned with garlands of flowers. Everj^-spot where 

 he halted and said his prayers became consecrated ; 

 and the manner in which he executed the various 

 rites, from the cutting of his hair and nails to the 

 solemn act of throwing stones at the devil, is still 

 religiously observed by the hajjis of the present day. 



The general tranquillity was at this time inter- 

 rupted, but iK)t endangered, by the rash pretensions 

 of one or two adventurers whom the success of 

 Mohammed had tempted to become his rivals. 

 Moseilama, prince of Yemama, had made his sub- 

 mission, and professed the Moslem religion among 

 the host of ambassadors that flocked to Medina. 



