LIFE OF MOHAMMED. 267 



himself; and in the gratification of his carnal desires 

 he' scrupled not to subject his character as an apostle, 

 and even the pretended counsels of Heaven, to the 

 imputation of weakness and inconsistency. The 

 most public and criminal excesses were legalized 

 by Divine revelation. The sanctity of the temple, 

 the distinction of fast-days and holy places, he might, 

 in compliance with demands of nature, violate with 

 impunity. The barrier of prohibited degrees which 

 confined his followers was no limit to his passion ; 

 claiming, as they did, a peculiar and exclusive 

 license. 



His seragho, instead of the legal number of four, 

 contained fifteen or seventeen (others say twenty- 

 six) wives ; and, what is singular, all widows, ex- 

 cepting only the daughter of Abu Beker. Next to 

 Kadijah, his beloved Ayesha engrossed the greatest 

 share of his confidence and attention. She had the 

 reputation of being the most accomphshed lady of 

 her time ; and long after his death she was revered 

 as the Mother of the Faithful. Her youth and beauty 

 maintained the ascendant in the harem ; but her 

 behaviour, if not criminal, was at least indiscreet. 

 In the nocturnal march against the Mostalekites, the 

 loss of a pearl necklace obliged her to dismount ; 

 and the train proceeded, unconsciously leaving her 

 behind. Saffwan, an officer of the rearguard, found 

 her unveiled and overcome with sleep ; and con- 

 ducted her in the morning on his own camel to the 

 camp. The temper of Mohammed was inclined to 

 jealousy, and his enemies gladly seized the oppor- 

 tunity of wounding his domestic honour. But the 

 bitter tears of Ayesha, and her protestations of inno- 

 cence, softened liis anger. From this perplexing 

 dilemma he was relieved by a Divine revelation, 

 which assured him of her inviolable fidelity. The 

 accusers were chastised, by the same authority, with 

 eighty stripes ; and a law was pubhshed that no 

 woman should be condemned as guilty, unless the 



