162 A CHINESE LIFE OF MOHAMMED 



this introduction, we now proceed to the Annals themselves 

 for our view of Mohammed and his times. 



Of all created things between heaven and earth, man is 

 the most noble. The saints and prophets are the most 

 honourable among men, and Mohammed is the most 

 eminent among the prophets. There are many proofs of this 

 pre-eminence of the Prophet, some of which may be men- 

 tioned. His nature and principles w.ere pre-existent in the 

 empyrean above the ninth heaven, the holiest of all places, 

 where even angels may not go. When he came to earth he 

 appeared in Arabia, which is the most honourable of the 

 seven continents of the world. Arabia has two most sacred 

 cities, Mecca and Medina; Mohammed was born in one and 

 died in the other. Arabia is the country where man was 

 first created, and Mecca is the central spot of the whole 

 world; that the Prophet should have been born there is 

 another evidence of his superiority. Again, Mohammed was 

 a descendant of the most noble tribe of Arabia: the time of 

 his appearing was also exceptional, as there never was a 

 time when learning and religion had such great influence as at 

 that period; the ability of mankind also reached its acme at 

 that time. 



Mohammed differed from other prophets in that while 

 they were restricted, each one to his own time and place, and 

 were subsequently abrogated or superseded, Mohammed 

 transcends them all; he gathered together into one all their 

 teachings, and his doctrines and influence being universal and 

 eternal, they could never be abrogated or superseded. 



Again, in ancestry the Prophet was superior, as his line, 

 extending right back to Adaim, were 'aljl worthy men, 

 prophets and kings; they never worshipped idols, nor was 

 there any unclean person among them. This accumulated 

 virtue culminated in the Prophet, who was thus superior to 

 all others. Other prophets and worthies may be likened to 

 the stars, and Mohammed to the sun. God said to Jesus 

 that all things were created solely on account of Mohammed, 

 so there can be no doubt that his was a very special life. 

 The roof of heaven bore his name, and on the gates of 

 heaven it was inscribed; the ancient books recorded it, and 

 angels and devils extolled it. The Prophet's own body bore 

 the mark of his name : his endowments and gifts and his 

 aspirations were all of the most honourable kind; there was 

 not a single thing connected with him which was not 

 superior, which is the reason why he is called the Most Holy 

 Prophet. Who, or what, is there, in heaven above or on 



