A CHINESE LIFE OF MOHAMMED 177 



to divine command; as Khadija died before the polygamy 

 commenced, and one other died after being married but a 

 short time, the Prophet did not actually have more than nine 

 wives at one time. Our history credits him with seven con- 

 cubines also. The subject is discussed in a note as follows. 

 "If anyone asks if it was really the case that the Prophet had 

 nine wives and seven concubines, we answer, certainly; and 

 if it be questioned why did he need so many, we reply, on 

 purpose to prove the completeness of his standing as the 

 highest Prophet and to demonstrate that the pure brightness 

 of the Prophet could stand searching examination, and 

 nothing could obscure it. Our Prophet, having been up to the 

 ninth heaven, did not regard even the heavens as wonderful, 

 and so to have nine wives and seven concubines and not have 

 his virtue interfered with by ordinary passion, was not re- 

 garded as extraordinary, seeing that he was the Prophet. 

 It may be said that as the Prophet was daily occupied with 

 exhorting men and at nights with exhorting spirits, he would 

 have no time to give to his wives or to domestic affairs, so 

 was it not useless to have so many wives? It may be 

 answered that the Prophet was a holy man, and the wives 

 and concubines were excellent women, and they all con- 

 sidered it their chief duty to> assist virtue in bringing about 

 transformation; how then could they give much attention to 

 marital or domestic affairs? Moreover there is an important 

 principle contained in this matter which must not be over- 

 looked ; the nine wives were a symbol of the nine heavens, and 

 the seven concubines were a symbol of the seven earths. 

 Ordinary men live between heaven and earth, and who is 

 there that is not allured by heaven and earth ? The Prophet 

 was superior and could not be enticed by his nine wives and 

 seven concubines, which was a symbol that he could not 

 be allured by the nine heavens and the seven earths." In a 

 passage subsequent to the foregoing, we are told that 

 Mohammed declined the offer of another lady, on the plea 

 that he had been commanded that nine was the full comple- 

 ment allowed him ! 



The pathetic story of Mohammed's last days, the tender 

 care shown towards him in his last illness by his wives and 

 friends, his parting injunctions and his last prayers, these 

 would be of interest to tell of; but they must be passed over 

 at present. Suffice it to say that he died at Medina, in 

 A.D. 632, in the 63rd year of his age, and was buried under 

 the spot where he died. 



As my object is largely to show the Mohammed believed 

 in by the Moslems of China, I must before closing, refer to 

 the miracles and wonders connected with Mohammed, as 



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