MONOTHEISM. | 163 
3. MAHOMEDANISM. 
Manomepantsm, the most widely spread monotheistic system of religion, 
was established by Mahomed (or Mohamed) in the year 622, a.p. Itisa 
compound of Jewish, Christian, and to some extent Heathen religious ideas 
and rites. Its founder proclaimed himself as the greatest prophet and the 
most distinguished ambassador of God; denounced as infidels all who 
refused to profess his religion, and ordered them to be persecuted with fire 
and sword.. Unlike Jesus Christ, who invited men to test his religion, and 
left its adoption or rejection to the free exercise of their understanding, 
Mahomed propagated his system by arms. 
Mahomedanism differs from Christianity in two important particulars : it 
teaches an unchangeable predestination, and holds out the promise of a 
sensual Paradise. This heaven is promised particularly to such as fall in 
doing battle for their religion; and in order to increase as rapidly as possible 
the number of believers, the condition of the blessed is des¢ribed in 
language far more glowing, voluptuous, and extravagant, than any we have 
employed in treating of the northern mythologies. Groves, rivers, foun- 
tains, diamonds, pearls, and marble palaces, delight at once the eye and the 
feelings; costly dishes served in golden vessels and wine in princely cups 
regale the taste; the most delicious perfumes impregnate the air; seventy- 
two dark-eyed virgins of graceful form and blooming youthfulness ({Zowrzs) 
receive the believer and minister to his endless felicity; and seventy thon- 
sand slaves stand always waiting to fulfil his wishes, even before they are 
uttered. In direct contrast to all this pleasure, Mahomed has painted hell 
as a place where transgressors, apostates, and infidels are punished with 
intolerable torment, the measure and nature of which are determined by 
the grades of offence during life. Faith in the Prophet, however, inducing 
his intercession in their behalf, can save from this punishment the most 
guilty and abandoned sinners. 
The ethical teachings of Mahomed are simple, and his theological doc- 
trines, borrowed from Christianity, are in part conveyed in a dignified and 
attractive form. Among the sacred duties of the faithful are daily prayer, 
during the offering of which the face must be directed towards Mecca, and 
not as formerly towards Jerusalem; a fast of thirty days in the month of 
Ramadan, the ninth of the Turkish year; the devotion of at least a tenth 
part of their income to charitable purposes; and certain prescribed ablutions 
and purifications of the body. Monachism and ascetic penances, the vene- 
ration of images, and indulgence in wine, are expressly prohibited. 
The religion of Mahomed is sometimes called /slamism, and its professors 
Moslems or Mussulmans. The Coran or Alcoran is the rule of faith, the 
substance of which is considered eternal and uncreated; and Mahomed, 
who pretended to have received it leaf by leaf from the archangel Gabriel, 
regarded himself only as the editor. The contents of the Coran were em- 
bosomed from eternity in the divine mind alone, and written in rays of light 
upon the tables of his unchangeable counsel, until the archangel Gabriel 
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