CHAPTER XI.Of Mahomet.I.Hardly had the Disciples of Jesus abandoned the Mosaic law to introduce the Christian, than mankind, with their usual caprice and ordinary inconstancy, suddenly changed their sentiments, and all the East was seen embracing the sentiments of the celebratedArius, who had the boldness to oppose the fable of Jesus, and prove that he was no more a God than any other man. Thus Christianity was almost abolished, and there appeared a new law-giver, who, in less than ten years time, formed a considerable sect. This wasMahomet.1To be well acquainted with him, it must be known that the part ofArabiawhere he was born, was commonly called “the Happy,” by reason of its fertility, and being inhabited by people who formed several Republics, each Republic being a family called a“tribe,” and having for its head the chief of the principal family, among those which composed the “tribe.”That in whichMahometwas born was named the Tribe ofKoreish, of which the principal family was that ofHashem, of which the chief was then a certainAbdul Motallab,2grandfather ofMahomet, whose father, eldest son ofAbdul Motallab, was namedAbdallah.2This tribe inhabited the shores of the Red sea, andAbdul Motallabwas High Priest of the Temple of Mecca where were worshipped the Idols of the country. As Chief of his Tribe he was Prince of this country in which quality he had sustained the war against the King of Persia and the Emperor of Ethiopia, which shows thatMahometwas not of the riff-raff of the people.His father dying before his grandfather, his tender years caused him to lose the rights he had to the Sovereignty, which one of his uncles usurped. It was for this reason, not being able to succeed to the title of Prince, that he was reduced to the humble condition of shop-boy in the employ of a wealthy widow for whom he became afterwards factor. Having found him to her liking she married him and made him one of the richest citizens of Mecca. He was then about30 years of age, and seeing at hand the means to enforce his rights, his ambitions awakened, and he meditated in what manner he could re-establish himself in the dignity of his grandfather.The correspondence that he had had withChristiansinEgyptandJewsinJudea, where he had traded a long time for his wife while he was only her factor, gave him an opportunity of knowing who Moses was and also Jesus Christ. He also had remarked into how many different sects their Religion was divided, and which produced such diversity of opinions, and the zeal of each sect. By this he profited, and he believed he could better succeed in the interest of establishing a new Religion. The conditions of the time when he formed this design were very favorable to him, for nearly all of the Arabs, disgusted with the worship of their Idols, were fallen into a species ofAtheism. Thus Mahomet began by leading a retired life, being exemplary, seeking solitude, and passing the greater part of the day in prayers and meditations. He caused himself to be admired for his modest demeanor, and commenced to speak of revelations and visions. By such action is gained the credence of the populace, and by such methods Moses and Jesus commenced. He called himself a prophet and an envoy of God, and having as much skill as his predecessors in working miracles, he soon gained attention, then admiration, and soon after the confidence of the people. AJewand aChristian monkwho were in his conspiracy aided him in his dextrous moves, and he soon became powerful enough to resist avigorous mannamedCorais, a learned Arab, who endeavored to expose his imposture.During this time his uncle, the governor of Mecca, died, and not being yet strong enough to assume theauthority of sovereign, he was obliged to yield to one of his kinsmen who, penetrating his designs, obliged him to flee fromMeccaand take refuge atMedina, where one party in the city who were Arian Christians joined him.Then he ceased to support his authority by argument, and persuaded his disciples to plant the Mussulman faith at the point of the sword. Having strengthened his party by alliances, marrying his daughters to four of the principal citizens ofMedina, he was in condition to place armies in the field who subjugated the various tribes, one after the other, and with whom he finally seizedMecca. He did not die until after he had accomplished his purpose by his hypocrisy and imposture, which elevated him to the dignity of sovereign, which he transmitted to his successors, and his faith so well established that there has been no evidence of its failure for six hundred years, and yet it may be upon the eve of its destruction.II.Thus Mahomet was more fortunate than Jesus Christ. After having labored during twenty-three years in the establishment of his Law and Religion, he saw its progress before his death, and having an assurance which Jesus Christ had not, that it would exist a long time after his death, since he prudently accommodated the genius and passions of his followers.Such was the last of these three impostors. Moses threw himself into an abyss by an excess of ambition to cause himself to be believed immortal. Jesus Christ was ignominiously hung up between two thieves, being covered with shame as a recompense for his imposture, and lastly, Mahomet died in reality in his own bed, andin the midst of grandeur, but with his bowels consumed by poison given him by a young Jewess, to determine if he really was a prophet.This is all that can be said of these four3celebrated impostors. They were just as we have painted them after nature, and without giving any false shading to their portraits, that it may be judged if they merited any confidence, and if it is excusable to be led by these guides, whom ambition and trickery have elevated, and whom ignorance has destroyed.Griffin facing right.1A friend of the celebratedGoliushaving asked what theMahometanssaid of their prophet, this wise professor sent him the following extract which contains an abridgement of the life of that Impostor taken from a manuscript in the Turkish language: “The LordMahomet Mustapha, of glorious memory, the greatest of the Prophets, was born in the fortieth year of the Empire ofAnal Schirwan, the Just. His holy nativity happened the twelfth day in the second third of the month Rabia. Now, after the fortieth year of his age had passed, he was divinely inspired, received the crown of prophecy and the robe of Legation, which were brought him from God by the faithful messenger Gabriel, with instructions to call mankind toIslamism. After this inspiration from God was received, he dwelt atMeccafor thirteen years. He left there aged fifty-three years the eighth day of the monthRabia, which was a Friday, and took refuge atMedina. Now, it was there, after his retreat the twentieth day of the eleventh month, and the sixty-third year of his blessed life, he succeeded to the enjoyment of the divine presence. Some say that he was born whileAbelaka,2his father, was yet living, others say after his death. LadyAmina, a daughter of theWahabees, gave him for nurse ladyHalima, of the tribe ofBeni-Saad.Abdo Imutalib,2his grandfather, gave him the blessed name ofMahomet. He had four sons and four daughters. The sons wereKasim,Ibrahim,ThajibandThahir, and the daughters,Fatima,Omokeltum,RakiaandZeineb. The companions of this august envoy of God wereAbulekir,Omar,OsmanandAli, all of sacred memory.↑2These names,Abdul-MotallabandAbdallah, in Arabic, seem to be renderedAbdo-ImutalibandAbelakain the Turkish language.—A. N.↑3This includesNuma Pompilius.—A. N.↑
CHAPTER XI.Of Mahomet.I.Hardly had the Disciples of Jesus abandoned the Mosaic law to introduce the Christian, than mankind, with their usual caprice and ordinary inconstancy, suddenly changed their sentiments, and all the East was seen embracing the sentiments of the celebratedArius, who had the boldness to oppose the fable of Jesus, and prove that he was no more a God than any other man. Thus Christianity was almost abolished, and there appeared a new law-giver, who, in less than ten years time, formed a considerable sect. This wasMahomet.1To be well acquainted with him, it must be known that the part ofArabiawhere he was born, was commonly called “the Happy,” by reason of its fertility, and being inhabited by people who formed several Republics, each Republic being a family called a“tribe,” and having for its head the chief of the principal family, among those which composed the “tribe.”That in whichMahometwas born was named the Tribe ofKoreish, of which the principal family was that ofHashem, of which the chief was then a certainAbdul Motallab,2grandfather ofMahomet, whose father, eldest son ofAbdul Motallab, was namedAbdallah.2This tribe inhabited the shores of the Red sea, andAbdul Motallabwas High Priest of the Temple of Mecca where were worshipped the Idols of the country. As Chief of his Tribe he was Prince of this country in which quality he had sustained the war against the King of Persia and the Emperor of Ethiopia, which shows thatMahometwas not of the riff-raff of the people.His father dying before his grandfather, his tender years caused him to lose the rights he had to the Sovereignty, which one of his uncles usurped. It was for this reason, not being able to succeed to the title of Prince, that he was reduced to the humble condition of shop-boy in the employ of a wealthy widow for whom he became afterwards factor. Having found him to her liking she married him and made him one of the richest citizens of Mecca. He was then about30 years of age, and seeing at hand the means to enforce his rights, his ambitions awakened, and he meditated in what manner he could re-establish himself in the dignity of his grandfather.The correspondence that he had had withChristiansinEgyptandJewsinJudea, where he had traded a long time for his wife while he was only her factor, gave him an opportunity of knowing who Moses was and also Jesus Christ. He also had remarked into how many different sects their Religion was divided, and which produced such diversity of opinions, and the zeal of each sect. By this he profited, and he believed he could better succeed in the interest of establishing a new Religion. The conditions of the time when he formed this design were very favorable to him, for nearly all of the Arabs, disgusted with the worship of their Idols, were fallen into a species ofAtheism. Thus Mahomet began by leading a retired life, being exemplary, seeking solitude, and passing the greater part of the day in prayers and meditations. He caused himself to be admired for his modest demeanor, and commenced to speak of revelations and visions. By such action is gained the credence of the populace, and by such methods Moses and Jesus commenced. He called himself a prophet and an envoy of God, and having as much skill as his predecessors in working miracles, he soon gained attention, then admiration, and soon after the confidence of the people. AJewand aChristian monkwho were in his conspiracy aided him in his dextrous moves, and he soon became powerful enough to resist avigorous mannamedCorais, a learned Arab, who endeavored to expose his imposture.During this time his uncle, the governor of Mecca, died, and not being yet strong enough to assume theauthority of sovereign, he was obliged to yield to one of his kinsmen who, penetrating his designs, obliged him to flee fromMeccaand take refuge atMedina, where one party in the city who were Arian Christians joined him.Then he ceased to support his authority by argument, and persuaded his disciples to plant the Mussulman faith at the point of the sword. Having strengthened his party by alliances, marrying his daughters to four of the principal citizens ofMedina, he was in condition to place armies in the field who subjugated the various tribes, one after the other, and with whom he finally seizedMecca. He did not die until after he had accomplished his purpose by his hypocrisy and imposture, which elevated him to the dignity of sovereign, which he transmitted to his successors, and his faith so well established that there has been no evidence of its failure for six hundred years, and yet it may be upon the eve of its destruction.II.Thus Mahomet was more fortunate than Jesus Christ. After having labored during twenty-three years in the establishment of his Law and Religion, he saw its progress before his death, and having an assurance which Jesus Christ had not, that it would exist a long time after his death, since he prudently accommodated the genius and passions of his followers.Such was the last of these three impostors. Moses threw himself into an abyss by an excess of ambition to cause himself to be believed immortal. Jesus Christ was ignominiously hung up between two thieves, being covered with shame as a recompense for his imposture, and lastly, Mahomet died in reality in his own bed, andin the midst of grandeur, but with his bowels consumed by poison given him by a young Jewess, to determine if he really was a prophet.This is all that can be said of these four3celebrated impostors. They were just as we have painted them after nature, and without giving any false shading to their portraits, that it may be judged if they merited any confidence, and if it is excusable to be led by these guides, whom ambition and trickery have elevated, and whom ignorance has destroyed.Griffin facing right.1A friend of the celebratedGoliushaving asked what theMahometanssaid of their prophet, this wise professor sent him the following extract which contains an abridgement of the life of that Impostor taken from a manuscript in the Turkish language: “The LordMahomet Mustapha, of glorious memory, the greatest of the Prophets, was born in the fortieth year of the Empire ofAnal Schirwan, the Just. His holy nativity happened the twelfth day in the second third of the month Rabia. Now, after the fortieth year of his age had passed, he was divinely inspired, received the crown of prophecy and the robe of Legation, which were brought him from God by the faithful messenger Gabriel, with instructions to call mankind toIslamism. After this inspiration from God was received, he dwelt atMeccafor thirteen years. He left there aged fifty-three years the eighth day of the monthRabia, which was a Friday, and took refuge atMedina. Now, it was there, after his retreat the twentieth day of the eleventh month, and the sixty-third year of his blessed life, he succeeded to the enjoyment of the divine presence. Some say that he was born whileAbelaka,2his father, was yet living, others say after his death. LadyAmina, a daughter of theWahabees, gave him for nurse ladyHalima, of the tribe ofBeni-Saad.Abdo Imutalib,2his grandfather, gave him the blessed name ofMahomet. He had four sons and four daughters. The sons wereKasim,Ibrahim,ThajibandThahir, and the daughters,Fatima,Omokeltum,RakiaandZeineb. The companions of this august envoy of God wereAbulekir,Omar,OsmanandAli, all of sacred memory.↑2These names,Abdul-MotallabandAbdallah, in Arabic, seem to be renderedAbdo-ImutalibandAbelakain the Turkish language.—A. N.↑3This includesNuma Pompilius.—A. N.↑
CHAPTER XI.Of Mahomet.I.Hardly had the Disciples of Jesus abandoned the Mosaic law to introduce the Christian, than mankind, with their usual caprice and ordinary inconstancy, suddenly changed their sentiments, and all the East was seen embracing the sentiments of the celebratedArius, who had the boldness to oppose the fable of Jesus, and prove that he was no more a God than any other man. Thus Christianity was almost abolished, and there appeared a new law-giver, who, in less than ten years time, formed a considerable sect. This wasMahomet.1To be well acquainted with him, it must be known that the part ofArabiawhere he was born, was commonly called “the Happy,” by reason of its fertility, and being inhabited by people who formed several Republics, each Republic being a family called a“tribe,” and having for its head the chief of the principal family, among those which composed the “tribe.”That in whichMahometwas born was named the Tribe ofKoreish, of which the principal family was that ofHashem, of which the chief was then a certainAbdul Motallab,2grandfather ofMahomet, whose father, eldest son ofAbdul Motallab, was namedAbdallah.2This tribe inhabited the shores of the Red sea, andAbdul Motallabwas High Priest of the Temple of Mecca where were worshipped the Idols of the country. As Chief of his Tribe he was Prince of this country in which quality he had sustained the war against the King of Persia and the Emperor of Ethiopia, which shows thatMahometwas not of the riff-raff of the people.His father dying before his grandfather, his tender years caused him to lose the rights he had to the Sovereignty, which one of his uncles usurped. It was for this reason, not being able to succeed to the title of Prince, that he was reduced to the humble condition of shop-boy in the employ of a wealthy widow for whom he became afterwards factor. Having found him to her liking she married him and made him one of the richest citizens of Mecca. He was then about30 years of age, and seeing at hand the means to enforce his rights, his ambitions awakened, and he meditated in what manner he could re-establish himself in the dignity of his grandfather.The correspondence that he had had withChristiansinEgyptandJewsinJudea, where he had traded a long time for his wife while he was only her factor, gave him an opportunity of knowing who Moses was and also Jesus Christ. He also had remarked into how many different sects their Religion was divided, and which produced such diversity of opinions, and the zeal of each sect. By this he profited, and he believed he could better succeed in the interest of establishing a new Religion. The conditions of the time when he formed this design were very favorable to him, for nearly all of the Arabs, disgusted with the worship of their Idols, were fallen into a species ofAtheism. Thus Mahomet began by leading a retired life, being exemplary, seeking solitude, and passing the greater part of the day in prayers and meditations. He caused himself to be admired for his modest demeanor, and commenced to speak of revelations and visions. By such action is gained the credence of the populace, and by such methods Moses and Jesus commenced. He called himself a prophet and an envoy of God, and having as much skill as his predecessors in working miracles, he soon gained attention, then admiration, and soon after the confidence of the people. AJewand aChristian monkwho were in his conspiracy aided him in his dextrous moves, and he soon became powerful enough to resist avigorous mannamedCorais, a learned Arab, who endeavored to expose his imposture.During this time his uncle, the governor of Mecca, died, and not being yet strong enough to assume theauthority of sovereign, he was obliged to yield to one of his kinsmen who, penetrating his designs, obliged him to flee fromMeccaand take refuge atMedina, where one party in the city who were Arian Christians joined him.Then he ceased to support his authority by argument, and persuaded his disciples to plant the Mussulman faith at the point of the sword. Having strengthened his party by alliances, marrying his daughters to four of the principal citizens ofMedina, he was in condition to place armies in the field who subjugated the various tribes, one after the other, and with whom he finally seizedMecca. He did not die until after he had accomplished his purpose by his hypocrisy and imposture, which elevated him to the dignity of sovereign, which he transmitted to his successors, and his faith so well established that there has been no evidence of its failure for six hundred years, and yet it may be upon the eve of its destruction.II.Thus Mahomet was more fortunate than Jesus Christ. After having labored during twenty-three years in the establishment of his Law and Religion, he saw its progress before his death, and having an assurance which Jesus Christ had not, that it would exist a long time after his death, since he prudently accommodated the genius and passions of his followers.Such was the last of these three impostors. Moses threw himself into an abyss by an excess of ambition to cause himself to be believed immortal. Jesus Christ was ignominiously hung up between two thieves, being covered with shame as a recompense for his imposture, and lastly, Mahomet died in reality in his own bed, andin the midst of grandeur, but with his bowels consumed by poison given him by a young Jewess, to determine if he really was a prophet.This is all that can be said of these four3celebrated impostors. They were just as we have painted them after nature, and without giving any false shading to their portraits, that it may be judged if they merited any confidence, and if it is excusable to be led by these guides, whom ambition and trickery have elevated, and whom ignorance has destroyed.Griffin facing right.
I.Hardly had the Disciples of Jesus abandoned the Mosaic law to introduce the Christian, than mankind, with their usual caprice and ordinary inconstancy, suddenly changed their sentiments, and all the East was seen embracing the sentiments of the celebratedArius, who had the boldness to oppose the fable of Jesus, and prove that he was no more a God than any other man. Thus Christianity was almost abolished, and there appeared a new law-giver, who, in less than ten years time, formed a considerable sect. This wasMahomet.1To be well acquainted with him, it must be known that the part ofArabiawhere he was born, was commonly called “the Happy,” by reason of its fertility, and being inhabited by people who formed several Republics, each Republic being a family called a“tribe,” and having for its head the chief of the principal family, among those which composed the “tribe.”That in whichMahometwas born was named the Tribe ofKoreish, of which the principal family was that ofHashem, of which the chief was then a certainAbdul Motallab,2grandfather ofMahomet, whose father, eldest son ofAbdul Motallab, was namedAbdallah.2This tribe inhabited the shores of the Red sea, andAbdul Motallabwas High Priest of the Temple of Mecca where were worshipped the Idols of the country. As Chief of his Tribe he was Prince of this country in which quality he had sustained the war against the King of Persia and the Emperor of Ethiopia, which shows thatMahometwas not of the riff-raff of the people.His father dying before his grandfather, his tender years caused him to lose the rights he had to the Sovereignty, which one of his uncles usurped. It was for this reason, not being able to succeed to the title of Prince, that he was reduced to the humble condition of shop-boy in the employ of a wealthy widow for whom he became afterwards factor. Having found him to her liking she married him and made him one of the richest citizens of Mecca. He was then about30 years of age, and seeing at hand the means to enforce his rights, his ambitions awakened, and he meditated in what manner he could re-establish himself in the dignity of his grandfather.The correspondence that he had had withChristiansinEgyptandJewsinJudea, where he had traded a long time for his wife while he was only her factor, gave him an opportunity of knowing who Moses was and also Jesus Christ. He also had remarked into how many different sects their Religion was divided, and which produced such diversity of opinions, and the zeal of each sect. By this he profited, and he believed he could better succeed in the interest of establishing a new Religion. The conditions of the time when he formed this design were very favorable to him, for nearly all of the Arabs, disgusted with the worship of their Idols, were fallen into a species ofAtheism. Thus Mahomet began by leading a retired life, being exemplary, seeking solitude, and passing the greater part of the day in prayers and meditations. He caused himself to be admired for his modest demeanor, and commenced to speak of revelations and visions. By such action is gained the credence of the populace, and by such methods Moses and Jesus commenced. He called himself a prophet and an envoy of God, and having as much skill as his predecessors in working miracles, he soon gained attention, then admiration, and soon after the confidence of the people. AJewand aChristian monkwho were in his conspiracy aided him in his dextrous moves, and he soon became powerful enough to resist avigorous mannamedCorais, a learned Arab, who endeavored to expose his imposture.During this time his uncle, the governor of Mecca, died, and not being yet strong enough to assume theauthority of sovereign, he was obliged to yield to one of his kinsmen who, penetrating his designs, obliged him to flee fromMeccaand take refuge atMedina, where one party in the city who were Arian Christians joined him.Then he ceased to support his authority by argument, and persuaded his disciples to plant the Mussulman faith at the point of the sword. Having strengthened his party by alliances, marrying his daughters to four of the principal citizens ofMedina, he was in condition to place armies in the field who subjugated the various tribes, one after the other, and with whom he finally seizedMecca. He did not die until after he had accomplished his purpose by his hypocrisy and imposture, which elevated him to the dignity of sovereign, which he transmitted to his successors, and his faith so well established that there has been no evidence of its failure for six hundred years, and yet it may be upon the eve of its destruction.
I.
Hardly had the Disciples of Jesus abandoned the Mosaic law to introduce the Christian, than mankind, with their usual caprice and ordinary inconstancy, suddenly changed their sentiments, and all the East was seen embracing the sentiments of the celebratedArius, who had the boldness to oppose the fable of Jesus, and prove that he was no more a God than any other man. Thus Christianity was almost abolished, and there appeared a new law-giver, who, in less than ten years time, formed a considerable sect. This wasMahomet.1To be well acquainted with him, it must be known that the part ofArabiawhere he was born, was commonly called “the Happy,” by reason of its fertility, and being inhabited by people who formed several Republics, each Republic being a family called a“tribe,” and having for its head the chief of the principal family, among those which composed the “tribe.”That in whichMahometwas born was named the Tribe ofKoreish, of which the principal family was that ofHashem, of which the chief was then a certainAbdul Motallab,2grandfather ofMahomet, whose father, eldest son ofAbdul Motallab, was namedAbdallah.2This tribe inhabited the shores of the Red sea, andAbdul Motallabwas High Priest of the Temple of Mecca where were worshipped the Idols of the country. As Chief of his Tribe he was Prince of this country in which quality he had sustained the war against the King of Persia and the Emperor of Ethiopia, which shows thatMahometwas not of the riff-raff of the people.His father dying before his grandfather, his tender years caused him to lose the rights he had to the Sovereignty, which one of his uncles usurped. It was for this reason, not being able to succeed to the title of Prince, that he was reduced to the humble condition of shop-boy in the employ of a wealthy widow for whom he became afterwards factor. Having found him to her liking she married him and made him one of the richest citizens of Mecca. He was then about30 years of age, and seeing at hand the means to enforce his rights, his ambitions awakened, and he meditated in what manner he could re-establish himself in the dignity of his grandfather.The correspondence that he had had withChristiansinEgyptandJewsinJudea, where he had traded a long time for his wife while he was only her factor, gave him an opportunity of knowing who Moses was and also Jesus Christ. He also had remarked into how many different sects their Religion was divided, and which produced such diversity of opinions, and the zeal of each sect. By this he profited, and he believed he could better succeed in the interest of establishing a new Religion. The conditions of the time when he formed this design were very favorable to him, for nearly all of the Arabs, disgusted with the worship of their Idols, were fallen into a species ofAtheism. Thus Mahomet began by leading a retired life, being exemplary, seeking solitude, and passing the greater part of the day in prayers and meditations. He caused himself to be admired for his modest demeanor, and commenced to speak of revelations and visions. By such action is gained the credence of the populace, and by such methods Moses and Jesus commenced. He called himself a prophet and an envoy of God, and having as much skill as his predecessors in working miracles, he soon gained attention, then admiration, and soon after the confidence of the people. AJewand aChristian monkwho were in his conspiracy aided him in his dextrous moves, and he soon became powerful enough to resist avigorous mannamedCorais, a learned Arab, who endeavored to expose his imposture.During this time his uncle, the governor of Mecca, died, and not being yet strong enough to assume theauthority of sovereign, he was obliged to yield to one of his kinsmen who, penetrating his designs, obliged him to flee fromMeccaand take refuge atMedina, where one party in the city who were Arian Christians joined him.Then he ceased to support his authority by argument, and persuaded his disciples to plant the Mussulman faith at the point of the sword. Having strengthened his party by alliances, marrying his daughters to four of the principal citizens ofMedina, he was in condition to place armies in the field who subjugated the various tribes, one after the other, and with whom he finally seizedMecca. He did not die until after he had accomplished his purpose by his hypocrisy and imposture, which elevated him to the dignity of sovereign, which he transmitted to his successors, and his faith so well established that there has been no evidence of its failure for six hundred years, and yet it may be upon the eve of its destruction.
Hardly had the Disciples of Jesus abandoned the Mosaic law to introduce the Christian, than mankind, with their usual caprice and ordinary inconstancy, suddenly changed their sentiments, and all the East was seen embracing the sentiments of the celebratedArius, who had the boldness to oppose the fable of Jesus, and prove that he was no more a God than any other man. Thus Christianity was almost abolished, and there appeared a new law-giver, who, in less than ten years time, formed a considerable sect. This wasMahomet.1
To be well acquainted with him, it must be known that the part ofArabiawhere he was born, was commonly called “the Happy,” by reason of its fertility, and being inhabited by people who formed several Republics, each Republic being a family called a“tribe,” and having for its head the chief of the principal family, among those which composed the “tribe.”
That in whichMahometwas born was named the Tribe ofKoreish, of which the principal family was that ofHashem, of which the chief was then a certainAbdul Motallab,2grandfather ofMahomet, whose father, eldest son ofAbdul Motallab, was namedAbdallah.2
This tribe inhabited the shores of the Red sea, andAbdul Motallabwas High Priest of the Temple of Mecca where were worshipped the Idols of the country. As Chief of his Tribe he was Prince of this country in which quality he had sustained the war against the King of Persia and the Emperor of Ethiopia, which shows thatMahometwas not of the riff-raff of the people.
His father dying before his grandfather, his tender years caused him to lose the rights he had to the Sovereignty, which one of his uncles usurped. It was for this reason, not being able to succeed to the title of Prince, that he was reduced to the humble condition of shop-boy in the employ of a wealthy widow for whom he became afterwards factor. Having found him to her liking she married him and made him one of the richest citizens of Mecca. He was then about30 years of age, and seeing at hand the means to enforce his rights, his ambitions awakened, and he meditated in what manner he could re-establish himself in the dignity of his grandfather.
The correspondence that he had had withChristiansinEgyptandJewsinJudea, where he had traded a long time for his wife while he was only her factor, gave him an opportunity of knowing who Moses was and also Jesus Christ. He also had remarked into how many different sects their Religion was divided, and which produced such diversity of opinions, and the zeal of each sect. By this he profited, and he believed he could better succeed in the interest of establishing a new Religion. The conditions of the time when he formed this design were very favorable to him, for nearly all of the Arabs, disgusted with the worship of their Idols, were fallen into a species ofAtheism. Thus Mahomet began by leading a retired life, being exemplary, seeking solitude, and passing the greater part of the day in prayers and meditations. He caused himself to be admired for his modest demeanor, and commenced to speak of revelations and visions. By such action is gained the credence of the populace, and by such methods Moses and Jesus commenced. He called himself a prophet and an envoy of God, and having as much skill as his predecessors in working miracles, he soon gained attention, then admiration, and soon after the confidence of the people. AJewand aChristian monkwho were in his conspiracy aided him in his dextrous moves, and he soon became powerful enough to resist avigorous mannamedCorais, a learned Arab, who endeavored to expose his imposture.
During this time his uncle, the governor of Mecca, died, and not being yet strong enough to assume theauthority of sovereign, he was obliged to yield to one of his kinsmen who, penetrating his designs, obliged him to flee fromMeccaand take refuge atMedina, where one party in the city who were Arian Christians joined him.
Then he ceased to support his authority by argument, and persuaded his disciples to plant the Mussulman faith at the point of the sword. Having strengthened his party by alliances, marrying his daughters to four of the principal citizens ofMedina, he was in condition to place armies in the field who subjugated the various tribes, one after the other, and with whom he finally seizedMecca. He did not die until after he had accomplished his purpose by his hypocrisy and imposture, which elevated him to the dignity of sovereign, which he transmitted to his successors, and his faith so well established that there has been no evidence of its failure for six hundred years, and yet it may be upon the eve of its destruction.
II.Thus Mahomet was more fortunate than Jesus Christ. After having labored during twenty-three years in the establishment of his Law and Religion, he saw its progress before his death, and having an assurance which Jesus Christ had not, that it would exist a long time after his death, since he prudently accommodated the genius and passions of his followers.Such was the last of these three impostors. Moses threw himself into an abyss by an excess of ambition to cause himself to be believed immortal. Jesus Christ was ignominiously hung up between two thieves, being covered with shame as a recompense for his imposture, and lastly, Mahomet died in reality in his own bed, andin the midst of grandeur, but with his bowels consumed by poison given him by a young Jewess, to determine if he really was a prophet.This is all that can be said of these four3celebrated impostors. They were just as we have painted them after nature, and without giving any false shading to their portraits, that it may be judged if they merited any confidence, and if it is excusable to be led by these guides, whom ambition and trickery have elevated, and whom ignorance has destroyed.Griffin facing right.
II.
Thus Mahomet was more fortunate than Jesus Christ. After having labored during twenty-three years in the establishment of his Law and Religion, he saw its progress before his death, and having an assurance which Jesus Christ had not, that it would exist a long time after his death, since he prudently accommodated the genius and passions of his followers.Such was the last of these three impostors. Moses threw himself into an abyss by an excess of ambition to cause himself to be believed immortal. Jesus Christ was ignominiously hung up between two thieves, being covered with shame as a recompense for his imposture, and lastly, Mahomet died in reality in his own bed, andin the midst of grandeur, but with his bowels consumed by poison given him by a young Jewess, to determine if he really was a prophet.This is all that can be said of these four3celebrated impostors. They were just as we have painted them after nature, and without giving any false shading to their portraits, that it may be judged if they merited any confidence, and if it is excusable to be led by these guides, whom ambition and trickery have elevated, and whom ignorance has destroyed.Griffin facing right.
Thus Mahomet was more fortunate than Jesus Christ. After having labored during twenty-three years in the establishment of his Law and Religion, he saw its progress before his death, and having an assurance which Jesus Christ had not, that it would exist a long time after his death, since he prudently accommodated the genius and passions of his followers.
Such was the last of these three impostors. Moses threw himself into an abyss by an excess of ambition to cause himself to be believed immortal. Jesus Christ was ignominiously hung up between two thieves, being covered with shame as a recompense for his imposture, and lastly, Mahomet died in reality in his own bed, andin the midst of grandeur, but with his bowels consumed by poison given him by a young Jewess, to determine if he really was a prophet.
This is all that can be said of these four3celebrated impostors. They were just as we have painted them after nature, and without giving any false shading to their portraits, that it may be judged if they merited any confidence, and if it is excusable to be led by these guides, whom ambition and trickery have elevated, and whom ignorance has destroyed.
Griffin facing right.
1A friend of the celebratedGoliushaving asked what theMahometanssaid of their prophet, this wise professor sent him the following extract which contains an abridgement of the life of that Impostor taken from a manuscript in the Turkish language: “The LordMahomet Mustapha, of glorious memory, the greatest of the Prophets, was born in the fortieth year of the Empire ofAnal Schirwan, the Just. His holy nativity happened the twelfth day in the second third of the month Rabia. Now, after the fortieth year of his age had passed, he was divinely inspired, received the crown of prophecy and the robe of Legation, which were brought him from God by the faithful messenger Gabriel, with instructions to call mankind toIslamism. After this inspiration from God was received, he dwelt atMeccafor thirteen years. He left there aged fifty-three years the eighth day of the monthRabia, which was a Friday, and took refuge atMedina. Now, it was there, after his retreat the twentieth day of the eleventh month, and the sixty-third year of his blessed life, he succeeded to the enjoyment of the divine presence. Some say that he was born whileAbelaka,2his father, was yet living, others say after his death. LadyAmina, a daughter of theWahabees, gave him for nurse ladyHalima, of the tribe ofBeni-Saad.Abdo Imutalib,2his grandfather, gave him the blessed name ofMahomet. He had four sons and four daughters. The sons wereKasim,Ibrahim,ThajibandThahir, and the daughters,Fatima,Omokeltum,RakiaandZeineb. The companions of this august envoy of God wereAbulekir,Omar,OsmanandAli, all of sacred memory.↑2These names,Abdul-MotallabandAbdallah, in Arabic, seem to be renderedAbdo-ImutalibandAbelakain the Turkish language.—A. N.↑3This includesNuma Pompilius.—A. N.↑
1A friend of the celebratedGoliushaving asked what theMahometanssaid of their prophet, this wise professor sent him the following extract which contains an abridgement of the life of that Impostor taken from a manuscript in the Turkish language: “The LordMahomet Mustapha, of glorious memory, the greatest of the Prophets, was born in the fortieth year of the Empire ofAnal Schirwan, the Just. His holy nativity happened the twelfth day in the second third of the month Rabia. Now, after the fortieth year of his age had passed, he was divinely inspired, received the crown of prophecy and the robe of Legation, which were brought him from God by the faithful messenger Gabriel, with instructions to call mankind toIslamism. After this inspiration from God was received, he dwelt atMeccafor thirteen years. He left there aged fifty-three years the eighth day of the monthRabia, which was a Friday, and took refuge atMedina. Now, it was there, after his retreat the twentieth day of the eleventh month, and the sixty-third year of his blessed life, he succeeded to the enjoyment of the divine presence. Some say that he was born whileAbelaka,2his father, was yet living, others say after his death. LadyAmina, a daughter of theWahabees, gave him for nurse ladyHalima, of the tribe ofBeni-Saad.Abdo Imutalib,2his grandfather, gave him the blessed name ofMahomet. He had four sons and four daughters. The sons wereKasim,Ibrahim,ThajibandThahir, and the daughters,Fatima,Omokeltum,RakiaandZeineb. The companions of this august envoy of God wereAbulekir,Omar,OsmanandAli, all of sacred memory.↑
2These names,Abdul-MotallabandAbdallah, in Arabic, seem to be renderedAbdo-ImutalibandAbelakain the Turkish language.—A. N.↑
3This includesNuma Pompilius.—A. N.↑