The Prophet Mohammed
"Mohammed:
Prophet and Statesman, 622-632 A.D. Mohammed, born at Mecca
about 570 A.d., belonged to the tribe of the Koreish, who
had long been guardians of the sacred Kaaba. Left an
orphan at an early age, the future prophet was obliged to
earn his own living. He served first as a shepherd on the
hillsides of Mecca. This occupation, though lowly, gave
him the love of solitude, and helped to nourish in his
soul that appreciation of nature which later found
expression in so many of his utterances. While still a
youth he became a camel-driver and twice crossed the
deserts with caravans to Syria. Doubtless he made many
acquaintances on these journeys and picked The up much
useful information. Mohammed, however, did not receive a
regular education; it is doubtful whether he could read
or write. His marriage, when about twenty-five years of
age, to a rich widow, named Khadija, brought him wealth
and consideration. For some time, henceforth, he led the
life of a prosperous merchant of Mecca.
Mohammed
seems always to have been a deeply religious man. As he
grew older, his thoughts more and more centered on
spiritual themes. He could not reconcile the gross
idolatry of the Arabs with that belief in the unity of
God which he himself had reached. In his distress he
would withdraw into the wilderness, where he spent much
time in fasting and solitary vigils, practices perhaps
suggested to him by the example of Christian hermits.
During these lonely hours hi the desert strange scenes
passed before his eyes and strange voices sounded hi his
ears. At first Mohammed thought that evil spirits
possessed him, but Khadija encouraged him to believe that
his visions were a revelation from another world. One
day, so he declared, God's messenger, the archangel
Gabriel, appeared to him and bade him preach a new
religion to the Arabs. It was very simple, but in its
simplicity lay its strength: "There is no god but
God, and Mohammed is the prophet of God."
The prophet made his first converts in
his wife, his children, and the friends who knew him
best. Then, becoming bolder, he began to preach publicly
in Mecca. In spite The Hegira, of Mohammed's eloquence,
obvious sincerity, and 622 A-D' attractive personality,
he met a discouraging reception. A few slaves and poor
freemen became his followers, but most of the citizens of
Mecca regarded him as a madman. Mohammed's disciples,
called Moslems, were bitterly persecuted by the Koreish,
who resented the prophet's attacks on idolatry and feared
the loss of their privileges at the Kaaba. Finally
Mohammed and his converts took refuge in Medina, where
some of the inhabitants had already accepted his
teachings. This was the famous Hegira (Flight of the
prophet).
At
Medina Mohammed occupied a position of high honor and
influence. The people welcomed him gladly and made him
their chief magistrate. As his adherents increased in
Later life of number, Mohammed began to combine fighting
Mohammed with preaching. His military expeditions against
the Arab tribes proved to be very successful. Many of the
conquered Bedouins enlisted under his banner and in 630 A.d.
captured Mecca for the prophet. He treated its
inhabitants leniently, but threw down all the idols in
the Kaaba. After the submission of Mecca most of the
Arabs abandoned idolatry and accepted the new religion.
Mohammed did not long enjoy his position
as uncrowned king of Arabia. He died in 632 A.d., at Medina,
where he Death of was buried and where his tomb is still
visited by Mohammed, pious Moslems. His followers could
scarcely believe that their great prophet had gone away
from them forever. They were ready to worship him as a
god, until old Abu Bekr, Mohammed's father-in-law,
rebuked them with the memorable words: "Whoso
worshipeth Mohammed, let him know that Mohammed is dead;
but whoso worshipeth God, let him know that God liveth
and dieth not."
The
character of Mohammed has been variously estimated.
Moslem writers make him a saint; Christian writers, until
Mohammed's recent times, have called him an
"impostor." character ^e know that he was a man
of simple habits, who, even in the days of his
prosperity, lived on dates, barley bread, and water,
mended his woolen garments, and attended to his own
wants. He was mild and gentle, a lover of children,
devoted to his friends, and forgiving toward his foes. He
seems to have won the admiration of all with whom he came
in contact. We know, too, that Mohammed was so deeply
impressed with the consciousness of his religious mission
that he was ready to give up wealth and an honorable
position and face for years the ridicule and hatred of
the people of Mecca."
From Medieval and
modern history By Hutton Webster D.C. Heath & Co.,
1919
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