National Descent of the Arabs-Proved to be from Ishmael, Son of

Abraham

25

CHAPTER II.

Birth and Parentage of Mohammed-Loses his Parents in early Child

hood-Is placed under the Care of his Uncle Abu Taleb-Goes into

Syria on a trading Expedition with his Uncle at the Age of thirteen-

Enters the Service of Cadijah, a Widow of Mecca, whom he afterward
marries..

...... 32

CHAPTER III.

Mohammed forms the Design of palming a new Religion upon the

World-Difficult to account for this Determination-Considerations

suggested-Retires to the Cave of Hera-Announces to Cadijah the

Visits of Gabriel with a Portion of the Koran-She becomes a Convert

-His slow Progress in gaining Proselytes-Curious Coincidence 45

CHAPTER IV.

The Prophet announces his Mission among his Kindred of the Koreish

-Meets with a harsh Repulse-Begins to declare it in Public-View

of his fundamental Doctrines-His Pretensions respecting the Koran

-The disdainful Rejection of his Message by his fellow-citizens—

His consequent Denunciations against them.......

B

56

CHAPTER V.

Mohammed not discouraged by Opposition-The Burden of his Preaching

-Description of Paradise-Error to suppose Women excluded-Or

Hell-Gains some Followers-Challenged to work a Miracle-His

Reply-The Koran the grand Miracle of his Religion-Judicial Ob-

duracy charged upon the Unbelievers.........
68

CHAPTER VI.

The Koreish exasperated and alarmed by Mohammed's growing Success

-Commence Persecution-Some of his Followers seek safety in

Flight-New Converts-The Koreish form a League against him-Abu

Taleb and Cadijah die-He makes a temporary Retreat from Mecca-

Returns and preaches with increased Zeal-Some of the Pilgrims

from Medina converted

83

CHAPTER VII.

The Prophet pretends to have had a Night-journey through the Seven

Heavens-Description of the memorable Night by an Arabic writer-

Account of the Journey-His probable Motives in feigning such an

extravagant Fiction

.......

89

CHAPTER VIII.

An Einbassy sent to the Prophet from Medina-Enters into a League'

with them-Sends thither a Missionary-Another Deputation sent to

proffer him an Asylum in that City-His, Enemies renew their Perse-

cutions-Determines to fly to Medina-Incidents on the Way-Makes

a solemn Entry into the City-Apostate Christians supposed to have

joined in tendering him the Invitation...
101.

CHAPTER IX.

The prophet now raised to a high Pitch of Dignity-Builds a Mosque

-A Change in the Tone of his Revelations-The Faithful now com-

manded to fight for the true Religion-His first warlike Attempt

unsuccessful--The Failure compensated in the Second--Account of

the Battle of Beder-This Victory much boasted of-Difficulties in the

Division of the Spoil-Caab, a Jew, assassinated at the Instance of

the Prophet.

100

CHAPTER X.

Mohammed alters the Kebla-Many of his Followers greatly offended

thereby-Mohammedan Institution of Prayer-Appoints the Fast of

Ramadan-Account of this, Ordinance

CHAPTER XI.

........ 119

The Koreish undertake a new Expedition against the Prophet-The

Battle of Ohod-Mohammed and his Army entirely defeated-His Fol-

lowers murmur-The Prophet's poor Devices to retrieve the Disgrace

incurred in this Action-Resolves it mainly into the Doctrine of Pre-

destination-Wine and Games of Chance forbidden-Sophyan, son of

Caled, slain-War of the Ditch

CHAPTER XII.

126

The Jews the special Objects of Mohammed's Enmity-Several Tribes

of them reduced to Subjection-Undertakes a Pilgrimage to Mecca-

The Meccans conclude a Truce with him of ten Years-His Power

and Authority greatly increased-Has a Pulpit constructed for his

Mosque-Goes against Chaibar, a City of the Arab Jews-Besieges

and takes the City, but is poisoned at an Entertainment by a young

Woman-Is still able to prosecute his Victories

CHAPTER XIII.

135

Mohammed alleges a Breach of Faith on the Part of the Meccans, and

marches an Army against them-The City surrendered to the Con-

queror-Abu Sophyan and Al Abbas, the Prophet's Uncle, declare

themselves Converts-Mecca declared to be Holy Ground--The neigh-

bouring Tribes collect an Army of four thousand Men to arrest the

growing Power of the Prophet-The Confederates entirely overthrown

-A rival Prophet arises in the Person of Moseilama-Is crushed by

Caled........

142

CHAPTER XIV.

The Religion of the Prophet firmly established-The principal Countries

subjected by him-The effects of the Poison make alarming Inroads

upon his Constitution-Perceives his End approaching-Preaches for

the last Time in Public-His last Illness and Death-The Moslemis

scarcely persuaded that their Prophet was dead-Tumult appeased

by Abubeker-The Prophet buried at Medina-The Story of the

hanging Coffin false

150

..........

........

CHAPTER XV.

Reflections upon the extraordinary Career of Mohammed-Description

of his Person-General View and Estimate of his Character.... 156

CHAPTER XVI.

Account of the Prophet's Wives-Cadijah-Ayesha Hafsa-Zeinab-
Safya-His Concubines-Singular Precepts in the Koran respecting
the Wives of Mohammed-His comparative Treatment of Jews and
Christians-Predictions of the Prophet alleged by Mohammedans to
be contained in the sacred Scriptures
167

APPENDIX A.-Inspired Prophecies respecting Mohammed and Moham-

medanism considered....

181

APPENDIX B.-The Caaba, and the Pilgrimage to Mecca........... 210

INTRODUCTION.

No revolution recorded in history, if we except that effected by the religion of the Gospel, has introduced greater changes into the state of the civilized world, than that which has grown out of the rise, progress, and permanence of Mohammedanism. The history and character, therefore, of this religion becomes an object of laudable curiosity with every enlightened mind. Considered merely as a department of the general annals of the world, apart from any connexion with the true religion, it furnishes some of the most interesting records of the human race. But when viewed as a part of the great chain of providential and predicted events, designed to have a direct bearing upon the state of the Christian church, through the whole period of its disastrous prevalence, it urges a new and stronger claim upon our attention. By many distinguished writers, who have deeply studied its origin, genius, and history, the religion of the Koran is confidently regarded rather as Christian heresy, or the product of a Christian