Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-10-31
ARABIAN HOSPITALITY.

The christian religion enjoins upon its dis
ciples the cultivation and practice of everl
virtue; and that of hospitality is repeatedly
noted in its catalogue. Practically, we ina
CINE, it is often and too generally neglected
Even in the best existing communities o
chrstendom it is seldom SO shiningly display
ed as it has been among some of our Indiar
Tribes, and especially as it was anciently, anC
perhaps is still among the Arabians, In this
money-lnaking and money-worshipping age
tits refreshing to read of high examples oil
generosity, and TO lose our doubts whether
human nature is capable Of great and glorious
actions. The following extracts from Sales
Lite of Mohammed. He is speaking of the
Arabians before the rise of their Prophet:
ssNot where the Arabs less propense to lib
erality--after the coming of Mohammed, than
their ancestors had been. could produce
many remarkable instances of this common
dable quality among them, but shall content
myself with the following: Three men were
disputing in the court of the Caaba, which
was the most liberalpeFsona among the Arabs.
One gave the preference to Abdallah, of Jaa-
far, the uncle Of Mohammed; another to kdis
Ebu Saad Ebu obadiah; and the third gave 1t
to Arabah, of the tribe of Avs. After much
debate, enc that was present, to eud the dis
pute, proposed that each of them should go to
his friend, ask his assistance, that they might
see what every one gave, and form judgment
accordingly. This was agreed to: and Alb
dallah's friend, going 20 him, found him with
his foot in the stIrruP, just mounting his cam
q for Journey, and thus accosted him: Son
Of the uncle of the apostle Of Cop, | am trav-
cling, and in necessity. Upon which Abdai.
lah alighted and bid him take the camel and
hat ho., k,,fl -oI
part with sword, which happened to be fix
ed to the saddle, because it had belonged to
Ali, the son of Abutabeb. SO he took the
camel, and found on her some vests Of silk,
and 1000 pieces Of gold but the thing Of
greatest value was tine sword. The second
went to kais Ebu Saad, whose servant told
him that his master was asleep; and desired
to know his business. The friend answered
that he came 10 ask Kains' assistance, being
in want on the road. Whereupon the servant
said, that he had rather supply his necessity
than wake his master; and gave him a purse
of 1000 pieces of gold, assuring him that it
was all the money then in the house. He al
so directed him to 90 TO those who had the
charge Of the camels, with certain token,
and take camel and slave; and return home
with them. When kais awoke, and his ser.
want Informed him of what he had done, he
gave him his freedom, and asked him Why he
mad not called him; for, SAID he, I would have
given him more. The third man went to Ara
bah, and met him coming out of his house, in
order 10 90 to prayers, and leaning on two
slaves, because his eye-sight failed him. The
friend no sooner made known his case, than
Arabah let 60 the slaves, and, clapping his
hands together, loudly lamented his mislor-
tune, in having no money, but desired him TO
take the two slaves; which the man refused
10 do, ill Arabah protested that, if he would
not accept them, he gave them their liberty i
and leaving the slaves, CROPPED his way along
by the wall. On the return Of the adventu-
rers, judgment was unanimously, and with
great business, given by all who were pres
ent, that Arabah was the most generous of the
three"