The Arkansas banner., 1847-06-02
Fnom tAs :. IHorS4 IFs Llss la asAHoNMEDasrsM.


 was given in our last number, Mahommed- anisIn has the greatest number of followers, two hundred and 6fty-.wo inillions, in nor thern Africa, Turkey, Persia, and through the most of southern Asia
 This religion was established by Mahom- med or Mahomei Abul Cassem, who was born at Mecca, n the 570th year of our era. Born Of poor parents, he was brought up q merchant, by his uncle, and by marrying a rich widow he became one of the weallhiest men of his native city.
 Mahommed was man cmiuently qualified by his person and character to cosnmand fe- sPect Handsome, noble and digniked in hts sPpearance, his life was pure, hts converse ton aiIable, his temper mild and hts conduct just. He was pions, benevolent, and remark. able for his sobriety.
 At the age of forty, he conceived the idea of converting his counirymen from the mix ture of Judaism, Christianity, and Idoltary, into which they had fallen, to the worship of God, as taagh, by Noah, Abraham, Mo ses, and Chriss, who he taught were his forerunners. He first disclosed his mission or inspiration to his wife, and then to his re- lstives. Alter various prosecutions and re- verses, his faith became triumphant he gave the world the koran, and died, in the sixty. third year of his cge, the founder of, with single exception. tbc most successful system of religion ever believed by the human race.
 We have purposely omitted any account of the prodigies or miracles which are heliev- ed to nave accompanied the mission of the moslem prophet, as such relations can have no weight, unless the evidence of their truth is also given, which does not come within the plan we have laid down.
 The Mahommedaa religion teaches lhe ex- isteuce of the one God; of holy angels, and of fallen angels or devils, aud an inteunedi- ate order of spiritual existences, or genii Mohommedans believe in the scriptures of Moses, of the Hebrew Prophets, and of Christ. bu. claim that Mahommed and the Koran, have superseded all previous teach- CTS and inspirations. They believe in gen. ersi judgment, and future state of rewards and punishmenls. The souls of believers are conveyed, at death, by angels to paradise. while those of unbelievers are toFmented till the resurrection and then consigned to e,er- nal punishment. Al this judgment men will UC IE4uiICu III ktNG du dGCO1ut WI UoW tHEY have spent their tune, how they have ac- quired and employed tneir wealth, aud how they have exercised their bodies, and what progress they have made in learning God will cause the good and evil deeds of meu to be weighed in balances, and they will be consigned to happiness oI misery according to whichever shall prepUnderate. There are severe hells, the highes. being for such Ma hommedans as are wicked, but who after sufficient punishment, are received into hea- ven. and the last and lowest for hypocri,es. who protesting some religion, believe in none. The lightest punishment is to wear sandals, whose soles are SO hot as 10 make the brains boil in the sculls of those who wear them.
 The paradise of Mahommed is heaven of sensual delights, rivers flowing with water. milk and honey, delicious fruits, and lovely maidens, transcendently pure, modest and beautiful. Each believer arrived al that hap py place, is to have capabilities of enjoyment equal 10 one hundred men, all gratiied in the most perfect manuer.
 The Nahommedan believes n the most absolute pfedestination. All happens God has ordered, the absolute eaimness, the high courage, and the cool contempt of death, which characterize all believers in his faith.
 The Mahommcdsn prays i've times day, with his face turned towards Mecca. in lIis business, or his pleasures, in ihe house, the street or the market place, when the hour ar lives. every Mahommedan prostrates himself m prayer 10 God
 These prayers are accompanied with ab- lutions, Mahommed having taught that ''the practice of religion is founded os cleanliness which is one half of the faith and the key of prayer.n This solution uf the body IS used as the sign of the cleansing of the heart and soul, from all injustice and impurity.
 Next to the day Of prayer, is tha, of giv ing alms, tte regular, and voluntary the former fixed and legal, the latter according to circumstances and inclination.
 Fasting. and the restraining of the body from all it's sppeuies, and the soul from ali its impure emotions, is prominent religious duty. This fasting is continued for the whole month. on which the Koran was delivered tn the Prophet.
 \ pilgrimage 10 Mecca, once during the lie of every believer is so necessary, that . man might as well be Jew or Christian to die without ii.
 The religion Of Mahonmed Is one of strict temperance, m regard to wines and spirits. h is pure fasalism. so far as events are con- cerned Ii requires sblu.ions, fas,ings, and prayers, which are observed with niore suictness, perhaps, than by the profession of any other faith. According to the GUS toms of the East polygamy is permitted, bu, the Koran limits she number of wives to four.
 The rise of ihis religion was remarkable, and its success was, and is wonderful. Tho of six hundred years later date, ii is sbe faith of more than twice tie population of Chris- tendon, and ihe proporsiou Of zealous Ma hommedans is probably greater thsa that of Christians, in nominsily Christian nations, which however, may be nc argament for or against either reitar.a Al least we Go not