Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-17
THE PROPHET.
The capturer of Mecca and the Author
of the Koran.

The Capturer of Mecca and the Author
of the Koran.
AS to whether Mohammed was an
impostor, as many historians maintain,
or a man firmly convinced Of his di-
vine mission will be an open question
for many a long day to come. There is
certainly much in his life which tends
to show that personal ambition more
than religious zeal was his guiding
star But however that may be his
life was a particularly eventful one
and full of interest Born at Mecca in
570-or 571-his father, Cassim, was
Koreish, who for generations had the
guardianship Of the sacred temple. At
the age Of 6, however, Mohammed's
parents both died and the future proph-
ct was tended by different relatives,
in particular an uncle, a travelling
merchant, who took the youth many
Journeys through Asia Minor. During
one of these commercial expeditions
the caravan was attacked by maraud-
ers and Mohammed acquired a repu-
treme courage.
At the age Of 25 in accordance with
his uncle's instructions, he married
rich widow-Kadijah- placed
him in a position Of independence.
About zen years later he appears to
have INDUCED in the first Of his many
ambitious dreams.
He was very wealthy, he stood high
in the estimation of his countrymen.
Thus he was led to believe that he
might rightly claim the sovereignty of
his native city. During his many
journeys Mohammed had seen how
bitterly hostile were the various Chris
tian sects. The idea therefore seems
to have struck him that one Of the
surest ways of gaining his ambition
was to start a new religion. But it
was only an idea, so far. 1t was not
until five years later that he came out
and boldly proclaimed himself the
apostle of God, title which he stat
ed was conferred upon him by the
Angel Gabriel. Often during these
five years he used to retire 70 a cave
and spend his days in meditation, fast
ing and prayer. His wife was his
bers Of his family became converts to
his creed. Outside the circle Of his
| immediate relatives, however, his
faith made but slow progress. But
Mohammed was not the man to be
deferred in his course by such trihes.
In his forty-fourth year he publicly
declared himself to the people Of Mec-
ca as a prophet sent by God to save
them from their iniquities. At first
he was treated with derision and con-
tempt. They called him a liar, sore
er, a teller of fables. Still he per-
severed In his design, and as his par
ty increased the alarm was raised, his
ambitious designs were discovered
and plots were laid to take his life.
| This led to his flight from Mecca to
Medina, commonly known as the He
jira, from which date, July 16, 622, the
Mohammedan years are reckoned.
Several Of his converts followed him,
persecution did the rest for his creed.
From henceforth he assumed regal and
priestly dignities, he preached weekly
| in the great mosque, and became the
principal magistrate Of the city. Mo-
hammed's authority and religious zeal
| IL Nf o1
the most powerful tribes in the land,
| so that he sent messengers to the sur
rounding sovereigns commanding them
to accept the divine religion Of which
followers came into conflict, for the
| first time, with the troops Of the En-
peror Heraclius. The result Of the
battle was very doubtful, both forces
suffering considerably. Wishing how
ever, to avoid another engagement for
the time being, at any rate, Moham-
med marched his army, now swelled
TO 10000 men, against Mecca, which he
captured, preserving the lives OF all
those who embraced his religion.
| Tic "SiL lOt III IiiehS
none but true believers were to be per-
mitted inside the city. From Mecca he
secured the surrounding country, con-
quering wherever he went, until the
terror Of mis- arms resulted in the
complete submission of all the Arabian
tribes.
Mohammed commanded a force Of
80, 900 fighting men and declared war
against the Emperor Heraclius. Dis
covering, however, that the Imperial
lists had no designs upon Arabia he no
doubt considered that discretion was
the better part Of valor. Anyhow, he
retired with his army to Medina and
instead Of fighting wrote new chapters
of the Koran. Mohammed was now
ruler of the whole Of Arabia, though
many of his subjects had still refused
to forsake Christianity. These, how
ever he left in peace in return for
handsome tribute. His days were now
drawing to a close. Collecting all his
wives, Of whom he had fifteen at least,
and 114,OOO pilgrims, he set out for
Mecca to worship at the holy shrine.
| This was the last public act OF his
life. Two months after he was seized
with fever and a violent headache,
4 ho fn nOicnn After