Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-19

tContinued from Inlro Pageo
Mecca a small army to capture him
they found a surprising resistance,
prophet safely among them. but with
20 of their number dead on the battle
field. The bodies of these were mutt
lated by the women of Mecca; and one
pious lady expressed her horror OF
1nonotheism by eating the entrHlls OF
Hanna. the uncle Of Mohamn,ed. A
great storm overthrow the victors.
tents. and while confusion weakened
them. the prophet. not lacking in the
wisdom Of this world, returned with
s:rcrsthed forces. pursued them TO
Mecca. defeated them. and made HIM
self master Of the city. Then. with
strategic generosity. he forgave such
enemies as survived. ana united the
factions in his triumphant religion.
And now. having tasted the glories Of
war. Mohammed found a new insplra-
ton. which commanded him TO bring
his gospel TO every people, even If he
must teach them the truth by the point
O. the sword. He began With the Jews
in Medina; they should have the option
q: embracing the new faith or meeting
his troops IL battle. Alas replied the
jews, we are ignorant Of the use Of
arms; this strange ordeal Of God
seemed to them iheoiosically irrelevant.
For Is days they defended themselves.
but in vain: the victorious Mohanmed
ccnfiscated their wealth and sent them
into exile. as if TO afford a model to the
inquisition. Certain Of the Jews had
taken sides with the Koreish against
him; he besieged them. forced them to
surrender. and had 700 Of them buried
alive while he looked on iniexibly.
y y X
~
to victory. inspiring his troops with the
promise Of a vp!uptuous heaven. and
himself inspired with the thought that
his trIumpns proved him the favored
prophet Of the one God. He looked
over the scattered tribes Of Arabia. and
resolved TO make them into a great
nation under his leadership; he saw
many OF them subject 10 the Eastern
Roman Empire. and dared at last 10
attack even that ancient power. and
make his country free. When his fol-
lowers. fearful Of the great kings Of
Constantinople. alleged the heat Of
Summer as an argument against the
campaign he answered them. with
prophetic sternneSs, Hell is hotter
To all tribes he offered the simple
choice: Allah and Mohanlmed, or war
and death In 10 years he directed
so campaigns. and fought in person
in nine OF them. When enemies were
lacking he attacked caravans, and
divided the spoil in strict adherence 10
g rule, diyiIlely revealed 10 him, by
which one-ftth was reserved for the
prophets expenses and charities and
the rest was evenly divided among the
soldiers. HIS success as a general was
at the foundation Of his religion: from
every part Of Arabia brave plunderers
focked 10 his standard, glad TO recog-
uize an inspiration that captured such
abundant booty. After every battle
the wives and daughters OF the de-
feated became the concubines OF the
v!ctors, and even in death the holy
warrior would find a hundred fair
lovers in Paradise.
As for himself the prophet did not
wait for Paradise. but rewarded his
toll with all the delights OF Eros. He
liked perfumes much. and women more,
and believed that his piety was in
creased By the satisfaction Of his pas
sions. He oecreed that his followers
might nave as many as four wives; but
o. another decree he exempted himself
from tbs unworthy limitation. and an
nounced his right to as many women
as might seem beautiful 10 him. IF
We remember the TOO wives and 800
concub1nes @! tie wise Solomon" says
Giboon, we shall applaud the modesty
OF the Arabian. who espoased no more
than IL
Nevertheless he was man Of courage
sE1 aa.Q-v. ana Cct without certain
wise nzoaesty II his concelt. He might
have Claimed DIVINITY. and his follow
s-b EoGia have been glaC 10 believe il:
b1t he GIG no.. he might have made
himself king. and lived III royal spien-
hsre n 20
life 0: MohamEled vas like that Of
any other Arab: He kindled the FIRE,
swep. the floor. MIXED the ewes, and
E1enced MS shoes and clothing. He
Was as Kind and courteous 10 the poor
and simple as he Was attentive and
respectful 10 the powerful! and rich.
lie killed many thousands OF friends
and enemies: bit what founder Of
state has done his work without STAIN
ing his hands with blood? In the end
Re left unity where there had been
chaos he left power where there had
been impotence. he left nation where
there had been only scattered tribes.
lie vas not saint; he was a
Napoleon Of the desert. who had dis
covered the military utility Of words.
He lived 70 the age 0! 62, and died
Il the midst OF ecstasy. At the last he
proposed 20 dictate final revelation
WHICH Gl4JAlQ kAkSS eEGE dAA l&Ads LAG l3dL
given before: bat his followers dis
p1,ec violently on the sacr!lege OF 50
betraytng the Koran, and ne had 20
content himself with harmless general
tics He described the last visit OF
Gabriel and told how the angel had
youcnssfed him the special honor TIA.
Lls soul should not be taken withou!
nis consent. Then ne gave his per
mission. and condescended 70 Gle.
Peace BE With You.
The sword" the prophe; had sad.
'.s the key O! heaven and he'll. drop
@! blood shed IL the cause Q! God a
night spent II arms, Is 81 more avail
than two months OF fasting or pya;e.
wnosoeYer falls II battle his s.1s are
forgiven. al the Gay o. judgment ia.s
WOUNDS shall be yespIencent a. reT-
milton. and odOr!ferous as m1sk and
the .oss Q! his limbs SHAH be supplied
by the v3ngs OF angels and cherubin1 :"
Waat z religion Tor couo1eror! No
ScIder Napoleon u1o1rneo that ia s3.-
cieys were 10; NonsmU7edan.
The SUCCESSORS 81 Asofaamnlsd cay
rec IN his policy OF converting with
me SWORD, anc octteYec his instruction
The mighty Omar advanced into Persia
sac l&tc .oT IN eSl A. D. TIE 6asSan?c
dynasty, which mad for tour centuries
?24ec he country 81 vel that when
J4at2Alan IN sal cloSec tne pagan
sc.3pols u me Roman kn.g.te--:.o1
exce.uag Pisc3s long-!iYed a,aceny-
':3e pi4l.oSop.1e!E sDd kc.eall>,a u
Greer mad taken refuge ii gT-at mum
bees a. ne co1,t u the Peyk.a.. King
b. the f5saAst4oS baG Apea, t!aa.r TING
sG1 Se&fn III the support ~ asth.,ee~
14:e ai4c tsic Hc1&,!la. arts - tile
ssFf3f steg! - ,t.z,4 fAya.R