The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-18

DUT let's return now to the life
ID story of the prophet who, in
the seventh century. founded the
religion under which all this
flourished in bygone ages.
Having won the battle of Badr
and lost that Of Ohod, Moham-
med was to encounter further
danger before his triumph Of
Arabia was complete.
Convinced by his defeat at Ohod
that he possessed no supernatural
powers, the Mechanism the year
627-once more prepared to march
on Medina.
This time they had an army of
10000 men, composed of the
pagans Of Mecca and various Be-
douin Arab tribes from the desert.
Mohammed could muster only
5000 men.
His voices" told him nothing,
but Persian showed him the
way. The Persian proposed that
they dig great trench around
Medina. Mohammed quickly saw
the point and showed the way by
stripping himself to the waist and
laboring with the diggers.
r n
WTHEN the Meccall army ar
w rived, it was confronted by
something it had never seen be-
fore-a great trench filed with
defenders, who rained arrows
upon them. They settled down
to a siege.
Months elapsed and then one
day a great wind swept away
their tents, set their camels and
horses in wild confusion and the
army went back to Mecca.
1t seemed like a miracle to
Mohammed's followers. Now thew
believed in him more stoutly
than ever.
AHOHAMMED decided this was
4VA the time to go to Mecca. But
not as an enemy. 1t was the time
OF pilgrimage, the time of truce
he would take advantage Of this
and lead his followers there.
$50 he started of with 1.4oO
men. Outside the city they put
down their arms, showing they
were bent on a peaceful mission.
The Meccans sent emissaries to
see what he wanted. The result
was they signed a truce of ten
days, during which the Moslems
should return in peace to Medina,
with the promise, however, that
next year they could come in the
time Of pilgrimage and remain in
Mecca three days.
THE next year, as arranged,
l. the Moslems, under Moham-
ined's leadership, went to Mecca
on pilgrimage. The pagans with
drew from their town, leaving the
Moslems to their devotions.
Mohammed on his camel circled
the kaaba, now the house Of Al
lab. seven times, touching the
black rock each time with his
stick.
In the meantime, at Moham-
med's orders, about ten thousand
other Moslems in little bands had
arrived, taking possession of the
heights all around the town.
The Meccans saw the lights Of
the camp fires. They realized they
were helpless. There was Moth
ing for them to do but to sur
render.
In triumph after all the years
Of waiting. at the head Of his
troops, Mohammed made a SOL
emn entry. He vent once more
to the Kaaba and was given the
keys. He had the $50 idols
smashed to bits.
The truth has come to Mecca.
Error has been driven out" he
proclaimed.
One of the last deeds Of his
life was to preach to a tremen-
dous crowd in Mecca from his
seat on his camel.
II do not know" said he. that
I ever will see you again like to-
day. But I have left you the
means to persevere in the straight
and narrow path"
He paused.
Have accomplished my mis-
sion?" he asked.
Yesp roared the crowd.
Then may God be the wit
nessl"
TT was the eliminating day Of
Il his remarkable career. There
we're other things not so notable.
This perfect man." as his Ara
bian biographers call him, often
had. trouble in his own family
circle. Busy as he was with little
wars and propagating his new
faith. he often had TO compose
the quarrels between nine jealous
wives.
There was even scandal about
his favorite wife Ayesha. who was
accused Of being unfaithful to
him. But she overcame his sus-
picions end remained to the end
the one he loved best.
1t was in her arms that he died
OF a mysterious illness, on June 6,
SO.