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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Mohammed Biography Mohammed, or Mehomet, the Arabian prophet, and the founder of Islam; born in Mecca, Arabia, A.D. 570 or 571. He was the only son of Abdallah and Amine; his father being of the family of Hashem, princes of Mecca, and the guardians of the Caaba. Left an orphan in infancy, he was brought up by his uncle, Abu Taleb, who trained him to commerce, and took him to the great fairs of Arabia and Syria. When 25 years of age Mohammed married Khadija, a rich and noble widow of Mecca, and the following 15 years of his life were passed in domestic quietness. He began, at 40 years of age, to announce himself as an apostle, and to proclaim the doctrine of Islam (salvation), that "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his Prophet." His wife Khadija was one of the first to believe him, and among other members of his family who readily acknowledged his mission was his cousin, Ali, son of Abu Taleb. After three years, he made a more public announcement of his doctrine, especially insisting on the unity of God, and denouncing all kinds of idolatry; but his followers were very few for years, and the opposition of the elders and people of Mecca growing more and more bitter and violent, some of his disciples retired into Ethiopia. In A. D. 621 Mohammed lost his faithful and beloved Khadija, who during the 24 years of their marriage had retained his love, The death of Abu Taleb took place about the same time; and soon after, the Koreishites, headed by Abu Sophian resolved to put the prophet to death. He fled from Mecca, hid himself in a cave for three days, and then, with his only companion, Abubekr, withdrew to Medina. From this flight of Mohammed commences the era of the "Hegira" (July 16, 622). He made a public entry into Yatreb amid the loudest welcomes of the citizens, and at once assumed the offices of king and priest. He also there married his second wife, Ayesha, daughter of Abubekr, who long survived him.. He had many other wives, all widows, except Ayesha. Persuasion, long tried with little success, at length gave place to force and war, and in the battle of Beder -first of the long series of battles by which the faith of Islam was established- he defeated Abu Sophian and the Koreish (A. D. 623). He was defeated by them in A.D. 625; they unsuccessfully besieged Medina, and a truce for 10 years was agreed on. In 630 the conquering prophet marched to Mecca, received the keys of the city, and was acknowledged as prince and prophet. He showed no malice against his former enemies, performing the pilgrimage with the customary observances, purified the Caaba destroyed its 360 idols, and decreed that no infidel should enter the holy city. The whole of Arabia was soon after conquered, and ambassadors with arrogant claims were sent to the Emperor Heraclius the King of Persia, and the King of Abyssinia. War with the Roman empire was begun; an expedition for the conquest of Syria was prepared; when Mohammed, believed to be immortal by some of his disciples, fell into a fever, and after 14 days of suffering, died in Medina, Arabia, June 7, 632. He was buried in a simple tomb. People’s Cyclopedia, Vol. III (New York: Syndicate Publishing, 1914) |