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LIVES OF MAHOMET
•
AND
HIS SUCCESSORS.
By WASHINGTON IRVING,
I
t IN TWO VOLUMES.-VOL,1.
/
)
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE S'!',REE'l',
I
1860. I
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LIFE
Of'
MAHOMET.
By WASHINGTON IRVING.
:J
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1850.
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PREFACE.
. SOME apology may seem necessary for presenting a life
of Mahomet at the present day, when no new fact can
be added to those already known concerning him. Many
years ago, during a residence in Madrid, the author pro-
jected a series of writings illustrative of the domination
of the Arabs in Spain. These were to be introduced
by a sketch of the life of the founder of the Islam Faith,
and the first mover of Arabian conquest. Most of the
particulars for this were drawn from Spanish sources,
and from Gagnier's translation of the Arabian historian
Abulfeda, a copy of which the author found in the
Jesuits' Library ofthe Convent of St. Isidro, at Madrid.
Not having followed out, in its extent, the literary plan
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vi PREFACE.
devised, the manuscript life lay neglected among the
author's papers until the year 1831, when he revised and
enlarged it for the Family Library of Mr. John Murray.
Circumstances prevented its publication at that time, and
it again was thrown aside for years.
During his last residence in Spain, the author beguiled
the tediousness of a lingering indisposition, by again
revising the manuscript, profiting in so doing by recent
lights thrown on the subject by different writers, and
particularly by Dr. Gustav Weil, the very intelligent
and learned librarian of the University of Heidelberg, to
w hose industrious researches and able disquisitions he
acknowledges himself greatly indebted.*
Such is the origin of the work now given to the public;
on which the author lays no claim to novelty of fact, nor
profundity of research. It still bears the type of a work
intended for a Family Library; in constructing which
the whole aim of the writer has been to digest into an
easy, perspicuous, and flowing narrative, the admitted
• Mohammed dar Prophet, sein Leben und seine Lchre. Stuttgart. 1843.
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PREFAOE. vii
facts concerning Mahomet, toge$her with such legeuds
and traditions as have been wrought into the whole
system of oriental literature; and at the same time to
give such a summary of his faith as might be sufficient
for the general reader. Under such circumstances he
has not thought it worth while to encumber his pages
with a scaffolding of references and citations, nor to
depart from the old English nomenclature of oriental
names.
W.L
BUNNYBlDB, 18U.
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I
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER L
Preliminary notice of Arabia and the Arabs, 13
CHAPTER II.
Binh and part'ntage of Mahomet.-His infancy and childhood, 30
CHAPTER III.
Traditioll8 concerning Mecca and the Caab.. 37
CHAPTER IV.
Firat journey of Mahomet with the caravan to Syria. 411
CHAPTER V.
Commercial occupatioll& of Mahomet.-His marriage with Cadijah, 49
CHAPTER VI.
Conduct of Mahomet after his marriage.-Become. anllioua for reli-
!pou. reform.-Hi8 habits of IIOlitary abatraction.-The ..o n of
the cave.-His annllDciation a. a prophet. 5"
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.
Mahomet inculcates his doctrines secretly and slowly.-Receives fur-
ther revelations and commanda.-Announces it to his kindred.-
Manner in which it was received.-Enthuaiaatic devotion of Ali.
-Christian portents, 63
CHAPTER VIII.
Outlines of the Mahometan Faith, . 71
CHAPTER IX.
Ridicule cast on Mabomet and his doctrinea.-Demand for miracles.
-Conduct of Abu Taleb.-Violence of the Koreishitea.-Ma-
homet's daughter Rokaia, with her uncle Otbman, and a number
of disciples take refuge in Abyaainia.-Mahomet in the house of
Orkbam.-Hostility of Abu Jahl; his punishment, 82
CHAPTER X.
Omar Ibn al Katttb, nephew of Abu Jahl, undprtBkea to revenge
his uncle by slaying Mabomet.-His wonderful conversion to the
faith.-Mabomet tskes refuge in a clstle of Abu Taleb.-Abu
Solian, at the head of the rival branch of Koreishites, persecutes
Mabomet and his foUowera.-Obtaina a decree of non-intercourse
with them.-Mahomet leaves bis retreat and makes convertB dur-
ing the month of piJgrimage.-LPgend of the conversion of Habib
the Wise, 91
CHAPTER XI.
The ban of non-intercourse myateriousiy destroyed.-Mahomet en-
abled to return to Mecca.-Death of Abu Taleb; of Cadijah.-
Mabomet betroths himself to Ayesha.-Marriea Sawda.-The
Koreiahitea renew their persecution.-Mabomet seeks an asylum
in Tayef.-Hia expulsion thence.-Visited by genii in the desert
of Naklah, 102
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XU.
NiPt joamey of the prophet &om M_ 10 Je~em; aud ~
10 the eeYenth heaven, lit
CHAPTER XIII.
Mahomet makee CODyert8 of pilgrima from Medina.-Detmni_ to
fly 10 that city.-A plot 10 alay him.-Hia mirac:ulollll eacape_
His Hegira, or tligbt.-Hia re~ption at Medina, 1!l7
CHAPTER XIV.
MOIIIelDB in Medina, Mobadjerina aud Anarians.-The pany of Ab-
dallab Ibn Obba and the Hypoc:ritee.-Mahomet builds a m-.ue ;
preachee; muee conyert8 amoog the CbriBtiana.-The Jews 1II0w
10 belieY".-Brotherhood establiahed between fagitiyee and alliee, 140
CHAPTER XV.
Marriage of Mahomet with Ayeaha.-Of hiB daughter Fatima with
Ali.-Their hOWlrhold arraDgf'men18, 148
CHAPTER XVI.
The IWOrd announced .. the instrument of faith.-Firat forayagainlt
the KoreiBhiletl.-Surpriaal of a caravan, 151
CHAPTER XVII.
The Baule of Seder, . 159
CHAPTER XVIII.
Death of the prophet's daughter Rokaia.-Reatoradon of biB daughter ..
Zeinab.-E&ct of the prophet'l malediction on Aba Lahab and
biB family.-Frantic rage of Henda, the wife of Aba 8ofian.-
Mahomet narrowly eecapee ....nnation.-EmballllY of tbe Ko·
reillhiteB.-The King of Abyllllinia, 170
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