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Beacon Lights of History, Vol. 5 (Classic Reprint)
Beacon Lights of History Vol 5 - Classic Reprint Author:John Lord BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY, — MOHAMMED.1 — SARACENIC CONQUESTS. — '""TMIE most extraordinary man who arose after the ?* fall of the Roman Empire was doubtless Mohammed; and his posthumous influence has been greater than that of any man since Christianity was declared, if we take into account the number of those who have received his doctrines. Even C... more »hristianity never had so rapid a spread. More than a sixth part of the human race are the professed followers of the Arabian prophet. In regard to Mohammed himself, a great change has taken place in the opinions of critics within fifty years. It was the fashion half a century ago to speak of this man as a hypocrite, an impostor, even as Antichrist. Now he is generally regarded as a reformer; that is, as a man who introduced into Arabia a religion and a morality superior to what previously existed, and he is regarded as an impostor only so far as he was vision-
1 SpeUed also Mahomet, Ma hammed; but I prefer Mohammed. vol. v. - -
Table of Contents
MOHAMMED Saracenic Conquests; Change of public opinion about Mohammed 23; Astonishing triumph of Mohammedanism 24; Old religious systems of Arabia 25; Polytheism succeeds the doctrines of the Magians 26; The necessity of reform 27; Early life of Mohammed 27; Cadijch 27; Mohammed's meditations and dreams 30; His belief in a personal God 31; He preaches his new doctrines SS; The opposition and ridicule of his countrymen 34; The perseverance of Mohammed amid obstacles 35; His flight to Medina 3r>; The Koran and its doctrines 36; Change in Mohammed's mode of propagating iiis doctrines 37; Polygamy and a sensual paradise 88; Warlike means to convert Arabia 39; Mohammed accommodates his doctrines to the habits of his; countrvmen 40; Encourages martial fanaticism 43; Conquest of Arabia44; Private life of Mohammed, after his success 44; Carlylc's apology for Mohammed 45; The conquest of Syria a« less