VIE DE MAHOMET

Thème.

When Mohammed was born, almost ail the inhabitants of Arabia were heathens, and worshipped tbree hundred and sixty idols tbat were in a large building called the Caaba. It was even said that this structure had been built by Abraham.

When six years of âge Mohammed was left an orphan, and his only earthly possessions were a flock of sheep and five camels. It was not until he had reached the âge of forty-two that he commenced to preach. He saw in a dream the angel Gabriel bringing him a book, and his followers thought that his sermons were pages of that book. He taught that there is but one G-od, and that men will be rewarded or punished in another life for their deeds hère. Many of his principles are admirable, but he permitted his followers to marry several wives, thus making woman the slave of m an.

His fight against heathenism aroused the anger of those who believed in many gods, and he was compelled to flee from Mecca and to go to Médina. This event occurred in 622, and it is from that date that Mohammedans reckon the years.

After eight years of struggling, he succeeded in conquering that city, and he ordered his disciples to go there to pray as often as they could. Soon the whole of Arabia fell into his hands, and he became a powerful ruler. He died on the third day of June, 632, aged sixty-two years.

Exercices de Traduction. 203