CharitymaybelievethattheoriginalmotivesofMahometwerethoseofpureandgenuinebenevolence；butahumanmissionaryisincapableofcherishingtheobstinateunbelieverswhorejecthisclaimsdespisehisarguments，andpersecutehislife；hemightforgivehispersonaladversaries，hemaylawfullyhatetheenemiesofGod；thesternpassionsofprideandrevengewerekindledinthebosomofMahomet，andhesighed，liketheprophetofNineveh，forthedestructionoftherebelswhomhehadcondemned。TheinjusticeofMeccaandthechoiceofMedina，transformedthecitizenintoaprince，thehumblepreacherintotheleaderofarmies；buthisswordwasconsecratedbytheexampleofthesaints；andthesameGodwhoafflictsasinfulworldwithpestilenceandearthquakes，mightinspirefortheirconversionorchastisementthevalorofhisservants。Intheexerciseofpoliticalgovernment，hewascompelledtoabateofthesternrigoroffanaticism，tocomplyinsomemeasurewiththeprejudicesandpassionsofhisfollowers，andtoemployeventhevicesofmankindastheinstrumentsoftheirsalvation。Theuseoffraudandperfidy，ofcrueltyandinjustice，wereoftensubservienttothepropagationofthefaith；andMahometcommandedorapprovedtheassassinationoftheJewsandidolaterswhohadescapedfromthefieldofbattle。Bytherepetitionofsuchacts，thecharacterofMahometmusthavebeengraduallystained；andtheinfluenceofsuchpernicioushabitswouldbepoorlycompensatedbythepracticeofthepersonalandsocialvirtueswhicharenecessarytomaintainthereputationofaprophetamonghissectariesandfriends。Ofhislastyears，ambitionwastherulingpassion；andapoliticianwillsuspect，thathesecretlysmiledthevictoriousimpostor!attheenthusiasmofhisyouth，andthecredulityofhisproselytes。
^156Aphilosopherwillobserve，thattheircredulityandhissuccesswouldtendmorestronglytofortifytheassuranceofhisdivinemission，thathisinterestandreligionwereinseparablyconnected，andthathisconsciencewouldbesoothedbythepersuasion，thathealonewasabsolvedbytheDeityfromtheobligationofpositiveandmorallaws。Ifheretainedanyvestigeofhisnativeinnocence，thesinsofMahometmaybeallowedasanevidenceofhissincerity。Inthesupportoftruth，theartsoffraudandfictionmaybedeemedlesscriminal；
andhewouldhavestartedatthefoulnessofthemeans，hadhenotbeensatisfiedoftheimportanceandjusticeoftheend。Eveninaconquerororapriest，Icansurpriseawordoractionofunaffectedhumanity；andthedecreeofMahomet，that，inthesaleofcaptives，themothersshouldneverbeseparatedfromtheirchildren，maysuspend，ormoderate，thecensureofthehistorian。
^157
[Footnote154:TheChristians，rashlyenough，haveassignedtoMahometatamepigeon，thatseemedtodescendfromheavenandwhisperinhisear。AsthispretendedmiracleisurgedbyGrotius，deVeritateReligionisChristianae，hisArabictranslator，thelearnedPocock，inquiredofhimthenamesofhisauthors；andGrotiusconfessed，thatitisunknowntotheMahometansthemselves。Lestitshouldprovoketheirindignationandlaughter，thepiouslieissuppressedintheArabicversion；
butithasmaintainedanedifyingplaceinthenumerouseditionsoftheLatintext，Pocock，Specimen，Hist。Arabum，p。186，187。
Reland，deReligion。Moham。l。ii。c。39，p。259—262。]
[Footnote155:Plato，inApolog。Socrat。c。19，p。121，122，edit。Fischer。Thefamiliarexamples，whichSocratesurgesinhisDialoguewithTheages，Platon。Opera，tom。i。p。128，129，edit。Hen。Stephan。arebeyondthereachofhumanforesight；andthedivineinspirationofthephilosopherisclearlytaughtintheMemorabiliaofXenophon。TheideasofthemostrationalPlatonistsareexpressedbyCicero，deDivinat。i。54，andinthexivthandxvthDissertationsofMaximusofTyre，p。153—
172，edit。Davis。]
[Footnote156:Insomepassageofhisvoluminouswritings，Voltairecomparestheprophet，inhisoldage，toafakir，\"quidetachelachainedesoncoupourendonnersurlesoreillesasesconfreres。\"]
[Footnote157:Gagnierrelates，withthesameimpartialpen，thishumanelawoftheprophet，andthemurdersofCaab，andSophian，whichhepromptedandapproved，ViedeMahomet，tom。ii。p。69，97，208。]
ChapterL:DescriptionOfArabiaAndItsInhabitants。
PartVII。
ThegoodsenseofMahomet^158despisedthepompofroyalty:
theapostleofGodsubmittedtothemenialofficesofthefamily:
hekindledthefire，sweptthefloor，milkedtheewes，andmendedwithhisownhandshisshoesandhiswoollengarment。Disdainingthepenanceandmeritofahermit，heobserved，withouteffortorvanity，theabstemiousdietofanArabandasoldier。Onsolemnoccasionshefeastedhiscompanionswithrusticandhospitableplenty；butinhisdomesticlife，manyweekswouldelapsewithoutatirebeingkindledonthehearthoftheprophet。Theinterdictionofwinewasconfirmedbyhisexample；hishungerwasappeasedwithasparingallowanceofbarley—bread:hedelightedinthetasteofmilkandhoney；buthisordinaryfoodconsistedofdatesandwater。Perfumesandwomenwerethetwosensualenjoymentswhichhisnaturerequired，andhisreligiondidnotforbid；andMahometaffirmed，thatthefervorofhisdevotionwasincreasedbytheseinnocentpleasures。TheheatoftheclimateinflamesthebloodoftheArabs；andtheirlibidinouscomplexionhasbeennoticedbythewritersofantiquity。^159TheirincontinencewasregulatedbythecivilandreligiouslawsoftheKoran:theirincestuousallianceswereblamed；theboundlesslicenseofpolygamywasreducedtofourlegitimatewivesorconcubines；theirrightsbothofbedandofdowrywereequitablydetermined；thefreedomofdivorcewasdiscouraged，adulterywascondemnedasacapitaloffence；andfornication，ineithersex，waspunishedwithahundredstripes。^160Suchwerethecalmandrationalpreceptsofthelegislator:butinhisprivateconduct，Mahometindulgedtheappetitesofaman，andabusedtheclaimsofaprophet。Aspecialrevelationdispensedhimfromthelawswhichhehadimposedonhisnation:thefemalesex，withoutreserve，wasabandonedtohisdesires；andthissingularprerogativeexcitedtheenvy，ratherthanthescandal，theveneration，ratherthantheenvy，ofthedevoutMussulmans。IfwerememberthesevenhundredwivesandthreehundredconcubinesofthewiseSolomon，weshallapplaudthemodestyoftheArabian，whoespousednomorethanseventeenorfifteenwives；elevenareenumeratedwhooccupiedatMedinatheirseparateapartmentsroundthehouseoftheapostle，andenjoyedintheirturnsthefavorofhisconjugalsociety。Whatissingularenough，theywereallwidows，exceptingonlyAyesha，thedaughterofAbubeker。Shewasdoubtlessavirgin，sinceMahometconsummatedhisnuptialssuchistheprematureripenessoftheclimatewhenshewasonlynineyearsofage。Theyouth，thebeauty，thespiritofAyesha，gaveherasuperiorascendant:shewasbelovedandtrustedbytheprophet；and，afterhisdeath，thedaughterofAbubekerwaslongreveredasthemotherofthefaithful。Herbehaviorhadbeenambiguousandindiscreet:inanocturnalmarchshewasaccidentallyleftbehind；andinthemorningAyeshareturnedtothecampwithaman。ThetemperofMahometwasinclinedtojealousy；butadivinerevelationassuredhimofherinnocence:
hechastisedheraccusers，andpublishedalawofdomesticpeace，thatnowomanshouldbecondemnedunlessfourmalewitnesseshadseenherintheactofadultery。^161InhisadventureswithZeineb，thewifeofZeid，andwithMary，anEgyptiancaptive，theamorousprophetforgottheinterestofhisreputation。AtthehouseofZeid，hisfreedmanandadoptedson，hebeheld，inalooseundress，thebeautyofZeineb，andburstforthintoanejaculationofdevotionanddesire。Theservile，orgrateful，freedmanunderstoodthehint，andyieldedwithouthesitationtotheloveofhisbenefactor。Butasthefilialrelationhadexcitedsomedoubtandscandal，theangelGabrieldescendedfromheaventoratifythedeed，toannultheadoption，andgentlytoreprovetheapostlefordistrustingtheindulgenceofhisGod。
Oneofhiswives，Hafna，thedaughterofOmar，surprisedhimonherownbed，intheembracesofhisEgyptiancaptive:shepromisedsecrecyandforgiveness，hesworethathewouldrenouncethepossessionofMary。Bothpartiesforgottheirengagements；
andGabrielagaindescendedwithachapteroftheKoran，toabsolvehimfromhisoath，andtoexhorthimfreelytoenjoyhiscaptivesandconcubines，withoutlisteningtotheclamorsofhiswives。Inasolitaryretreatofthirtydays，helabored，alonewithMary，tofulfilthecommandsoftheangel。Whenhisloveandrevengeweresatiated，hesummonedtohispresencehiselevenwives，reproachedtheirdisobedienceandindiscretion，andthreatenedthemwithasentenceofdivorce，bothinthisworldandinthenext；adreadfulsentence，sincethosewhohadascendedthebedoftheprophetwereforeverexcludedfromthehopeofasecondmarriage。PerhapstheincontinenceofMahometmaybepalliatedbythetraditionofhisnaturalorpreternaturalgifts；^162heunitedthemanlyvirtueofthirtyofthechildrenofAdam:andtheapostlemightrivalthethirteenthlabor^163oftheGrecianHercules。^164AmoreseriousanddecentexcusemaybedrawnfromhisfidelitytoCadijah。Duringthetwenty—fouryearsoftheirmarriage，heryouthfulhusbandabstainedfromtherightofpolygamy，andtheprideortendernessofthevenerablematronwasneverinsultedbythesocietyofarival。Afterherdeath，heplacedherintherankofthefourperfectwomen，withthesisterofMoses，themotherofJesus，andFatima，thebestbelovedofhisdaughters。\"Wasshenotold?\"saidAyesha，withtheinsolenceofabloomingbeauty；\"hasnotGodgivenyouabetterinherplace?\"\"No，byGod，\"saidMahomet，withaneffusionofhonestgratitude，\"therenevercanbeabetter!Shebelievedinmewhenmendespisedme；sherelievedmywants，whenIwaspoorandpersecutedbytheworld。\"^165
[Footnote158:ForthedomesticlifeofMahomet，consultGagnier，andthecorrespondingchaptersofAbulfeda；forhisdiet，tom。
iii。p。285—288；hischildren，p。189，289；hiswives，p。
290—303；hismarriagewithZeineb，tom。ii。p。152—160；
hisamourwithMary，p。303—309；thefalseaccusationofAyesha，p。186—199。Themostoriginalevidenceofthethreelasttransactionsiscontainedinthexxivth，xxxiiid，andlxvithchaptersoftheKoran，withSale\'sCommentary。PrideauxLifeofMahomet，p。80—90andMaracciProdrom。Alcoran，partiv。p。
49—59havemaliciouslyexaggeratedthefrailtiesofMahomet。]
[Footnote159:IncredibileestquoardoreapudeosinVeneremuterquesolvitursexus，Ammian。Marcellin。l。xiv。c。4。]
[Footnote160:SalePreliminaryDiscourse，p。133—137hasrecapitulatedthelawsofmarriage，divorce，&c。；andthecuriousreaderofSelden\'sUrorHebraicawillrecognizemanyJewishordinances。]
[Footnote161:Inamemorablecase，theCaliphOmardecidedthatallpresumptiveevidencewasofnoavail；andthatallthefourwitnessesmusthaveactuallyseenstyluminpyxide，AbulfedaeAnnalesMoslemici，p。71，vers。Reiske。]
[Footnote162:Sibiroburadgenerationem，quantumtrigintavirihabent，inessejacteret:itautunicahorapossetundecimfoeminissatisfacere，utexArabumlibrisrefertStus。PetrusPaschasius，c。2。，Maracci，ProdromusAlcoran，p。iv。p。55。
SeelikewiseObservationsdeBelon，l。iii。c。10，fol。179，recto。AlJannabiGagnier，tom。iii。p。287recordshisowntestimony，thathesurpassedallmeninconjugalvigor；andAbulfedamentionstheexclamationofAli，whowashedthebodyafterhisdeath，\"Opropheta，certepenistuuscoelumversuserectusest，\"inVit。Mohammed，p。140。]
[Footnote163:Iborrowthestyleofafatherofthechurch，Greg。Nazianzen，Orat。iii。p。108。]
[Footnote164:Thecommonandmostgloriouslegendincludes，inasinglenightthefiftyvictoriesofHerculesoverthevirgindaughtersofThestius，Diodor。Sicul。tom。i。l。iv。p。274。
Pausanias，l。ix。p。763。StatiusSylv。l。i。eleg。iii。v。42。
ButAthenaeusallowssevennights，Deipnosophist，l。xiii。p。
556，andApollodorusfifty，forthisarduousachievementofHercules，whowasthennomorethaneighteenyearsofage，Bibliot。l。ii。c。4，p。111，cumnotisHeyne，parti。p。332。]
[Footnote165:AbulfedainVit。Moham。p。12，13，16，17，cumNotisGagnier]
Inthelargestindulgenceofpolygamy，thefounderofareligionandempiremightaspiretomultiplythechancesofanumerousposterityandalinealsuccession。ThehopesofMahometwerefatallydisappointed。ThevirginAyesha，andhistenwidowsofmatureageandapprovedfertility，werebarreninhispotentembraces。ThefoursonsofCadijahdiedintheirinfancy。Mary，hisEgyptianconcubine，wasendearedtohimbythebirthofIbrahim。Attheendoffifteenmonthstheprophetweptoverhisgrave；buthesustainedwithfirmnesstherailleryofhisenemies，andcheckedtheadulationorcredulityoftheMoslems，bytheassurancethataneclipseofthesunwasnotoccasionedbythedeathoftheinfant。Cadijahhadlikewisegivenhimfourdaughters，whoweremarriedtothemostfaithfulofhisdisciples:thethreeeldestdiedbeforetheirfather；butFatima，whopossessedhisconfidenceandlove，becamethewifeofhercousinAli，andthemotherofanillustriousprogeny。ThemeritandmisfortunesofAliandhisdescendantswillleadmetoanticipate，inthisplace，theseriesoftheSaracencaliphs，atitlewhichdescribesthecommandersofthefaithfulasthevicarsandsuccessorsoftheapostleofGod。^166
[Footnote166:ThisoutlineoftheArabianhistoryisdrawnfromtheBibliothequeOrientaleofD\'Herbelot，underthenamesofAboubecre，OmarOthman，Ali，&c。；fromtheAnnalsofAbulfeda，Abulpharagius，andElmacin，undertheproperyearsoftheHegira，andespeciallyfromOckley\'sHistoryoftheSaracens，vol。i。p。1—10，115—122，229，249，363—372，378—391，andalmostthewholeofthesecondvolume。Yetweshouldweighwithcautionthetraditionsofthehostilesects；astreamwhichbecomesstillmoremuddyasitflowsfartherfromthesource。
SirJohnChardinhastoofaithfullycopiedthefablesanderrorsofthemodernPersians，Voyages，tom。ii。p。235—250，&c。]
Thebirth，thealliance，thecharacterofAli，whichexaltedhimabovetherestofhiscountrymen，mightjustifyhisclaimtothevacantthroneofArabia。ThesonofAbuTalebwas，inhisownright，thechiefofthefamilyofHashem，andthehereditaryprinceorguardianofthecityandtempleofMecca。Thelightofprophecywasextinct；butthehusbandofFatimamightexpecttheinheritanceandblessingofherfather:theArabshadsometimesbeenpatientofafemalereign；andthetwograndsonsoftheprophethadoftenbeenfondledinhislap，andshowninhispulpitasthehopeofhisage，andthechiefoftheyouthofparadise。Thefirstofthetruebelieversmightaspiretomarchbeforetheminthisworldandinthenext；andifsomewereofagraverandmorerigidcast，thezealandvirtueofAliwereneveroutstrippedbyanyrecentproselyte。Heunitedthequalificationsofapoet，asoldier，andasaint:hiswisdomstillbreathesinacollectionofmoralandreligioussayings；
^167andeveryantagonist，inthecombatsofthetongueorofthesword，wassubduedbyhiseloquenceandvalor。Fromthefirsthourofhismissiontothelastritesofhisfuneral，theapostlewasneverforsakenbyagenerousfriend，whomhedelightedtonamehisbrother，hisvicegerent，andthefaithfulAaronofasecondMoses。ThesonofAbuTalebwasafterwardsreproachedforneglectingtosecurehisinterestbyasolemndeclarationofhisright，whichwouldhavesilencedallcompetition，andsealedhissuccessionbythedecreesofHeaven。Buttheunsuspectingheroconfidedinhimself:thejealousyofempire，andperhapsthefearofopposition，mightsuspendtheresolutionsofMahomet；andthebedofsicknesswasbesiegedbytheartfulAyesha，thedaughterofAbubeker，andtheenemyofAli。
[Footnote167:OckleyattheendofhissecondvolumehasgivenanEnglishversionof169sentences，whichheascribes，withsomehesitation，toAli，thesonofAbuTaleb。Hisprefaceiscoloredbytheenthusiasmofatranslator；yetthesesentencesdelineateacharacteristic，thoughdark，pictureofhumanlife。]
[Footnote*:GibbonwrotechieflyfromtheArabicorSunniteaccountofthesetransactions，theonlysourcesaccessibleatthetimewhenhecomposedhisHistory。MajorPrice，writingfromPersianauthorities，affordsustheadvantageofcomparingthroughoutwhatmaybefairlyconsideredtheShiiteVersion。ThegloryofAliistheconstantburdenoftheirstrain。Hewasdestined，and，accordingtosomeaccounts，designated，forthecaliphatebytheprophet；butwhiletheotherswerefiercelypushingtheirowninterests，AliwaswatchingtheremainsofMahometwithpiousfidelity。Hisdisinterestedmagnanimity，oneachseparateoccasion，declinedthesceptre，andgavethenobleexampleofobediencetotheappointedcaliph。Heisdescribed，inretirement，onthethrone，andinthefieldofbattle，astranscendentlypious，magnanimous，valiant，andhumane。HelosthisempirethroughhisexcessofvirtueandloveforthefaithfulhislifethroughhisconfidenceinGod，andsubmissiontothedecreesoffate。
ComparethecuriousaccountofthisapathyinPrice，chapterii。Itistoberegretted，Imustadd，thatMajorPricehascontentedhimselfwithquotingthenamesofthePersianworkswhichhefollows，withoutanyaccountoftheircharacter，age，andauthority。—M。]
Thesilenceanddeathoftheprophetrestoredthelibertyofthepeople；andhiscompanionsconvenedanassemblytodeliberateonthechoiceofhissuccessor。ThehereditaryclaimandloftyspiritofAliwereoffensivetoanaristocracyofelders，desirousofbestowingandresumingthesceptrebyafreeandfrequentelection:theKoreishcouldneverbereconciledtotheproudpreeminenceofthelineofHashem；theancientdiscordofthetribeswasrekindled，thefugitivesofMeccaandtheauxiliariesofMedinaassertedtheirrespectivemerits；andtherashproposalofchoosingtwoindependentcaliphswouldhavecrushedintheirinfancythereligionandempireoftheSaracens。
ThetumultwasappeasedbythedisinterestedresolutionofOmar，who，suddenlyrenouncinghisownpretensions，stretchedforthhishand，anddeclaredhimselfthefirstsubjectofthemildandvenerableAbubeker。Theurgencyofthemoment，andtheacquiescenceofthepeople，mightexcusethisillegalandprecipitatemeasure；butOmarhimselfconfessedfromthepulpit，thatifanyMulsulmanshouldhereafterpresumetoanticipatethesuffrageofhisbrethren，boththeelectorandtheelectedwouldbeworthyofdeath。^168AfterthesimpleinaugurationofAbubeker，hewasobeyedinMedina，Mecca，andtheprovincesofArabia:theHashemitesalonedeclinedtheoathoffidelity；andtheirchief，inhisownhouse，maintained，abovesixmonths，asullenandindependentreserve；withoutlisteningtothethreatsofOmar，whoattemptedtoconsumewithfirethehabitationofthedaughteroftheapostle。ThedeathofFatima，andthedeclineofhisparty，subduedtheindignantspiritofAli:hecondescendedtosalutethecommanderofthefaithful，acceptedhisexcuseofthenecessityofpreventingtheircommonenemies，andwiselyrejectedhiscourteousofferofabdicatingthegovernmentoftheArabians。Afterareignoftwoyears，theagedcaliphwassummonedbytheangelofdeath。Inhistestament，withthetacitapprobationofhiscompanions，hebequeathedthesceptretothefirmandintrepidvirtueofOmar。\"Ihavenooccasion，\"saidthemodestcandidate，\"fortheplace。\"\"Buttheplacehasoccasionforyou，\"repliedAbubeker；whoexpiredwithaferventprayer，thattheGodofMahometwouldratifyhischoice，anddirecttheMussulmansinthewayofconcordandobedience。Theprayerwasnotineffectual，sinceAlihimself，inalifeofprivacyandprayer，professedtoreverethesuperiorworthanddignityofhisrival；whocomfortedhimforthelossofempire，bythemostflatteringmarksofconfidenceandesteem。Inthetwelfthyearofhisreign，Omarreceivedamortalwoundfromthehandofanassassin:herejectedwithequalimpartialitythenamesofhissonandofAli，refusedtoloadhisconsciencewiththesinsofhissuccessor，anddevolvedonsixofthemostrespectablecompanionsthearduoustaskofelectingacommanderofthefaithful。Onthisoccasion，Aliwasagainblamedbyhisfriends^169forsubmittinghisrighttothejudgmentofmen，forrecognizingtheirjurisdictionbyacceptingaplaceamongthesixelectors。Hemighthaveobtainedtheirsuffrage，hadhedeignedtopromiseastrictandservileconformity，notonlytotheKoranandtradition，butlikewisetothedeterminationsoftwoseniors。