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BIOGRAPHIES OF MOHAMMED
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Considerable pains are then taken to prove from the Coran and tradition, that
the mention of the Prophet is equal to the mention of God, and that it is
lawful to invoke the Prophet in prayer, saying, "O Mohammed!" a
practice reprobated apparently by these Wahâby (Protestant) Moslems.1
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The Moslems are as proud of their victories as they are sensitive of their
disasters; we therefore give an example of each. And first the grand field of
Bedr. The accounts of this battle are singularly inaccurate both in Irving and
in the other biographies. It is assumed that the Medina force interposed
between the caravan of Abu Sofiân and the Meccan army; while, in reality, the
caravan had already passed safely some days before either of the armies
reached Bedr. The following paragraph is full of errors:—
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In conclusion, we would earnestly press the necessity which lies upon all of
removing, as far a
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The spies of the Prophet informed
him that their rich and apparently easy prey was within his grasp. He
advanced with a few followers, in pursuit of it; but before he could
overtake the unprotected band, Abu Sofiân had despatched a message to his
brethren at Mecca, for a reinforcement . . . . Mohammed was posted between
the caravan and the approaching succour with only 313 soldiers . . . .
The troops were persuaded to engage the superior forces of the enemy,
abandoning, for the present, the tempting prize of Abu. Sofiân's wealthy
caravan . . . . A slight entrenchment was formed, to cover the flank of his
troops, and a rivulet flowing past the spot he had chosen for encampment,
furnished his army with a constant supply of water . . . . At the
commencement of the battle, the Prophet, together with Abu Bekr, mounted a
kind of throne or pulpit, earnestly asking of God the assistance of Gabriel,
with 3000 angels; but when his army appeared to waver he started from his
place of prayer, threw himself upon a horse, and casting a handful of
sand into the air, exclaiming, "confusion fill their faces! "
rushed upon the enemy . . . . This sum (the ransom of the prisoners) would
compensate, in a measure, for the escape of the booty; for,
notwithstanding the defeat, Abu Sofiân managed
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