Beacon Lights of History, Volume 05 | Page 4

of religion containing many important
truths, or a system of downright paganism with few truths at all.
In examining the religious systems of Arabia in the age preceding the
advent of the Prophet, it would seem that the most prominent of them
were the old doctrines of the Magians and Sabaeans, blended with a
gross idolatry and a senseless polytheism. Whatever may have been the
faith of the ancient Sabaean sages, who noted the aspects of the stars,
and supposed they were inhabited by angels placed there by Almighty
power to supervise and govern the universe, yet history seems to record
that this ancient faith was practically subverted, and that the stars,
where were supposed to dwell deities to whom prayers were made,
became themselves objects of worship, and even graven images were
made in honor of them. Among the Arabs each tribe worshipped a
particular star, and set up its particular idol, so that a degrading
polytheism was the religion of the land. The object of greatest

veneration was the celebrated Black Stone, at Mecca, fabled to have
fallen from heaven at the same time with Adam. Over this stone was
built the Kaabah, a small oblong stone building, around which has been
since built the great mosque. It was ornamented with three hundred and
sixty idols. The guardianship of this pagan temple was intrusted to the
most ancient and honorable families of Mecca, and to it resorted
innumerable pilgrims bringing precious offerings. It was like the shrine
of Delphi, as a source of profit to its fortunate guardians.
Thus before Mohammed appeared polytheism was the prevalent
religion of Arabia,--a degradation even from the ancient Sabaean faith.
It is true there were also other religions. There were many Jews at
Medina; and there was also a corrupted form of Christianity in many
places, split up into hostile and wrangling sects, with but little of the
spirit of the divine Founder, with innumerable errors and superstitions,
so that in no part of the world was Christianity so feeble a light. But the
great body of the people were pagans. A marked reform was
imperatively needed to restore the belief in the unity of God and set up
a higher standard of morality.
It is claimed that Mohammed brought such a reform. He was born in
the year 570, of the family of Hashem and the tribe of Koreish, to
whom was intrusted the keeping of the Black Stone. He therefore
belonged to the highest Arabian aristocracy. Early left an orphan and in
poverty, he was reared in the family of one of his uncles, under all the
influences of idolatry. This uncle was a merchant, and the youth made
long journeys with him to distant fairs, especially in Syria, where he
probably became acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, especially with
the Old Testament. In his twenty-fifth year he entered the service of
Cadijeh, a very wealthy widow, who sent to the fairs and towns great
caravans, which Mohammed accompanied in some humble
capacity,--according to the tradition as camel-driver. But his personal
beauty, which was remarkable, and probably also his intelligence and
spirit, won the heart of this powerful mistress, and she became his wife.
He was now second to none in the capital of Arabia, and great thoughts
began to fill his soul. His wife perceived his greatness, and, like

Josephine and the wife of Disraeli, forwarded the fortunes of her
husband, for he became rich as well as intellectual and noble, and thus
had time and leisure to accomplish more easily his work. From
twenty-five to forty he led chiefly a contemplative life, spending
months together in a cave, absorbed in his grand reflections,--at
intervals issuing from his retreat, visiting the marts of commerce, and
gaining knowledge from learned men. It is seldom that very great men
lead either a life of perpetual contemplation or of perpetual activity.
Without occasional rest, and leisure to mature knowledge, no man can
arm himself with the weapons of the gods. To be truly great, a man
must blend a life of activity with a life of study,--like Moses, who
matured the knowledge he had gained in Egypt amid the deserts of
Midian.
With all great men some leading idea rules the ordinary life. The idea
which took possession of the mind of Mohammed was the degrading
polytheism of his countrymen, the multitude of their idols, the
grossness of their worship, and the degrading morals which usually
accompany a false theology. He set himself to work to produce a
reform, but amid overwhelming obstacles. He talked with his uncles,
and they laughed at him. They would not even admit the necessity of a
reform. Only Cadijeh listened to him and encouraged him and believed
in him. And Mohammed was ever grateful for this mark of