During this period of anarchy and confusion, so fa vourable to the designs of an impostOr, Mahomet first began to broach his opinions. Though illiterate, he was endowed with great natural parts—subtle, enterprising, and ambitious. His mind was enlarged by travelling ; and, in his journies to the neighbouring nations, he be came acquainted with the different religious controver sies which then agitated the world. The infinite alter cations which these controversies occasioned, and the hatred and rancour with which the different opinions were contested, no doubt gave him the first idea of a reformation. In order, therefore, to conciliate all par ties, and to make his opinions acceptable to every de scription of religionists, he assumed, as the foundation of his system, those points concerning which most of them were agreed ; and in his other doctrines and institutions, he addressed himself to the passions and prejudices of his countrymen. The first grand article of his faith is, the unity of the divine nature, which, he maintained, had been violated by the Christians in their doctrine of the Trinity ; and by the Jews, whom he accused in the Koran of taking Ezra for the son of God. The second article is, that he himself, the last and greatest of the prophets, was commissioned by Heaven, to reduce religion to its original purity, as it was professed by the ancient pa triarchs and prophets.
Whether Mahomet had long meditated the scheme of introducing a new religion among his countrymen, or whether it had occurred to him in a fit of enthusiasm, when advanced in life, cannot be ascertained. The Moslem historians pretend, that several extraordinary circumstances happened at his birth, which portended his future greatness ; and that, when only 13 years of age, a Christian monk, named Sergius, declared to Abu Taleb, that the prophetic dignity resided in his nephew, and that he would one clay become an extraordinary person. Had any regard been paid to these prodigies, either by himself or his relations, we cannot suppose that his mission would have been kept so long a secret. Fifteen years had elapsed since he had been raised above the reach of poverty, and exalted to an equality with the chiefs of Mecca : yet it was not till the con clusion of that period, that he assumed the character of a prophet.
His retirement in The cave of Hartz, where he gene rally resided with his family, during the month Rama dan, employing himself in pious and devotional exer cises, prepared him for the austere duties of his office. It was in this residence that he first disclosed to Cadiga the secret of his divine mission, repeating to her the language of the angel Gabriel, who, by the appoint ment of heaven, had constituted him the apostle of God.
The conversion of his wife was succeeded by that of his cousin and pupil, the illustrious Au, and the faithful Zeid, (his servant and slave, to whom he gave his free dom, a rule which is strictly observed by his followers.) The next proselyte to Islam, was Abu Bekr, a man of considerable authority among the Koreish, and whose influence soon gained over five of the principal inhabi tants of Mecca, to enter into the sentiments and views of the prophet. Unwilling, as yet, to expose his design to the prejudices and derision of the public, three years were spent in the painful exercise of private exhortation and reproof ; and in that time, no more than fourteen proselytes could be numbered among his numerous friends and relatives in the crowded city of Mecca. Though few in number, he was however induced, by the power and consequence of his followers, to risk the publication of his mission. For this purpose he invited the descendants of Abdel Motalleb to a simple enter tainment, (a lamb, it is said, and a bowl of milk,) and there disclosed to them his opinions and intentions. " Kinsmen," said the prophet, " I offer you, and I alone can offer you, the most precious of gifts—happiness in this life, and in that which is to come. God hath com manded me to call you to his service. Who, therefore, among you, will assist me herein ? Who will be my brother and my vizier ?" The assembly were struck dumb with astonishment, and none deigned to give him an answer, till the impatient Ali, a youth of fourteen, rose up and declared, that he was the man. " I, 0 prophet, will be thy vizier. Whoever dares to oppose thee, I will beat out his teeth, tear out his eyes, cut off his legs, and rip up his belly." Mahomet embraced the intrepid youth with every demonstration of affec tion ; and exhorted all who were present to respect and obey him as his deputy. The astonishment of the com pany was now changed into contempt at the presump tion of the orphan son of Abdallah ; and they ironically desired Abu Taleb to pay obedience to his own son. Not discouraged by this repulse, Mahomet zealously persevered in his intention. In private and in public, he exhorted his countrymen to forsake the idolatrous worship of their fathers. On solemn festivals, and on the days of pilgrimage, he took his station in the court of the Caaba, and undauntedly preached the belief and worship of one God. He upbraided the pilgrims with the perverseness of their superstition, and reminded them of the punishment inflicted upon the idolatrous tribes of ?dand Thanzud, whom the wrath of the Al mighty had swept from the face of the earth.