Mahomet had all along persuaded his followers, that he received his commission and institutions in visions, through the ministry of the angel Gabriel. But now he determined to try the utmost stretch of their faith, and, by a stroke of policy the most refined, to raise himself for the future above the fear of detection. He published an account of his night journey to heaven, (Koran, p. 33,) a fiction the most extravagant, but one of the most artful of the prophet's contrivances. In it, he pretends to have conversed face to face with the Almighty ; and to have received a revelation of many hidden mysteries, full instructions respecting his future conduct, and rules to be observed by his followers. The gross and pal pable absurdities which this relation contains, had near ly ruined the cause of Islam. But Abu Bckr vouched for the veracity of the prophet, and declared, that he firmly believed whatever Mahomet affirmed to be true. This fidelity of Abu Bekr procured for him the title of the Faithful Witness, and was of such signal service to the cause of the impostor, that, after the reception of such a monstrous falsehood, he could make his disciples swallow whatever he pleased to offer them.
His opinions now began to spread among the Arabian tribes ; the spiritual food of the Koran was diffused among his votaries ; and every one read with rapture of the luxurious dainties, the costly garments, and the black-eyed virgins of paradise, reserved for the eternal enjoyment of the faithful believers. The inhabitants of Medina received with joy a disciple of Islam, and 75 proselytes, comprehending some of the noblest citizens, repaired to Mecca, to swear allegiance to their pro phet. Mahomet held an interview with them on mount Akaba. They offered their protection to him and his disciples, and entered into an alliance offensive and de fensive, in which they pledged their fidelity to the pro phet, and swore enmity against every tribe who should dare to oppose the establishment of Islam. Mahomet, on his side, swore to be faithful to them, and promised the joys of paradise as a recompence for shedding their blood in his defence. Twelve of these he chose to be his apos tles in the city of Medina, whom he detained a while at Mecca, instructing them in his new religion, and then sent them. back to propagate it among their fellow-citi zens. " Ye are invested," said the prophet at their de parture, " with the same power and authority as the apostles of isa (Jesus) were, and I am the great apostle of all my people." To this they replied, " It is undoubt edly so." Mahomet having, by this league, provided for his followers a retreat from the persecutions of their ene mies, directed them to repair to Medina, where he as sured them of safety and protection, and whither he him self would soon repair. But the Koreish observing, with jealousy, the growing influence and authority of the impostor, were alarmed at this new alliance. While it excited their envy it inflamed their rage ; and they saw, in its consequence, the prophet, in his retreat, surrounded by his followers, screened from their wrath, and defying their vengeance. They, therefore, determi ned to prevent his escape, A council was convened by Abu Sophian, a zealous votary of the idols, when, after various expedients had been proposed and rejected, they at last came to the resolution of striking at the root of this mischief, by putting the impostor to death. To divide
the guilt of his blood, and to batik the vengeance of his kinsmen, the Hashemites, (who were themselves unable to cope with the united strength of the Koreish,) it was agreed that a sword for each tribe should be buried in his heart. The conspiracy was no sooner formed than they determined to put it in execution. The assassins had as sembled in a body at the house of the prophet, and ob serving through the door a figure, covered with the green vestment of the impostor, reposing on a bed, they supposed it to be Mahomet himself asleep, and watched till morning ; when, to their great confusion, they disco vered, in the disguise of his friend, the generous and heroic Ali, the deputy of the apostle. Mahomet had been early apprized of their machinations, and had directed Ali to wrap himself up in his cloak, and lie down in his place, to amuse them until he escaped to the house of Abu Bekr, whence he departed at midnight with his friend for Medina. Emissaries were immediately dis patched, in every direction, to waylay the impostor, and to bring his head to the chiefs of Mecca. Every haunt of the city was explored, but their search was in vain. The fugitives had taken refuge in the cave of Thur, about an hour's journey from Mecca, where provisions had been previously conveyed by the servant of Abu Bekr. Here they lay concealed for three days, to elude the search of their enemies, from which they only escaped by the assistance of a miracle. A party of the Koreish had been detached to reconnoitre the mouth of the cave. They found it covered with a spider's web, and, at the entrance, a pigeon's nest with two eggs, from which they concluded that the place was solitary and inviolate. The faithful Abu Bekr trembled at the imminent dan ger of his friend, and became so extremely dejected, that Mahomet could with great difficulty preserve him !'rom sinking into despair. " Be not grieved," said the prophet with religious confidence, " for God is with us." I laving received intelligence from Abdallah, the son of Abu Bekr, (who had been commanded to watch the mo :ions of the Koreish,) that the enemy had retired, they issued from the cave, and continued their journey to Medina. The emissaries of the Koreish overtook them on the road, and the defenceless fugitives would now have fallen victims to the bloody designs of the idola ters, had not promises and entreaties melted the hearts of their pursuers, and redeemed them from their rage. They arrived at Medina sixteen days after their depar ture from Mecca; and the appearance of Mahomet dis pelled the doubts and fears which had been entertained for his safety. His fortunate escape was ascribed to the interposing care of the Almighty ; and his flight has fixed the memorable xra of the Hegira. Five hundred believers advanced to meet their apostle. He was hail ed with the acclamations of piety and attachment ; and conducted to his habitation amidst the shouts and re joicings of his grateful and obedient disciples. In three days he was joined by Ali, on whom, for his eminent services, he bestowed his daughter Fatima in marriage, whom he considered as the most perfect of women. He himself, about this time, married Agesha, the daughter of Abu Bekr.