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BIOGRAPHIES OF MOHAMMED
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On his deathbed, Gabriel comes with messages of condolence and inquiry from
the Lord, and offers him life and health, should he desire it. Again he comes,
accompanied by Azrael the angel of death, whom Fatima, taking to be an Arab,
refuses to admit. Gabriel tells the Prophet that Azrael was to obey his every
order, and either take his spirit or retire at once, as he preferred.
Mohammed, in consternation, applies for counsel to Gabriel, who pictures to
him the glories of Paradise, "the black-eyed houries adorned from head to
foot, waiting in expectation of his glorious approach." Mohammed,
re-assured by these exciting prospects, gives command to Azrael, and dies.
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Till the hour of his burial, a thick darkness overspread Medina, so that one
could not see his hand or his neighbour's face.1 When Abbas lifted
up the winding sheet, the lips of the deceased were seen to move and to repeat
the same prayer for his people, as that which issued from his lips when newly
born. The angels offered to convey his body to Paradise, but Mohammed
preferred not to be separated from his fellows whom he had come to save; a
fact which is thus improved:—
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Ye lovers of Mohammed! consider for a moment the wonderful compassion and
grace which showered such favours upon us, unworthy handfuls of the dust!
verily, it is incumbent upon us to sacrifice our very selves for the sake of
such a compassionate Intercessor, and to become ennobled by visiting his
glorious tomb and sacred resting-place.
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We have already trespassed too far, but one other extract we must add:—
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In his last illness Mohammed
entered the Mosque of Medina, which was filled to overflowing; and as his
final request, besought that if any one had suffered wrong or injury at his
hands, he would there without ceremony declare it, and taking retribution
for the injury done, thus enable him to go to heaven with an easy
conscience. Hearing this, Okâsha exclaimed, "Oh Prophet of the Lord,
on a certain stage when marching with thee, thou once without due cause
scourgedst my back. I should never
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