questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him' (Mark i. 23-27).
'And unclean spirits, when they saw Jesus, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known' (Mark iii. 11, 12). Compare Mark i. 32-34; v. 1-20.

b. When Mohammed returned from his fruitless missionary efforts amongst the Kahtanites and Thakifites, sad at heart, and spent the last night of the journey, we are told, 'Whilst he was at his evening prayers, seven or nine spirits from Nisibin or Nineveh accidentally came that way, and seeing the Teacher of all creatures at prayer, and hearing him read the Koran, they stayed and listened, till that Excellency had finished. Then they made themselves known to him, and he invited them to the Faith. They, without any hesitation, became believers, and that Excellency said unto them, "When you have gone to your home, invite also your people to the Faith, and deliver unto them my message." It is said that those seven spirits were of the Jewish persuasion. Therefore, on reaching their people, they said to them, "We have heard a book which has been sent down, after Moses," and further invited them to the Faith. Thus many of them embraced the Faith, without having seen that Excellency's blessed face, and desired to be honoured with the distinction of an interview with him. When this was communicated to the Lord of Lords, he appointed a night on which they might meet him. It is said that the night fixed upon was a Wednesday night.

'About a month after this, Gabriel came and informed that Lord of men and spirits that a host of spirits were coming. Therefore he said, "I have been commanded this night to go out to the spirits, in order to invite them to embrace Islam and to recite to them the Koran; who is there amongst my friends that will accompany me?" But all his companions remained silent, except Ibn Masud who said, "I am ready to accompany thee." When they together had reached the appointed place, the apostle of

God drew a circle upon the ground with his blessed finger, and said to Ibn Masud, "Enter thou within this circle and then do not again step beyond this line, lest suddenly a calamity might befall thee."¹ After this, his Excellency ascended a hill to perform his prayers, and while thus engaged, 12,000 or, according to another account, 600,000 spirits, or, according to still another account, 40 banners and under each banner a vast assembly of spirits, joined him. When that chosen one had finished his prayers, he invited them to embrace the Faith, and all of them became Mussulmans.'

Another account adds, 'When some of those spirits asked his Excellency, "Who art thou?" he answered, "I am the apostle and prophet of God." They again said, "Who is thy witness that thou art the prophet and apostle of God?" He replied, "My witness is this tree which stands here;" and, addressing the tree, he continued, "O tree, come hither at the command of God." Thereupon that tree at once began to walk, and, dragging along its boughs and branches, stood over-against that Excellency, who said, "O tree, to what art thou a witness?" The tree, acquiring an eloquent tongue, called out, "I bear witness that thou art the apostle of God." Then his Excellency said to that tree, "Return to thy place," whereupon it returned in the same way as it had come.'

It is recorded that Ibn Masud said, 'In that night I saw that several black figures, resembling vultures, went near his Excellency; and I heard great voices, so that I feared lest some grievous thing might befall that prince. So many black figures crowded upon that Excellency that he was entirely hid by them and I was no longer able either to see his person or to hear his voice. Then they became broken up and divided into parts, like a cloud and, going away, disappeared. When it had become morning, the Prophet came to me and asked, "Ibn Masud, What didst thou see?" I answered, "O apostle of God, I saw black persons wrapt up in white." His