392 MOSLEM SKETCHES OF MOHAMMED. [BK. II.

heart, and free her from excitement" Sometimes it happened that when he was in the midst of the entire company of his pure wives, he would stretch out his blessed hand after one of them and make some fun and jest.

Every day, after finishing the afternoon prayers, he made the entire round of the private apartments of his wives, to inquire how they were; and when it had become evening, he went to spend the night with her whose turn it was. As regards sustenance and portions and all things within his power, he observed a careful equality; and he used to say, 'O God, this is my portion in that which I possess: do thou not blame me in that which I do not possess,' that is, do thou not blame me (sc. for my want of continence) in the matter of love and conjugal intercourse.

[N.B. — Then follows a passage in the text which is calculated to offend feelings of propriety, though of interest as characterising the Arabian prophet. The Mussulmans indeed read it with devout admiration; but we omit it from its place and put it as a footnote at the bottom of the page, so that it may be easily passed over by any reader who prefers leaving it unread. 1]

(5.) His Habits in the Intercourse and Conversation with his Friends and Companions.

Amongst his friends and companions the Prophet sat down and rose up humbly. It often happened that he

1 Passage omitted from the text: 'Sometimes it happened that his Excellency would have the intercourse at the beginning of the night, then take a bath, and go to sleep; sometimes, that he would only take an ablution after the intercourse, then sleep, and take the bath at the close of the night. It frequently happened that in one night or one day that prince made the round with all his nine wives, contenting himself with only one bath; or sometimes, in visiting them all, take a bath after every intercourse. When they asked him, "O Apostle of God, why dost thou not content thyself with only one bath?" he answered, "Because this is purer, cleaner, and better." It is firmly established that in the matter of cohabitation that Excellency had the power of thirty strong men given him. Therefore it was lawful for that prince to take as many wives as he pleased, be they nine or more.'
Could anything more strikingly illustrate the wide divergence in the ethical character of Islam and Christianity than the fact that Moslem writers unblushingly mention such things as proofs of their Prophet's divinely conferred preeminence, whilst Christian authors dare not even historically reproduce their words without an apology and warning to the reading public?
CH. II. SEC. II. 5.] HIS CONDUCT IN SOCIETY. 393

assumed a vaulted posture, by stiffening his knees and embracing his feet with his blessed hands. Sometimes he sat down leaning against something, or he lay on his blessed back; and in this latter position put one foot upon the other.

He spoke considerately and slowly, so that it would have been possible for any one so minded to count his words and sounds. But mostly he chose to be silent, and only spoke when necessary. Avoiding redundancy, prolixity, wearisomeness and confusion, he spoke to his friends concise, useful words, — all wisdom and prudence. Sometimes he would repeat the same words thrice, so that those present might well remember and understand them. Whilst speaking, he used to gesticulate, and sometimes put the palm of his right hand upon the thick part of his left thumb; and when he wondered at a thing, he used to turn the palms of his blessed hands towards it; but when he was angry, he turned away. He could be exceedingly angry; and as a sign of his anger his blessed countenance would change and he would finger his beard. When that Excellency spoke in an assembly, those present would keep silence, and lean forwards with their heads. What his companions admired, he also admired; and when they laughed, he either was silent or smiled. He would laugh so that his teeth could be seen. That prince's weeping also was most moderate: his tears flowed; and from his bosom, void of rancour, a sound was heard like the seething of a pot. His weeping was either on account of a dead person, or from tender affection for his people, or from the fear of God.

He sometimes swore, in important matters. His most frequent oath was, 'By Him in whose hands my soul is,' or, 'By Allah.' When he arose from an assembly, he would say, by way of atonement for the assembly, 'Praise be to God, and for Thy honour I testify that there is no God but Thou: I ask pardon of Thee, and repent towards Thee.' From whatever tribe men came to follow him, he would speak to them in their own language. He would take counsel with his friends about things; and Aisha the faithful declared, 'I have not seen any one amongst the people who so readily asked advice as that Excellency.' Some Persian words became current from that Excellency's blessed language.