The Encyclopedia americana; a universal reference library comprising the arts and sciences, literature, history, biography, geography, commerce, etc., of the world Volume 3

🔖 This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ...In the following account the dates both of the Hegira and the Christian year are often given. The difference in the mode of computing the Mohammedan year has caused considerable divergencies among authorities in regard to the exact dates of the particular events of Mohammedan history. After the death of the Prophet the election of a successor occasioned considerable excitement, Mohammed having left no son and nominated no successor. Abdallah Ebn Abu Koafas. called Abubekr, that is, father of the virgin (because his daughter Ayesha was the only one of the wives of Mohammed whom he had married as a virgin), obtained the victory over Ali. the cousin and son-in-law of Mohammed, and became the first caliph, 632 A.d. (year of the Hegira 11). Victorious over enemies at home, by the aid of his general Khaled, "the Sword of God." he proceeded, a? the Koran directs, to spread the doctrines nf Mohammed by arms among the neighboring nations. With the watchword conversion or tribute, a numerous army, consisting entirely of volunteers inspired with zeal for the holy war, penetrated into Syria and Mesopotamia, but before much could be done, Abubekr died after he had filled the place of the Prophet two years and four months. Omar, another father-in-law of the Prophet, now became second caliph, and under him the war was continued. The Moslems having once acquired a strong footing in Syria by the treacherous surrender of Bosra, they undertook, under Khaled, the siege of Damascus, and having repulsed two large armies, sent by the Emperor Heraclius to the relief of the city, they obtained possession of it by a capitulation (635 A. D. ), the terms of which were perfidiously broken, Khaled pursuing and slaughtering the retreating Christians. By him and other...