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BIOGRAPHIES OF MOHAMMED
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would not be regarded as, orthodox, who denied any of these miracles.
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An anonymous but carefully prepared Urdoo Life of Mohammed (written
apparently at Dehli) contains particulars of the following, among a multitude
of other miraculous works. A dirty handkerchief cast into an oven, came out of
the flames white and unsinged, because it had been used by Mohammed. His
spittle turned a bitter well into a sweet one; removed a scald; cured the
ophthalmia; restored sight to a blind man; mended a broken leg, and healed
instantaneously a deep wound. A man's hand was severed in battle from his arm;
he carried it to Mohammed, who, by applying his spittle, rejoined it as
before. Catâda's eye was knocked entirely out; the Prophet placed his hand
upon it and healed it. A dumb boy was cured by drinking the water the prophet
had washed his mouth and hands in. He laid his hands upon a lunatic child, who
was cured, a black reptile being immediately discharged from his body. A great
variety of animals opened their mouths on different occasions, and gave
testimony in his favour. He laid hold of a goat, and the mark of his fingers,
impressed on its ear, descended to its posterity, and still remains a living
evidence! Notwithstanding that the book contained these and scores of other
equally ridiculous stories, an intelligent Mohammedan, intimately acquainted
with the early Arabic biographers, declared to us his conviction that it was
throughout credible, and based on well-founded traditions!
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The same author abuses a set of heretics at Dehli, who, he says, do not
receive "the miracle of the foot," viz. that stones received the
impression of Mohammed's step, while it left no mark on soft or sandy ground.
These are his words:
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It is a matter of extreme
astonishment, that a lately established sect, notwithstanding their claims
to learning, deny the miracle of the Blessed foot. And what is still
stranger, they prohibit the mention of the Holy nativity, the Mirâj, the
miracles, and the death of the Prophet; some calling it abominable
veneration of the creature, others heresy. They seem not to know that to
make mention of Mohammed, is tantamount to making mention of God Himself, a
duty enjoined in the Coran. Such people may well tremble, lest they draw
down upon themselves the wrath of the Lord, and a fearful punishment.
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