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BIOGRAPHIES OF MOHAMMED
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the principal citizens of Mecca., and by a silent crowd of men, women,, and
children."(Bombay Life, p. 109; London Life, p. 84.)
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This is pure imagination. The body was never removed from the little chamber
in Ayesha's house in which the Prophet died, and there it still lies below the
spot on which he breathed his last.
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Our chief object in the above review has been to show the inexpediency of
publishing any vernacular version of the "Bombay Life" in its
present state. Much it contains that is admirable and well suited to the
natives of India; but it requires careful revision; and the numerous errors
must first be rectified before it is presented to the Mohammedan and the
Hindoo public. It is, indeed, high time for us to bestir ourselves; and give
to our Native fellow-subjects a vernacular life of the Prophet of Arabia. We
have as yet presented them with nothing of the kind, and their own current
biographies of Mohammed are the veriest inanities which, by any possibility,
could be imagined.
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To give some idea of the recent Biographies by Native
writers, extracts will now be given from a treatise in Urdoo, which has met
with a favourable reception, and is much sought after by Mohammedans. It is
called Maulûd Sharif, "THE ENNOBLED NATIVITY," though not
confined to the birth or childhood of Mohammed. Three editions now lie on
our table, the first printed at Lucknow in 1265 Hegira (1843); the second at
Cawnpore in 1267 Hegira (1845); the third at Agra in the present year, much
enlarged (pp. 94). No less than ten or twelve editions have already been
printed at Lucknow. The author is Gholâm Imâm Shahid, a polished and
ornate writer of some celebrity, and formerly an officer of standing in the
Court of Sudder Dewany.
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The work is composed of so-called traditions and stories,
each new story being introduced by the words "It is related," or
"There is a narrative to the effect that," etc. It is interspersed
with pieces of poetry, generally in Persian, sometimes in Urdoo, lauding
Mohammed, and appealing to the hearts and affections of devout Moslems. The
great bulk of the tales are of late
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