Studies in a Mosque - The Search For Mecca

MOHAMMAD. 35
little grandson. Many a day the old man might be
seen sitting at his wonted place near the Kaaba, and
sharing his mat with his favourite. He lived but two
years more ; and at his dying request, his son Abil-
Talib took charge of Mohammad, for whom he too
ever showed a love as of father and mother.
Such is the bare outline of Mohammad's childhood
and of his youth we know about as little, though the
Arabian biographies abound in legends, of which some
may be true and most are certainly false. There are
stories of his journeyings to Syria with his uncle, and
his encounter with a mysterious monk of obscure
faith ; but there is nothing to show for this tale, and
much to be brought against it. All we can say is,
that Mohammad probably assisted his family in the
war of the Fijar, and that he must many a time have
frequented the annual Fair of 'Okadh, hearing the
songs of the desert chiefs and the praise of Arab life,
and listening to the earnest words of the Jews and
Christians and others who came to the Fair. He was
obliged at an early age to earn his own living ; for
the noble family of the Hashimis, to which he belonged,
was fast losing its commanding position, whilst another
branch of the Kureysh was succeeding to its dignities.
The princely munificence of Hashim and 'Abd-El-
Muttalib was followed by the poverty and decline of
their heirs. The duty of providing the pilgrims with
food was transferred to the rival branch of Umeyya,
whilst the Hashimis retained only the lighter office
of serving water to the worshippers. Mohammad
must take his share in the labour of the family,
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