 | The Poetical Works of (Richard Monckton Milnes) Lord Houghton |  |
VI. THE INFANCY OF MOHAMMED.
This legend does not seem to me to be orthodox, but rather to be a later invention arising from a desire to assimilate the nature of Mohammed to that of Christ. The humility of Mohammed in all that concerns his personality is conspicuous throughout the Kuràn. “I do not say unto you, that in my possession are the treasures of God, nor that I know what is unseen; nor do I say unto you, Verily I am an angel,—I only follow what is revealed to me.” Chap. vi. v. 50. “Mohammed is nought but an Apostle: other Apostles have passed away before him.” Chap. iii. v. 138. Nor does Mohammed even attribute to himself any specialty of nature such as he gives to Christ, whom he declares to have been born of a Virgin by the Spirit of God. “She said, O my Lord, how shall I have a son, when a man hath not touched me? He answered—Thus. God will create what he pleaseth. When he determineth a thing, he only saith unto it, Be, and it is.”
Had wandered from the parents' tents some way into the wild.
Although the rocks strange figures made and night was threatening near.
Two forms of noble maintenance and beautifully bright.
As Sirius or Canopus shine in purest summer sky.
Was greeting, that with subtle charm might temper her amaze.
That breathed as in a happy dream, and delicately smiled:
Took out its little beating Heart—all pure but one black stain.
That thick black stain like cancerous ill that eats the flesh away.
And poured on it a magic flood, no evil could withstand:
Vanished, and that one mortal Heart became entirely pure.
Closed up the gaping wound, and gave the blessing of the blest:
And placed it in the nurse's arms, and passed she knew not how.
Thus in the Prophet's life did God his work of grace begin.
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