prophets had come with miracles and been rejected, he was to take different measures, and propagate Islamism by the sword.  And accordingly, within a year after his arrival at Medina he began what was called the holy war.  For this purpose he first of all instituted a brotherhood, joining his Ansars or helpers, and his Mohajerins or refugees together in pairs; he himself taking Ali for his brother.  It was in allusion to this that Ali, afterward when preaching at Cufa, said, “I am the servant of God, and brother to his apostle.”

In the second year of the Hegira, Mahomet changed the Kebla of the Mussulman, which before this time had been toward Jerusalem, ordering them henceforth to turn toward Mecca when they prayed.  In the same year he also appointed the fast of the month Ramadan.

Mahomet having now a pretty large congregation at Medina found it necessary to have some means of calling them to prayers; for this purpose he was thinking of employing a horn, or some instrument of wood, which should be made to emit a loud sound by being struck upon.  But his doubts were settled this year by a dream of one of his disciples, in which a man appearing to him in a green vest recommended as a better way, that the people should be summoned to prayers by a crier calling out, “Allah acbar, Allah acbar,” etc.; “God is great, God is great, there is but one God, Mahomet is his prophet;[54] come to prayers, come to prayers.”  Mahomet approved of the scheme, and this is the very form in use to this day among the Mussulmans; who, however, in the call to morning prayers, add the words, “Prayer is better than sleep, prayer is better than sleep”—­a sentiment not unworthy the consideration of those who are professors of a better religion.

The same year the apostle sent some of his people to plunder a caravan going to Mecca; which they did, and brought back two prisoners to Medina.  This was the first act of hostility committed by the Mussulmans against the idolaters.  The second was the battle of Beder.  The history of the battle is thus given by Abulfeda:  “The apostle, hearing that a caravan of the Meccans was coming home from Syria, escorted by Abu Sofian at the head of thirty men, placed a number of soldiers in ambuscade to intercept it.  Abu Sofian, being informed thereof by his spies, sent word immediately to Mecca, whereupon all the principal men except Abu Laheb—­who, however, sent Al Asum son of Hesham in his stead—­marched out to his assistance, making in all nine hundred and fifty men, whereof two hundred were cavalry.  The apostle of God went out against them with three hundred and thirteen men, of whom seventy-seven were refugees from Mecca, the rest being helpers from Medina; they had with them only two horses and seventy camels, upon which they rode by turns.  The apostle encamped near a well called Beder, from the name of the person who was owner of it, and had a hut made where he and Abu-Bekr sat.  As soon as the armies were in sight