been impossible.  The grand enunciation of the Divine Unity, and the duty of an absolute submission to the same; the recognition of a special providence reaching to the minutest details of life; the inculcation of prayer and other religious duties; the establishment of a code in which the leading principles of morality are enforced, and the acknowledgment of previous revelations in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, told not only on the idolaters of Arabia and the fire-worshipers of Persia, but on Jews and Samaritans and the followers of a debased and priest-ridden Christianity.  All this is true; but it is still not the less true that without the sword Islam would never have been planted even in Arabia, much less ever have spread to the countries beyond.  The weapons of its warfare were “carnal,” material, and earthly; and by them it conquered.

[Sidenote:  Alternatives offered to the conquered nations:  Islam, the Sword, or Tribute.] The pressure brought to bear on the inhabitants of the countries overrun by Saracen arms was of the most stringent character.  They were offered the triple alternative—­Islam, the Sword, or Tribute.  The first brought immediate relief.  Acceptance of the faith not only stayed the enemy’s hand, and conferred immunity from the perils of war, but associated the convert with his conquerors in the common brotherhood and in all the privileges of Islam.

[Sidenote:  Acceptance of Islam, immediate relief from the sword.] Reading the story of the spread of Islam, we are constantly told of this and that enemy, that “being beaten, he believed and embraced the faith.”  Take as an example of an every-day occurrence the story of Hormuzan.  A Persian prince of high rank long maintained a border warfare against the Moslems.  At last he was taken prisoner and sent in chains to Medina.  As he was conducted into the Great Mosque, Omar exclaimed, “Blessed be the Lord, that hath humbled this man and the like of him!” He bade them disrobe the prisoner and clothe him in sackcloth.  Then, whip in hand, he upbraided him for his oft-repeated attacks and treachery.  Hormuzan made as if fain to reply; then gasping, like one faint from thirst, he begged for water to drink.  “Give it him,” said the caliph, “and let him drink in peace.”  “Nay,” cried the wretched captive, trembling, “I fear to drink, lest some one slay me unawares.”  “Thy life is safe,” said Omar, “until thou hast drunk the water up.”  The words were no sooner said than Hormuzan emptied the vessel on the ground.  “I wanted not the water,” he said, “but quarter, and thou hast given it me.”  “Liar!” cried Omar, angrily, “thy life is forfeit.”  “But not,” interposed the by-standers, “until he drink the water up.”  “Strange,” said Omar, “the fellow hath deceived me; and yet I cannot spare the life of one who hath slain so many noble Moslems.  I swear that thou shalt not gain by thy deceit unless thou wilt forthwith embrace Islam.”  Upon that, “believing, he made profession of the true faith upon the spot;” and thenceforth, residing at Medina, he received a pension of the highest grade.[49]