Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/70

 part of a night the journey of many thousand years.

Great as was the credulity of his followers, many were offended and left, but Abu-beker, his successor in the regal and pontifical dignity, vouching for the veracity of the Prophet, preserved his tottering reputation at this critical juncture, and saved his sinking cause. Mohammed perceived affairs taking such a turn at Mecca, that longer continuance there would be perilous in the extreme: at first he was undecided as to the place of retreat, but at length Medina appeared the most eligible asylum. His retreat is considered as miraculous by the Musulmans, and frequently adverted to in the Koran, a regular conspiracy had been formed by the Koreish for his assassination, and he was preserved only by the magnanimity of Ali, who