Page:The young Moslem looks at life (1937).djvu/40

 the Jews, for they also claimed Abraham as their ancestor, since they traced their descent through Ishmael.

While polytheism and the worship of idols were the common religious heritage of the scattered Arab tribes, there were other influences at work as well. The presence of Christians and Jews living in the trade centers among the Arabs was making itself felt, as was also the contact with the ancient Christian cities by the traders who passed over the caravan routes to Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch and Damascus. In fact some Arabs had actually embraced Christianity. One of these was a cousin of Khadijah, Mohammed's first wife, and from him the future prophet probably learned about the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Arabia was coming more and more under the influence of the outside world. Silently but surely the stage was being set for the birth of a new religion a religion that would shake the world and change the course of history.

EARLY LIFE OF MOHAMMED

Amid such circumstances as these Mohammed was born in the city of Mecca in the year A.D. 570 following the death of his father Abdullah. When he was only six years old his mother also died, and the orphaned boy was brought up by his grandfather, an old man almost one hundred years old, and an uncle, Abu Talib. His family belonged to the tribe of the Koreish which, as has already been said, was held

THE