istory of mankind. The great empires,
Persian and Byzantine, which were subjected to the urgent onslaught of
this rising power may have been in an enfeebled condition as a result
of excess of despotism and internal dissensions, as historians affirm;
but that the element of the power must have been in the rationality of
the principles contained in the teaching, there can be no doubt.

"It was undoubtedly to ISLAM, that simple yet majestic creed of which
no unprejudiced student can ignore the grandeur, that Arabs owed the
splendid part which they were destined to play in the history of
civilization. In judging of the Arabian Prophet, western critics are
too often inclined to ignore the condition from which he raised his
country, and to forget that many institutions which they condemn were
not introduced but only tolerated by ISLAM. The early Muslims were
very sensible of the immense amelioration in their life effected by
MUHAMMAD'S teachings. What this same amelioration was is well shown in
the following passage from the oldest extant biography of the
Prophet," says Professor G. Browne in his memorable work on Persia,[1]
and quotes IBN HISHAM (A.H. 213: A.D. 828) in support.

[Footnote 1: "Literary History of Persia," by Edward G. Browne, M.A.,
M.B., Vol. I, page 186.]

"During the first half of the seventh century," says DOZY in

[CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE]

* * * * *

[Illustration: ACCESSION AT KUFA, A.D. 749, OF ABU'L-ABBAS ABDULLAH
AS-SAFFAH FIRST CALIPH OF THE HOUSE OF ABBAS]

One of eight illustrations for a XIIIth Century Manuscript entitled,
"HISTORY OF TABARI", compiled A.H. 310 (A.D. 922). The present copy is
a subsequent one of the Persian version, translated by AL B'ALA'MI,
A.H. 352.

"It was a dynasty abounding in good qualities, richly endowed with
generous attributes, wherein the wares of science found a ready sale,
the merchandise of culture was in great demand, the observances of
religion were respected, charitable bequests flowed freely ... and the
frontiers were bravely kept."--AL-FAKHRI (historian of fame of the
XIIIth Century) on the ABBASID Dynasty.

* * * * *

[PAGE 3]

his excellent work on ISLAM,[2] "everything followed its accustomed
course in the Byzantine as in the Persian Empire. These two states
continued always to dispute the possession of western Asia; they were,
to all outward appearance, flourishing; the taxes whic