Mohair
the hair of the Angora goat.
Also a fabric made from the fine white, silky hair of the Angora goat and allied species; sometimes called camlet. The hair is said to be produced in perfect quality in no place excepting Angora in Asia Minor, and has long been a valuable a a valuable article of export from that place. Also a wool and cotton fabric made in imitation of the above, in mixed colors or plain.
MOHAMMED (mō-ham'ed), or MA- HOMET (ma-hom'et), the Arabian prophet, and the founder of Islam; born in Mecca, Arabia, A. D. 570 or 571. He was the only son of Abdallah and Amina, being of the family of Hashem, the most illustrious in the noble tribe of Koreish, princes of Mecca, and guardfancy, he was brought up by his uncle, Abu Taleb, who trained him to commerce. The theory of his high cultivation is now exploded. When 25 years of age Mohammed married Khadija, a rich and noble widow of Mecca, and the following 15 years of his life were passed in domestic quietness. From his youth the future prophet had shown a fondness for seclusion and serious meditation. He began, at 40 years of age, to announce himself as an apostle, and to proclaim the doctrine of Islam (salvation), that "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his Prophet." After three years, he made a more public announcement of his doctrine, especially insisting on the unity of God, and denouncing all kinds of idolatry; but his followers were very few for years, the opposition of the elders and people of Mecca growing more and more bitter.
In A. D. 621, Mohammed lost his faithful and beloved Khadija, and soon after, the Koreishites, headed by Abu Sophian, resolved to put the prophet to death. He fled from Mecca, and with his only companion, Abu-bekr, withdrew to Medina (then called Yatreb). He made a public entry into Yatreb and at once assumed the offices of king and priest. He also there married his second wife, the beautiful Ayesha, daughter of Abu-bekr, who long survived him. He had, however, many other wives. Persuasion, long tried with little success, at length gave place to force and war, and in the battle of Beder he defeated Abu Sophian and the Koreish (A. D. 623). He was defeated by them in A. D. 625; they unsuccessfully besieged Medina, and a truce for 10 years was agreed on. Wars with Jewish tribes followed; many Arabian tribes submitted themselves; and in 630 the conquering prophet marched to Mecca, Mecca, rec received the keys of the city, and was acknowledged as prince and prophet.
He destroyed its 360 idols, and decreed that no infidel should enter the holy city. The whole of Arabia was soon after conquered. War with the Roman empire was begun; an expedition for the conquest of Syria was prepared; when Mohammed, believed to be immortal by some of his disciples, fell into a fever and died in Medina, Arabia, June 7, 632.
See KORAN: MOHAMMEDANISM.