Chapter Magnetic Mountain to Mahu of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Mahomet’s Coffin is said to be suspended in mid-air. The wise ones affirm that the coffin is of iron, and is suspended by means of loadstones. The faithful assert it is held up by four angels. Burckhardt says it is not suspended at all. A marabout old Labat—

Que le tombeau de Mahomet étoit porté en l’air par le moyen de certains Anges qui se relayent d’heure en heures pour soutenir ce fardeau.—Labat: Afrique Occidentale, ii. 143 (1728).

The balance always would hang even,
Like Mahmet’s tomb ’twixt earth and heaven.

Prior: Alma, ii. 199 (1717).

According to Indian tradition, Benares is built on the ancient Casi, which was at one time suspended in midair.

Mahomet’s Dove, a dove which Mahomet taught to pick seed placed in his ear. The bird would perch on the prophet’s shoulder and thrust its bill into his ear to find its food; but Mahomet gave out that it was the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, sent to impart to him the counsels of God.—Dr. Prideaux: Life of Mahomet (1697); sir W. Raleigh: History of the World, I. i. 6 (1614).

Instance proud Mahomet…
The sacred dove whispering into his ear,
That what his will imposed, the world must fear.

Brooke: Declination of Monarchie, etc. (1554–1628).

Was Mahomet inspirêd with a dove?
Thou with an eagle art inspirêd [Joan of Arc].

Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV. act i. sc. 3 (1589).

Mahomet’s Knowledge of Events. Mahomet in his coffin is informed by an angel of every event which occurs respecting the faithful.

Il est vivant dans son tombeau. Il fait la priére dans ce tombeau à chaque fois que le crieur en fait la proclamation, et au même tems qu’on la recite. Il y a un ange posté sur son tombeau qui a le soin de lui donner avis des prières que les fideles font pour lui.—Gagnier: Vie de Mahomet, vii. 18 (1723).

Mahomet of the North, Odin, both legislator and supreme deity.

Mahoud, son of a rich jeweller of Delhi, who ran through a large fortune in riotous living, and then bound himself in service to Bennaskar, who proved to be a magician. Mahoud impeached Bennaskar to the cadi, who sent officers to seize him; but, lo! Mahoud had been metamorphosed into the likeness of Bennaskar, and was condemned to be burnt alive. When the pile was set on fire, Mahoud became a toad, and in this form met the sultan Misnar, his vizier Horam, and the princess Hemjunah of Cassimir, who had been changed into toads also.—Sir C. Morell [J. Ridley]: Tales of the Genii (“The Enchanter’s Tale,” vi., 1751).

Mahound or Mahoun, a name of contempt for Mahomet or any pagan god. Hence Ariosto makes Ferrau “blaspheme his Mahoun and Termagant” (Orlando Furioso, xii. 59).

Fitter for a turban for Mahound or Termagant, than a head-gear of a reasonable creature.—Sir W. Scott.

Mahu, the fiend prince that urges to theft.

Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once: of lust, as Obidicut; Hobididance, prince of dumbness; Mahu, of stealing; Modo, of murder; and Flibbertigibbet, of mopping and mowing.—Shakespeare: King Lear, act iv. sc. 1 (1605).