But Mahomet's enemies were not idle, and so hot they pressed, that the prophet was forced to retire to the desert of Naklah. There, in his solitude, he had a strange vision, referred to in the seventy-second chapter of the Koran. The vision was of the genii, mighty beings sometimes evil, sometimes good: sometimes invisible, sometimes visible. Genii, according to the legend, were made from fire without smoke, as men were made from earth, and angels from precious stones. In the world of fantasy, there are no imaginary creatures more fascinating, and readers of the Arabian Nights will recall dozens of droll tales connected with them. Mahomet then, in his desert solitude was reading the Koran when he was overheard by a party of genii, who paused in their flight to listen. "Give ear," said one, and Mahomet continued to read. "Verily," said another, "we have heard an admirable discourse, which directeth unto the right institution; wherefore we believe therein." Thenceforth, Mahomet had it in mind to convert not only men, but genii as well. So there are references to the genii in the Koran in two passages, one to be found in the forty-sixth, and the other in the seventy-second chapter. (See appendix.)
The vision of the genii was followed by the traditional journey to the seventh heaven, in the course of which he was taken by the angel Gabriel to the presence of Allah and placed within two bow-shots of the Diety. (See Life of Mahomet, by Gagnier.) From Allah he re-
