The liberty of choice was presented to the tribes: each Arab was free to elect or to compose his private religion: and the rude superstition of his house was mingled with the sublime theology of saints and philosophers.

A fundamental article of faith was inculcated by the consent of the learned strangers; the existence of one supreme God who is exalted above the powers of heaven and earth, but who has often revealed himself to mankind by the ministry of his angels and prophets, and whose grace or justice has interrupted, by seasonable miracles, the order of nature.

The most rational of the Arabs acknowledged his power, though they neglected his worship; and it was habit rather than conviction that still attached them to the relics of idolatry.

The Jews and Christians were the people of the _Book_; the Bible was already translated into the Arabic language, and the volume of the Old Testament was accepted by the concord of these implacable enemies.

In the story of the Hebrew patriarchs, the Arabs were pleased to discover the fathers of their nation.