The Jews settled in Spain had become rich by trading, and were very flourishing, until Heraclius, who had been at war with that country, made peace, on condition that all the Jews who would not consent to be baptized, should be destroyed or driven out of Spain. Many to save their lives and property submitted to the outward rite of baptism; others, more conscientious, stood firm, and were cruelly tortured. Some escaped into Gaul, but met with cruel treatment there: and during the remainder of the seventh century, the unhappy Jews, both in Spain and Gaul, were oppressed and ill-used by Christian kings, priests, and people.

The most remarkable event in the seventh century was, the rise of the Mahometan religion; so called from its founder, a man named Mahomet—an Arabian, the son of a prince of one of the chief wandering tribes who inhabited the country. The religion of these Arabians was a mixture of the superstitious belief of neighbouring people; they also believed themselves to be descended from the patriarch Abraham, and observed circumcision, with other rites and ceremonies belonging to the Jewish religion. They believed in one Supreme Being; and also in three goddesses of equal power and wisdom, to be worshipped as well: they likewise worshipped idols.

At Mecca, the capital of Arabia, there was a small temple, called the Caabba, in which there was a stone, said to have fallen white from heaven, in the time when man was innocent, and to have gradually lost its pure colour as man became sinful; it was now quite black. This stone was held in such veneration, that people from all parts of Arabia came to the Caabba, to worship, bringing gifts; and thus Mecca grew to be a rich and flourishing city.

Mahomet was left an orphan when he was quite young, and in order to provide for him, his relations placed him in the service of a woman, who was in the habit of going backwards and forwards to Syria, trading; that is, selling the spices and other things which grew in Arabia, to the Syrians; and bringing back such things as she could sell to her countrymen. Mahomet now accompanied her on her journeys; looking after the camels, and doing any other services required. Syria was at this time a Roman province. Mahomet, being a clever, intelligent lad, of an observing turn of mind, soon saw how much difference there was between the laws, manners, and customs of the polished Syrians, and those of his own uncivilized countrymen; and he greatly regretted not being able to read or write. The mixture of Jews and Christians which he found in Syria, turned his thoughts towards religious matters, and made him think that it would be a good thing to work a reformation in the corrupt and idolatrous religion of his own country. His ambition made him wish to distinguish himself as the founder of a new religion; but his poverty and dependent position seemed to render this impossible.

In the course of time, however, Mahomet made himself so useful to his mistress Cadigha, and gained such favour with her, that she married him, and thus gave him the riches and consideration necessary for carrying out his schemes. His first step was to remedy the defects of his education; the next to gain favour with the people: he gave much in charity; led a solitary life; and occasionally retired into the desert, where he pretended to receive instructions from the angel Gabriel. His wife assisted him by every means in her power; and in a short time the whole city of Mecca talked of nothing but Mahomet, who then began to lecture publicly. He taught that mankind should acknowledge one God (without division of persons, as in Christianity); he declared that the love of this Being was equal to His power, and that all His laws tended to make His creatures happy. Mahomet also taught, that as mankind sinned, God had from time to time sent prophets upon earth to reprove them, and bring them back to His service; and that the chief of these prophets were, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and Mahomet; the last being the greatest of all "There is one God, and Mahomet is His Prophet," was their confession of faith. Prayers were to be offered to God seven times a day; and the pilgrimages to Mecca, as well as circumcision and ablutions, were recommended as outward signs of belief, in the doctrines of what Mahomet declared to be a new Revelation, delivered to him by the angel Gabriel. The book, in which all the doctrines and precepts taught by Mahomet were recorded, is called "The Koran." The Koran contains many precepts worthy of Christianity; and many doctrines in which there is much truth, mixed, however, with a great deal of falsehood and error, whilst the indulgence of man's evil passions is allowed. Such a religion accorded well with the disposition of the Arabians; the disciples of Mahomet increased greatly, and amongst them were the richest and most respectable citizens of Mecca.

Very shortly, Mahomet began to spread his religion by conquest; and in a few years he had subdued to his empire and religion, all Arabia; thus establishing the "Saracen Empire," which afterwards extended itself over much of Asia, Africa, and even Europe.

The Arabian followers of Mahomet took the name of "Saracens," to induce a belief that they were descended from Abraham and his wife Sara; whereas they were the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and the bond-maid Hagar.

After the destruction of Jerusalem, many of the Jews settled in Arabia; and by the beginning of the seventh century, they possessed several towns and fortifications, and had armies commanded by princes of their own. Their number and influence made Mahomet wish for their help in his undertaking, and he treated them at first with great attention: he had adopted many of their opinions and customs, and he ordered his followers to turn towards Jerusalem when they prayed. He thus succeeded in gaining favour with the Children of Israel, who seeing what wonderful victories he gained, and misled by their own obstinate ideas as to the character of the promised Messiah, began actually to think that in this conqueror, they beheld the long-expected Messiah. Many of the Jews, therefore, embraced the Mahometan religion, which all, who were conquered by Mahomet, were forced to adopt. The Jews were soon afterwards offended by his eating the flesh of camels, a meat forbidden by the Mosaical Law; and they had speedily other reasons for changing their opinions concerning the pretended prophet; they then became his determined enemies. Mahomet returned their hatred; and in the Koran, to which he was continually adding chapters, as supposed to be delivered to him from time to time by the angel Gabriel, he reproaches the Jews with betraying and murdering the prophets sent by God, amongst whom he numbers Jesus Christ. He also declares, that for these things, and for breaking the laws of God and neglecting the Sabbaths, and above all for having refused to acknowledge his authority to establish a new Revelation, the Jews were justly accursed of God. Not contented with such declarations, the impostor cruelly persecuted the unhappy Jews; their property was taken from them, many were driven into exile, and thousands were slaughtered. But in spite of all sufferings, the Jews remained faithful to their religion.

After the death of Mahomet, a.d. 632, the miserable remnant of the once flourishing people of Israel was forced to remove into Syria; as the impostor's dying command was, that none but followers of what he called "the true religion," should be allowed to dwell in his native land of Arabia.

One of the Caliphs, or princes, who succeeded to the power of Mahomet, carried on war to force all nations to become Mahometans or Mussulmans: he subdued Mesopotamia, Persia, and Syria: the Jews rejoiced in the downfall of Persia, where they had met with persecution. At the head of an army of Saracens, this Caliph (Abubeker) attacked Jerusalem: the Christians gallantly defended it for four months, and were then obliged to surrender the city to the Saracens; who built a mosque, or Mussulman place of worship, on the very spot where the magnificent temple of Solomon had formerly stood.

The first Caliphs allowed the Jews the free exercise of their own religion, and even permitted the Princes of the Captivity to exercise considerable authority. During the eighth and ninth centuries the Jews had their share in the troubles and calamities caused by civil wars among the Caliphs. Besides this, their treatment varied much under the rule of the different Saracen princes, who succeeded each other more or less quickly: by some they were allowed to live in peace, and worship God in their own way; by others they were persecuted. One of the Caliphs forbade their riding on horses, and only permitted them to have mules, and make use of iron stirrups: the Jews were also deprived of every office or employment in the State, and they were obliged to wear a cord round the waist, to point them out to the ridicule and abuse of the people.

In Christian countries, during the seventh and eighth centuries, we find the Jews exposed to equal, and even greater persecutions. The members of the Christian Church were at this time divided into two great parties, one of which objected to having any images of saints in the churches: the Jews, being accused of encouraging these disputes, were commanded by the Greek Emperor to give up their religion, on pain of the severest punishment. To save their lives, many of the Hebrews were baptized, but without any intention of really becoming Christians. This being suspected, afforded an excuse for still further persecutions of these unhappy people; but subsequent Emperors showed them favour, and allowed them to practise all the rites and ceremonies of their religion.