The plot of this tragedy of Voltaire was based on events from the life of the Arab tribes of Arabia related to the spread of Islam and the activities of the religious reformer Mohammed. The author wrote: “I know that Mohammed did not commit such a betrayal, which is the plot of my tragedy. My goal is not only to bring truthful events to the scene, but to faithfully portray morals, convey the true thoughts of people generated by the circumstances in which these people find themselves, and, finally, show how cruel a malicious deception can go and what horrors fanaticism can do. Mohammed is nothing but Tartuffe with weapons in his hands. ” The action of Voltaire’s play takes place in Mecca around 630.

Sheikh Mecca, Zopir, learns about the intention of Mohammed, his worst enemy, to conquer the city. The family of Zopira was exterminated by Mohammed, therefore he is very attached to the young Palmyra captivated by him, whom Mohammed considers his slave and demands her return, since she grew up in Medina, a place already converted to Islam. There he is the lord and idol. The girl appreciates the kindness and gentleness of Zopir, but asks him to fulfill the will of the Master and return her to Medina. The sheikh refuses, explaining that he does not want to indulge the tyrant who has crept into Palmyra's confidence.

Senator Fanor reports to Zopira on the appearance in the city of Omar, the commander of Mohammed, with his retinue. Omar six years before, "went on a campaign to protect Mecca, and, pushing back the troops of the traitor and the thief, he suddenly went over to him, not afraid of shame." Now, on behalf of Mohammed, he offers peace, swears that this is not deceit and, as proof, agrees to take young Seyid hostage. Omar comes to negotiations with Zopir, and the sheikh reminds the messenger who his illustrious lord was ten years ago: "a simple drover, a rogue, a tramp, an unfaithful husband, an insignificant talker, an unparalleled deceiver." Sentenced by the court to exile for rebellion, he went to live in a cave and, flamboyant, began to seduce the people. Without denying the talent and mind of Mohammed, Zopir notes his vindictiveness and cruelty: "the East did not know more vindictive tyrants." The military leader, having patiently listened to the sheikh, invites him to name the price for Palmyra and the world. Zopir rejects this proposal with anger, and Omar declares that in this case he will try to persuade the Senate to the side of the Prophet.

Lovers Seyid and Palmyra are immensely happy to meet again. When the sheikh abducted Palmyra, Seyid did not find a place for grief, but now his beloved is nearby and he hopes to free her. Young people believe that Mohammed will combine their two fates into one. And the Prophet, meanwhile, was approaching the gates of ancient Mecca. Omar was able to convince the Senate to let into the city the one who was expelled from it by an unrighteous court. He is a tyrant for some, and a hero for others ... Revealing his secret to Omar, Mohammed admits that his appeals to the world are a myth, he only wants to benefit from the faith of people in the messenger of God, who can stop the flame of war. His goal is to conquer Mecca and destroy Zopira. In addition, Palmyra and Seyed, despite their devotion to Mohammed, are his enemies - as he declares to Omar. The Prophet loves Palmyra, and when he learns that she has preferred a slave to him, he enrages and thinks of revenge.

The meeting of Zopira and Mohammed took place. The sheikh openly accuses Mohammed: “having inculcated by bribery, and flattery, and deceit, you brought misfortunes to all conquered countries, and, having entered the city of saints, you dare, villain, to impose on us your religion!” Mohammed is not at all embarrassed by these speeches and explains to Zopir that the people are now ready to worship anyone, if only for a new idol, so his time has come, Zopir should not resist, but voluntarily give up power. Only one circumstance shook the sheikh's confidence. Mohammed reports that the abducted children of Zopir did not die, they were brought up between the servants of the Prophet. Now their fate depends on the prudence of the father. If Zopir surrenders the city without a fight and announces to the people that only the Koran is the only law, and Mohammed is the prophet of God, then he will gain both children and son-in-law. But Zopir rejects this offer, not wanting to give the country into slavery. The merciless Mohammed immediately decides to kill the rebellious sheikh. Of all the servants, Omar advises him to choose Seyid for this, since he is a “fanatic, passionate, crazy and blind, reverent in ecstasy over you.” In addition, Omar knows the terrible secret of Mohammed: Palmyra and Seyid are the children of Zopir, so the son is sent by villains for patricide. Mohammed calls Seyid to himself and inspires him with a command allegedly emanating from Allah: “It is ordered to fulfill holy vengeance and strike, so that the enemy is destroyed by the blade that God put into your right hand.” Seyd is horrified, but Mohammed bribes him with the promise: “Palmyra’s love would be your reward.” And the young man surrenders. But already holding a sword in his hand, the young man still does not understand why he should kill the helpless and unarmed old man. He sees a sheikh who begins a heartfelt conversation with him, and Seyd is not able to bring his weapons over him. Omar, secretly watching this scene, demands Seyid immediately to Mohammed. Palmira, catching Seyid in terrible confusion, asks to reveal the whole truth to her, and the young man tells, begging to help him figure out his torment: “Tell me the word, you are my friend, my good genius! Guide my spirit! And help me raise my sword! .. Explain why the bloody spell to the good Prophet, the father for all people? ” Seyid says that, by the decision of the Prophet, their happiness with Palmyra is a reward for the blood of the unfortunate Zopira. The girl avoids the advice, thereby pushing the young man to a fatal step.

Meanwhile, Gersid, one of the servants of Mohammed, who had abducted the children of Zopir in the past and who knew about their fate, appoints a sheikh a date; but it did not take place, since Omar, having guessed the intention of Gersid to reveal the secret, kills him. But Gersid still manages to leave a suicide note and pass it on to Fan. At this time, Zopir goes to pray at the altar and does not skimp on curses against Mohammed. Seyid hurries to interrupt the sacrilegious speech, exposes the weapon and strikes. Phanor appears. He is horrified that he did not have time to prevent the murder, and tells everyone the fatal secret. Seid falls to his knees with an exclamation: “Give me back my sword! And I, myself, swear ... "Palmyra holds Seyid's hand:" Let him not stick into Seyid, but into me! I pushed my brother to patricide! ” Zopir, mortally wounded, hugs children: “At the time of death, fate sent me a daughter and a son! The summits of the peaks of misfortunes and joys came together. ” The father looks with hope at his son: “The traitor will not escape execution and shame. I will be avenged. "

Omar, seeing Seyid, orders the servants to seize him as the murderer of Zopir. Only now does the young man learn about the treachery of the Prophet. The military leader hurries to Mohammed and reports on the situation in the city. Zopir dies, an angry people, first obedient in everything, grumbles. Omar offers to reassure the crowd with assurances that Zopir accepted death for the rejection of Islam, and his brutal killer Seyid will not escape punishment for what he did. Mohammed’s troops will soon be in the city — the Prophet may not doubt victory. Mohammed wonders if anyone could tell Seid the secret of his origin, and the commander reminds him that Gersid, the only initiate, is dead. Omar admits that he poured poison into Seyed's wine, therefore the hour is close to his death.

Mohammed orders to call Palmyra to him. He advises the girl to forget about her brother and promises her wealth and luxury. All her misfortunes are already behind her, she is free, and he is ready to do everything for her if she obeys him. The girl with contempt and indignation throws: “Killer, a hypocrite dishonorable and bloody, you dare to seduce me with unclean glory?” She is sure that the false prophet will be exposed and retribution is not far away. The people, having learned about the murder of Zopir, take to the streets, besiege the prison, all the townspeople rise to fight. Riot is led by Seyed. He shouts in a frenzy that Mohammed is guilty of the death of his father, and the elemental fury of the masses is ready to fall upon the villain. Suddenly exhausted by the action of the poison, Seyd staggers and falls in front of the crowd. Using this, Mohammed declares that it is God who punishes the unfaithful, and so will be with all who encroach on him, the great Prophet: “Anyone who objects to dare to order, even in thought, will be punished immediately. And if the day is still shining for you, it’s because I softened my sentence. ” But Palmyra exposes Mohammed, saying that her brother is dying from the poison, and curses the villain. She calls Mohammed a bloody beast, depriving her of her father, mother and brother. There is nothing more that would tie her to life, so she leaves after her loved ones. Having said this, the girl rushes to Seyd's sword and dies.

At the sight of the dying Palmyra, Mohammed instantly succumbs to a feeling of love, but immediately suppresses within himself this impulse of humanity with the words: "I must be God - or the earthly power will collapse." And he manages to take control of the crowd, to avoid the threat of exposure, with the help of a new cynical deception, false miracle, which again throws the ignorant mass of Meccans at his feet.