If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain

Quot. 1625 gives the anecdote behind this saying.

‘Of Boldness’ xii. Mahomet cald the Hill to come to him‥ And when the Hill stood still, he was neuer a whit abashed, but said; If the Hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet wil go to the hil.
[1625 Bacon Essays]

If the Mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the Mountain.
[1732 T. Fuller Gnomologia no. 2707]

You couldn't go to see him, so the mountain had to go to Mahomet. It was‥important to him.
[1975 D. Bagley Snow Tiger xvii.]

‘I've waited too long for Jamaal to ask me out. It's time for me to take action! As they say, “If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed will go to the mountain”.’
[2001 Washington Times 27 Jan. F23 (Herb & Jamaal comic strip)]

Related to: necessity; obstinacy

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.