[9] _Bi'smi'llah_: the full form is _bi'smi'llah'r-rahmani'r-rahim_, 'In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful!' These latter titles are omitted when going into battle, or when slaughtering animals. [10] The Prophet ordered that when a dog drinks from a vessel, it must be washed seven times, the first cleansing being with earth. But the dog of the Seven Sleepers will be admitted into Heaven.--_Koran_, xviii. 17. LETTER XI Mussulmaun festivals.--Buckrah Eade.--Ishmael believed to have been offered in sacrifice by Abraham and not Isaac.--Descent of the Mussulmauns from Abraham.--The Eade-gaarh.--Presentation of Nuzzas.--Elephants.--Description of the Khillaut (robe of honour).--Customs on the day of Buckrah Eade.--Nou-Roze (New Year's Day).--Manner of its celebration.--The Bussund (Spring-colour).--The Sah-bund.--Observances during this month.--Festival of the New Moon.--Superstition of the Natives respecting the influence of the Moon.--Their practices during an eclipse.--Supposed effects of the Moon on a wound.--Medicinal application of lime in Hindoostaun.--Observance of Shubh-burraat. An account of the Mussulmaun festivals, I imagine, deserves a Letter; for in many of them I have been able to trace, not only the habits and manners of the people with whom I was sojourning, but occasionally marks of their particular faith have been strongly developed in these observances, to most of which they attach considerable importance. Buckrah Eade, for instance, is a festival about as interesting to the Natives, as Christmas-day is to the good people of England; and the day is celebrated amongst all classes and denominations of Mussulmauns with remarkable zeal and energy. The particular event which gives rise to Buckrah Eade[1] is the well-known circumstance of Abraham offering his son in sacrifice to God. The Mussulmauns, however, insist that the son so offered was Ishmael, and not Isaac, as our Scriptures declare. I have before remarked that I had frequent arguments with the learned men of that persuasion on this subject, which provoked a minute investigation of their most esteemed authors, to decide between our opinions. The author of 'The Hyaatool Kaaloob' advances many authorities, which the Mussulmauns deem conclusive, all of whom declare that Ishmael was the son demanded and offered in sacrifice; and two only, I think, of the many names that author quotes, were disposed to doubt whether it was Isaac or Ishmael. An evident proof, I think, that on some former occasion there had existed a difference of opinion on this subject among men of their persuasion. The result of the present inquiry, however, is that they believe Ishmael was the offering and not Isaac; whilst I remain equally convinced of the correctness of our sacred book.