Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah — Volume 2Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
Islamic
Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah — Volume 2
Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
Arabian Peninsula -- Description and travel
[p.291] its many names,[FN#38] id al-Kurban is the best known, as
expressive of Ibrahims sacrifice in lieu of Ismail. Most pilgrims, after
casting stones at the Akabah, or Great Devil, hurry to Meccah. Some enter
the Kaabah, whilst others content themselves with performing the Tawaf
al-Ifazah, or circumambulation of impetuosity, round the house.[FN#39]
The pilgrim should then return to Muna, sacrifice a sheep, and sleep
there. Strictly speaking, this day concludes the pilgrimage.
The second set of trois jours, namely, the 11th,[FN#40] the 12th, and the
13th of Zul Hijjah, are called Ayyam al-Tashrik, or the days of drying
flesh in the sun. The pilgrim should spend that time at Muna,[FN#41] and
each day throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars.[FN#42]
When throwing the stones, it is desirable that the pilgrim should cast
them far from himself, although he is allowed to place them upon the
pillar. The act also should be performed after the Zawal, or declension
of the sun. The pilgrim should begin with the pillar near the Masjid
al-Khayf, proceed to the Wusta, or central column, and end with the
Akabah. If unable to cast the stones during the daytime, he is allowed
to do it at night.
The throwing over:The pilgrim returns to Meccah, and when his journey is
fixed, performs the Tawaf al-Widaa (of farewell). On this occasion it is a
Sunnat to drink the waters of Zemzem, to enter the temple with more
than usual
[p.292] respect and reverence, and bidding it adieu, to depart from the
Holy City.
The Moslem is especially forbidden to take with him cakes made of the
earth or dust of the Harim, and similar mementoes, as they savour of
idolatry.
CHAPTER II.OF UMRAH, OR THE LITTLE PILGRIMAGE.
The word Umrah, denotes a pilgrimage performed at any time except the
pilgrim season (the 8th, 9th, and 10th of Zul Hijjah).
The Arkan or pillars upon which the Umrah rite rests, are five in
number, viz.:
1. Al-Ihram.
2. Al-Tawaf.
3. Al-Sai (between Safa and Marwah).
4. Al-Halk (tonsure), or Al-Taksir (cutting the hair).
5. Al-Tartib, or the due order of ceremonies, as above enumerated.[FN#43]
The Wajibat, or requisites of Umrah, are but two in number:
1. Al-Ihram, or assuming the pilgrim garb, from the Mikat, or fixed
limit; and
2. The avoiding of all things forbidden to the pilgrim when in state of
Ihram.
In the Sunnat and Mustahabb portions of the ceremony there is no
difference between Umrah and Hajj.
CHAPTER III.OF ZIYARAT, OR THE VISIT TO THE PROPHETS TOMB.
Al-Ziyarat is a practice of the faith, and the most effectual way of
drawing near to Allah through his Prophet Mohammed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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