THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 215 



rikats in a small chapel ; and must chant the iclbi or 

 pious ejaculations all the way. After this the towaf 

 and sai must be again performed, which closes the 

 preliminary ceremonies. Some have only part of 

 the head shaven before the visit to Omra, and the 

 rest completed immediately afterward. The walk 

 round the Kaaba may be repeated as often as the 

 pilgrim thinks fit : and the more frequently the more 

 meritorious. Most foreigners do it twice daily, — in 

 the evening and before daybreak. 



When all the necessary rites have been gone 

 through at Mecca, the whole concourse of visiters 

 repair in a body to Mount Arafat, which is the gi-and 

 day of the pilgrimage. This mountain is a principal 

 object of Moslem veneration ; and some even assert, 

 that a pilgrimage to it would be equally meritorious, 

 though the Kaaba ceased to exist. Tradition says 

 it was here that the common father of mankind met 

 Eve after the long separation of 200 years conse- 

 quent on the Fall ; that he built the chapel on its 

 summit before he retired with his wife to the island 

 of Ceylon ; and was f here instructed by the angel 

 Gabriel how to adore his Creator ; the spot still 

 bears the name of Modaa Seidna Adam, or Place of 

 Prayer of our Lord Adam. It was here, too, that 

 Mohammed is said to have addressed his followers, 

 — a practice in which he was imitated by the caliphs, 

 who preached on the same spot when they per- 

 formed the haj. This hill, or rather granite rock, 

 which is about 200 feet high, stands about six hours' 

 journey to the eastward of Mecca, at the foot of a 

 higher mountain, in a sandy plain about three quar- 

 ters of a league in diameter. On the eastern side 

 broad stone steps lead to the top, and these are cov- 

 ered with innumerable handkerchiefs for receiving 

 the pious gifts which are claimed by the families of 

 the Koreish, in whose territory this sacred eminence 

 stands. 



On the Day of Arafat, or Feast of Sacrifice as it is 



