IHEDINA. 235 



indeed, that the treasures of Hejaz were formerly 

 kept, either suspended on silken ropes drawn across 

 the interior of the building, or placed in large chests 

 on the ground. The whole must have formed a col- 

 lection of considerable value, though far from being 

 to that immense extent which many have pretended. 

 Next to the hejra, the most holy place in the mosque 

 is the rodha, where the pulpit is placed, and the two 

 tnehrabs. On the sides of the former and of both 

 the mehrabs huge wax-candles are fixed, twelve feet 

 high and as thick as a man's body, which are lighted 

 every evening with the aid of a ladder kept for the 

 purpose. 



The ceremonies required of the hajjis are here 

 much easier and shorter than at Mecca. On enter- 

 ing the mosque he must pass his right foot first over 

 the threshold ; while reciting certain supplications he 

 steps forward into the rodha, where he is enjoined 

 to repeat two short chapters of the Koran, and a brief 

 prayer, with four prostrations. His next process is 

 to advance slowly towards the railing of the hejra, 

 before the window of which, on the south side, he 

 takes his stand. With arms half raised he addresses 

 his invocations to the Prophet, repeating the words 

 of the Moslem creed, besides about twenty of the 

 <iifferent surnames or honourable titles of Moham- 

 med. Then follows a prayer soliciting the apostle's 

 intercession in heaven, in which he includes such of 

 his friends and relations as he pleases ; and if he is 

 delegated in the pilgrimage for another, he is bound 

 here to mention the name of his principal. This 

 done, the visiter must remain a few minutes with 

 his head pressed close against the window in silent 

 adoration ; after which he goes through the same 

 entreaties and humble attitudes at the other win- 

 dows opposite the tombs of Abu Beker and Omar. 

 A prayer and four prostrations is also addressed 

 before the tomb of the "bright blooming Fatima,'' 

 «s she is always called ; and this, with a salutation 



