236 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



to the Deity on returning to the rodha before leaving 

 the mosque, completes the ceremony of the ziara 

 or visit, the performance of which occupies at most 

 about twenty minutes. 



Certain gifts and gratuities are exacted of every 

 pilgrim ; the eunuchs and porters expect their fees as 

 a matter of right ; privileged persons sit at different 

 stations to receive his donations ; and beggars beset 

 him at the gate imploring his charity. The whole 

 visit cost Burckhardt fifteen piasters ; though he 

 states that he might have accomplished it for half 

 the expense. An additional sum is paid by those 

 who enter within the railing of the hejra : admission 

 is granted free to pashas, emirs, and persons of rank ; 

 but others must purchase this favour of the eunuchs 

 at the price of twelve or fifteen dollars. Few, how- 

 ever, avail themselves of this indulgence, because 

 there is little to gratify the prying eye of curiosity 

 beyond what falls under their external observation. 

 " All the privileges the hajjis have," says Pitts, " is 

 only to thrust in their heads at the windows between 

 the brass grates, and to petition the dead juggler, 

 which they do with a wonderful deal of reverence, 

 affection, and zeal." Though the visit to the mosque 

 and tomb are not obligatory on the faithful, it is 

 thought to be an act highly acceptable to the Deity, 

 and to expiate many sins, while it entitles the visiter 

 at the same time to the patronage of the Prophet in 

 heaven. The Moslem divines affirm, that a prayer 

 said in sight of the hejra is as efficacious as a thou- 

 sand said in any other place except Mecca, and that 

 whoever recites forty prayers in this mosque will be 

 delivered from the torments of hell-fire after death. 

 These reputed virtues attract swarms of pilgrims 

 almost every month in the year, and from all parts 

 of the Mohammedan world. 



The entire superintendence of watching, cleaning, 

 and lighting is intrusted to the care of forty or fifty 

 eunuchs, who have an establishment of khatibs, 



