64 A Relation of the Chap. XII. 



too much from my fubjed, I ought not to profecute that matter any farther. I (hall 

 take occafion here, to make three Remarks, which I have originally learnt, of one 

 of the moft learned in the Rubricks of the Mahometan Law. 



The firft is, that the Turks, by an ancient Tradition, believe, That Mecba is the 

 place, where God commanded Abraham to build him a houfe i and that while he was 

 there, all Nations came thronging to vifit him : and that it is alfo the fame place, 

 where Mahomet receiv'd the Alcoran, from Heaven. 



The iccond relates to the Commandement impos'd upon all the Mahometans, to be, 

 once in their lives, concern'd in the Pilgrimage of Mecha. For it is to be obferv'd, 

 That the obligation does not extend to the poorer fort of people, who have hardly 

 wherewithal to live upon, and would bring great mifery on their Families, by their 

 abfènce, as being not able to leave them what is requifite for their fuftenance. 



The third Remark is concerning the preference of the two Cities of Mecba, and 

 Medina. The former is the place of Mahomet's birth, which it was his defign to ho- 

 nour, and make known, by that famous Pilgrimage, whereto he obliges all thofe of his 

 Law. The latter is the place of his Burial, of which there is abundance of fabulous 

 relations. Mahomet, in his Alcoran, does only enjoyn their going to Mecha, where 

 there are no other Relicks of that falfe Prophet, then one of his Sandalls : And the 

 Doctors of the Law are alfo of opinion, that there is no obligation of going to Medina, 

 and that without feeing that City, a man fatisfies the Command of Mahomet. I (hall 

 treat at large of the Pilgrimage of Mecha, in the laft Chapter of this Relation of my 

 Travels, and of the different Roads by which the Mahumetans of Europe, Afia 3 and 

 Africa, are conducted to the Tomb of their Prophet. 



CHAP, 



