merit attaching to that act of piety if undertaken at the enjoined period. Hence the Muhammadan year being lunar, while the seasons are regulated by the sun, the time of the "Hajj" varies every twelvemonth, and occurs in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, as the case may be, the entire change being completed during a cycle of thirty-two solar years. The ceremony is of three kinds: (1) the lesser pilgrimage (Umra); this is performed at any time save the appointed season; (2) the simple pilgrimage (Hajj), which must be undertaken at the appointed period; and (3) the greater pilgrimage (Hajjul Akbar); this is the usual "Hajj" carried into execution when the day of "Arafat" (of which more anon) falls on a Friday. As regards the lesser pilgrimage it is only necessary to state that it is generally confined to a journey to a mosque about six miles from Mecca, whence, after a prayer, the votary repairs to the Holy City and performs the "Tawaf" and "Sai" (to be hereafter described); he then shaves his head, lays aside his pilgrim's garb (Ihram), and all is finished. This act of piety and devotion may be performed at any season of the year, but it is considered especially meritorious during the sacred seventh month, which forms a break in the middle of the eight secular months. When the votary performs the "Hajj" and the "Umra" together, as was done by the Prophet, on the occasion of his last visit to Mecca, it is termed "Al Muqarinna" (the meeting); "Al Ifrad" (singulation) is when either the "Hajj" or the "Umra" is undertaken separately; but in any case the former must precede the latter. A third description, termed "Al Tamattu" (possession), is when the pilgrim assumes the "Ihram," and does not cast it aside throughout the tenth and eleventh months and during nine days (ten nights) in the twelfth month, performing the "Hajj" and "Umra" the while. Sir W. Muir says that, "according to the rules of Islam, the pilgrim must resolve before he assumes the pilgrim garb which pilgrimage he will perform. The Musulman who has performed the pilgrimage is called "Haji." Upon the votary's arrival at the last stage (of which there are five), about five or six miles from Mecca, he bathes himself and assumes the sacred robe, which is called "Ihram." This latter, however, may be taken into wear at other spots, the farther from Mecca the greater the merit; consequently, some poor wretches from India and Egypt travel the whole journey in this costume. As a rule, however, those who come from Hindustan array themselves in their befitting costume the day previous to their arrival at Jedda. The "Ihram" consists of two new cotton seamless cloths, each six feet long by three and a half broad, the colour being white with narrow red stripes and fringes. One of these garments, called "Izar," is wrapped round the loins from the waist to the knee, and knotted or tucked in at the middle; the other, known as the "Radha," which is knotted at the right side, being thrown loosely over the back, exposing the arm and shoulder, while leaving the head uncovered. It is allowable, however, to carry an umbrella, should health require such a protection against the weather. It is customary, at least in some cases, to dispense with the "Ihram," when reason of health can be alleged, but in such instances a sheep must be sacrificed at Mecca as a "sinoffering." Women do not always wear the "Ihram," some attiring themselves in the veil usually worn by their sex in the East, while others put on, for the occasion, a large white veil, in which they envelop themselves down to their feet. The veil, in common with the "Ihram" worn by the men, being sanctified by use, is religiously kept by the pilgrim during life, in order to serve at death as a winding-sheet for the corpse of the pious owner. Nothing is allowed upon the instep, a prohibition which precludes the use of shoes or boots. To meet the requirements of the case, sandals are made at Mecca expressly for the pilgrimage. The poorer classes cut off the upper leather of an old pair of shoes. After the pilgrims have assumed the garb enjoined by the Prophet, they must not anoint their head, shave any part of the body, pare the nails, or wear any other garment than that described above; even scratching is not permissible, lest perchance vermin be destroyed, or a hair uprooted; accordingly, it is a general practice to call the "barber" into requisition immediately before donning the "Ihram," the head is then shaved, the nails are cut and the mustachios trimmed: thus much as regards the men; the weaker sex gather up their hair and cut off about four fingers' length. It is further forbidden, while clad in the garment of sanctity, to hunt wild animals, or to kill those which were such originally; but the pilgrim may destroy five noxious creatures, viz., kites, crows, rats, scorpions, and dogs given to biting. |