THE DEVIL'S PUNCH-BOWL AT MINA. Reproduced by permission from C. Snouck Hurgronje's "Bilder aus Mekka.' this loathsome scene may be beheld poor Hajjis collecting morsels of flesh with greedy avidity, while negroes and Indians not infrequently employ themselves in cutting the meat into slices and drying it for their travelling provision. Such are the horrors of the valley of Mina: a spot so wonderful that it is said occasionally to extend itself so as to provide room for the votaries present at the ceremonies of which it is annually the scene, while orthodox Muslims further assure us that vultures never carry off the slaughtered flesh, but piously leave it for the destitute but zealous pilgrims; not even a fly, too, will settle upon food sanctified to the use of religion. Unhappily the testimony of travellers conflicts with the truth of these miracles, which exist but in the imagination. It may be added that of late years provision is made for the burial of the carcases instead of their being allowed to putrefy and fester on the surface of the ground. This slaughter of an animal without spot or blemish is supposed to commemorate the sacrifice of Ishmael by Abraham, hence the name (sacrifice) which it bears. It may be here explained that it is the commonly received opinion amongst the Muhammadans that the son whom the Patriarch offered was Ishmael not Isaac. Muslim commentators also assert that the "Friend of God" went so far as to draw the knife with all his strength across the lad's throat, but was miraculously hindered from hurting him. As regards the victim, some suppose it to have been a ram-the very same creature indeed which Abel sacrificed-this said animal having been brought for the occasion from Paradise. Others are of opinion that it was a wild goat, the horns of which were afterwards hung up on the spout of the Kaba, where they remained till the building was consumed by fire. The votary now gets shaved and the nails pared; the religious garb is then removed and the "Hajj" is ended, the weary zealot being allowed a well-earned rest at Mecca during the ensuing three days, known as "the days of drying up," i.e., the blood of the sacrifice. Before, however, leaving Mecca, the pilgrims should once more perform the circuit round the "Kaba," and throw seven stones at each of the sacred pillars. The total number of stones thrown differs somewhat among the various sects. The Shafiis use forty-nine, viz., seven on the tenth day of the month, seven at each of the three pillars (total twenty-one) on the eleventh day, and the same on the twelfth day. The Hanafis further throw twenty-one stones on the thirteenth of the month, thus raising the number to seventy. The first seven pebbles must be collected at Muzdalifa, but the rest may be taken from the Mina valley; in any case, however, each stone should be washed seven times prior to its being thrown, and there must be a total of not less than seven for each pillar. The Hanafis attempt to approach as near as possible to the pillar, while the Shafiis are allowed more latitude, provided they do not exceed a limit of five cubits. Ordinary pilgrims remain at Mecca from ten to fifteen days after the completion of all the requisite ceremonial. Some, however, stay for several months, while others again dwell there for years; but residence at the Holy City is not encouraged by |