HAJJ, OR PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA.
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wear any other garment than the Ihrám. Immediately on his arrival at Mecca he performs the legal ablutions, and proceeds to the Musjid-ul-Harám, or Sacred Mosque, and kisses the Hajr-ul-aswad, or the black stone, and then encompasses the Kʾaba[1] seven times. This act, which is called Tawáf, is performed by commencing on the right and leaving the Kʾaba on the left. The circuits are made thrice with a quick step or run, and four times at a slow pace.[2] He then proceeds to the Maqám-i-Ibrahím (the place of the prophet Abraham) and performs two rakʾat prayers, after which he returns to the black stone and kisses it. He then goes to the gate of the temple leading to Mount Safá, and from it ascends the hill and
- ↑ Some confusion exists in the minds of English authors with regard to the word Kʾaba. The Temple or Mosque at Mecea is called Musjid-ul-Harám (the sacred Mosque), or Bait-ullah (the house of God). The Kʾaba (lit. a cube) is the square stone building in the centre, containing the black stone. And the Hajr-ul-aswad is the black stone itself, which Muslims say was originally white, but became black by reason of men's sins.
- ↑ Sharastani informs us, that there was an opinion prevalent amongst the Arabs that the walking round the Kʾaba, and other ceremonies, were symbolic of the motion of the planets, and of other astronomical facts. (Rodwell.)
