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"Ah! but my purple pride has been utterly dethroned, and it seems to me now that when I find rest in cloistered duties the quiet sacred seclusion will prove in some degree like the well Zem-Zem, in which Gabriel washed Mohammed's heart, filled it with faith, and restored it to his bosom. Until I am housed safely from the roar and gibes and mockery of the world, I shall not grow better; for here
It is fed by a spring near by, and the water is sweeter and colder than any in the known world, unless it be the well Zem-zem, as generations of people and horses which have drunk of it would testify, if they could come back.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is made not only once, but twice and thrice by those who can afford it, and at much cost earthen jars containing water from the holy well of Zem-zem, the well said to have been shown to Hagar in the wilderness, are brought home by the pilgrims for themselves and their friends for use in the hour of death, when Eblis, the devil, is supposed to stand by offering a bowl of the purest water with which to tempt the soul to abjure its faith in the unity of God.
In his heart he longed to be in Constantinople Islam, it was clear, would lend him no ear; Christendom might be more amenable. He was carried next through the Gate of the Sons of the Old Woman; thence to the space in front of the well Zem-Zem; mindful of the prayers and prostrations required at each place, and of the dumb servants who went with him.
At last, thoroughly worn out, with scorched feet and a burning head, he worked his way out of the Mosque, but he was supremely happy for he had now seen: "Safa, Zem-Zem, Hatim's wall, And holy Kaaba's night-black pall."
The kissing of the sacred black stone in the wall of the Caaba, the sevenfold circuit of the building, the drinking of the water of the well Zem-zem, the race from one hill-top to another in the neighbourhood of Mecca, the throwing of seven stones at a certain spot, and the sacrifice of an animal in a certain valley these form a collection of rites each of which had probably a separate origin, and of some of which the original meaning can scarcely be made out.
A murmur ran through the ranks of the buyers, the people craned their necks to catch a glimpse of this open-handed purchaser. Yusuf the Tagareen rose up in a passion. He announced angrily that never again should the dust of the sok of Algiers defile his slippers, that never again would he come there to purchase slaves. "By the Well of Zem-Zem," he swore, "all men are bewitched in this market.
And thou what wilt thou put thy hand to first?" "Oh, I have not made up my mind! I am thinking of a load of gold for my camel enough to take my father and his three wives to Mecca, and buy water for them from the Zem-zem. Praised be Allah!" "Bah! Gold will be cheap." "Yes, as bezants; but I have heard of a bucket the unbelieving Greeks use at times for mixing wine and bread in.
The repast being over, he mounted his camel again and rode to the Kaaba; where he made the noon-tide prayer, and drank seven large draughts of the well Zem-zem, made seven circuits round the Kaaba, and concluded his career between the hills Safa and Merwan. "The ninth day of the feast he went to perform his devotions on Mount Arafa.
It is fed by a spring near by, and the water is sweeter and colder than any in the known world, unless it be the well Zem-zem, as generations of people and horses which have drunk of it would testify, if they could come back.
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