Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

Xiv CONTENTS.

LETTER VIII.

The Fast of Rumzaun.—Motives for its strict observance.—
Its commencement and duration.—Sentiments of Meer
Hadjee Shaah on the duty of fasting.—Adherence of the
females to the observing this fast.—How first broken.—
Devout persons extend the term to forty days.—Children
permitted to try their zeal.—Calamitous effects of the
experiment.—Exemptions from this duty.—Joyful termi-
nation of the fast.—Celebration of Eade on the last day.
—The Nuzza.—Nautchwomen and Domenie.—Surprise
of the Natives at European dancing.—-Remarks on their
Music.—Anecdotes of Fatima.—The Chuckee. Page 178

LETTER IX.

The Hadje (Pilgrimage to Mecca).—Commanded to be
performed by Mahumud.—Eagerness of both sexes to
visit the Prophet's tomb.—Qualifications requisite for the
undertaking.—Different routes from India to Mecca.—
Duties of the pilgrims at the Holy House.—Mecca and
its environs.—Place of Abraham.—The Bedouins.—
Anecdote of a devotee and two pilgrims.—A Bedouin
Arab and the travellers to Mecca.—The Kaabah (Holy
House).—Superstitious regard to a chain suspended
there.—Account of the gold water-spout.—Tax levied
on pilgrims visiting the tomb of Mahumud by the Sheruff
of Mecca.—Sacred visit to the tombs of Ali, Hasan, and
Hosein.—The importance attached to this duty.—-Travel-
lers annoyed by the Arabs.—An instance recorded.—The
Nudghiff Usheruff.—Anecdotes of Syaad Harshim.

Page 206
LETTER X.

The Zuckhaut (God's portion).—Syaads restricted the be-
nefit of this charity.—The Sutkah.—The Emaum's Zau-
munee (protection).—The Tenths, or Syaads' Due.—Mus-