sacrifice was offered. Mecca is the city or tract
of country surrounding the house.
Thus they will say: 'I am making my pilgrimage to Mecca, to visit the
Kaabah, which in my Namaaz, has been my Kiblaah when worshipping my God.'
A Commentator on the Khoraun writes, in allusion to the prevailing
worldly-minded men of his day, the following expressive definition of the
objects most worshipped by them, and concludes with the one only Kiblaah
deserving men's attention.
'The Sovereign's Kiblaah is His well-ornamented crown.'
'The Sensualist's Kiblaah, The gratification of his appetites.'
'The Lover's Kiblaah, The mistress of his heart.'
'The Miser's Kiblaah, His hoards of gold and silver.'
'The Ambitious Man's Kiblaah, This world's honours and possessions.'
'The mere Professor's Kiblaah, The arch of the Holy House.'
And
'The Righteous Man's Kiblaah, The pure love of God,--which may all men
learn and practise.'
The Mussulmaun Faith directs them to believe, not only in the prophets and
their writings, but also that they are intercessors at the throne of grace;
for this reason Mahumud taught his followers to call on God to hear them
for the sake of,--
'1st. Adam, Suffee Ali ("the Pure" is the nearest possible translation).'
'2nd. Noah, the Prophet of God.'
'3rd. Abraham, the Friend of God.'
'4th. Moses, who Conversed with God.'
'5th. Jesus, the Soul of God.'
'6th. Mahumud, the Prophet of God.'[13]
Those persons who are devout in the exercise of their religious duties day
by day, in the concluding part of the morning Namaaz strictly observe the
practice of Mahumud and the Emaums, in the prayers of intercession; and
the 'Salaam-oon-ali Khoom',[14] (peace or rest be with thee) O Adam Suffee
Ali! and to thee, O Noah, the Prophet of God! and to thee, O Abraham! &c.
&c. going through the line in the manner and rotation above-described,
concluding with the several Emaums, twelve in number (as in their Creed).
It will be seen by this, that they have reverence for all who came from
God, to teach mankind His will. They believe also, that the Holy Prophets
are sensible of the respect paid to them by existing mortals, as also when
on earth they knew what was in the hearts of those men they conversed with.
I have the honour to be acquainted with a lady of the Mussulmaun Religion,
who lives in accordance with the Faith she professes. There was a period
in her life, within my recollection, when she had
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