MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.
35
siege of Jerusalem (10th of tenth month), the capture of the city (17th of the fourth month), the burning of the temple (9th of the fifth month), and the death of Gueda- liah (3rd of the first month) of the civil year.
Every seventh year is to the Jews a Sabbatical year; and we find that Alexander the Great granted them an exemption from tribute on that year.
After seven weeks or Sabbath of years, that is, after seven times seven years, the great Festival of the JUBILEE was celebrated; and during the whole year they neither sowed nor reaped. On this fiftieth year every one resumed possession of his inheritance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienated in any way, and Hebrew slaves of every description were set free, with their wives and children. Houses and edifices in walled towns were the only kind of property that did not return to the original owner in the year of the Jubilee.
MAHOMEDAN.
RAMAZAN.-The Mahomedan fast commences each day throughout the month of this name, when the first streak of light borders the eastern horizon, and continues until the stars are clearly discerned in the heavens. During the whole of these hours not the slightest particle of food, not one single drop of water nor any other liquid, or smoke ever passes the lips. Each day during the fast is passed in occa- sional prayer, besides the usual nimaz, and in reading the Koran or lives of the pro- phets. The fast is broken by dates, in remembrance of the Prophet's family, whose great luxury was supposed to be the date of Arabia, and some cooling draught is added if required. The conclusion of the month Ramazan is celebrated as an Eed festival and is hailed with great rejoicing and merriment. In every house the same dainties are provided, every amusement that can be thought of is indulged in. In some houses the nautch girls are in the apartments of the gentlemen and the “domni” in those of the women.
EED KORBAN. In commemoration of Abraham offering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually perform the Haj at Mecca. The followers of Mahomed claim to be descendants of Abraham through his son Ishmael, who, they aver, was chosen as the offering to the Almighty, and not Isaac, thus differing from the Jews and Christians, grounding their assertions on traditions which they deem conclusive evidence on the subjcct, in opposition to the authority of the Bible. The offering thus made is annually commemorated by the sacrifice of animals, such as camels, sheep, goats or lambs, according to each person's means, which answer the purpose of honouring the memory of Abraham and Ishmael. The followers of Ma- homed believe that the entrance to Paradise is guarded by a bridge as narrow as a scythe, or some such equally sharp instrument, affording a precarious and unstable footing. To enable them, therefore, to pass without danger, they believe that the animals they have sacrificed at the feast of Eed will be present to lend their aid to help them over in safety.
MOHARRAM.-A celebrated mourning festival held annually in remembrance of the first martyrs of Mussulinans-Hassain and Hossein, the two sons of Fatima and Ali—from whom the whole race of Syads have descended. Hassain was poisoned by an emissary of the usurping Kalipha, and Hossein, the last victim of the descen- dants of the prophet's family, to King Yazid's (son of Maviah) fury, suffering a cruel death after the most severe trials on the plain of Kurbala, on the tenth day of the Arabian month of Moharram, the anniversary of which catastrophe is solemnised with the most devoted zeal. Hassain and Hossein were, as above stated, the two sons of Ali, by his cousin Fatima, the daughter of Mahomed, and after the murder of their father by the contrivances of the then ruling Kalipba, they with their families removed from Shawn, the capital, to Medina. After residing there for several years, the people of Shawn, being tired of King Yazid's tyrannical rule, invited Hossein to return to the capital, and assume his lawful right as Iman (leader of the faithful). Before accepting this invitation, Hossein sent Moslem, his cousiu, as a messenger to report the true state of affairs to him; but on his arrival with his two sons at Shawn,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.