Home1797 Edition

ARAFAT

Volume 2 · 173 words · 1797 Edition

or GIBEL EL ORPHAT, the mountain of knowledge, a mountain in Arabia, near Mecca. The Mahometans say this was the place where Adam first met with and knew his wife Eve after their expulsion from Paradise. This mountain not being large enough to contain all the devotees that come annually in pilgrimage to Mecca, stones are set up all round it to show how far it reaches. The pilgrims are clad in robes of humility and mortification, with their heads uncovered. They seem to be very much affected; for the tears flow down their cheeks, and they sob and sigh most bitterly, begging earnestly for remission of sins, and promising to lead a new life. They continue here about four or five hours, and at half an hour after sunset they all decamp to perform a religious duty called Asham nomas. After this, they all receive the honourable title of haddajet, which is conferred upon them by the imam or priest. This being pronounced, the trumpet sounds, and they all return to Mecca.