[138]. If of the sect of the Sháfe’ees, to which most of the people of Cairo belong; but if of that of the Hanafees, four rek’ahs.
[139]. Kur-án, chap. xxxiii., v. 56.
[140]. There are some trifling differences in the forms of salutations of the Prophet in the Friday-prayers in different mosques; I describe what is most common.
[141]. A kind of lizard, the lacerta Libyca.
[142]. In the great mosque El-Azhar there are several Muballighs in different places, to make the adán heard to the whole congregation.
[143]. To commemorate the acquisition of Egypt by the sword. It is never used by the Khateeb but in a country or town that has been so acquired by the Muslims from unbelievers.
[144]. During my first visit to Egypt I went to the great mosque El-Azhar, to witness the performance of the Friday-prayers by the largest congregation in Cairo. I was pleased with the preaching of the Khateeb of the mosque, Gád-El-Mowla, and afterwards procured his sermon-book (“deewán khutab”), containing sermons for every Friday in the year, and for the two “’eeds,” or grand festivals. I translate the first sermon.
[145]. The year begins and ends with a sacred month. The sacred months are four: the first, seventh, eleventh, and twelfth. During these, war was forbidden to be waged against such as acknowledged them to be sacred, but was afterwards allowed. The first month is also held to be excellent on account of the day of ’A’shoora (respecting which see Chap. XXIV. of this work); and the last, on account of the pilgrimage.
[146]. That of the month of Ramadán.
[147]. See an account of the customs observed in honour of the day of ’A’shoora, chap. xxiv.