[158]. Because the Prophet received the first revelation in that month.
[159]. Kur-án, chap. ii., v. 183.
[160]. The year being lunar, each month retrogrades through all the seasons in the course of about thirty-three years and a half.
[161]. A Málikee is held bound to perform the pilgrimage if strong enough to bear the journey on foot, and able to earn his food on the way.
[162]. On the pronunciation of this word, see a note to the second paragraph of Chapter V., p. 120.
[163]. More properly “Sagheer.” This is what many travellers have incorrectly called “the Great Festival.”
[164]. Misled by the decision of those doctors, and an opinion prevalent in Europe, I represented the laws of “holy war” as more severe than I find them to be according to the letter and spirit of the Kur-án, when carefully examined, and according to the Hanafee code. I am indebted to Mr. Urquhart for suggesting to me the necessity of revising my former statement on this subject; and must express my conviction that no precept is to be found in the Kur-án which, taken with the context, can justify unprovoked war.
[165]. Kur-án, chap. ii., v. 216. A kind of wine, formerly called “nebeedh” (a name now given to prohibited kinds), may be lawfully drunk. This is generally an infusion of dry grapes, or dry dates. The Muslims used to keep it until it had slightly fermented; and the Prophet himself was accustomed to drink it, but not when it was more than two days old. The nebeedh of raisins is now called “zebeeb.”
[166]. A similar beverage, thus prepared from barley, was used by the ancient Egyptians. (Herodotus, lib. ii., cap. 77.) The modern inhabitants of Egypt also prepare boozeh from wheat and from millet in the same manner, but less commonly.
[167]. Swine were universally deemed impure by the ancient Egyptians (Herodotus, lib. ii., cap. 47.)