[348]. It is a custom of many “fukaha” (or learned and devout persons), and some others, to say, “In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,” on locking a door, covering bread, laying down their clothes at night, and on other occasions; and this, they believe, protects their property from genii. The thing over which these words have been pronounced is termed “musemmee (for “musemma”) ’aleyh.”
[349]. As is the case also in Switzerland.
[350]. Also (and, I believe, more properly) written “dalik,” but commonly pronounced as above.
[351]. In the original, “owliya,” plural of “welee.”
[352]. Chap, x., ver. 63.
[353]. A miracle performed by a welee is termed “karámeh:” one performed by a prophet, “moagiz′eh.”
[354]. In the plural forms, “Nukaba,” “Angáb” or “Nugaba,” and “Abdál.”
[355]. For “Báb El-Mutawellee.”
[356]. This mysterious person, according to the more approved opinion of the learned, was not a prophet, but a just man, or saint, the Wezeer and counsellor of the first Zu-l-Karneyn, who was a universal conqueror, but an equally doubtful personage, contemporary with the patriarch Ibráheem, or Abraham. El-Khidr is said to have drunk of the Fountain of Life, in consequence of which he lives till the day of judgment, and to appear frequently to Muslims in perplexity. He is generally clad in green garments; whence, according to some, his name.
[357]. See 1 Kings xviii. 12, and 2 Kings ii. 9-16.