[358]. A street on the south of the Báb Zuweyleh.
[359]. Like that of the Sage Doobán, whose story is told in “The Thousand and One Nights.”
[360]. It is also said that similar phenomena, but not so brilliant, distinguish some other tombs at El-Medeeneh and elsewhere.
[361]. Several superstitious customs, observed in the performance of many ordinary actions, result from their extravagant respect for their prophet, and their saints in general. For instance, on lighting the lamp in the evening, more particularly at a shop, it is customary to say, “Commemorate Mohammad, and forget not the excellencies of ’Alee; the Fát’hah for the Prophet, and for every welee;” and then to repeat the Fát’hah. It is usual to say, on first seeing the new moon, “O God, favour our lord Mohammad! God make thee a blessed moon (or month);” and on looking at one’s face in a glass, “O God, favour our lord Mohammad!” This ejaculation being used to counteract the influence of the evil eye, it seems as if an Arab feared the effect even of his own admiring look.
[362]. See the account of the water-carriers in Chap. xiv.
[363]. Called the “Shems el-Kebeereh.”
[364]. The “zikr” will be fully described in another chapter, on the periodical public festivals, etc.
[365]. See St. Matthew xxiii. 29.
[366]. Often improperly called “esh-Sheykh es-Sádát.”
[367]. The title is “sáheb seggádeh.”