[541]. It is said that the second sheykh of the Saadeeyeh (the immediate successor of the founder of the order) rode over heaps of glass bottles, without breaking any of them!
[542]. Performers of zikrs of this kind have been called, by various travellers, “barking, or howling, dervishes.”
[543]. Thefts are also sometimes committed in this mosque on other occasions, as a friend of mine lately experienced.—“I went there,” said he, “to pray; and, as I was stooping over the brink of the ‘meydaäh,’ to perform the ablution, having placed my shoes beside me, and was saying, ‘I purpose to perform the divine ordinance of the “wudoó,”’ somebody behind me said to himself, ‘I purpose to take away this nice pair of shoes.’ On looking round, I found an old worn-out pair of shoes put in the place of my own, which were new.”
[544]. ’Eesa is the Arabic name of Jesus, and not uncommon among Muslims, as they acknowledge and highly venerate the Messiah.
[545]. The performances of Richardson, described in Evelyn’s Memoirs (pp. 375-6, 8vo edition), appear to have surpassed those of the darweeshes here mentioned.
[546]. “Seyyidna” signifies “our lord.”
[547]. About this time, the Turkish pilgrims, on their way to Mekkeh, begin to arrive in Egypt.
[548]. This mosque was commenced shortly before the invasion of Egypt by the French, and completed soon after they had quitted the country.
[549]. This tale applies to the Khaleefeh El-Hákim. I have heard it related with some trifling differences.
[550]. In the Commentary of the Geláleyn, “Sidrat el-Muntah′a,” or the Lote-tree of the Extremity (Kur-án, chap. liii., verse 14), is interpreted as signifying “The Lote-tree beyond which neither angels nor others can pass.”