[34]. After both sets of prayers, Farz and Sunnah, the Moslem looks over his right shoulder and says “The Peace (of Allah) be upon you and the ruth of Allah,” and repeats the words over the left shoulder. The salutation is addressed to the Guardian Angels or to the bystanders (Moslems) who, however, do not return it.
[35]. i.e. Ibrahim of Mosul the musician. See vol. iv. 108.
[36]. Arab. “Líyúth” plur. of “Layth,” a lion: here warriors are meant.
[37]. The Abbasides traced their descent from Al-Abbas, Mohammed’s uncle, and justly held themselves as belonging to the family of the Prophet. See vol. ii. 61.
[38]. Arab. “Nímshah” = “half-sword.” See vol. ii. p. 193.
[39]. i.e. May thy dwelling-place never fall into ruin. The prayer has, strange to say, been granted. “The present city on the Eastern bank of the Tigris was built by Haroun al-Rashid, and his house still stands there and is an object of reverent curiosity.” So says my friend Mr. Grattan Geary (vol. i. p. 212, “Through Asiatic Turkey”, London: Low, 1878). He also gives a sketch of Zubaydah’s tomb on the western bank of the Tigris near the suburb which represents old Baghdad: it is a pineapple dome springing from an octagon, both of brick once revetted with white stucco.
[40]. In the Bresl. Edit. four hundred. I prefer the exaggerated total.
[41]. i.e. the raised recess at the upper end of an Oriental saloon, and the place of honour, which Lane calls by its Egyptian name “Líwán.” See his vol. i. 312 and his M.E. chapt. i: also my vol. iv. p. 71.
[42]. “Bit o’Musk.”
[43]. “A gin,” a snare.