_Of Pilgrimage, of Sacred Journeys, and of Mount Arafat_
O freshly blooming rose of the garden-plot of my soul, perfume that dost
charm the nostrils of courtesy, undertake no other journey but that of
Caaba. A useless journey is as disastrous as the fire of hell. Caaba is
the noblest of all the temples and the central point of the universe. It
is the seat of royalty; the ornament of the foot of the throne of the
Divinity; the trunk of the tree of divine mercy; the threshold of
religion and of felicity; the torch that burns in the shrine of
mysterious truths and whose brilliancy attracts suppliants as the candle
the butterfly. It is the mysterious reflection of the high heavens: the
abode veiled in black of Leila; the place of the adoration of men and
angels, where the celestial vault inclines in reverence.
It is the site of the garden-plot of delights, all shining with an
ineffable light. It is the station of the sacred mysteries; may God
forever increase their significance! It is the throne of the rule of the
Omnipotent and the threshold of the court of the All-Merciful. It is the
centre of the earth around which the heavens accomplish their
revolutions. It might be compared to a holy man, tall in stature; and
the black gem to the buckle of his girdle. The black gem is the jewel of
salvation kissed with awe by the friends of God. It is the first thing
honored by the hand of the Creator; the more precious than amber,
adorning the earth’s surface. The chief treasure of the secrets of the
Divinity’s palace, the ornament of humanity’s domain, the dust at its
portals is as a balm to the eyes; ’tis the abode of generosity and the
happy home of purity. The life-giving water of the well of Zemzem is all
prepared for the cleansing of our sins. The holy ground is the glory of
the well of Zemzem, itself the glory of the world.
Mercy escapes from its golden funnel in inexhaustible abundance,
purifying our faults. The water of Zemzem is a pure remedy which
restores health to those who languish in separation. When thou dost
arrive to the limits of the sacred territory, then visit the two walls
of the _ihrâm_. The visiting of holy spots gives new life; each band of
pilgrims participates in the divine mercy. Each breath which escapes
these breasts burning with love is as a spirit messenger ascending to
heaven. O felicity, O delight, O unspeakable honor, to revolve around
God’s throne! Over this sacred place of processions, that it be not
profaned, let thy forehead be as a tapestry! And thy heart, like a moth,
should circle around this holy candle! Diligently visit the court of the
Author of all good. L’Arifè is a figure of the gathering at resurrection
and the solemn day of the counsel of the merciful Lord. There the crowds
which cover Mount Arafat receive the certificate of the pardon of sins.
There are purified those who were burdened with crime; there are freed
the slaves of sin. These culprits form a dazzling ring whose setting is
the column of divine mercy. All that was dark becomes white as snow; the
record of evil deeds is thrown in the fire. Mina is a vast market where
pardon is given in exchange for sins. The temple of Caaba is as the
heart of the world, and its black gem is its inmost part. Exert thyself
to penetrate the mystery of thy nature, formed of slime and water; on
this question exhaust all thy faculties. If thou dost desire to discover
its central point, imitate the compass that always turns in the same
circle.