of vast importance. "Verily the first house appointed for men to worship in was that which is in Becca; blessed and a direction to all creatures. Therein are manifest signs; the place where Abraham stood, and whoever entereth therein shall be safe, And it is a duty towards God, incumbent on those who are able to go thither, to visit this house[1]."
Respecting the signs above alluded to, there is the black stone which the Moslems fable fell down from heaven to earth with Adam, and was preserved by Gabriel and given to Abraham when he built the Ca-aba. This was taken by the Karmatians and afterwards restored. There is another stone, on which they pretend to shew the footsteps of Abraham, which served as a scaffold while employed in building the temple, raising and depressing itself voluntarily, so as to suit his convenience. The well of Zemzem also, con-
- ↑ See Koran, chapter 3, entitled the Family of Imram.
