memoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismaíl! The following is the account given by Muhammadan writers:—"When Ibrahím (the peace of God be upon him) founded Mecca, the Lord desired him to prepare a feast for Him. Upon Ibrahím's (the friend of God) requesting to know what He would have on the occasion, the Lord replied, 'Offer up thy son Ismaíl.' Agreeably to God's command he took Ismaíl to the Kʾaba to sacrifice him, and having laid him down, he made several ineffectual strokes on his throat with a knife, on which Ismaíl observed,' Your eyes being uncovered, it is through pity and compassion for me you allow the knife to miss: it would be better if you blindfolded yourself with the end of your turban and then sacrificed me.' Ibrahím acted upon his son's suggestion and having repeated the words 'bismillah allah-ho akbar' (i.e., 'in the name of the great God'), he drew the knife across his son's neck. In the meanwhile, however, Gabriel had substituted a broad-tailed sheep for the youth Ismaíl, and Ibrahím unfolding his eyes observed, to his surprise, the sheep slain, and his son standing behind him." The account
