'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎100r] (199/565)

Dagbaisar, Fabaid, Sa'ad, and Bin Saif were those especially known to long for
paradise in this simple way. Less complimentry (I mean annoying) remarks
were often made by our honest Nejdi companions in regard to us ; we were
pointed out to strangers, Badu. etc., as " Awadam-an-lSVara " or " Khuddam-
al-Angrez " (the Christians* men or servants of the English). Once, according
to Farhan, the pious Bin Daghaithar replied to a questioner about us " Hadhaula
Nasara, JCuffar " (those are Christians, infidels). Of course, the ruler him
self, his lather, sons, stafl: and entourage do not entertain or ever betray any
thing like this blind bigotry and fanaticism. In fact, they condemn .the
Akhwan and, outwardly at least, hate and curse him for his excessive
intolerance and open hatred of other Moslems; but I have no doubt that in-
"u ardly, the ruler as well as the ruling family countenance and even encourage
this spirit because it provides them with a useful political weapon against
their real or supposed enimies, the follwers of other religions not excluding
Moslems of other denominations. Ahmad Thanaiyan Once admitted this and
tried to explain it away somewhat like this : " These poor ignorants know little
of the Moslems of other persuasions and much less about those of other countries.
They do not know anything except the names Christians, Jews, etc. So they
cannot possibly understand the need for having friendly political relations
with them. Hut this ignorance and aloofness on the part of these common
people help to keep the "Baidhat-al-Islam " (immaculate whiteness of Islam)
sale irom contamination through foreign influence, and for this reason it is
not altogether undesirable. You see to what state of irreligiousness the Arabs
ol other parts like Syria, the Hejaz and Iraq have been reduced, owing to free
intercourse with other nations. We Ntjdis cherish and follow our own
religion, the true Islam, and we had better live like thi" than seek good name
by mixing too ireely with others. I could only express ray outward accept
ance of this plea.
132. At 4-30 a.m . halted for prayers, re-starting at 5 am . Soon
after sunrise saw two little streams of fresh rain water flowing down from
black rocks called Huirat-al-Jvishab, which were reached at 7 a. m . Here,
once more, the guides declare we have lost our way for ths third or fourth time
which means a total loss of one precious day's march. Ahmad Thanaiyan is
furious, and the guides, especially Sagar-al-Ataibi give cheeky answers. Have
to turn roui d and go about three miles and then proceed on a well-marked
track, travelling over dusty ground. We now see the Hadhn hills in the distance.
133. I recall one of Bin Sand's very interesting remarks : You will see
Iladhn ; that is the limit of the Heiaz as the Holy Prophet has said, * Man raa
lladhna faqad tanajjad. * (As soon as one sees Hadhn, he is in Nejd.) How
can the Sharif claim any ground this way of Hadhn Keedies to says that
this if true and abided by, will give Tarrabah and Khurmah to Bin Saud
without much ado.
134. At 11-30 a. m . halted in a little sandy plain, thinly covered with
Ashab and Afraj grass, a boon to the camels Maiid, the camel-boy, Bakhitand
Bin Nassar avail of my medicines •,Quinine and Epsom Salts) without of course,
showing the least thankfulness.
135. Started at 3-30 p. m ., after' a brief rest and the usual prayers. Pass
over little tracts of small white and black stones with whicli are mixed up
tiny little green and red coloured pebbles. Ground is alternately stony and
sandy. Halted at 6-30 p. m . for prayers, also took coffee, and resumed the
march. The camels, though much spent, seem to go pretty fast, not less than
five mile an hour 1 should think. Halted at 11 -30 p. m. ]S t o supper as usual.
I content myself with biscuits which I share with Farhan and Ahmad
Thanaiyan. Had a good sleep in spite of the fears betrayed by the party who
seemed to expect a sudden raid or onslaught. This was to my mind a sure sign
that we were then in the Hejaz territory.
136. Thursday, 19th August = 4th Dhil-Eijjah. Started at 4- a. m.,
going over stony ground with many shrubs all around. At sunrise we found
ourselves in a vast jungle of Sumr and Khumt, very prickly stunted trees,
which were rather difficult to pass by, without getting one's clothes and bags
torn.
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