'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎604] (697/905)

604
THE KA'BAH.
[CHAP. XXIII.
The kessoua, or The ka'bali is encircled by an immense curtain (kessoua) of
curtain - rich black stuff, on which appears in large Arabic characters
the essence of the Muslim creed, <c There is no other God but
God, and Muhammed is his Prophet," &c., also some prayers
worked in gold thread. The top of the ka'bah is bare, and
opposite the black stone an opening is left in the curtain. The
latter is manufactured in Cairo at the expense of the Sultan,
and is always of the same form and pattern. On the 25th of
the month Zul' Kade the old one is removed, and the ihram
^ (stripping) continues during the absence of the pilgrims at
Arafat, or about 15 days. The new kessoua is then displayed,
and its colour, shape, and gentle undulations in the midst of
a vast square produce a singularly imposing effect. The ka bah
itself, as well as the custom of clothing it, appears to be of
Pagan origin, and to go back at least to Asad Toba, one of
the Himiyarite kings of Yemen. 2 But according to Muham-
medan tradition, the structure was raised by the personal labour
of Abraham and Isaac; and on the spot which is asserted to
have been once occupied by a similar building erected by Adam
after his expulsion from Paradise. Opposite the centre of the
western side, two slabs of verde antico mark the supposed
tombs of Hagar and Isma'el ; 3 and on the same side, about two
feet below the summit of the structure, is the Myzeb or water
spout, said to be of pure gold. It projects about four feet, and
has at the extremity a hanging gilt board, called the Beard of
Myzeb, to throw rain water clear of the building. 4
Round the ka'bah there is an oval-shaped marble pavement,
enclosed by 32 gilt-poles, and suspended in each of the intervals
are seven glass lamps, which are always lighted after sunset.
Outside there is a second pavement, about eight paces broad,
and rather more elevated; then another, six inches higher, and
eighteen inches broad, on which are the five makams or places
of prayer. Beyond these are the mambar (pulpit). El Bab-
WeiiofZem- es'-Salam, and the building enclosing the well of Zemzem,
which according to tradition was that found by Hagar when
Ismael was perishing from thirst; the spring is so abundant
1 Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia, vol. I., p. 256.
8 Ibid., p. 257. 3 Ibid., p. 252. 4 Ibid.