Episodes

  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXXI - The Three Days of Drying Flesh

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXXI - The Three Days of Drying Flesh
    Jul 6 2026
    In which the author, seeking discreet assistance, gains the trust of a pious Mahumetan who hospitably shelters him amidst the bustling caravan preparations and lively exchanges in Mecca and Zida, where the mingling of devout pilgrims and varied commerce paints a vivid picture of regional life. The narrative then shifts to the detailed pilgrim account of Joseph Pitts, portraying his captivity, forced conversion, and poignant observations of the fervent rituals and desolate environs of Mecca with a tone both critical and compassionate.
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    24 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXX - The Third Day

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXX - The Third Day
    Jul 5 2026
    In which a detailed specimen of a Murshid’s diploma in the Kadiri Sufi order is presented, replete with venerable genealogies tracing back to the Prophet and Adam, thus illuminating the spiritual lineage and reverence held within this mystical tradition. Thereafter, we are regaled with the travels and observations of Ludovicus Vertomannus, whose earnest pilgrimage to Meccah and Al-Madinah unveils the customs, religious practices, and peculiar topographies of these sacred cities, whilst offering a candid, if occasionally credulous, account of the people and controversies therein.
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    38 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXVIII - The First Day

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXVIII - The First Day
    Jul 4 2026
    In which the devout pilgrim is guided through the reverential rites at the Prophet’s tomb and the surrounding sacred sites, accompanied by solemn prayers and respectful gestures, whilst strict injunctions caution against improper acts such as circumambulating the tomb or taking sacred earth. Following this, a detailed and meticulous architectural and historical account unfolds, describing the Kaabah and its mosque: the varied columns, gateways, sacred stones, and associated structures are laid out with the scholarly exactitude befitting so venerable a sanctuary.
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    33 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXV - The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 3

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXV - The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 3
    Jul 2 2026
    In which the pilgrim recounts the solemn yet tumultuous rites of the Yaum Arafat and Yaum Nahr, detailing the intricate ceremonies on the Mountain of Mercy and the crowded, fervent procession that climaxes with the chaotic departure to Muna. He then describes entering the sacred Kaabah itself, observing its austere interior and the complex customs surrounding its dress and the ritual shedding of pilgrimage garb, all rendered with a blend of reverence and shrewd observation.
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    28 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXVI - From Al-suwayrkiyah to Meccah, part 1

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXVI - From Al-suwayrkiyah to Meccah, part 1
    Jul 3 2026
    In which the venerable author contemplates the storied evolutions and sacred inscriptions of the Kiswah adorning the Kaabah, reflects upon the intense heat and festal chaos of Muna, and observes the varied customs and characters of Meccah's inhabitants amid the solemnity of pilgrimage rites. Amidst vivid scenes of religious observance and lively social interchange, he also receives counsel on the perils of undetected identity and undertakes the Umrah, or Little Pilgrimage, with due ceremony and solemnity.
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    47 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXV - The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 1

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXV - The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 1
    Jul 1 2026
    In which the author and his companions journey from Al-Suwayrkiyah towards Meccah, encountering the varied terrain and the challenging customs and characters of the Badawi tribes; amid encounters with robbers and spirited caravans, they prepare themselves by assuming the sacred pilgrim garb and rites for the approaching holy city. The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of the desert landscapes, fierce tribal disputes, and the solemn ceremonies that bind the pilgrims in reverence and unity along their arduous path.
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    40 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXXII - Life at Meccah, and Umrah, or the Little Pilgrimage

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXXII - Life at Meccah, and Umrah, or the Little Pilgrimage
    Jul 6 2026
    In which the sacred Beat-Allah at Mecca is described in detail, from its grand architecture and ornate coverings to the devout ceremonies performed by pilgrims, including the bathing in the holy Zem Zem water, and the solemn rites at the nearby holy sites such as Arafat and Mina, all woven with vivid observations of piety and superstition. The journey from Mecca back to Cairo is recounted with equal care, illustrating the organisation of the pilgrimage caravans, the trials faced en route—such as theft and the harsh desert—and a respectful visit to the tomb of Mahomet at Medina, where the pilgrims engage in fervent homage amidst humble surroundings.
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    49 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXIX - The Second Day

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXIX - The Second Day
    Jul 5 2026
    In which the venerable history and successive reconstructions of the Kaabah are meticulously recounted, detailing its architectural transformations, the tribes involved in its care, and the sacred relics it enshrines, all held with profound reverence despite alterations through the ages. The narrative further explores the spiritual significance ascribed to the sanctuary, illuminated by learned commentary on its miraculous attributes, devotional customs, and the interplay of tradition and piety that enshroud this central locus of pilgrimage.
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    22 mins