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just arrangement all those component descriptions not contained in one place. Hither were transferred all that had been originally transferred by preceding writers. Here were melted and fashioned (as trinkets), from beginning to end, all the traditionary stories of the Marvels of the Baitu-lMukaddas. (This was done) by himself (i. e. myself) under the shadow of God, who alone can adorn or exalt me; For my guiding bridle consists in those benefits which he hath conferred (in bringing me from poverty unto the enjoyment of all that people of the first rank enjoy). In addition to consulting these authors, I betook myself to such converse as would produce to me the most entire beneficial results: For thus some generous and skilful writers informed me of the opening parts of every book in a summary way. Thus they

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caused me to consider Virtues of the Baitu-1-Mukaddas,' by the Shaikh, the Imám Abu-Al-FarajAbdurrahmán-Ibn-Al-Jauzi, (may God Almighty have mercy upon him!) who is a most (acute) historian. Thus also I met with (the information) which is to be found in the Diligent Collections upon the Virtues of the Masjid-ul-Aksá,' by the Imám, the historian, Shaikh-ul-Islám, Abu-'lKasim, Alí-Ibn-ul-Hussain, Ibn-Abdallah-Ibn-Isákir, that is to say, the middle volume (or roll) and certain divisions thereof, especially those following

the 16th and 17th sections. Now, the above-named volume, relied upon by the compiler, consisted of several parts; one having twelve, and the last fifteen chapters (or series of disquisitions): the title-page of one part of which work is dated the 19th of Ramadán, the year 596, in the Mosque Al Aksá; and of the other, the 7th of Rabia the 1st, of the year 578. There are other parts by another author; viz. the Shaikh, the learned Imám-TakiAddín-Abu-Mahmood-Ismaël, who names in his work the Imám the historian, the learned TajAddín-Abdurrahmán-Ibn-Hanja-Al-Kaza, and the Imám-Abu-Zakia-Yahya-Amúr. Thus, again, I met with information in the first volume, first part, and the latter portion of the tenth part of The Book of Social Converse,' on the wonders of the Baitu-l-Mukaddas, by the son of the uncle of the historian above-mentioned; viz. the Kádí-Imám-AlAlam - Al-Thakat-Amín-Addín-Ahmad-Ibn- Muhammad-Ibn-Hassan-Ibn-Hebat-Allah, the Sháfí. Now, the above-mentioned volume is dated the fifth day, 15th of Shawwal, the year 603, in the mosque (or college) of Damascus. The compiler also relied upon others. In one of these works, then, says the Kádí-Amín-Addín-Ahmad above-mentioned, Now, I have composed this book; and in this book I have taken, as my authority, the work of (my uncle's son) Al Hafiz (one who knew

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the Koran by heart) Mahmud-Al-Kásim-IbnAl-Hafiz Abn-Al-Kasim; (may God Almighty compassionate him!)" The just-named author hath been very useful in his Diligent Collections on the Marvels of the Masjidu-l-Aksá.' From him I gained certain verses and narratives, (by alleging which as my authority, I will sufficiently satisfy him). This author's historical works I would class, on account of the diligence and singular care he has expended upon them, with any ancients before him; for he displays therein most singular acuteness and memory. He is also superior to the whole of them in loftiness of expression, and most beautiful in the didactic style, in any branch of literature, on which, in the course of his work, he must dilate. Again, that said author of the Gardens of Exercise on the Virtues of the Baitu-1-Mukaddas' observes, "I met with a book called 'The Stirring up of Souls to the Pilgrimage to the Holy Place,' by the Shaikh Birhán-AddínAl-Kazarí, who asserts in his Preface that for the Wonders of the Holy House he selected chiefly from the work called 'The Lucid Book,' by the historian Bihá-Addín-Ibn-Asákir, and a small portion from the book of Ibn-Al-Muáled-AlMushrat-Ibn-Al-Mirjá-Al-Mukaddisí.” Part of

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his work was transferred from this author; but the remainder from The Lucid Book.' He also

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says, "When, in completing my work, I arrived at a subject of which these authors also treated, I retrenched all their introduced quotations, taking only the original portions." The same Said observes again, "I met also with a book, 'Directions for the Adorer, in his judgment of Mosques,' by the Shaikh Badr-Addín-Al-Zarkashí, who says, "I met with a book, 'A Smoothing of the Road, for the Visitors of the Mosques,' by the Shaikh ShahábAddín-Ahmad-Ibn-Al-Omad-Al-Ifkahsí, a Sháfí, who says, "I met with a most shrewd extract, on the Wonders of Syria and Damascus, by the Shaikh Abu-l-Hassan-Ali-Ibn-Mahmud-Ibn Shajaz-Al-Rebi-Al-Malíkí." This extract is dated at Damascus, in the mosque of the Jámi, (or cathedral,) the year 35. It was abridged by the Shaikh Birháin-Addín-Al-Thazari, by cutting off the references, and carefully considering which were the absolute facts. He named it ⚫ Directions to the Virtues of Syria.'". The Said again remarks, "In the mosque of Abraham (prayer be upon his abiding-place, and peace upon his personan asylum from those who compel us to seek it!) I met with a work ascribed to Ishak-IbnIbrahim-Ibn-Ahmad-Ibn-Muhammad-Ibn-KámilAl-Tad meri, preacher and Imám in the reposingplace of Abraham (peace be upon him!). This work is named The Minute Text-sifter,' upon

the pilgrimage to the tomb of Abraham (peace be upon him!). He introduces into this book useful information, reported by two Shaikhs; viz., Al Isnúí, and Al Balakiní; for he says, in different passages, Thus said our Shaikh Abdurrahmán-Al-Isnúí, and spoke most usefully; or, thus said our Shaikh Sirás - Addín - Al-Balakiní, and spoke most instructively.'"

These, then, are the works with which the said Taj-Addín-Al-Mashár met; and on references from which he chiefly supported the foundations of his work, 'The Gardens of Exercise.' With this work the pilgrim can have no need of examining any of the books of Wonders; and oh! may God perpetuate the profitable effects (of this pilgrimage)! -may he perpetuate a confident knowledge of the traditions of the sacred journey, all those transferred histories, all those (accounts) which I resolved to collect for the completion of this work! -a work which I have commenced, set about, and arranged in the manner I desired, and which I contrived so as to contain seventeen chapters.

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