View PDF version of this page

UMM ÇARÂM. I reprint here my translation of a Turkish manuscript, which preserves an account, compiled abont 1800, of the Mnsalman shrine near Larnaca, known as the Khalat i Sultan Tekye. Within its precincts, under a megalithic monument, lie the venerated remains of Umm Ç&ram bint Milhân, a lady of Ute kin of Mohammad, who in the spring of A.n. 649 left Syria with her husband 'Ubdda ihn as-Samit in the train of Mo'âwiya for the conquest of Cyprus, and died by a fall from her mule on the spot where she is buried. For biographical and other details the reader may refer to the original paper in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, January, 1897. In the naine of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. The fulness of devotion to Umm Harâm, danghter of Milhan : may the Merciful, the Host High and Holy One, be well pleased with her. Lands without number and praise witliont limit are most meet to be ascribed to the Majeety of Him, the Self-Existent, who pours forth abundantly blessing and beneficence, who, having distinguished with perfect honour the noble companions and venerable female friends of Mohammad the chosen, crown of apostles and prophets (may the favour and blessing of God Most High be upon him), and having exalted them above all the elect and the vulgar, favoured them with perfeet grace, and made thein the source of many virtues. The best of prayers and greetings innumerable .ire most meet and dne to the beloved of God, the prince of Paradise, that ensample to the exalted prophets, the last and first, who illuminated the brilliant hearts of his chosen companions (may God be pleased with them all) with the light of the saying—" My companions are like the stars, and if ye follow anyone of them ye shall be led in the road of salvation": and made them to guide their adherent*. He more especially delighted the taste and quickened the noble heart of Umm Harum (may God accept her) with the pleasing announcement, " Thou art of the first." And, again, the same prayers aud greetings are most fitting to all his family, companions, followers, and friends, who, through their intimacy with that personage of angelic endowments (to whom he the most perfect greetings), having been confidants of his seorets in his solitary retreats, have nsed their knowledge to confirm the sacred law ; so that his followers received into God's mercy may be venerated nntil the day of judgment; and who in holy and religious war have made mighty effort, wlierefroni islam and the faith arose, and the Book and Qor'ân came to light. And then—This weak, poor, and lowly servant, abounding in faults, α suppliant for the mercy of his Lord, the Mighty One, a servant of the poor of Umm Harâm (may God be pleased with her), the Sheykh Ibrahim, son of Sheykh Mustafa (the High, the Highest, give them both pardon), has been honoured with the honour of being in the glorious service of that exalted lady, the intercessor interceded for, who (through the mercy of the Lord of the worlds and the guidance of the prince of the apostles) was made a manifestation of wonders and of sanctity, a source of chastity and purity of life. Sheykh Mustafa Efendi, a pillar of the verifiers of truth, a quintessence of those who examine closely, a chief among the Avise, my blessed and pardoned father, besides the beautiful account written by him in the year 1177 concerning the venerated intercessor, when on a visit in the year 1210 to the Threshold 374 EXCERPTA CYPRIA.

View PDF version of this page