Page 363 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

324 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

for though some few voluntary ceremonies,
including a sacrifice, were formerly admitted,

these have been long laid aside. Their
funerals are also conducted with little ex­

ternal display. They merely wash the body
carefully, while one of those present recites
certain prayers composed for the occasion. It

is true that a few ignorant and extravagant
persons sometimes spend great sums of money

in providing sumptuous entertainments for
the mourners; but among the higher classes
of the natives these practices are unknown.

In truth, they are directly opposed to the

precepts of the Koran, where the Prophet
commands food to be given to those only who
have been immediately concerned in deposit­

ing the body within the grave.
The lawfulness or unlawfulness of the use

of coffee, owing to the word signifying an in­
toxicating liquor, as well as a refreshing drink

made from berries, has been a subject of con­
troversy among Mohammedan professors, and

is thus disposed of by the Khuwarijites in gene­
ral. They affirm, that a certain saint of distin­
guished piety, on one particular occasion, was

desirous of passing the whole night in prayer