File 10/11 Ibn Sa`ud and the Hijaz: cession of `Aqaba; conquest of `Asir; abdication of Amir `Ali; fall of Medina; fall of Jidda; establishment of Ibn Sa`ud's administration in Jidda [‎279v] (558/574)

4
mechanics were brought from Egypt to work the service but many of these have
found the conditions and climate of Jeddah too severe and have broken their
contracts and returned. Local drivers have been engaged to replace them.
27. The condenser is nearing completion and it is hoped to start supplying.
Water at an early date.
28. Eight slaves have been repatriated during the period under report.
(Signed) S. R, JORDAN,
//. B. M.’s Vice-Consul,
Acting British Agent and Consul.
Enclosure No. 1, in Jeddah Report for the period May 1st to 31st, 1926.
Extract from the Mecca newspaper “ Umm al Qura • No. 69* oateo the April
30th, 1926.
The Frank Statement.
It reached us from OHr correspondent at Medina that the Grant Qadi of the'
Hejaz, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bileihid, atter his arrival at Medina made an inter-*
view with the learned men of the city, discussed with them many matters and ask--
ed them some questions to which they answered very distinctly.
The following is the text of the questions and tlie answers.
In the name of God the Most Merciful, the Compassionate.
hat have the learned men of Medina, may God enlighten them and increase 5
their knowledge, got to say about the building over the tombs and using same
as Mosques f Is it allowable or not I If it is not allowable, but prohibited and
strictly forbidden, should it be demolished and praying there prevented or not I
And if the building is in a place like “ El Baqea ” where the building prevents
using the space built over, is it an unlawful thing and should it be removed be
cause of the oppression it brings on the deservers or not ? And are the actions
which the ignorant people do at such tombs like rubbing themselves against them,
asking them as they do to God for help, drawing themselves near to them by
making sacrifices and votive offerings, and lighting lamps oil same allowable or
not ? Is it also allowable to turn towards the tomb of the Prophet, prayer and
peace of God may be upon him, calling for help, etc., or to go round about it, to'
kiss it and to rub ones body against it ! And is “ Tarheem ” and “ Tazkeer ”
between the time of calling for prayer and praying and before dawn and on
Fridays, as is done in the holy mosque, lawful or not 1
Please give us a ruling m these respects and mention the proofs supporting
same.
Answer.—We say, and pray God may grant us success, that building on'
tombs is forbidden as agreed upon owing to the correct traditions related prohi
biting same ; and thus many learned men gave a ruling to the effect that it should
be pulled down. This is supported by the tradition of Ali, may God be pleased
with him, who said to Ali el Hayag l< May t send you to do as God's Prophet,-
may prayer and peace of God be upon him did send me to do, that is not to leave
a statue unless you destroy it and not to leave a high tomb unless you level it
down 11 .
As to the using of the tombs as mosques and praying in thefti, it is absolutely
forbidden and lighting lamps on them is also forbidden as is mentioned in the
tradition of Ibn Abbas who said that the Prophet of God has cursed the female
visitors of tombs and the people who use the tombs as mosques and place lamps'
over them (related by people of religious laws).
The things which the ignorant people do at tombs, like rubbing themselves
against them, drawing themselves near them by sacrifices and votive offerings
and asking them as is done with God afe unlawful and religiously forbidden and
should not be done at all.
As to turning towards the tombs of the Prophet, may prayers and peace of
God be upon him, it is better to stop it as is known from the important religious
books and because the best direction is that which is towards the “ Qibla ”.
To go round about it or to rub the body against it and to kiss it is absolutely for
bidden.