Journey to the Holy Land: A Pilgrim’s Diary

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One of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj (literally ‘effort’) is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world stretching back to the time of the Prophet (seventh century ad) and even earlier. Before the age of organized travel, the journey spread across sea, deserts and mountains was perilous to say the least. Nonetheless, the hajjis (pilgrims) trivialized the dangers in the knowledge that they would soon enter the House of God.

Translated and introduced for the first time, Amir Ahmad Alawi’s Safar-i Sa’adat (Propitious Journey), written in 1929, is a firsthand account of this quintessentially Muslim journey. Presented in the form of a roznamcha or daily diary, the work is much more than a personal narrative of lamentation and triumph. Alawi watched, listened and recorded with an air of confident authority. His catholic vision captures the comingling of cultures and peoples, and he candidly comments on the social, economic and political conditions of the places he passed through.

The comprehensive Introduction, while locating the place of hajj in Islam and describing some of its well-known customs, rituals and practices, provides a broad understanding of hajj in colonial India. The special piece, ‘My Experience of the Hajj of 1916’ by J.S. Kadri, information on movement of ships meant for hajj passengers of 1929 and a detailed glossary add value to the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Amir Ahmad Alawi

Amir Ahmad Alawi (1879–1952) Well-known scholar-journalist, belonged to a family who traced their lineage to Ali, the Prophet’s son-in-law.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mushirul Hasan

Mushirul Hasan, renowned historian and scholar, has authored Legacy of a Divided Nation: India’s Muslims Since Independence (1997); John Company to the Republic: A Story of Modern India (2001); Islam in the Subcontinent: Muslims in a Plural Society (2002); From Pluralism to Separatism: Qasbas in Colonial Awadh (2003); A Moral Reckoning; Muslim Intellectuals in Nineteenth-century Delhi (2004); The Nehrus: Personal Histories (2006); Partners in Freedom: Jamia Millia Islamia (Niyogi Books 2006) and Wit and Humour in Colonial North India (Niyogi Books, 2007).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rakhshanda Jalil

Rakhshanda Jalil writes on issues of literature, culture and heritage. She has published over 15 books. Some of them include: two edited collections of short stories, She was co-editor of Third Frame, a journal devoted out by the Cambridge University Press. She runs an prganization valled Hindustani Awaz, devoted to the popularisation of Hindi-Urdu literature and culture. Rakhshanda Jalil writes on issues of literature, culture and heritage. She has published over 15 books. Some of them include: two edited collections of short stories, She was co-editor of Third Frame, a journal devoted out by the Cambridge University Press. She runs an prganization valled Hindustani Awaz, devoted to the popularisation of Hindi-Urdu literature and culture.

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Bibliographic information

Title
Journey to the Holy Land: A Pilgrim’s Diary
Author
Edition
1st ed.
Publisher
ISBN
198063466
Length
271p., Figures; 23 cm.
Subjects