Page:A Moslem seeker after God - showing Islam at its best in the life and teaching of al-Ghazali, mystic and theologian of the eleventh century (IA moslemseekeraft00zwem).pdf/144



uprisings were directed by Abu Hashim himself, as was the case in A. D. 1094. 1

Just about the time of Al-Ghazali’s visit, the various buildings at Mecca and the Beit Allah it self, had been repaired and beautified. The four maqams or places of prayer for the orthodox sects as they now stand were built in A. H. 1074. The place of the Shafi* sect to which Al-Ghazali be longed, is directly over the well of Zem Zem, to which it serves as an upper chamber. The build ing, erected in 1072, is in use to-day. The great pulpit of white marble was sent to Mecca in A. H. 969 by the Sultan of Egypt. It is still in use. Perchance Al-Ghazali ascended these very stairs and addressed the pilgrims. In A. D. 1030 a violent torrent swept over Mecca, and nearly ruined the Ka aba. The repairs were not finished until 1040. 2

With his religious pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina it seems that Al-Ghazali’s life of strict retirement ended, except for his visit to Alexandria and beyond. Apparently he proposed to make a journey to Spain and the great Sultan of the West, Yusuf bin Tashfin, on whose behalf he had given Fatwas or religious decisions, but the news of the Sultan’s death put an end to his plans, according to some authorities. Others say that at this time he was summoned to teach again at Nishapur.

1 " Mekka," Dr. C. Snouck Hurgronje, Vol. I, den Haag, 1888. 2 Burton’s " Pilgrimage," Vol. II, Appendix, pp. 32