Page:The young Moslem looks at life (1937).djvu/35

 Rh things are but signs of the times—signs that the Last Day is not far off, when the whole world will be converted to Islam.

"This," said Mohammed Beg to his grandfather, "must be the explanation of these strange things we have seen and heard and experienced. Surely our prophet was divinely guided, and we cannot go astray if we follow his guidance, come what may."

"Regardless of what others may do," replied the old man, "we shall keep our feet steadily in the way of Allah. For verily, 'there is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his apostle.' Yes, Mohammed is his apostle!"

The thrill of the visit to Mecca and Medina lasts a long, long time in the heart of the pilgrim. Back in his native Kashgar after his arduous journey, Mohammed Beg is a respected haji, although so young. He loves to tell his experiences to the other young men he meets, and he does it with a glow that comes from a kind of holy enthusiasm. To help keep the memories alive he has brought back with him some treasures which he guards carefully and shows with pride to his friends. He has a few of the small pebbles that he picked up at Mina similar to those he threw at the masonry pillar. He has a bottle of holy water from the famous well, Zemzem, in Mecca. But most precious of all is a small quantity of earth—sacred earth—from near the tomb of Mohammed in Medina. It seems to him the most prized thing in his