day. The Sunnis, on the other hand, rejoice in the day, and esteem
it an excellent and auspicious season.

3. BARA WAFAT.--This feast is held on the twelfth day of the month
Rabi'-ul-Awwal. The name is derived from bara, twelve and wafat, death,
because many suppose that on this day the Prophet died. According to a
well-known Muslim writer "the terrific intelligence, circulating throughout
the world, produced universal consternation, and all hastened to offer to
God their vows and prayers for the repose of the Prophet's soul." Others,
however, maintain that he died on the second of the month and, as there is
some doubt on the subject, many persons make a Fatiha {245} every day, from
the first to the twelfth of the month inclusive. Those who keep the feast
as Bara Wafat observe the ceremony called Sandal on the previous evening,
and the 'Urs, that is, the prayers and the oblations, on the twelfth. The
Sandal consists in making a perfumed embrocation from sandal wood. This is
then placed into a vessel and carried in procession to the 'Id-gah,[253] or
to the place where Fatiha will be said. It is then distributed to the
people. It is a sort of public notice on the eve of a Feast day, or of a
Saint's day, that on the morrow the usual prayers and offerings will be
made in such and such a place. On the morning of the twelfth, the Quran is
read in the Mosque, or in private houses: then food is cooked and Fatihas
are said.

Some persons possess a Qadam-i-Rasul, or footstep of the Prophet. This is a
stone with the impression of a footstep on it. It is a sacred thing and on
this day the place in which it is kept is elegantly decorated. When a
company has assembled, some persons appointed for the purpose, repeat the
story of the birth, miracles and death of the Prophet. Portions of the
Quran are read and the Darud is said.[254]

In Madras, and in some other parts, it is more customary to keep this day,
not as the anniversary of the death of the Prophet, but as the
"'Jashn-i-milad-i-Sharif," the "Feast of the noble birth." The practical
duties are the same. Instead of the Qadam-i-Rasul, the Asar-i-Sharif is
exhibited. This is supposed to be a real portion of the hair of the
Prophet's beard and moustache. It is said to possess {246} the miraculous
property of growing again when a portion is broken off. On this day it is
put into rose water which those present then drink and rub on their eyes.
Great virtue is attached to this procee