y the 'Urs, when the Maulad, or the account of the circumstances
connected with the birth of the saint is read; Qasa,id, or elegiac poems
are recited; the Darud is repeated and Fatihas are said. The Quran is also
read through. Vows are frequently made to this Saint and in time of any
special visitation, such as cholera, a flag is carried about in honour of
this Pir by some of his devotees to whom presents of food, &c, are offered.
Fatiha is then said over them. He is said to appear to his followers during
their sleep and to give them directions. Ja'far Sharif, the compiler of the
Qanun-i-Islam speaking, on this point relates his own experience thus: "The
author speaks from personal experience, for at the time of need, when he
{262} was oppressed in mind concerning things which he desired, he used to
repeat constantly the ninety-nine names of the Pir and vow before the Holy
God, imploring His assistance by the soul of Dastgir; and through the mercy
of the Almighty, his Excellency Ghaus-ul-A'zam (Dastgir) presented himself
in his sleep, and relieved him of his perplexities and vouchsafed his
behests."

Syed Ahmad Kabir Rafai, the founder of the Rafai Darwishes was a nephew of
this Saint.

6. FESTIVAL OF QADIR WALI SAHIB.--This is the great saint of Southern
India. The 'Urs is celebrated on the tenth day of Jamadi-us-Sani. The
shrine is at Nagore, a town situated four miles north of Negapatam. The
sandal and other ceremonies are similar to those described already. He is
the patron saint of sailors, who in times of difficulty vow that, if they
reach the shore in safety, they will offer a Fatiha in the name of Qadir
Wali. The common people have a profound faith in the power of the saint to
work miracles. The story of the following one is frequently related: "A
vessel springing a leak was about to founder, when the Captain made a vow
that should Qadir Wali stop the leak, he would offer in his name the value
of the cargo. At that time the saint was being shaved, but being
miraculously acquainted with the perilous position of the Captain he cast
away the looking-glass which he held in his hand. This glass attached
itself to the hole in the bottom of the ship which then came safely to
land. The Captain, in due course, presented his offering to the saint who
requested him to return the glass to the barber. The Captain was astonished
at this request and enquired what glass was meant. He was then directed to
look at the bottom of h