George Sale, The Koran, commonly called the Alcoran of Mohammed, translated into English immediately from the original Arabic; with Explanatory Notes, taken from the most approved Commentators. To which is prefixed A Preliminary Discource (1734)

Dhu’lhajja; which month, as its name imports, is peculiarly set apare for the celebration of this solemnity.

At the places above-mentioned the pilgrims properly commence such; when the men put on the Ihrám or sacred habit, which consists only of two woolen wrappers, one wrapped about their middle to cover their privities, and the other thrown over their shoulders, having their heads bare, and a kind of flippers which cover neither the heel nor the instep, and so enter the sacred territory in their way to Mecca. While they have this habit on they must neither hunt nor fowl ¹, (though they are allowed to fish ²,) which precept is so punctually observed, that they will not kill even a louse or a flea, if they find them on their bodies: there are some noxious animals, however, which they have permission to kill during the pilgrimage, as, kites, ravens, scorpions, mice, and dogs given to bite ³. During the pilgrimage it behoves a man to have a constant guard over his words and actions, and to avoid all quarrelling, or ill language, and all converse with women, and obscene discourse, and to apply his whole intention to the good work he is engaged in.

The pilgrims, being arrived at Mecca, immediately visit the temple, and then enter on the performance of the prescribed ceremonies, which consist chiefly in going in procession round the Caaba, in running between the mounts Safâ and Merwâ, in making the station on mount Arafat, and slaying the victims, and shaving their heads in the valley of Mina. These ceremonies have been so particularly described by others ⁴, that I may be excused if I but just mention the most material circumstances thereof.

In compassing the Caaba, which they do seven times, beginning at the corner where the black stone is fixed, they use a short quick pace the three first times they go round it, and a grave ordinary pace the four last; which, it is said, was ordered by Mohammed, that his followers might shew themselves strong and active, to cut off the hopes of the infidels, who gave out that the immoderate heats of Medina had rendred them weak ⁵. But the aforesaid quick pace they are not obliged to use every time they perform this piece of devotion, but only at some particular times ⁶. So often as they pass by the black stone they either kiss it, or touch it with their hand, and kiss that.