History in the Guise of Hajj Safarnamas (the Hajj Narratives): An Appraisal of the Musafire-Hejaz (a mid-twentieth century hajj pilgrim’s travelogue and manual, compiled in Sindh-Pakistan)

Authors

  • Humera Naz

Abstract

The current study is focused on an overview of the hajj safarnamas (hajj narratives) which has also been a central theme in Islamic travel writing from the early times. These accounts have informed and entertained readers since the early middle ages with first hand descriptions of cities, exotic regions, and local mores encountered on journeys to and from Makkah. Several of these hajj narratives are available, sometimes in old editions. The paper deals with the pilgrimage narratives where the pilgrimage site was far away, as a source of great historical value. These narratives give an entirely different perspective on the pilgrimage itself, and the surrounding area, in contrast to works that are more local. These pilgrimage narratives also highlight a dense web of what we might call 'pilgrimage networks' that crisscrossed Asia in the modern period, which in many cases stretched back to centuries. Some of such narratives were compiled in Sindh-Pakistan as well like in other regions of the subcontinent. History reveals that the people of Pakistan have always been very devoted to the religious obligations and rituals; thus they are very much aware of significance of performing hajj. On various occasions in the past, the Muslim rulers had sent ships to properly guide pilgrims to Makkah. This article particularly attempts to focus on one of such prominent and authentic narratives entitled the Musafir-eHejaz (the pilgrim to the holy land of Hejaz) written by Badar Durrani, the Speaker of Sindh Legislative Assembly in 1950 CE. It is a rich source material which has not so far received adequate attention from scholars of navigation and maritime history. The paper critically examines the Musafir-e-Hejaz, a report primarily meant as a thorough manual of hajj rituals and a companion or guide for sea-going pilgrims and merchants to Makkah from Pakistan. It is the outcome of the first-hand observances and experiences of the voyage which was undertaken during author’s first pilgrimage to Makkah. A conclusion is drawn at the end. By examining a hajj narrative, one can uncover a wealth of information about this region, the Indian Ocean world, and the Hejaz – a trans-regional variety of evidence that encompasses areas of historical enquiry such as religion, social relations, economics, politics, and technology.

Announce the Pilgrimage to the people, proclaimed the Islamic scriptures. They will come to you on foot and riding along distant roads on lean and slender beasts’ (Quran 22:27).

Downloads

Published

2020-02-16