Note 480 — THE FELLAH AND HIS WICKED WIFE.[467]

In text “Fahata” for “Fahasa” (?) or perhaps a clerical error for “Fataha” = he opened (the ground). [“Fahata,” probably a vulgarisation of “fahatha” (fahasa) = to investigate, is given by Bocthor with the meaning of digging, excavating. Nevertheless I almost incline to the reading “fataha,” which, however, I would pronounce with Tashdíd over the second radical, and translate: “he recited a ’Fátihah’ for them,” the usual prayer over the dead before interment. The dative “la-hum,” generally employed with verbs of prayer, seems to favour this interpretation. It is true I never met with the word in this meaning, but it would be quite in keeping with the spirit of the language, and in close analogy with such expressions as “kabbara,” he said “Allahu akbar,” “Hallala,” he pronounced the formula of unity, and a host of others. Here it would, in my opinion, wind up the tale with a neat touch of peasant’s single-mindedness and loyal adherence to the injunctions of religion even under provoking circumstances.—St.]