Note 388 — HARUN AL-RASHID AND THE DAMSEL AND ABU NOWAS.

Arab. “Al-Amin,” a title of the Prophet. It is usually held that this proud name, “The honest man,” was applied by his fellow-citizens to Mohammed in early life; and that in his twenty-fifth year, when the Eighth Ka’abah was being built, it induced the tribes to make him their umpire concerning the distinction of placing in position the “Black Stone” which Gabriel had brought from Heaven to be set up as the starting-post for the seven circuitings. He distributed the honour amongst the clans and thus gave universal satisfaction. His Christian biographers mostly omit to record an anecdote which speaks so highly in Mohammed’s favour (Pilgrimage iii. 192.)