Note 174 — THE LOVERS OF AL-MEDINAH.
Richard Francis Burton translation · Edition 2
There are two of this name. The Upper Al-Akik contains the whole site of Al-Medinah; the Lower is on the Meccan road about four miles S.W. of the city. The Prophet called it “blessed” because ordered by an angel to pray therein. The poets have said pretty things about it, e.g.
O friend, this is the vale Akík; here stand and strive in thought:
If not a very lover, strive to be by love distraught!
for whose esoteric meaning see Pilgrimage ii. 24. I passed through Al-Akík in July when it was dry as summer dust and its “beautiful trees” were mere vegetable mummies.