by “the common people” here all those who do not know the true nature of Islam, since many reputed for religious learning and piety have joined them in this—that this incense over which incantations have been recited protects, through its blessing, against the evil eye, sorcery, ailments, and harm from the air. They make pictures of snakes and scorpions and affix them inside their homes, claiming that these pictures—whose makers are accursed, and whose presence prevents angels from entering a house—keep vermin away. This is a kind of Sabian talisman. Moreover, many of them, according to what has reached me, mark a cross on the door of the house.

Vast numbers go out on the earlier contemptible Thursday, and on this occasion they burn incense at graves. They call this later Thursday “Great Thursday,” whereas before Allah it is a lowly, contemptible Thursday—as are its adherents and those who venerate it. Anything falsely venerated, whether a place, a time, a stone, a tree, or a building, must deliberately be treated with contempt, just as worshipped idols are treated with contempt, even though, were they not worshipped, they would be like any other stones.

Among the reprehensible things people do is impose levies on peasants, mostly against their will, in the form of sheep, chickens, milk, and eggs. This combines two forbidden acts: wrongfully taking the property of Muslims and those under covenant, and maintaining a Christian religious observance. They make it an appointed time for sending agents out to the farms. They cook some of these provisions, dye eggs on that day, spend lavishly, and dress up their children