Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-madinah and Meccah


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.1 stars; 10 reviews)

In Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-madinah and Meccah, Sir Richard Francis Burton recounts his remarkable journey to the heart of the Islamic world. Disguised as a Muslim, Burton's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1853 was a groundbreaking endeavor, as he became one of the first Europeans to undertake this sacred journey.

Burton's narrative is not just a travelogue; it is a rich tapestry of cultural observations, religious insights, and personal reflections. He delves into the rituals and traditions of the pilgrimage, offering readers a unique perspective on the spiritual significance of Mecca and Medina. His keen eye for detail and extensive knowledge of languages and cultures illuminate the complexities of the societies he encounters.

Through his vivid descriptions and thoughtful commentary, Burton challenges colonial perceptions and provides a nuanced understanding of the Islamic faith and its followers. This work stands out for its depth and the author's willingness to engage with the unfamiliar, making it a significant contribution to both travel literature and religious studies.

Chapters

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Preface to the Memorial Edition 6:45 Read by hefyd
Preface to the Third Edition 12:13 Read by hefyd
Preface to the First Edition 8:46 Read by hefyd
To Alexandria 24:12 Read by hefyd
I leave Alexandria 22:26 Read by hefyd
The Nile Steamboat - The Little Asthmatic 20:23 Read by hefyd
Life in the Wakalah, part 1 35:00 Read by Ted Garvin
Life in the Wakalah, part 2 35:55 Read by Ted Garvin
The Ramazan 24:45 Read by Rebekka Steg
The Mosque 58:39 Read by Jersey City Frankie
Preparations to Quit Cairo 48:03 Read by scarlettraces
From Cairo to Suez 50:26 Read by Phil Griffiths
Suez 46:06 Read by hefyd
The Pilgrim Ship 45:45 Read by Alia Makki
To Yambu' 40:09 Read by Alia Makki
The Halt at Yambu' 45:26 Read by Alia Makki
From Yambu' 53:41 Read by Alia Makki
From Bir Abbas to Al-Madina 40:31 Read by Alia Makki
Through the Suburb 42:42 Read by Alia Makki
The Prophet's Tomb, part 1 46:03 Read by Alia Makki
The Prophet's Tomb, part 2 40:39 Read by Alia Makki
An Essay, part 1 44:24 Read by scarlettraces
An Essay, part 2 28:25 Read by Alia Makki
Al-Madina 54:22 Read by Alia Makki
The Mosque of Kuba 45:59 Read by Pentti Hirvonen
The Visitation of Hamzah's Tomb, part 1 23:35 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
The Visitation of Hamzah's Tomb, part 2 22:50 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
The People of Al-madinah, part 1 35:24 Read by Kalynda
The People of Al-madinah, part 2 20:09 Read by Kalynda
The Saints' Cemetery, part 1 27:00 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
The Saints' Cemetery, part 2 29:55 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
The Damascus Caravan 15:42 Read by Alia Makki
From Al-Madinah to Al-Suwayrkiyah 39:24 Read by Alia Makki
The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 1 39:54 Read by Alia Makki
The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 2 52:04 Read by Sienna
The Badawin of Al-hijaz, part 3 27:39 Read by Sienna
From Al-suwayrkiyah to Meccah, part 1 46:38 Read by Sienna
From Al-suwayrkiyah to Meccah, part 2 27:22 Read by Alia Makki
The First Visit to Bayt Allah 39:14 Read by Alia Makki
The First Day 32:49 Read by Anna Simon
The Second Day 21:42 Read by Alia Makki
The Third Day 37:46 Read by Alia Makki
The Three Days of Drying Flesh 23:51 Read by Thelma Meyer
Life at Meccah, and Umrah, or the Little Pilgrimage 48:33 Read by Alia Makki
Places of Pious Visitation 25:24 Read by Alia Makki
To Jeddah 36:37 Read by Anna Simon
Of Hajj, or Pilgrimage 39:11 Read by Anna Simon
The Bayt Ullah, part 1 41:20 Read by Alia Makki
The Bayt Ullah, part 2 40:20 Read by Alia Makki
Specimen of a Murshid's Diploma 12:42 Read by Nicholas James Bridgewater
The Navigation and Voyages of Ludovicus Vertomannus, part 1 28:50 Read by Barty Begley
The Navigation and Voyages of Ludovicus Vertomannus, part 2 26:56 Read by Alia Makki
The Pilgrimage of Joseph Pitts, part 1 33:37 Read by Alia Makki
The Pilgrimage of Joseph Pitts, part 2 32:21 Read by Alia Makki
Giovanni Finati 28:20 Read by Nicholas James Bridgewater
Notes on My Journey 17:23 Read by Nicholas James Bridgewater
The Meccah Pilgrimage 12:15 Read by Nicholas James Bridgewater

Reviews


(2 stars)

This wonderful account of a fascinating and perilous journey was butchered by one of the female readers who rushed through her sections as if too impatient to get to the end. Why did she bother if she was in a great hurry?

would love to listen but could not


(1 star)

you should really censor the quality of the readers terrible another wonderful book ruined


(3.5 stars)

appreciate the volunteer's efforts... but ... hard to get in the flow in some parts

footnote...


(4 stars)

entertaining book, readers not too bad (for Librivox).