Water is usually distributed to private houses in the east by carriers
provided with goat-skins holding seven or eight gallons. These are
filled at public fountains erected by the charity of the rich, and the
water is sold in the streets, and very generally given freely to the
poor.
"I was one day sitting," says Prax, "at the door of a coffee-house,
when a boy came up with a full water-skin. He cried, 'Whosoever
shall give four nasseri (one cent and a half) to relieve the thirst of the
poor, shall see the mercy of God upon himself and his ancestors !' I
gave him the four nasseri, and drank from a cup presented me by the
sakka. He then offered the water to all comers, crying, 'O ye that
are athirst ! behold water given for the love of God ! May the donor
of this water see the mercy of God shed abroad upon his fathers.'"
Revue de l'Orient, November, 1849.
The Prophet is traditionally reported to have said : Upon him who
is hospitable God will bestow twenty gifts :
Wisdom ;
A sure word ;
The fear of God ;
A heart always glad ;
He shall hate none ;
He shall not be proud ;
He shall not be jealous ;
Sadness shall flee away from him ;
He shall hospitably receive all ;
He shall be beloved of all ;
He shall be respected, though he be of humble birth ;
His goods shall be increased ;
His life shall be blessed ;
He shall be patient ;
He shall be discreet ;
He shall be always contented ;
