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2. The Keeper of the Keys
MUHAMMAD IN MECCAW ITH THE ARRIVAL of the pilgrimage season—the last two
months and the first month of each year—ancient Mecca is trans-
formed from the bustling desert metropolis it usually is into a city
bursting at its borders with pilgrims, merchants, and caravans travel-
ing to and from the great commercial fairs in neighboring towns like
Ukaz and Dhu’l-Majaz. Whether originating in Mecca or not, all car-
avans wishing to enter the city must first halt at the outskirts of the
Meccan Valley so that their goods can be tallied and a record made of
their trading mission. The camels are relieved of their burdens and
placed in the custody of slaves while a Meccan official assesses the
value of the textiles, or oils, or dates the caravan has brought back
from the fairs. From this total, the official will collect Mecca’s fee: a
modest tax on all commerce that takes place in and around the sacred
city. Only when this business is complete are the caravan workers free
to strip off their filthy veils and make their way to the Ka‘ba.