The Khurasani pilgrimage destroyed by thirst, 357

News came in the year 357 about the pilgrims: most of the Khurasanis had perished, and their camels had died of thirst. Those who survived, who were few, did not reach the day of Arafa, so their pilgrimage was not completed. ¹

Only the imam from Egypt came, with a small group with him, and no one from Syria made the pilgrimage. The report reveals the state of the roads to the two sanctuaries at a time when the state had fractured: between Byzantine raids on the frontiers, Qarmatian attacks on caravans and the might of those who had seized power, reaching Mecca itself was a likely cause of death. ¹