the beginning of Dhi-Qa‘d till the 8th Dhi-l-Ḥijjah, when pilgrimage began. The Holy Qur’ān thus not only allows the carrying on of trade in the pilgrimage season, but in a way recommends it by calling it a “bounty of your Lord.” It is easy to see that, even if trading is allowed in the pilgrimage season, this great assemblage of Muslims from all quarters of the world may also be made the occasion of other advantages of a material or cultural nature, and it should serve the purpose of unifying the Muslim world and removing misunderstanding between nation and nation. World-wide conferences are held on many occasions, and this should, in the new conditions of the world, be a regular feature of the ḥajj, and the best minds among the various nations should on this occasion discuss all problems affecting the Muslim world, not the least important of which is the advancement of Islām itself.