the holy place to which men turn their face when offering
up their prayer to God, as the Jews face Jerusalem. Literally,
'worshipping place'. [_Author._] [_Qiblah_: the direction of prayer
was changed by the Prophet from Jerusalem to Mecca (_Koran_, ii.
138-9, with Sale's note).]

[21] See p. 72.

[22] Munkir, or Munkar, and Nakir are the two recording angels.

[23] See p. 78.

[24] _Du'a_.

[25] Al-Mahdi, 'the directed one', who will appear in the last day.
According to the Shi'ahs, he has already appeared in the person of
Muhammad Abu'l-Qasim, the 12th Imam. Later claimants are
Sayyid Ahmad, who fought against the Sikhs in 1826; Muhammad Ahmad ibn
Sayyid Abdulla, who fled after the fatal day of Omdurman, and was
killed in battle in 1899.

[26] _Hayat[u']l-Qulub_ compiled by Muhammad Baqir, whose last
work was published A.D. 1627. It has been partly translated into
English by J.L. Morrick, Boston, 1850.

[27] Sirat, the bridge over which the soul must cross on its way to
Paradise.

[28] Mizan, the Balance, with which the deeds of the dead man are
weighed.--_Koran_, xxi. 47.

[29] May not this be a poetical symbol, similar to the scythe? [_Author._]

[30] Baqarah 'Id, 'cow festival,' held on the 10th of the month
Zu'l-Hijjah, the month of pilgrimage, the attempted sacrifice of
Ishmael having, it is said, occurred at Mount Mina, near Mecca.

[31] Kiramu'l-Katibin, one recording the good, the other the
evil actions of the dead.

[32] Harun-al-Rashid, 'Aaron the Orthodox', fifth Abbasid Caliph,
of Baghdad (A.D. 763 or 776-809), best known from _The Arabian Nights_.

[33] _Beti_.

LETTER VII

Namaaz (daily prayer).--The Mussulmaun prayers.--Their different names
and times.--Extra prayer-service.--The Mosque.--Ablutions requisite
previous to devotion.--Prostrations at prayers.--Mosque
described.--The Mussulmauns' Sabbath.--Its partial observance.--The
amusements of this life not discontinued on the Sabbath.--Employment
of domestics undiminished on this day.--Works of importance then
commenced.--Reasons for appropriating Friday to the Sabbath.--The Jews
opposed to Mahumud.--The Prophet receives instructions from the angel
Gabriel.--Their import and definition. Remarks of a Commentator on the
Khoraun.--Prayer of intercession.--Pious observance of Christmas Day
by a Native Lady.--Opinions entertained of our Saviou