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days and nights, by quoting in substance from the Ihya as follows:

" From many verses of the Koran it appears that the only way of becoming united with God is con stant intercourse with Him. This is the object of the devotional services called wird in which the be liever can engage at all times of the day as well as the night. The wirds to be observed during the day are seven: First wird. The Moslem on rising early mentions the name of God, and praises Him, reciting certain petitions; while dressing, he re cites the appointed petitions, cleans his teeth with the miswak, performs the Wudhu, then prays two Sunna raka’s of dawn. 1 After this he repeats a petition and goes to the mosque with collected thoughts. He enters the mosque solemnly and re spectfully with the right foot first, saying the ap pointed petitions on entering and leaving. He enters the first rank of worshippers if there be room, and prays the two raka’s of dawn, if he has not done so already at home; then two raka’s of Saluting the Mosque/ and sits down repeating petitions and praises, awaiting the assembling of the congregation. After having repeated the obligatory prayer of dawn, he remains sitting in the mosque till sunrise, meditating and repeating certain petitions, and praises a certain number of times, counting them by the rosary, and reciting

For the significance of these terms consult Hughes " Dictionary of Islam."