Page:A Moslem seeker after God - showing Islam at its best in the life and teaching of al-Ghazali, mystic and theologian of the eleventh century (IA moslemseekeraft00zwem).pdf/133



portions of the Koran. [We know that the rosary was in general use from a reference to it in the "Assemblies " of al-Hariri, and in Al-Ghazali’s "Alchemy of Happiness."] The second wird is be tween sunrise and an advanced forenoon hour; the worshipper says a prayer of two raka s, and when the sun has risen the length of a lance above the horizon two more raka s. This is the time when the believer may perform good works, such as visiting the sick, etc. When nothing of the kind requires his attention, he spends his time in repeat ing petitions, in zikr, meditation and reading the Koran. The third wird is between morning and the ascending of the sun; the believer, after taking care of his worldly affairs, engages in the devo tional exercises as before mentioned. Between the time when the sun has become somewhat high and the noon prayer, four raka’s between the Azan and the Ikama are said and portions of the Koran are recited; this is the fourth wird. The fifth, sixth and seventh occur after this until vespers. Finally there are the wirds of the night which are five, divided and described as follows: First night wird: after sunset, when the prayer of sunset has been performed, to the time when darkness has set in, the worshipper says two raka s, in which certain portions of the Koran are recited, then four long raka s, and as much of the Koran as time allows. This wird may be performed at home; but it is preferable to do so in the mosque. Second night