Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 4.djvu/362

332 (A.) ‘With an intent of worship.’ (Q.) ‘With what intent shouldest thou enter the mosque?’ (A.) ‘With an intent of service.’ (Q.) ‘Why do we front the Kaabeh?’ (A.) ‘In obedience to three Divine and one Traditional ordinance.’ (Q.) ‘What is the commencement, the consecration and the dissolution [end] of prayer?’ (A.) ‘Purification, the magnification of prohibition and the salutation of the angels [concluding prayer].’ (Q.) ‘What of him who neglecteth prayer?’ (A.) ‘It is reported, among the authentic (Traditions of the Prophet, that he said), “He, who neglecteth prayer wilfully and without excuse, hath no part in Islam.”’ (Q.) ‘What is prayer?’ (A.) ‘Prayer is communion between the slave and his Lord, and in it are ten virtues, to wit, (1) it illumines the heart (2) makes the face shine (3) pleases the Merciful One (4) angers Satan (5) conjures calamity (6) wards off the mischief of enemies (7) multiplies mercy (8) forfends vengeance [or punishment] (9) brings the slave nigh unto [or in favour with] his Lord and (10) restrains from lewdness and iniquity. It is one of the written obligatory ordinances and the pillar of the Faith.’ (Q.) ‘What is the key of prayer?’ (A.) ‘Ablution.’ (Q.) ‘What is the key of ablution?’ (A.) ‘Nomination.’ (Q.) ‘That of naming God?’ (A.) ‘Faith.’ (Q.) ‘That of Faith?’ (A.) ‘Trust in God.’ (Q.) ‘That of trust in God?’ (A.) ‘Hope.’ (Q.) ‘That of Hope?’ (A.) ‘Obedience.’ (Q.) ‘That of obedience?’ (A.) ‘The confession of the unity and the acknowledgment of the divinity of God.’ (Q.) ‘What are the Divine ordinances of ablution?’ (A.) ‘They are six in number, according to the canon of the Imam Es Shafi Mohammed ben Idris (of whom God accept) to wit, (1) intent to wash the face (2) washing the face (3) washing the hands and elbows (4) wiping part of the head (5) washing the feet and heels and (6) observing the