Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/220

The Seven Cities of Delhi "mlhrab." Prayers are commenced while standing with the hands at the side;then the hands are raised on either side of the head, the thumbs touching the ear-lobes; then they are lowered and clasped in front of the body. Now the body is bent, the hands resting on the knees; then the body is raised erect again.Next, the worshipper kneels and prostrates him-self, the nose and forehead being made to touch the ground in that order ; this is done two or three times, the worshipper sitting on the heels between each prostration. Lastly, he sits on the left foot, and, holding his hands in front as if they held a book, he recites a chapter of the Koran, finishing by turning the head right and left, and making a short supplication. While in each position a short prayer is said. On Fridays, formerly,the "khatbah" was read, which was a prayer for the reigning emperor, and recounted his titles, possibly including also his predecessors;but now the sermon follows, the imam preaching from the middle step of the pulpit. On occasion, the reigning British Emperor of India is prayed for. The "azan," or call to prayer,is made by several muezzins, who stand in the colonnades around the court, facing towards Mecca, their hands raised on either side of the head, the 166