[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 Saviour.--Additional motives for prayer.--David's Mother's prayer.--Anecdote of Moses and a Woodcutter.--Remarks upon the piety and devotion of the female Mussulmauns. The Mussulmaun Lawgiver commanded Namaaz (daily prayer) five times a day: 1st. 'The Soobhoo Namaaz,' to commence at the dawn of day. 2nd. 'The Zohur,' at the second watch of the day, or mid-day. 3rd. 'The Ausur,' at the third day watch. 4th. 'The Muggrib,' at sunset; and, 5th. 'The Eshaa,' at the fourth ghurrie of the night.[1] These are the commanded hours for prayer. Mahumud himself observed an additional service very strictly, at the third watch of the night, which was called by him, 'Tahujjoot,'[2] and the most devout men, in all ages of their faith, have imitated this example scrupulously.