“From many verses of the Koran it appears that the only way of becoming united with God is constant intercourse with Him. This is the object of the devotional services called _wird_ in which the believer 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 recites the appointed petitions, cleans his teeth with the _miswak_, performs the _Wudhu_, then prays two Sunna _rakaʾs_ of dawn.[40] After this he repeats a petition and goes to the mosque with collected thoughts. He enters the mosque solemnly and respectfully with the right foot first, saying the appointed petitions on entering and leaving. He enters the first rank of worshippers if there be room, and prays the two _rakaʾs_ of dawn, if he has not done so already at home; then two _rakaʾs_ 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 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 between sunrise and an advanced forenoon hour; the worshipper says a prayer of two _rakaʾs_, and when the sun has risen the length of a lance above the horizon two more _rakaʾs_. 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 repeating 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 devotional exercises as before mentioned. Between the time when the sun has become somewhat high and the noon prayer, four _rakaʾs_ 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 _rakaʾs_, in which certain portions of the Koran are recited, then four long _rakaʾs_, 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 _wird_: this is from the darkness of the last _ʿIsha_ to the time when people retire to sleep. This consists of three things: (1) the obligatory _ʿIsha_ prayer; ten _rakaʾs_, viz., four before it and