56 MODE OF PRAYING. 



therefore, to become a convert to Islamism, or I 

 might, as the enterprising Burckhardt has done, 

 dilate upon their belief and form of worship. 



I noticed, that they prayed very regularly five 

 times a-day, with their faces turned towards Mecca; 

 once immediately before and again after sunrise ; 

 then came the Assair, or afternoon prayer, between 

 three and four o'clock ; and again before and after 

 sunset. Each service is preceded by carefully wash- 

 ing all parts of the body that are not covered by 

 the clothes. The ceremony commences by several 

 devotees standing up in one long row in front of 

 the mosque, which is always so built as to have a 

 proper regard to the situation of Mecca. Their open 

 hands are nrstbrought closely up to the ears, whilst 

 they repeat some short ejaculations respecting the 

 greatness of God, the compassionate, the only one; 

 then stooping in the attitude of a low bow, the hands 

 resting on the knees, something of the same sort is 

 again repeated, and down they all sit together, in 

 the Arab fashion, on the bent legs, not crossed in 

 front, like the Turks, but turned under them the 

 contrary way. After sundry satisfactory looks 

 about them, and stroking their beards, if they 

 have any, all bend their heads to the earth, press- 

 ing the forehead hard upon the ground two or 

 three times successively ; then, after a little more 

 sitting, turning to their right and left hands, they 

 repeat, in each position, protestations of peace with 

 all the world, and rising up, depart to their several 



