ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Anecdotes of Pious Men The New Convert Two neighbours, a Muslim and a Christian, were on friendly terms. Having concern for one another they used to enquire after each others health, and exchanged views from time to time. The Muslim being a devout and religious man spoke high of his religion and the result was that the Chris- tian. friend embraced Islam. The night passed and it was nearing dawn.

The Christian, a new convert, heard somebody ramming his door. Surprised and restless he shouted: "Who is it?" From the back came a loud voice, "I am so and so;" introducing himself. He was the Muslim neighbour who had the honour of converting him to Islam.

"What do you want at this late hour?" 17 "Be quick, put on your clothes and perform ablution, so that we should go to the Mosque to- gether" The new Muslim performed ablution (Wudu) for the first time in his life and set out to Mosque behind his Muslim friend. They had arrived before time. It was the time for the Recommended (not obligatory) prayer after mid-night. They prayed till dawn - the time came for the morning prayer.

They prayed the morning prayer and were engaged in benedictions and invocations till it became per- factly clear. When the new Muslim made a move towards the door, his friend interrupted: "Where are you going?" "I am going home, Since I have finished my morning prayer, there is nothing else to do now." "Wait a while and recite the benedictions till the sun rises." "very well." 18 He sat and recited the same till the sun rose.

When he rose up to go, his friend placed the Qur'an in his hand saying, "Read it till the sun rises a little high. And I advise you to fast today. Don't you know how much virtues and rewards there are in fasting?" The new Muslim did as he was told, and sat reciting the Our'an till it was nearing noon. The Muslim neighbour said: "Now it is almost noon; better we perform the noon-prayer in the Mosque:" So, the Dohr (noon) prayer was prayed.

Then he said again: "After just a short time, the Asr (after-noon) prayer will be prayed. We should perform that also at the proper time:" That prayer was also performed. Then he said, "It is almost evening now" and detained the new convert till it was time for Maghrib (evening) prayer. When he rose up to break his fast, the neighbour said, "there is one more prayer remaining. It is named "Esha" or the sleeping-time prayer'." So they waited nearly one hour for the proper time of this prayer.