ak'at one ruku' is read. The
Shafa'ites read two. After the rak'ats are completed those present remain
in prayer (Du'a) until the eclipse is at an end. The Namaz during an
eclipse of the moon is the same as that during an eclipse of the sun, with
this exception that the rak'ats need not be recited in a congregation. Each
Muslim can say the Namaz privately in his own house. The practice is
founded on the Prophet's saying: "When you see an eclipse then remember
God, pray (Du'a) and recite the Namaz until it becomes light again."

(vi). Salat-ul-Istisqa.--Prayer in time of drought. When {207} there is a
scarcity of water each person should, with face Qibla-wards, offer up
prayer to God. They can be said at home and in private. Care must be taken
that no Zimmi[212] is present. The reason given is that this is a prayer
for a blessing; but God sends no blessing on a company in which a Zimmi is
present.

These prayers are simple Du'a and not a Namaz. There is no
well-authenticated Tradition to the effect that the Prophet ever said Namaz
on such an occasion; whilst there are many which show that he made Du'a.
This is a very good example of the use of the term Salat as a _Mushtarik_
word, _i.e._ one which has several significations. Its ordinary meaning is
Namaz; here it means Du'a.

(vii). Salat-ul-Janaza.--Prayers at a Funeral. When a person is about to
die, the attendants should place him on his right side with his face
Qibla-wards. In that position he should repeat the "Kalima-i-Shahadat," the
creed of testimony: "I confess that God is one, without a partner; that
truly Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle." After death has taken
place, the corpse is laid out, incense is burnt, and the shroud is perfumed
an _odd_ number of times. A tradition states that an odd number is fixed
upon, because the number one which represents the unity of God is odd and
not even. The lesser lustration (wazu) is then made. The head and beard are
washed with a decoction made of some flowers, after which the greater
lustration (ghusl) is made. The members of the body used when making sijda
(prostration) _i.e._, forehead, nose, hands, knees, feet, are then rubbed
with camphor.

To recite the Salat-ul-Janaza is a duty called Farz-i-kifaya, that is, if
some few persons in the assembly say it, all need not do so; whilst if no
one repeats it all will be guilty of sin. To prove that this Namaz is farz
the following verse is quoted: "Take alms of the