The sixth article of belief is that God decrees everything that is to happen, not only all events, but the actions and thoughts of men, their belief or infidelity; that everything that has or will come to pass has been, from eternity, written in the preserved or secret table, which is a white stone of an immense size, preserved in heaven, near the throne of God.  Agreeable to this notion one of their poets thus expresses himself:  “Whatever is written against thee will come to pass; what is written for thee shall not fail; resign thyself to God, and know thy Lord to be powerful; his decrees will certainly take place; his servants ought to be silent.”

Of their four fundamental points of practice, the first is prayer.  This duty is to be performed five times in the twenty-four hours:  1.  In the morning before sunrise. 2.  When noon is past. 3.  A little before sunset. 4.  A little after sunset. 5.  Before the first watch of the night.  Previous to prayer they are to purify themselves by washing.  Some kinds of pollution require the whole body to be immersed in water, but commonly it is enough to wash some parts only—­the head, the face and neck, hands and feet.  In the latter ablution, called wodhu, fine sand or dust may be used when water cannot be had; in such case the palm of the hand, being first laid upon the sand, is then to be drawn over the part required to be washed.  The Mahometans, out of respect to the divine Majesty before whom they are to appear, are required to be clean and decent when they go to public prayers in their mosques; but are yet forbidden to appear there in sumptuous apparel, particularly clothes trimmed with gold or silver, lest they should make them vain and arrogant.  The women are not allowed to be in their mosques at the same time with the men; this they think would make their thoughts wander from their proper business there.  On this account they reproach the Christians with the impropriety of the contrary usage.  The next point of practice is alms-giving, which is frequently enjoined in the Koran and looked upon as highly meritorious.  Many of them have been very exemplary in the performance of this duty.  The third point of practical religion is fasting the whole month Ramadan, during which they are every day to abstain from eating or drinking, or touching a woman, from daybreak to sunset; after that they are at liberty to enjoy themselves as at other times.  From this fast an exception is made in favor of old persons and children.  Those also that are sick or on a journey, and women pregnant or nursing, are also excused in this month.  But then, the person making use of this dispensation must expiate the omission by fasting an equal number of days in some other month and by giving alms to the poor.  There are also some other days of fasting, which are, by the more religious, observed in the manner above described.  The last practical duty is going the pilgrimage to Mecca, which every man who is able is obliged to perform once in his life.  In the ceremonies of it they strictly copy those observed by Mahomet.  A pilgrimage can be made only in the month Dulhagha; but a visitation to Mecca may be made at any other time of the year.