Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 291
291 from a court of justice for his arrest. For the first time then his comfort and happiness are suddenly interrupted and a cloud of melancholy, is cast over his sunshine of glory. This stage corresponds to the time for the first prayer immediately afternoon As the sun begins to decline f corn the zenith after noon, so a man who is at the height of his prosperity and success witnesses the first stage of his declination when he comes to know of an impending misfortune. This stage of the. human condition finds its representation in the prayer which is said at the first decline of the sun i. e. r the zuhr prayer. The sun declines farther to the west and the troubles increaset In illustration already stated, the person upon whom, the warrant is executed is brought before the magistrate* Difficulties, then encompass him all around, and the light of comfort is on the verge of extinction. Corresponding to this state of man is the time of the day when the sun has declined far to the west and his light is turned pale so that th. e eye can rest upon him. The zenith of ;glory is left far behind and the setting of the sun after a short time is apparent. The latter after-noon prayer,. i. e. , 'asr answers to this spiritual state. A third change then comes over the man- There is no hope left of being delivered from the trouble. To continue the illustration already suggested, evi- dence being taken against the accused person which shows his guilt, a charge is framed by the magistrate, He is then frighted out of his senses and deems himself already a prisoner. The sun of glory is then set. This state corresponds to the time when the sun actually sets and the light of the day vanishes away. The evening prayer said after sunset represents this con- dition. The culminating point of adversity is reached when darkness encompasses a man all round, and its force is fully realized. The verdict goes against him and he is sent to gaol.