the five prayers which the Mohammedans repeat regularly every twenty- four hours. Tradition says that the prophet was commanded by God to impose upon his disciples the daily obligation of fifty prayers. By the advice of Moses he solicited and obtained permission to reduce them to five, which are indispensable. The times of prayer are, 1. Daybreak; 2. Noon; 3. Afternoon; 4. Evening; and 5. The first watch of the night. On Friday (their Sabbath) a sixth prayer is added, to be repeated between daybreak and noon. If the prayers are not repeated at the prescribed hours they are useless. The arrival of each of the hours of prayer is publicly announced by the Muezzin (q.v.).