[63] The call to prayer. Please see the book Endless Bliss, third fascicle, eleventh chapter.
[64] The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Gibbon; edited by Dero A. Saunders, 1952, chap. 16, div. 2, p. 653.
[65] We do not mean the ‘ascension’ mentioned in Christian literature. According to Islam, Îsâ (Jesus) ‘alaihi-salâm’ was not crucified. Judas Iscariot, his betrayer, was arrested and crucified. Allâhu ta’âlâ raised Îsâ ‘alaihis-salâm’, alive, up to heaven. This is the ‘ascension’ we mean.
[66] Nafs is a malignant force in human nature. It always urges man to turn away from Allâhu ta’âlâ. It is the most stupid being, for all its wishes are harmful to it. It is, again, this malignant force that causes a Muslim who overcomes it to attain a degree higher than that of some angels.
[67] The author of this hymn, Hüseyn Hilmi Işık Efendi, addresses himself.
[68] The Holy Book which Allâhu ta’âlâ sent down to Dâwûd ‘alaihis-salâm’ (David). That Holy Book was in the Hebrew language. Christians call it ‘The Psalms’.
[69] Seamless garment warn by Muslim pilgrims in Mekka. Please see the seventh chapter in the fifth fascicle of Endless Bliss.
[70] A Muslim who saw, or talked to the Messenger of Allah at least once when the Messenger was alive is called a Sahabî. The Sahâba or the As-hâb-i-kirâm means all the Sahabîs, i.e. the Companions of the Messenger of Allah.
[71] A word of endearment which our blessed Prophet called his blessed wife, Hadrat Âisha, the (spiritual) mother of all Muslims.
[72] As we have explained earlier, a person who saw or spoke with the Messenger of Allah at least once, he is called a Sahâbî. If a person did not see the Prophet but if he saw or spoke with at least one Sahâbî, he is called Tâbi’. The plural form of Tâbi’ is Tâbi’în, which means those fortunate people who saw at least one of the Sahâba. People who did not see at least one Sahâbî, but who saw at least one of the Tâbi’în, are called Taba-i-Tâbi’în.
[73] These terms mean, respectively, ‘Interpreter of the Qur’ân’, ‘Ocean of knowledge’, and ‘Chief of Mufassirîn (Scholars deeply learned enough to explain the Qur’ân al-kerîm).’
[74] To perform amr-i-ma’rûf and nahy-i-munker means to encourage others to obey the commandments of Allâhu ta’âlâ and to admonish them from committing His prohibitions.
[75] Soleless leather boots worn under the shoes.