about
midday
Feeling very hungry he gathered a quantity of this fruit and eat it as he walked . To his great surprise , notwithstanding that he had but just risen from a long rest and sound sleep , he began to feel excessively drowsy , and selecting a secluded and shady nook , he lay down and at once again fell asleep . `` He must have slept several hours , as when he recovered consciousness the sun was high in the heavens . But although it was apparently about midday he presently noticed that he did not experience any sensation of heat . It gradually dawned upon him , moreover , that , although perfectly conscious and able to reason and reflect and to distinguish clearly everything around him , this state of consciousness was wholly separate from and disconnected with the body . In fact , looking down he perceived his body lying stretched upon the grass , and still wrapped apparently in the total oblivion of the profoundest sleep . `` While he was yet lost in astonishment at the marvel of this strange condition , a fairy or spirit of the air stood beside him , and addressing him said -- '' ` Mubarek , why do you stand thus gazing upon the ground ?