The principle of fasting in Islam, and a mysterious chamber in the Great Pyramid

Just a little bit from the manuscript on which I’m currently working — an introduction to Islam aimed primarily at Latter-day Saints:

Each lunar year, Muslims fast during the entire month of Ramadan—from the rising of the sun until its setting. “Eat and drink,” the Qur’an directs, “until you can tell a white thread from a black one in the light of the coming dawn. Then resume the fast till nightfall.”[1] It will be recalled that it was during the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad. The fast dur­ing this month is, at least in part, a commemoration of that most central of all Islamic events, and very pious Muslims frequently make it a practice to read or recite the entire Qur’an during the fast. Ramadan must also be thought of in connection with earlier Jewish and Christian fasting practices. The Qur’an says of it that it was decreed for Muslims as it had been for those who went before.[2]  Although the majority of Muslims observe the fast of Ramadan, some are more serious than others. In some cities, people fast dur­ing the day and then party all night—thus reducing industrial and office productivity to almost nil during the month. Driving along the banks of the Nile during Ramadan, I have observed hundreds of Muslims waiting on their picnic blankets, knives and forks in hand, peering eagerly at the western horizon for the setting of the sun. (While they are so occupied, it is wonderfully easy to cruise the deserted streets of Cairo and enjoy the empty movie theaters.)

Certain people are exempted from the rigors of the fast, such as those who are ill or pregnant or on a journey. God, the Qur’an points out, is not unreasonable. (One might recall here the excep­tions for ablution before prayer when travelling.)

[1] See 2:183-87 for general information on the fast of Ramadan.

[2] 22:33.

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Matthew Wheeler, I believe, is the person who kindly called this item to my attention, from CTV Montreal News.  Click on the video image:

“Montreal’s Muslims, Jews, Catholics join together”

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In a press release from the Politecnico of Milan, in Italy, an interesting hypothesis to explain a new discovery regarding the greatest of the pyramids of Egypt:

“Cheops’ pyramid: Is there an iron throne in the newly discovered chamber?”

Posted from Phoenix, Arizona