A surah named for this event is the only one to mention the “people of Iram (“IH-rum”)” who had “lofty pillars.” A later surah named for this event condemns a soothsayer’s cursing technique of tying and spitting into a knot; that surah is often grouped with an-Nas as the final two surahs of the Qur’an. A now-outdated Islamic practice involved a drummer known as a mesaharati walking the streets directly prior to this event. A verse from al-Baqarah analogizes this time to a “white thread” that is distinguished from a “black thread.” The second adhan for a prayer recited at this time often includes the phrase “prayer is better (10[1])than sleep.” The suḥūr meal is eaten directly before this time, during which the fajr (10[1])(“FUH-jur”) prayer is recited. For 10 points, name this time of day at which fasting (-5[1])begins (10[1])during Ramadan. ■END■