Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

THE FAST OF UUMZAUN. 179

probable actuating motive, when looking only
to the fair example. I have, however, reason
to think that the Mussulmauns generally, in
fulfilling the commanded fast of Rumzaun, have
an unexceptionable motive. They are taught
by their Lawgiver, that the due performance
of this rigid fast is an acceptable service to God
the Creator, from man the creature: they be-
lieve this, and therefore they fast.

Amongst the well-informed it is persevered
in as a duty delightful to be permitted to per-
form ; the ignorant take some merit to them-
selves in having faithfully observed the com-
mand ; yet all the fasting population are actu-
ated more or less by the same motive,—the
desire to please God by fulfilling His commands,
delivered to them by their acknowledged Pro-
phet.

The severity of a Mussulmaun's fast can alone
be understood by those who have made the trial,
as I frequently have, of the strict rules of absti-
nence which they observe; and with the addi-
tional privations to be endured at the period of
the hottest months and the longest days in the

N 2