Eclipses and Islam --- 2017/08/23

We witnessed one of God’s marvels this week, with a total eclipse of the sun. This rare event has often been associated with end times theology, especially in the early church. But for some in Islam, an eclipse can have a very special meaning. Many Sufi and Shia Muslims believe that a lunar eclipse on the first day of Islamic month of Ramadan, followed by a solar eclipse in the middle of the month, will signal the reign of the twelfth, or hidden, Imam, the one who will establish a worldwide Islamic rule. Those two eclipses will actually happen in the year 2027. Dr. Timothy Furnish, expert in Islamic history, speaks to these beliefs on today’s episode.