My three previous Ramadans were predictable – my daily habits, thoughts, and actions were preplanned. One could say they were cast in stone. Daily I would review my original intentions, writing not only about their completion but reflecting on my emotions as well.
Cast is stone means that something is so definite and certain that it cannot be changed. Not cast in stone means that something is not permanent , subject to change.
This Ramadan has certainly been subject to change. It did not start that way, but ended up that way, quite quickly as I look back. My days, my attitude, my thoughts and perhaps, even my faith, has gone through several transformations.
Transform is to change, it has can also mean metamorphose, transfigure, reshape, renew, and turn upside down. Its opposite is preserve, keep the same.
The day before yesterday I ate at both buffets, Yesterday remolded and redone that practice by eating leftovers in my room. The day before yesterday found me in serious conversation with more than one person. Yesterday spoke to no one, about nothing. It was a relief – the people from the day before were not listening anyway, offering nothing in return. The day before yesterday was hardship – too much food, too much frustration. Yesterday the benefit: peace of mind, learning about, and writing about, Makkah.
More examples. Day before yesterday did break my Ramadan intention of ignoring world politics. Read Arab News, regretted that as the atrocities, fueled by evil rulers continue. It led to my reading from page 77 of Muslim’s Character.
A man came to the Prophet and asked when Doomsday would occur. The Prophet answered: “When deposits in trust would start being lost,, then wait for the Doomsday.” He was again asked: “What is the meaning of lost of trusts?” He replied: When responsibilities are entrusted to unfit persons, then wait for Doomsday. [Bukhari]
The world is now being governed by unfit persons, those governing Israel and the Western and Arab nation leaders that support the regime.
Not all world leaders are unfit. Had an interesting conversation with two Chinese individuals, here in Kohbar promoting a car made in China. I first spoke to the woman.
Me: I love your green hair! My hair got this color naturally, not changing it now. But green is good.
She: My hair was beginning to get grey, turned it this color instead.
Me: Very clever idea.
We spoke of many things – the prosperity and promise of KSA, the West’s total ignorance of China. The rights of women in China. This was a subject I was somewhat familiar with as I visited China about fifteen years ago, on a Dominican University summer program. Wrote a paper for extra credit on women’s rights. I was delighted to learn that even more advancements were being made. The two were both fluent in English – it being the language of the world’s business. Afterwards realized that the leaders of China and Saudi Arabia are most fit, able and exemplary. In July of 2023, I was visiting Saudi Arabia when the leader of China came to visit the leader of KSA. Unfortunately, I was not invited, maybe next time???? I speak English, was a lawyer, familiar with both countries, and funny. Diplomatic relationships are usually in dire need of humor. Hahaha
Today met a Saudi man on my ‘outing’. . (Not my ‘gender identification’ but my airing, my airing from the hotel room). (That was a joke by the way.)
We both were checking in. (Checking in means to arrive and register at a hotel or airport).
To be technical about it all, I was rebooking, extending my stay. He was checking-in.
We began by speaking of good manners. Later, reading Muslim’s Character found this in page 138.
To make Muslims in all-conditions well-behaved and of good manners, the Prophet has said: “You will not be able to rule over the people through your wealth, but through good appearance, and good manners, you can win their hearts. [Al Bazzar]:
Our conversation turned to righteousness. He said that rightness and trust happened first and then came the faith. Perhaps I can try to paraphrase him.
He: In Makkah, before the time of Mohammed (PBUH) the people of Makkah were known for their righteousness, their trustworthiness. A traveller could leave a possession with a person from Makkah and know it would be kept safe.
Me: That is incredible to learn that from you at this time. I am reading and writing about Makkah, learned that it became a center of commerce in its very early days. That was why. Thank you, you have added to my knowledge.
We then began to speak of the attractions of Kohbar. (No, not the water tower but Ithra) (That also was a joke), I spoke of my future book, Tale of Two Cities, contrasting Edmonton’s derrick with Kohbar’s Ithra. My ambition is to compare and contrast the two cities, trying to discover the reason for the vast differences.
Me: I think it is in the area of education. Learned from Ithra’s Museum that immediately Saudi Arabia was sending men to US engineering schools – within a few years something like 46% of engineers were Saudis.
He: Yes! That is true of all fields. I am an educator – the Saudi government sent me to the UK where I received my Bachelors, Masters and PhD in Education. All paid by the Ministry of Education.
Me: Thank you for explaining that to me. That is so valuable to know and it explains a great deal about the differences between Canada and this country. I did not realize before talking to you that all education and knowledge is valued here, not just engineering and science. I know from my recent gathering knowledge about the faith that knowledge is respected, valued, honored. I will be writing the book from the Tower of Knowledge in Ithra – not freezing to death outside, writing from the derrick. Hahaha People there say it is hot in Saudi Arabia.
Me: It is, but there is air conditioning. They would tell me it was cold in Canada. Yes, I would say, but there is central heating. Unfortunately the great out of doors, which Canada is famous for, does not have central heating Hahaha. Staying inside in Ithra is not a problem- they have everything there, including museums, restaurants, Ness coffee shop and air conditioning.
I love learning. There is something new to discover every day. I am blessed with a curious mind, that mind of mine loves exploring. I remember Dora the Explorer – what a fine role model for young women and men. She was not around during my early years. I am now going to check her out. Take a break from my serious reading and writing. I need diversion at this moment because I am hungry.
Decided instead to explore curiosity. First the good news: It is a strong desire to know or learn something. Now here is the bad news: curiosity killed the cat. This is a proverb, being inquisitive about other people’s affairs may get you into trouble. I remember this though: Satisfaction brought him back. No idea where I learned that, somewhere. Why? Because I am inquisitive, interested and have a spirit of inquiry.
Wikipedia, as usual, has a lot to say about it.
“Many species display curiosity including apes, cats, and rodents.[3] It is common to human beings at all ages from infancy[6] through adulthood.[2] Research has shown that curiosity is not a fixed attribute amongst humans but rather can be nurtured and developed.[7]Early definitions of curiosity call it a motivated desire for information.[8] This motivational desire has been said to stem from a passion or an appetite for knowledge, information, and understanding.”
I just learned all kinds of stuff. Many species have it, it comes in all ages, and it can be nurtured, developed. AND I have a passion for knowledge information and understanding. That is all good so far. Learning more, it is a virtue.
It has also been considered an important moral virtue, as curiosity can help humans find meaning in their lives and to cultivate a sense of care about others and things in the world.[33] When curiosity in young people leads to knowledge-gathering it is widely seen as a positive.
But, as with anything there is a negative. The negative is morbid curiosity.
Morbid curiosity is focused on death, violence, or any other event that may cause harm physically or emotionally.[36] It typically is described as having an addictive quality, associated with a need to understand or make sense of topics that surround harm, violence, or death.
I do not suffer from morbid curiosity, because I do not fear death, because I am of the Islamic Faith. I became of the Islamic Faith because I am curious, having a passion for knowledge and understanding.
That is called coming full circle, I think. Curiosity is impelling me to look it up. I shall.
“If say you come full circle you mean that after a long series of events or changes the situation is exactly the same situation that you started with. If someone has come full circle after changing a lot, everything is the same for them, as it was in the beginning. The example is poignant.” Her life had now come full circle and she was back where she started, in misery, alone”.- Dobbs, Michael WALL GAMES
This line of reasoning has come first circle – most fortunately not my life. Why not? Because my curiosity allowed me to find the Islamic Faith at exactly the right moment. I must continue writing About Me, telling everyone why it was exactly the right moment, at exactly the right place. I keep procrastinating. I suppose the timing must be off.
My reading of The Heart of Makkah continues, bringing me back in time to my Umrah. You can see the reel of photos now. We will talk about it tomorrow or the next day.
