Today is April Fool’s Day, which I find laughable. It seemed a silly, meaningless day of ‘celebration’ when living in the West. From this vantage point in the KSA during Ramadan, it is completely ludicrous.
Ludicrous is the perfect word: so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing. Lying and playing jokes on one another is totally out of place during a Saudi Arabian Ramadan. It is most amusing to consider the synonyms: ridiculous, farcical, laughable, risible, preposterous, foolish, idiotic inane, silly, asinine, nonsensical. My favorites are asinine, and preposterous. Feel free to choose your own from the list.
I peeked out my window at dawn, hoping to see a reflected sunrise. This anticipation was not realized as it is cloudy. I then thought of a song, or a portion of a song that is not immediately thoroughly ‘retrievable’
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We are in or out of the money
But I’m with you baby.
I’m with you rain or shine
This song, like all other romantic songs, has meaning only if Allah (SWT) is substituted for the mere mortal ‘partner’. Allah (SWT) is with us rain or shine – causing the rain or shine actually.
The title of the song remains obscure. Used as an adjective it is a perfect word. Its meanings are many, but all hit the nail or the head:1) not discovered or known about; uncertain: 2)• not clearly expressed or easily understood: 3) not important or well know. For example, an obscure religious sect. Or 4) hard to make out or define; vague
The definition: “to do or to say something that is exactly right. You can use this phrase when someone finds the exact answer of a problem or a question. Another way to say it is ‘to be spot on’. I love spot on – I must use it more frequently. I do remember the challenge of learning a new word every day – using it constantly. I will do it with spot on – imagining the expression on people’s face will be most farcical and idiotic. It can be my version of April Fool’s Day, while remaining authentic.
I remember writing of authenticity, look back, using the search engine, to November 17, 2023. In my usual style I shall put myself in quotes,
“This ‘sermon’ is found in John Renard’s Ph.D. The Handy Islamic Answer Book. The title of this article is How do classic Islamic sources describe what it means to be “authentically human’? .
“Over a thousand years ago Abu Said Al Kharraz (d.c. 900) wrote the book Book of Authenticity, one of the earthliest works of Islamic pedagogy. Structured around the literary conceit of a dialogue in which the author puts questions to an anonymous teacher , the work explores a series of ‘stations’ and states that make the seeker’s progress along the path of spiritual meaning. The “teacher’ describes for his pupil the how one can identity the authentic experience of, for example penitence, asceticism, trust in God and longing for God. Kharraz seems to be using the key term sidq (authenticity) in two slightly different wats. First learning how to discern authenticity in one ’s inner experience is the overall purpose of the dialogue. Second, Kharraz introduces the topic, explaining that there are three principles with which to identify authenticity: These three hallmarks are sincerity (ikhlas), patience (saber), the virtue so central to the story of Joseph ,and veracity or truthfulness (sidq)
Let us first consider this. The book of authenticity was written over a thousand years ago, but the question is achingly and amazingly relevant to today. It is necessary to explore the meaning of pedagogy”
I went into a long Wikipedia explanation, simply put it is the ‘art of teaching’ – the Socratic method is one example. Simplifying the discussion – in order to be authentic a person needs to be sincere, patient, and truthful. All three.
The November 26, 2023 blog discussing teach of these three qualities: sincerity, patience and truthfulness – providing versus from the Quran supporting which support their authenticity. The necessity of having all three is discussed.
“Sincerity is incomplete unless there is truthfulness and patience accompanying it. Patience is incomplete if it does not encompass truthfulness and sincerity. And truthfulness is incomplete unless it has patience over it and sincerity in.”
To be authentic on April Fool’s Day I must be truthful. Patient and sincere. That is a tall order, will let you know tomorrow or the next day if I filled the tall order. .
A tall order is something that is very difficult to do. The example found on the web brings us back to the ‘good old days’ of the coronavirus. “Even during the height of the pandemic, getting a doctor’s note was a tall order for residents without primary care providers or worried about facing big bills for a visit.— Alexander Tin, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024.
Back to The Heart of Makkah
The next chapter, The Sacred City begins “We will surely turn you into a qibla with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward the Holy Mosque. – Quran 2:144
“The importance of Makkah for Muslims is immeasurable. All Muslims, whoever they are on earth, are required to pray five times a day in the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. In addition, a pilgrimage to Makkah is required of every Muslim who can afford it as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Every year, millions gather for the major pilgrimage or Hajj, during the Muslim month of Dhu’l-Hijja, and millions more perform the minor pilgrimage, or Umrah, at various times throughout the year. The focal point of Makkah is the Kaaba, or the “House of God.” Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times and drink from the sacred well of Zam-Zam – the water of which is believed to have special healing properties.”
This chapter’s photographs begin with aerial shots of the city taken in 1988 and 2010, Then photographs of millions shoulder to shoulder squeezed into the vast sight enlarged by King Fahd. It pictures a virtual sea of humanity, throngs of worshippers – all orderly, all respectful, all worshipping. Aerial views of the Holdy Mosque taken at various times of the day. Then photograph of worshippers offering prayers within the courtyard. Slow motion photos of Muslims circumambulating the Kaaba in 1992, 2000 CE. All of the photographs in this book are of the highest quality imaginable – in perfect focus. It is a treasure. Thank you Marwin Hetzi! Various views of the door of the Kaaba, one with the pilgrims stretching their arms out in supplication. “The door is 2.25 meters in height and is made of gold weighing 280 kilograms” There are four pictures of the black stone, encased in a silver frame. Photos of the Station of Abraham “a small structure over which a lies a stone that the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) would stand on while constructing the Kaaba and on which his footprints are preserved.”
The Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) had big feet.
We are then shown two aerial shots of The “Mountain of Light, “which is home to the Cave of Hira, where the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel.” Photographs of the entrance to the cave are included. .
The chapter entitled Ramadan-The Holy Month begins: “O ye who believe. Fasting is prescribed to you As it was prescribed To those before you, That ye may learn Self-restraint” Quran 2-183.
During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Before dawn many Muslims partake in a redrawn meal knows as the Suhur and then at sunset, families and friends gather to break their fasts at a meal known as the Iftar. Many Muslims break their fasts with dates in the way the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) did. The ritual of fasting is known as Sawm and is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are required to abstain from earn, drinking and procreation from dawn to sunset. The end of Ramadan is marked by a festival known as Eid al-Fitr.”
Seven pages of the the most crowded conditions ever imagined. It is definitely THE place to be. This is illustrative. “With the entire Holy Mosque and the surrounding forecourts full, worshipers can be noticed thronging the surrounding allays and streets during Ramadan.(2005 CE).” The photographs in this chapter are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
Breathtaking in an astonishing or awe-inspiring way, so as to take one’s breath. However, I have no desire to be a part of that sea of humanity. I guess I am not used to crowds, tasting the inhumanity of hordes of worshippers when in Medina at the Prophet’s Mosque.
I note, with a measure of relief, that I am over half-way through the book and plan to stop my journey today. I cannot fathom those crowds of people, weakened by the effects of the fast, The people in hotels the restaurants and the guards lacking energy as they too are fasting. People forced to work during these times look worse every day – their eyes are deadened, their movements increasingly slow and measured. I notice these things as this is the first Ramadan I have experienced with other Muslims.
I have the luxury of becoming a recluse, lacking the desire to interact, to eat, to be around others. The verse found in The Heart of Makkah proscribes fasting for self restraint. My paper back Quran 2:183: “Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it has been prescribed before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil” Another translation:Quran 2:183” O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you – as it was for those before you – so perhaps you will become mindful of God.”
I turn to the Internet for more guidance: “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah,” ˺. Another speaks of becoming God-fearing. Yet another translation: 2:183:Allah Almighty informs His believing servants that He has prescribed fasting for them in order to attain piety and righteousness.
I suppose I could choose, take my pick? I have. “O Believers! Fasting is prescribed for you-as was those before you – so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah” This is preferred over self-restraint, guarding against evil, attaining piety and righteousness, or becoming God-fearing.
Turning to Hadiths brings relief, comfort and ambiguity.
There are two joys for the fasting person: the joy when he breaks his fast, and the joy of when he meets his Lord.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” [al-Baqarah 183-185]
Ambiguity is the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness. The purpose of my fasting is indeed open to more than one interpretation. The purpose of fasting during Ramadan is inexact, clouded with uncertainly, a puzzle. However, I continue the fast. Learned today that this may be a 29 day, rather than a 30 day Ramadan. In other words, there may be only one week left. I have mixed feelings about that.
I have added another chapter to About Me. Most interesting if I do say so myself, and I did. Go to the Menu to find it.
Photos are Ramadan decorations from the hotel.
