Potpourri can mean a mixture of things. This blog will be a mixture of things, both positive and negative.
We shall begin with positive. As that song goes:
You’ve got to accent the positive
Eliminate the negative
Don’t mess with Mr. InBetween
Don’t know the name of the song. it is, at this point irrelevant and immaterial.
“Irrelevant” describes something that is not connected or applicable to the matter at hand, and therefore has no bearing on the current situation. . “Immaterial” is similar to “irrelevant” and refers to something that is not significant or important.
Now, onto more important things which are relevant and material. This an Instagram post from Dr. Raniawaad (dr.raniaawaad)
“Some souls are just so beloved by Allah that you can feel it when you meet them. It’s like an unexplainable ease, comfort, and love that surrounds them. Perhaps it’s because the angels themselves witness God’s love for them. And so, it’s no wonder that even here on earth, we can’t help but love them too. May Allah grant us the opportunity to experience such divine love and connection, especially during the blessed last 10 nights of Ramadan. Ameen.”
My goal, my dream, my ambition, is to be one of those souls, that are so beloved by Allah (SWT). That is my hope as Eid draws near.
Mixed feelings about Eid. I both eagerly anticipate a return to the life of friends and being out and about. However I dread the challenges facing me the close of Ramadan. This time of seclusion has been an escape. I feel rather like a closeted princess, high in her tower, achieving diamond status in my hotel honors program. Soon I will have no excuse – I will be forced to descend into the rough and tumble world. Straighten out my finances, worry about my refugee status, find a driver, collect more abayas – all of those things put on hold during Ramadan 2024.
To put it on hold means to decide not to do, change, or deal with something now, instead to leave it until later. What exactly else have I put on hold?
Cleaning up my act, is necessary so I can concentrate on becoming one of those blessed souls. Cleaning up one’s act is to change the way you behave, so that you improve, to change one’s character for the better. Correct certain behaviors, straighten oneself out, start behaving in a moral way.
The Islamic Faith provides guidance, Allah (SWT) is available for assistance. I have this proof. Just now learned that a person, who probably would not be a good influence upon me, is not returning to Saudi Arabia. The person, is not of the faith which is important. Muslims are to choose others of the faith as their friends and companions, unless the nonbelievers serve some purpose.
Friends, even acquaintances, need to pass the Muslim test first of all. However, this is not all that needs to be done. Sone people can be of the faith and not be a good influence. Unwittingly, at times. Their erratic behaviors can cause stress, they can be unreliable, so one does not know if they will keep their commitments. They are inattentive to my serious side. It is a form of cause and effect which can make a relationship toxic and to be avoided. The cause: the relationship lacks substance. The effect: they cannot provide needed sustenance.
Substance has many meanings, some with relevance to this concept, some not. The revenant ones: it is real physical matter of a person which has a tangible solid presence, it is the most important or essential part of something, the real or essential meaning, the quality of being important, valid or significant, the quality of being dependable or stable. All of those definitions of substance apply.
For me (or thee) to have substance there must be a reality, and an actuality ,about us. There must be some meaningfulness, some importance, some clout that gets to the heart or essence of our essential being. There needs to be some backbone, a strength of character and the person must have resources, not necessarily materialistic but assets that are needed to provide sustenance to one another.
Sustenance is nourishment, in the broadest sense of the word, which includes emotional support, and a livelihood – helping one another navigate the complexities of our existence.
One cannot provide nourishment or support for an aspect of a person they do not see, do not realize. I am both at the giving and receiving end of that, I am sure. I am as inattentive to their needs, most probably, as they are to mine. There is a need for improvement on both sides. However, it seems unlikely, or improbable that is ever going to happen. Best give that up.
As an aside. When I speak or write those words: ‘give up’, I habitually think of Christians giving up something for Lent. As I recall it is completely voluntary – chocolate or sweets, maybe cigarettes. Compare that with the sacrifices required of Muslims. We have be tough.
End of digression -back to the main topic. Decided it may be time – after getting my affairs in order – to clean house which means to remove undesirable personnel and/or procedures. Hahaha. Some of these folks just might be hypocrites. I have had to deal with large numbers of those guys in recent months. Hypocrites are dangerous.
The Islamic Faith tells you what you do with the hypocrites in your life. This from Wikipedia’s Munafiq:
“In Islam, the munafiqun (‘hypocrites’, Arabic: منافقون, singular منافق munāfiq) or false Muslims or false believers are a group decried in the Quran as outward Muslims who were inwardly concealing disbelief (“kufr”) and actively sought to undermine the Muslim community.[1] Munafiq is a person who in public and in community shows that he is a Muslim but rejects Islam or speaks against it either in his heart or among the enemies of Islam. The hypocrisy itself is called nifāq.”
I commend the entire article to you. Thankfully, the article includes the solution actions needed to be taken. What Muslims Should Do with Hypocrites.
“Salih Al Munajjid told Muslims to deal with hypocrites as follows according to the Quran and Sahih Hadith:
Disobey them
Ignoring, intimidating and admonishing the hypocrites
Do not engage in debate with the hypocrites and do not favor them
Do not make friends with hypocrites
Waging jihad against the hypocrites and imposing austerity
Show contempt for hypocrites and do not make them leaders
Not participating in the funeral procession of the hypocrites.”
I shall put the knowledge from Salih Al Munajjid to use, after Eid, when I clean house. I can ignore, intimidate, admonish, break off friendships and show contempt. I absolutely will not participate in funeral processions (wasn’t planning to anyway)
Back to the Heart of Makkah
One of my Ramadan Intentions was to entirely consume The Heart of Makkah. We are in the final pages of the book discussing the planned further expansion of Makkah. Think of this as the dessert if you will – the icing on the cake and the decoration. I am not happy about it by the way viewing the futuristic plans. It looks unreal, some sort of megacity of the future – the tiny core of the megastructures is the tiny Kaaba. It will definitely be possible to pack in a lot of pilgrims, with their pilgrim dollars, no doubt about that.
The very last chapter The Future of Makkah begins with a quote of Prince Khalid Al Faisal
“Our dream for Makkah is taking shape. It is not a mirage in the dessert of an outlandish aspiration, but a real, heart pounding rhythm of progress seen and heard; rising up from the desert sands.” .
The authors tell us.
“The world’s Muslim population is expected to increase by about 35 per cent in the next 20 years, using from 1.6 billion in 2019 to 2.2 billion by 2030, drastically increasing the number of pilgrims to Makkah. Consequently, the Saudi authorities have established a future vision for Makkah, and the challenge has begun to to deliver a futuristic city that will house, care and exceed the expectations of the tens of millions of global pilgrims expected to visit the city annually.”
I feel blessed! My visit to Makkah happened when it was of human and humane scale. I was alone, just me, and that was a miracle of sorts. Solitary women were allowed to perform Umrah for the first time in October of 2022. I was there alone in December of 2022. My curiosity and love of knowledge enabled me to worship the infinite wisdom of ASWT. ASWT is an an abbreviation used by a Saudi friend in a recent text – it stands for Allah (SWT)).
In the not too distant past Saudi Arabia’s main industry was money brought to its coffers by pilgrims. Now, of course, that is not true. KSA is wealthy beyond belief, fueled originally by vast deposits of oil that lay beneath the sand. Upon discovery of oil and gas Saudi Royalty and its government and its people, were well equipped, prepared, ready able and willing. They knew the value of knowledge and education. All of its people, including its ruling family, worship ASWT, the Quran is the constitution of this country. Therefore, KSA alone has the capability, the resources and the riches to enable Muslims from all over the world to preform their sacred duty as commanded by Creator: “Pilgrimage thereto is a duty Men owe to God, Those who can afford The journey.” Quran 3.97
This is written on the morning of April 6, 2024, just after sunrise. Rather uncharacteristically opened Instagram to a post showing a mass of humanity with the announcement – the capacity of the Kaaba had been reached Day 27. It was so crowded, there was no movement. Too sleepy to have an emotional reaction, but thought of twist of fate. If something happens by a twist of fate, it happens by chance, and it is strange, interesting, or unfortunate in some way.
This is strange and interesting – not unfortunate. I was WhatsApping one of the multiple Makkah millions just before going to sleep. He was leaving to perform Umrah at the Kaaba. “A twist of fate suggests that chance supplied a more striking outcome, often a negative one.”
A website provides further information
The difference between a “turn of fate” and a “twist of fate” is subtle, but they are often used interchangeably. Both phrases refer to unexpected and significant changes in a person’s circumstances or destiny. However, “turn of fate” suggests a more gradual and possibly predictable shift, while “twist of fate” implies a sudden, surprising, and possibly dramatic change. Both phrases convey the idea that events have taken an unexpected and potentially pivotal direction.
There are several more questions and answers but the website insists that you sign onto it – no desire to do that. One questions:
Quora: Is it destiny that two people meet.
Me: Apparently. I met this Nigerian man when in Medina. He was in Medina with his father and sister – they were to leave for Makkah the next day. We ate in Kyoto, the Japanese restaurant in the Oberio after Friday prayers. There is an Instagram reel of the event, it is on the blog.
We may see one another again. We do have amusing conversations. I told him of my Muslim name change.
He: You will always be Sheila Fatima to me.
Me: Okay!! I will be your Fatma
He: What is the meaning of Alaa
Me: It means high, exalted. It also means the Goddess of Creativity. And fertility.
He: Mashallah
Me: And fertility.
He: You want kids Hahaha
Me: Going to sleep now. Good night my dear.
He: I am going for my Umrah now also. We talk in the morning?
Two reels follow this blog. One, my reactions upon seeing the Kaaba for the very first time. As you will see I was speechless, in total awe. The other very amateurish reel called Mecca Night, put on Instagram. It has had over 8 thousand views and 268 likes.
