The first two words found in the title came to me – at separate moments. Words and phrases often come to me, only discovering the WHY of it all if I play with the words. That does seem to be how it comes about. Playing with them works to help me understand concepts and which also provides words for this blog. It is indeed a win/win. .
It must be this, the language definition of hyperbolic: overstated or exaggerated. That leads to a further explanation of exaggeration.
Exaggeration is the representation of something as more extreme or dramatic than it is, intentionally or unintentionally. It can be a rhetorical device or figure of speech, used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression.
Amplifying achievements, obstacles and problems to seek attention is an everyday occurrence[1] Inflating the difficulty of achieving a goal after attaining it, can be used to bolster self-esteem.
I humbly admit: I may do that.
Me: I have always said this: I always tell the truth, but sometimes I exaggerate.
Alter Ego: Why do you exaggerate?
Me: Perhaps for the very reasons that were listed: to express strong feelings to create a strong impression, to amplify achievements and to bolster self-esteem
Alter Ego: Do you exaggerate all the time?.
Me: Actually rarely. With my rather unusual life it is hardly necessary.
This ‘exercise’ turned into a revelation. I must altogether stop exaggerating, for the following reason. One loses one’s credibility if that person is overstating, amplifying, over-elaborating, embellishing gilding the Lilly or engaging in puffery.
It is important that I remain credible, capable of persuading people that something will happen or be successful. Now employing amusing synonyms; able to hold water, be within the bounds of possibility, colorable.
Delving deeper into the subject of credibility.
Credulity comprises the objective and subjective components of the believability of a source or message. Credibility dates back to Aristotle theory of Rhetoric. Aristotle defines rhetoric as the ability to see what is possibly persuasive in every situation. He divided the means of persuasion into three categories, namely Ethos (the source’s credibility), Pathos (the emotional or motivational appeals), and Logos (the logic used to support a claim), which he believed have the capacity to influence the receiver of a message. According to Aristotle, the term “Ethos” deals with the character of the speaker. The intent of the speaker is to appear credible. In fact, the speaker’s ethos is a rhetorical strategy employed by an orator whose purpose is to “inspire trust in his audience.” Credibility has two key components: trustworthiness and expertise, which both have objective and subjective components. Trustworthiness is based more on subjective factors, but can include objective measurements such as established reliability. Expertise can be similarly subjectively perceived, but also includes relatively objective characteristics of the source or message (e.g., credentials, certification or information quality).[1] Secondary components of credibility include source dynamism (charisma) and physical attractiveness. Credibility online has become an important topic since the mid-1990s. This is because the web has increasingly become an information resource. The Credibility and Digital Media Project @ UCSB[2] highlights recent and ongoing work in this area, including recent consideration of digital media, youth, and credibility…”
This is probably much more than you ever wanted to know. Wikipedia continues talking about the application of credibility in journalism, academia, science, medicine, on the web, in the street, in social media. It does not mention credibility found in the teaching and writings, in the Islamic Faith. This is surely important, particularly in this day and age. Writings both ancient and modern.
Extensive research into the Islamic Faith has proven that one of the most credible scholars in the very early days of the Islamic Faith was Aisha. This is what was said about her. The from a book purchased from a Medina book store. The Honorable Wives of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)
“Aisha was a scholar of Islamic jurisprudence, with broad knowledge of Hadeth; she benefitted greatly from her nearness to the Messenger of Allah in addition to her own great intelligence, her zeal for acquiring knowledge and her ability to derive Islamic rulings. (Pg. 50).”
Ten testimonials are provided on pages 50-52. Four of these are provided.
Urwah bin Az-Zubair said,”I have not seen anyone with a greater knowledge of the Quran, or its obligations, or the lawful and the unlawful, or of poetry, or of the sayings of the Arabs, or of the genealogy than Aishah.
Abu-Dhahabi said: “Aishah was the most knowledgable woman in Islamic jurisprudence in the whole Muslim nation.’
Am’ Umar bin ‘Abdul-Barr said, “Aishah was unique in her time, being knowledgeable in three sciences: “The science of Islamic jurisprudence, the science of medicine and the science of poetry.”
It is written in Fathul-Buri that Aishah was extremely knowledgeable in Islamic jurisprudence -to such an extent that it is said that a quarter of all legal rulings were transmitted from her.”
I do admit to perplexity, wondering what to call these praiseful commendations. Finally decided on testimonial to find it was the proper word: (noun) a formal statement testifying to someone’s character and qualifications. It is obvious that the most revered scholars held her in regard, respect, esteem, almost homage.
I have in my possession another book. It on my iPad (of all places), downloaded in Books. . It is entitled Ayesha A Role Model for Muslim Women for All Times to Come. That I believe to be absolutely accurate because she is outstandingly credible.
Ayesha’s life is a perfect idea for Muslim women to emulate. It reminds us that the responsibility of a woman is not online the capacity of a housewife. Besides performing her domestic chores, she can play an active role in the improvement and reformation of the society.
This Introduction reminds: “Nature dealt her a heavy blow when got widowed at the tender age of eighteen. Besides the sorrow and anguish at being separated from her husband, there was neither wealth to carry her on nor any child to console her in her grief. In another couple of years, her loving father also passed a way.” She did not wallow in self grief but instead ‘determined to dedicate her life to the cause of Islam.” We are reminded that she was self schooled. “The amazing thing is that she did not receive her education at any institute or school, but imbibed it day and day out from the very fountainhead of prophet hood. She was also skillful in poetry, history and Tib medicine.” She had no children ‘but Allah conferred upon her the title of Mother of the Believers and she did fill full justice to this role.”
The author of this book is Naima Sohaib. She also wrote a book in Urdu about twenty more prominent Muslim scholars, reformists, revivalist and caliphs over the last 1400 years.
I promise to continue to research and write about Aisha/Ayesha. She holds a fascination for me, truly believing that she is a model for the modern Muslim woman. She is not given the recognition she deserves – probably because she is a woman. Her humble style of living, her generosity, her lack of formal schooling is not an example followed by self styled Muslim scholars whose output of knowledge and information far exceeds their input. Whose world wide exhausting schedules leave no time for reflection, study or prayer.
The Islamic Faith requires, at this time, a new paradigm. More about that on a subsequent blog.
In the meantime on a personal level, shall share the details of a resolved conflict between myself and an older man. He is older, not as old as me. He is wise, perhaps not as wise as I pretend to be. Told him of a tentative plan, traveling to Riyadh viewing the Saudi Cup, and while there also meeting up with a man I had met briefly and his family. Received this startling response
He: Did you see Riyadh before? Is he going to buy you the best seat available? Is he going to provide you with a ticket and airport transportation from both airports and hotel accommodation? If so Riyadh welcomes you with no expense spared.
Three minutes later I fired off this response.
Me: I have been in Riyadh many times before Probably spent at least a month there altogether. I just thought it would be interesting to see the winning jockey I met a year ago race.
Me: (2 minutes later): Besides who needs a plane when there is a train. I can stay at my Hilton on Ring Road. Go back to the National Library where they love me and visit the US Embassy.
Me (2 minutes later) Bit it can wait if he is not going to be racing. Now are you okay?
Me: (13 minutes later) The YouTube reel on the blog shows me in Riyadh at many places and venues. Perhaps watching it would enlighten you
He: (20 minutes later) Message preceded by an emoji of an Arab man blowing on a party favor. No need to. Just wanted to be on your side but it seems I need someone on my side.
Me: (3 minutes later.) LOL LOL LOL I think you do need someone on your side. LOL You get yourself out of the worst pickles. Oops that is an idiom, I speak in idioms, it is confusing. idioms. You get yourself out of difficult times with me, let me put it that way. You have a great talent, you do. It is prayer time, Isha. Anyway I am praying with peace of mind, thank you for that.
This morning, after Fajr prayer, receiving some guidance, sent the following text.
Me. I did listen to you. Thank you for being on my side. I did need you to be there for me. I am not going to Riyadh. Inshallah. I think an improper use of Inshallah. If I do not put in the effort then I do not go. I am not putting in the effort. It is part of a larger insight about me and my purpose in life and how I get sidetracked. I hope you are fine and everything getting accomplished.
He: Good morning! I’m fine. Thanks. Things tend to get smoother. Time is a great healer.
Me: Time if the greatest of healers particularly if you do not look back. Trusting that the evil and bad times are not catching up to you. You recently advised that I was capable of making my own quotes and I just did. Alhamdullah
Me (along with a funny GIF of a guy with exploding thoughts) Me thinking great thoughts and making up quotes. Hahaha
He: We cannot afford to look back but to learn from our experiences. You are an inspiration.
Me: You are to me as well. What a team!! (Then a GIF of a winning team).
I was able to change horses in midstream, which is to choose a different strategy or way of doing things when problems arise. .
Here is another example. I am a Canadian but have always been most disdainful of Tim Hortons and their drive through bad coffee. Could never understand how, or why, Tim Hortons are everywhere in Saudi Arabia. But found myself in a Khobar Tim Hortons, writing about it.
Me: Here at a Tim Hortons, totally against my religion. Met a Saudi woman, an aunt with two of her nieces. They bought me coffee and we laughed all of the time. They live in Khobar. I hate to admit it but the coffee and donut were good. Hahaha
One photo, the Tim Horton coffee cup, validates my presence there. Two more scenic, the sunset from window taken two hours before my ‘peace of mind’ Isha prayer.
