Overbooked party. On almost all Islamic key dates on the calendar, there will be a gathering at the iconic al-Mihdhar m…

Overbooked party.

On almost all Islamic key dates on the calendar, there will be a gathering at the iconic al-Mihdhar mosque that begins just a few minutes after the call for dawn prayer.

Just a few minutes and I mean it.

The adhaan comes, they give enough time for two cycles of sunnah prayers and then they pray fajr. Once done they begin the Mawlid before all other mosques even start praying fajr at the standard usual time.

So if you want to be inside this large mosque and it is large, don’t come late. Perhaps half the attendees sit outside (pic). Nevertheless the coffee and water distributors will still come your way.

And as they are attendees, it is rude for the late-comer, passer-by, anyone, to walk pass these people sitting down with their slippers on – because it is connect and thus part of the gathering. And only he who lacks intellect, culture and character would keep his footwear on inside a gathering.

What you see above is the morning celebrating the first day of Rajab month, which is today but two years ago. Those two men on the right are qualified Mufti’s and memorizers of the Qur’an from Southeast Asia, (beloved) teachers in the school here in Tareem.

That’s how serious Rajab is. Beginning of the Season.

Worshipping gets into gear, continues in the next month of Sya’baan. And then of course Ramadhan. It ends on the 7th day of Shawwal as most people go into the 6 Days of Shawwal fasting, together.

8th day of Shawwal official visitation to landmarks begin (mosques, homes, learning places of previous scholars). Three days.

What happens then on 11 Shawwal?

Wedding season – until the Eid al-Adha.

You can see how it’s quite organized. There’s a guideline on how to manage the year.

It’s an extention of the guideline given on how to manage our day (five times prayer), how to manage our economy (zakat) and our consumption (Ramadhan), etc. The skeleton is quite skeletal.

So for those of refinement, they refine. And keep to it.

Even if it is at dawn, and the place is full.

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