They say that if you live in a place long enough, it grows on you.
After eleven beautiful years, we are taking a living part of Oman with
us as we prepare to move on to our next adventure.
The very ethos that defines Oman as a peaceful nation in the midst of Middle-Eastern
strife is something that leaves its mark on every visitor or resident who comes
here.
The philosophy of life of the Omani people is simple – Trust in God.
Period.
I have picked two lexical souvenirs from this philosophy to take along
with me.
1) Inshallah
In those early days, when we were
setting up our new home in Muscat, our air conditioner stopped working. In some
parts of the world, this is no big deal, but here it is a question of survival.
Even more so if you have a toddler in the house.
I called the phone number listed
in the ‘Home Guidelines’ manual provided by the company.
“Inshallah, I will come to fix
your AC at 10 am” said a polite Omani male voice.
At 10 am, I stand outside the
front door, waiting.
The AC mechanic arrived at 12.30
pm.
“Is everything ok?” I ask.
“Yes” he answered.
“Then why the delay?”
“Oh, that....” he proceeded to
give a long explanation.
The AC could not be fixed that
afternoon. A part needed replacement.
“I will bring it by 5 pm,
inshallah” he said as he left.
The doorbell rang exactly at 5
pm.
The AC was fixed soon after.
I looked up the meaning of the
word ‘inshallah’ and found out that it means ‘if God wills’. Since then, I have
been using this word almost every day.
It is such a stress-buster, this
little Arabic word of four syllables. It releases us from the expectation of
doing, reaching, achieving certain things in the stipulated time. A lot depends on fate and the way divinity
plans to chart things out in this world.
This word encapsulates the essence
of belief in the power of God.
2) Alhamdulilah
There was a time when Swine Flu
brought grief to many families in Oman.
We were at the
medicine-dispensing counter at the clinic waiting to collect some fever medication
for our daughter.
An Omani gentleman in blue
overalls walked in, greeted ‘Salam Aleykum’ to all in the room, and proceeded
to deposit some medicines on the counter.
“How are you?” asked the chemist.
“Alhamdulilah, all is good” replied
the gentleman.
“Why have you brought back these
medicines?”
“These were for my little son. He
doesn’t need them anymore. He passed away.”
A heavy silence descended in the room.
“I am so sorry to hear that. My
condolences ... ” said the chemist.
“Alhamdulilah” said the
gentleman.
I searched and found out that ‘Alhamdulilah’
means ‘Praise be to God’.
This incident imprinted on our
minds the fact that we must offer praise to God in whatever circumstances we
find ourselves in because that is divine will.
There are several questions that
come to us when faced with tragedy but the quietude of acceptance is the only
path to peace and hope.
In a few weeks, we will be at the Muscat International Airport
reminiscing about all the places and people we have known here. It is not a
pleasant prospect right now to think about these things.
Inshallah, we will be able to visit this wonderful country again in the
future.
Till then, we wish peace and prosperity continues to reign in this blessed
nation.
Alhamdulilah!
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| Some more souvenirs from Oman for Art lovers |
