One of the greatest sources of frustrations for many expats living in Saudi Arabia is the closing of stores during prayer times. You may end up waiting almost 45 minutes before the store re-opens. So around the prayer times, it’s not uncommon to see mad dashes to grocery stores and shopping centers, to make that final purchase right before the Adhan is called and the doors are closed. Countless number of times, my family and I made that same dash only to be thwarted by store employees eager to start their prayer break a few minutes early.
At first, I really let these frustrations fluster me. I would get very upset and angry, at having to make my family wait for almost an hour for an errand that could have been completed in 10 minutes.
And this ‘unprofessional’ concept of time is not only witnessed in the malls, it is widespread throughout the Saudi bureaucracy. Paperwork is NEVER accomplished in one day. It’s normal for a 30-minute process to take over a week. Patience is not a virtue over here, it’s a requirement!
So as these tests of my patience continued to occur, I began to internalize these turn of events and discovered a much deeper benefit. I began to loosen my tight grip on controlling my time. I began to realize that I am a slave of time, not the other way around.
As much as we would like, life does not occur at our pace. We occur at its pace. And this realization, that time is out of our control, is a foundational difference between traditional Eastern societies and modern Western society.
Time as defined by modern society is extremely precise. The beginning of their day is at 12am sharp, otherwise known as midnight. Their months are exact. They know which months are 30 days and which ones are 29 (I think February was adopted). Based on this precision, meetings are made, appointments are arranged, schedules are set, and life is controlled.
And then we have the traditional Muslim society who has trademarked and patented imprecision. The Muslim calendar day begins after sunset, whenever that may be. Really, when does that occur? Here in Riyadh, the Adhan for Maghrib is called right when the sun begins to set – with light still overcoming the darkness. On the other hand, back in the states, I always prayed Maghrib when the darkness had taken over and one was certain that the sun had set.
This got me thinking – if the beginning/ending of the Muslim day is so indistinguishable, when would the deadline for taxes be? Would it be Maghrib 'sharp' on the night before April 15th? How does one define that? Also, how would they celebrate the countdown to the New Year with the whole apple-dropping ceremony in Times Square? Wait, that wouldn’t happen in a traditional society.
Similarly, with no concept of midnight, how would Cinderella’s fairy tale have turned out? She would have had a legitimate gripe with the fairy godmother about the exact timing of sunset. I know I would have.
And then there are the issues with the lunar months. The annual moon-sighting problems of Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah bring to light the inexact science behind the determination of our Islamic months. That we've celebrated Eid on three separate days in a single community demonstrates the absurdity of the situation. However, my purpose is not to pick on deep-rooted scabs of our Muslim societies. I have higher aspirations. (stop snickering)
Upon more reflection, I noticed a profound foundational difference between the two disparate concepts of time. The traditional system has a deliberate connection with nature that requires for man to remain cognizant of his universal surroundings. In remaining dutiful to his Lord, he has no other choice. He is always mindful of the sun and its daily cycle. He is aware of the differences in the prayer times during the various seasons. He is constantly keeping an eye on the moon so as to measure the months. For those interested in fasting the three middle days of the lunar month, they’re looking out for the full moon. The faces of Muslims are always turning towards the sky, turning towards Allah. This constant reliance on their surroundings imbeds respect and reverence for the universe.
On the other hand, many of us have noticed how modern man has lost touch with nature. The environment has ceased to be a sign of Allah. It has become a tool to be raped for the benefit of man and his insatiable greed. The sun and the moon and their orbits are mere discoveries of science, having been relegated to science textbooks. Modern man rarely turns upwards to the sky – his gaze firmly planted on the earth, symbolic of his outlook on life versus the hereafter.
Time has ceased to be measured by the romanticized cycles of the sun and the moon. Time is now measured by the more precise, yet infinitely more impersonal measurement of radiation from the caesium-133 atom. This divorce from his surroundings has eventually led to man becoming estranged from his Creator.
Modern Muslims need to realign themselves with the natural concept of time, not the wristwatch concept of time. We must stop becoming so consumed with time and start concentrating on life. Time is measured in minutes and hours, while life is measured by knowledge and deeds. Time is void of blood relations and social acquaintances whereas life is built upon them.
Having spent time in Pakistan, I noticed a pleasant social trend that would be impossible in a modern society so infatuated with time. Relatives, near and distant, as well as close friends would feel comfortable in dropping by at any time. There was no feeling of intrusion, only of joyful reception. Without the concerns of being at a certain place at a certain time, people are free to enjoy each others company.
Critics would say that it is this exact attitude that has prevented Muslim societies from joining the developed world. Their laissez faire outlook is an obstacle in increasing the productivity of that nation's manpower. I say, if the cost of joining modern society is losing its humanity, its connection to the universe, then traditional society has made the correct choice.
So the next time you're seething in some overseas ministry office or governmental department, having wasted an entire day, running from one place to another, in an attempt to process your driver's license - sit back, align yourself with the universal concept of time, and take in a deep, rejuvenating breath of life.
Just be careful of all that second hand smoke in the air.
Just don’t call it genocide
1 week ago
10 comments:
Ive gotten somewhat use to the idea that Arab timing will never coincide with 21st century timing...so I can practice patience to a certain extent...however many times my patience is stretched beyond limits when promises of "I'll be there in 20 minutes" really means...I havent actually left the house yet...I could still be another hour or more.....
My beef is not with the lax attitude about time...its more about "mean what you say"...if you mean you will take an hour...then say you will take an hour....this will do away with my growing frustration...my waning patience...and my desire to exact revenge when you eventually show up.
I think you're mixing apples and oranges, sorry to get all fruity on you.
Time-consiousness does not necessarily come with slavery to time. And laissez-faire is not without serious (indirect) costs, some of which you have alluded to already.
There is nothing in being mindful of time, every second of it and measuring it precisely (by the way, Cs-133 sounds like a very "nature-centric" way to measure time) that necessitates being exclusionary of God (err, Allah)-consciousness.
People in Pakistan or other traditional societies where laisse-faire prevails are just plain lazy and irreverant of the resources God has provided them. It is of the adaab of Islam to not waste time. We're told we will be asked to account for every famto second of it.
Ditto for visiting unannounced. I have experienced that. To some levels it is good. But beyond a certain level it is disruptive, disrespectful and downright negative.
Likewise, there is nothing about looking at your Seiko for time that is enslaving. Very time-conscious people have a good time too.
Oops, I have already spent 108 seconds writing this and my budget was approved for only 120. So I must bid adieu. Oh, please don't feel bad for me :)
AA- Coolred,
Good point about keeping one's appointments. A commitment is a commitment and breaking that promise (or blatantly bending it) is bad etiquettes.
However, there is a difference between keeping one’s word wrt to a scheduled time (good) and living a life obsessed with time and schedules (not so good).
The latter leads to a mechanical execution of life, to a lifeless list of tasks and appointments.
When we disengage from such a lifestyle, life becomes so much more stress-free and organic, as opposed to the manufactured life most of us currently subsist in.
AA- Ma-teacher,
"I think you're mixing apples and oranges, sorry to get all fruity on you."
No prob. I like fruit salad, especially fruit chaat.
"There is nothing in being mindful of time, every second of it and measuring it precisely (by the way, Cs-133 sounds like a very "nature-centric" way to measure time) that necessitates being exclusionary of God (err, Allah)-consciousness."
True, time is what you make of it, as the saying goes. But the case has become that modern man has created a life centered more around time (among other material things) instead of God, err Allah.
And if CS-133 sounds natural to you, then so must neon and xenon. So does that mean when you watch a 50-inch plasma screen (in which those two gases are key components) you're becoming one with nature? :-)
"People in Pakistan or other traditional societies where laisse-faire prevails are just plain lazy and irreverant of the resources God has provided them."
Dear teacher, please expand my horizons. How have you come to the conclusion that Pakistanis are simply lazy and unresourceful? I'm assuming you are a Pakistani or else you wouldn't be so casual yet firm with your critique. :-)
(Wait, you're probably Indian...heh) :-P
"Ditto for visiting unannounced. I have experienced that. To some levels it is good. But beyond a certain level it is disruptive, disrespectful and downright negative."
Oh c'mon bro! You sound like some uptight, prissy elite.
Pray tell, what is that 'certain level' beyond which the unannounced visit becomes 'Disruptive, disrespectiful, and downright negative'?!
"Likewise, there is nothing about looking at your Seiko for time that is enslaving. Very time-conscious people have a good time too."
When I said enslaving, I didn't mean being miserable. People have become enslaved by their schedules and their obsession with time, so much so that life is passing them by.
My point is let's not be so tied down by time (minutes, seconds, hours) such that when things get late or behind schedule, everyone is in an uproar.
"Oops, I have already spent 108 seconds writing this and my budget was approved for only 120"
It took you only 108 seconds to write your comment?! Impressive teacher sahib. I'm going on hour #2 with this reply. :-P
i dont like fruit chaat :)
I agree with most of what you say here. Its good to remember that certainity lies with God alone. I also like how you have explained your thinking and acceptance of Arab timings. But I really think that South Asians and Arabs are very, very unpunctual. It is one thing to know something can't be done in exact time and another to dely things because you are lazy. Pakistanis and Arabs are LAZY (in caps).
I feel my privacy is invaded when someone drops by unannounced. I am in my house gowns and I feel very upset. In a house with women guests must announce their arrival. Also they must realise that children have rountines that should not be disturbed. Unfortunately Pakistanis have a problem there.
I agree. I think it is rude to drop by unannounced. From what i recall, In the quran, it says to knock and if you are not answered, then turn back.
So basically, nowadays we have phones. it is proper courtesy to call before going to someone's house.
AA- Suroor,
"Pakistanis and Arabs are LAZY (in caps)."
Wow, you too? What makes you say this?
Being lazy and being unprofessional are two different things. Also being lazy and having a laid back attitude are also different.
"I feel my privacy is invaded when someone drops by unannounced."
As much as I believe that its the right of my family and friends to visit me unannounced, they must also know its my right not to answer the door. That's only fair.
Plus, my understanding of 'unannounced' isn't ringing the doorbell at midnight, without calling.
There is a balance between that extreme and never visiting someone unless formally invited.
AA- Anon,
"From what i recall, In the quran, it says to knock and if you are not answered, then turn back."
Dropping by unannounced doesn't mean simply walking into someone's home without knocking.
I'm talking about the bad habit of only going to visit when invited. Why should I visit you only after I'm invited?
Why can't I call (to make sure you're home and you have time) and tell you that I'm coming over?
Lovely, thought-provoking post. How many times have I said, "Don't those people know it's 8 o'clock at night? Why are they coming over now??!!" instead of just greeting them warmly.
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