In Damascus, one can look at both worlds (Dunya - earthly life – and the Hereafter) at the very same time. This city is structured in a way where you can indulge in the most mouth watering of food varieties, at the same time spend hours of solitude at the mosque, in pure harmony.
Sufi disciples here might spend the afternoon at an extremely relaxing coffee shop, have a cup of tea with Damascene sweets, then walk back home to recite their Zikr (remembrance of God) in great solitude.
The Sufi disciple is usually a walker who passes through tough trials to get rid of the love of Dunya from his/her Heart. But once that is done with, one is allowed to go back to Dunya and live the good life that God has given us permission to live.
In Damascus you have everything in great moderation: A life of entertainment that seldom rubs shoulders with sin (unlike other capitals of the Arab World that have gone the extra mile into obscenity)… a life where the love of religion does not go into fanatism but stays within the bounds of “love.”
Head covered women in Damascus are different from women in other parts of the world… they are strong women with the freedom to live life fully, while keeping their hearts (and looks) within the codes of Islam. They walk around, go to souk, work, stay home, write, attend concerts, dine out, dance and live life without the heavy iron hand of fanatic extremism at their throats.
In fact, conservative Muslim families over here are miles and oceans away from anything resembling hate. You seldom sit with a conservative family that makes you hate the day you were born from the excess of preaching (whereas that’s exactly what you go through in Wahhabi-ruled societies).
Go to Jordan and sit with a conservative family and prepare yourself for suicidal thoughts at every interval. Go to Saudi Arabia, and within 2 minutes you’ll be chalking with the suffocating extremism.
In Syria, even the most conservative of families live within very relaxed atmospheres of moderation. It’s very difficult to describe what this means, without experiencing it first-hand… but all one can say is… no matter where you are, in coffee shop or mosque in Damascus, you are free to breathe, and you are grateful that God made it possible for something like this to exist.
This is very true…I particularly noticed this when in Damascus. Before that I had only experienced Egypt and Saudi and thought that was how all Muslims are but even Egypt has become much more extreme than it ever used to be and Wahabbi ideals are replacing the old Sufi ones.
But you do have to ask yourself how Syria has managed to hold onto this more laid back approach..I like to think it is because Syrians have a more relaxed disposition but sadly there are some much more sinister political undercurrents at play in this state of affairs too.
The way you talk about Damascus makes love it the more. Last time I whizzed through the wonderful city was in early January. I arrived overland from Lebanon, straight to the first travel agency I spotted at Al Hijaz Square, booked a same-day flight to Thailand, when I realized I had less than two hours to be at the airport.
I was almost starving but had no time to grap a sandwich (the food aroma from the nearby restaurants still lingers on at my nostrils!). I hailed a cap to my destination requesting that we pass by the tomb of Ibn Arabi. The driver knows the place very well but never been inside!
Inside the mosque hall that leads to the few-steps-down tomb, there was a man seated behind a low table with bread, a large bowl of unsesoned salad and a brown paper bag of fresh falafel. Another old man greeted us and insisted we sit at a long plastic mat to share some food.
I couldn’t resist, given the condition of my stomach. I enjoyed every chunk of the fat falafel sandwich and still see it as a greater blessing than a banquet!
I did visit the tomb and tried with a travelling mind to feel the Great Shaykh’s presence. That was great. A moment I will never forget!
Hi sister, hope u’r safely back home cloaked by Allah’s Love. I miss u. and think and pray. InshAllah we will be at The Sacred Makkams very soon. Take care. Lots of love. SalaamAleikum. Hediya
Dear friend!
I have always been interested in sufism,not long ago was initiated into chistiyya brotherhood. I have been to syria 2 times, I studied with a friend who is from syria and has made it possible for me to visit this miraculous country. Unfortunately, I havent been able to explain to him about sufism. Please can you be so kind enough to give me addresses in syria of zawiyas,tekke etc where I can visit and pay tribute to these spiritually powerful places. Thanking you in anticipation!!!
Salam Yasser… did you send me a similar request via email? Please include your email in the comments catagories so I can send you details,
God bless