The Endless Golden Dunes

Chapter 3: Ismael and Ali of Makkah

When one lives near the holy city of Makkah, it is hard for him to not be religious.

Ismael, along with his brother, Ali, sat under a pistachio tree that shielded them from the Sun. The brothers were carving geometrical shapes on a wooden tablet. Ismael, the older one, showed his progress.

'Look at this one, akhi,' he said, holding up five pentagons that had ribbons on it. 'I think this one's my best.'

Ismael was young, as one could tell by looking at his patchy beard. On his head, he wore a turban that did its best to shield him from the Sun. Ali hadn't grown his beard yet, but there were hairs coming out above his upper lip.

'Mashallah! It is wonderful!' Ali exclaimed.

'Thank you, but I still think it needs more time.'

'Inshallah it would be great. You should be carving as a career. Ismael the Carver they will call you.'

Ismael chuckled a bit. Why was it that everything Ali said felt possible? If he were to say he saw a camel with a human head, Ismael would believe him. Luckily, Ali never really lied.

'I think we shouldn't count our lambs before they are birthed.' Ismael said.

'All I am doing is appreciating your skills. I mean, I can barely write or read.'

'Don't say such! You're all right when it comes to literature. I mean, even our prophet was unlettered, yet he is called the best of men.'

Ali laughed.
So
'Well, thank you, akhi.' He said.

'You are welcome.'

Ismael smiled at him. He was so supportive of others, why couldn't do the same for himself? Whenever he said such, Ali would always reply with: 'I don't want to get my hopes up.'. Ismael would be disappointed when he would hear it.

Ismael looked northwards and barely saw the city of Makkah. The city of Muhammad. Oh how he longed to finally go there and perform Hajj! How he would encircle the Kabbah and kiss the Black Stone that Jibril gave to Ibrahim when he finished making the box. Sure, he had gone there multiple times, but the feeling to go there again was addicting and nearly irresistible.

'Still thinking about Makkah?' Ali asked.

He had this uncanny ability to see emotions and conclude what you were thinking. It was almost as if he could go into your mind and read it as if it was some text on a parchment. Though, it was ironic considering his skill on reading. Perhaps saying that he could interpret you like a picture would be more accurate. Ismael wondered if that sort of ability worked just as well with others as it does on him.

'You know that,' Ismael said. 'I want to go there and perform the last obligation.'

'You can just go there right now and perform umrah. That's the second best thing.'

'It's really not the same as Hajj.'

'If you're really desperate, just be patient and wait till the eighth day.'

'You're ... probably right.'

'When am I not?' Ali grinned.

'Multiple times. I mean, I still remember what happened in the madrassa.'

'Please do not speak of that. I was young and foolish.'

'Are you still not?'

Ali simply laughed and lightly pushed Ismael.

'You are too much.' He said.

'I know I am. But I think that is enough jesting. The call to asr is going to come. We should be preparing for the prayer.'

Ali nodded. He picked up his tablet and Ismael did the same. They stood up and went towards the direction of the local masjid.