Kufa used to be a capital of the Rashiduddins during the caliph Ali’s reign. Medina used to be the capital before it, but it was switched after Ali started losing supporters there. It is still considered an important place, especially for the shia population. It was a somewhat tragic site as well considering Imam Hussein, the son of Ali, was martyred near it.
When one would look past all the Kufa was known for and just see the city for what it was, a strange feeling would come. It was as if he wasn’t supposed to know this type of feeling. One such man who experienced it went by the name of Abbas.
He experienced such a thing because he was never interested in lore or history (for which he would be scolded by his teacher). He would see Kufa, and he would not think of it as a place filled with intricate history, it was just another place in the world. Just a city he just so happened to live in. It was, in a way, disappointing.
He always thought that if something were to arouse some kind of curiosity in him, then that thing was sure to be interesting. It would give him – and there was no other word – purpose. Hadf. The desert always seemed to tease it. It kept on saying that there was purpose inside it, and that he should search for it. But did he have a reason to? He was a successful merchant and didn’t need to work all his life. He had enough money to have his next seven generations live comfortably. So why should he endanger himself?
There was a feeling. He felt like a hawk on a mountain, right on the edge, looking at the vast sky in front of him. He didn’t want to go, yet he wanted to experience the feeling of flight. All it required was a little push from behind, and he would be soaring. He could also fall, there was no knowing.
Abbas sighed. Did he even have anything to lose? He was heirless, unmarried, and had no friends or even relatives. All he had was wealth, a good reputation, and his life. He was delicate with them and he handled them expertly, but they didn’t give him the sense of purpose he wanted.
A sigh escaped him and he went downstairs into his large house. But before he could go down, he looked towards the horizon one final time. He saw the dunes, and they called him. As always, Abbas ignored it.
YOU ARE READING
The Endless Golden Dunes
Fiksi SejarahBoys of different backgrounds, cities and religion, going to war against the Mongols whether willingly or drafted. They learn modern knowledge of the world from each other and the ancient wisdom of God from the dunes. They are united not by a single...
