The coolness and hospitality of Taif

Photo: A welcome meal, Taif-style. And raiding the blackberry bush in the adjacent garden. © Fareena Alam. Please do not re-use without permission and proper credit.

Once in Taif, the air turned pleasently cool. It must have been the altitude, Alhamdulillah. It was so welcoming after that long bus-ride up.

We were surprised (actually not that surprised because the Saudis have been so welcoming to us throughout our stay) by an invitation to dinner from the Mayor of Taif. We are the fortunate beneficieries, nay, stragglers who benefit from the high regard shown to Shaykh Abdallah Al-Qadi and Shaykh Hamza.

Alhamdulillah, the meal, we were told, was in keeping with the tradition of the people of Taif. We were seated on carpets in an open area right next to a large garden. While we waited for what turned out to be a delicious roast lamb meal, we were served cool grapes and figs. Subhanallah, it did not escape us that when the Prophet (صلي الله عليه و سلم) sought shelter in an orchard during the Taif saga, he (صلي الله عليه و سلم) was served grapes by Adaas, a Christian servant who later embraced Islam at the Prophet's (saw) hands.

While we waited, we explored the garden and were granted permission to raid a gorgeous blackberry plant. Oh the fruit was so full of flavour! We couldn't stop eating from it.