That Friday, while Kawthar is assisting the servant women of the covenant an elderly man will approach the group; he is obviously well known and is respected by them. He does not introduce himself, but gives a traditional Adnan, the Muslim call to prayer, praising Allah and calling those to haste to worship him. Several of the women put aside their work and leave. The man pauses for a moment and addresses Kawthar, "I am Ismael, acting as Teacher to the true believers of this household. You are Kawthar, yes? Come, girl, it is time for Ju'mah."
Ismael will lead Kawthar to the baths where the other women are already beginning their bath, a ritual purification before the service. he will leave Kawthar with the other women who include her in their banter, allowing her to feel part of the community.
After bath, the group heads to a tent on the outskirts of the encampment, well away from the covenant center and especially far away from the aura and associated dig. There they leave their shoes on a mat outside the tent and enter. Ismael and the Muslim men of the covenant are already inside chatting freely about their daily activities. When the women, including Kawthar take their place, Ismael will begin his teaching.
The most important part of the ritual they share is the khutbah, or sermon, which is always given in two parts, separated by prayer and reflection. Ismael begins his khutbah with Quran 5:45
" And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution." He will go on to explain how the Prophet and his followers were martial people, proud and capable. When injured, they did not suffer the wounds lightly but instead smote their attackers down while praising Allah. This is the was of the Arabs and their Persian allies, and their culture became the basis for Islam as well.
This is what Kawthar has been seeking - a community, inviting and open, and the teachings of Allah to cast down the demons that plague her.
The first part of the kutbah is over. Ismael leads the group in meditation, first controlling breathing, then slowly and incrementally letting the outside world go. "Look inward and focus on your breathing and on your heart. Relax muscles, let go of the world. Seek inward and you will find your true self. See your true desire, your emotions, your love, your hate, your pride and your humility. Let go of your heart and surrender your will to Allah. When you are able to look past your true self and past the emotions of your heart, there you will find Allah. Recite with me: "I am muhhammed, servant of God. I am second, Allah comes first."
After a pause, Ismael will resume his Kutbah.
"When I was younger I thought I was a wise man; I was knowledgeable and had a community that revered my teachings. I met a youth in Baghdad, a mere lad of fourteen years, but the name of Rumi, who was passing through the city with his father and household; we had a brief chance to talk and that youth changed my life forever. He said to me, "No man may step into the same river twice". I often wonder what happened to the boy, for he was destined for greatness. The meaning is simple - we make choices, and through those choices shape the world around us. Does Allah teach that the world is according to our will? No, it is according to Allah's will. We surrender ourselves to Allah's will and gain Paradise. Qu'ran 5:45 tells us more than an eye for an eye. Let me continue the passage:"
"But whosoever forgoes it (retribution) by way of charity, it will be for him an expiation."
"Allah grants us two paths, one of the sword, and one of forgiveness. Once we choose, we may never step back to the same river. We can live, and die by the sword and thus exult Allah. But we can still find forgiveness of our sins by forgiving those who do us wrong. Look inside your heart and see again the emotions, the hate, the love, the pride, the humility. It is hard, very hard to give these up, but if you can walk this difficult path, there at the end will you too find Paradise."
"This is the will of Allah"