Just Waiting

I was waiting for the azan to complete its winding course before the maghrib prayer today and found myself thinking of the suspension of time that is manifested so often in Islam. No muezzin is going to hurry unduly to conclude the call. The spinning out of the familiar formula is part of the deep satisfaction of the procedure - hence the sublime ornamentation within those cunning arabesques.

Then Noi announced that her ustaza told her you didn't have to wait for the azan to finish but could pray right away, as soon as it was time. I felt oddly disappointed to be deprived of my waiting - but we decided we'd better check this one out with Rohana, Noi's partner at her prayer classes, as to whether she misconstrued her teacher. I've never seen actually seen anyone start to do the prayer within the timing of the call to prayer, and neither has the missus, hence our conservatism. But wouldn't it be nice to find out that you can start earlier, but then decide not to, on the grounds that some things simply should not be hurried?