Work Text:
Three.
Üş in Khalaj.
Sê in Kurdish, similar to our dear Persian.
Thalātha in Arabic—with three vowel markings decorating the word, and three i'jam atop each thaa.
The second smallest prime number.
The first odd prime number.
It is said that the most stable physical shape is the triangle, with its three sides and three vertices.
In our Islamic ritual purification, the hands are washed three times.
Then water is gargled in the mouth three times.
Then water is sniffed into the nostrils and blown out three times.
Three times are the arms and feet washed as well.
In addition to this, from what I have read, the number three is also important in most Christian sects.
They believe that their singular god is also three: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Admittedly, I'm still confused by this concept, and to me this "trinitarianism" just sounds like polytheism, but nevertheless, it is their widely-held belief.
From what I have learned from those I have spoken to from the Far East, their way of writing the numeral is simply three lines: 三.
They seem to regard this number as benevolent, because it sounds like their word for "life."
This is in contrast to the number four, which to them sounds like their word for "death."
As for me however, three is much less mystical or religious.
I have no benevolent linguistic connection, nor any immediate particular ritual association.
I simply remember the three long, messy braids you had when I first met you.
...Now, I look at the Qur'an in front of me at my desk, opened to the chapter of Al 'Imran.
I sigh.
I am trying to read the Qur'an in my mind, yet it is you who is in my heart...
May Allah forgive me.