The Great Teacher and the Diligent Student
In the Kuwait of yesteryear, a serene bond flowed between its noble captains, akin to the gentle undulation of waves on a calm sea. It was a beautiful relationship between the master captain, who carried the treasures of experience in his heart, and the novice captain, who had recently embarked on the path of experience and eagerly sought knowledge and self-assertion. Life aboard Kuwaiti merchant vessels, sailing between the shores, served as a grand school. In this setting, the master captain played the role of mentor and guide, instilling in his crew the principles and ethics of this arduous and demanding profession. He sowed values such as patience, loyalty, sacrifice, wisdom, and manliness, along with other noble virtues indispensable to those who brave the sea and wrestle with the waves. This educational and formative process was continuous and pervasive among Kuwaiti captains and sailors aboard all Kuwaiti vessels.
Among the beautiful values underpinning the success of this moral endeavor, two stood out prominently: first, the magnanimity and patience of the master captain; and second, the acumen of the learner and his ability to learn and manage affairs. The noble people of Kuwait provided exemplary models in realizing these fine educational values. One such incident, which attests to this, is the relationship between Captain Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman and Captain Ahmed Al-Subaie, may God have mercy on them. Captain Ahmed Al-Subaie recounted this episode himself during a television interview with the esteemed historian Saif Marzouq Al-Shamalan. He said:
“At that time, I was eighteen years old. I perceived goodness in the senior Captain Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman, may God have mercy on him, who graciously entrusted me with the command of the boom ‘Taysir.’ The ‘Taysir’ was one of the most famous and largest vessels of the Al-Othman fleet; indeed, it was among the largest ships in Kuwait at that time. Recognizing my passion to command the ‘Taysir’ and my capability, by God’s grace, to lead it despite my youth, Captain Abdulwahab Al-Othman instructed me to sail to Basra to load dates, and then continue the journey to India to sell them there. However, he stipulated that we must depart from behind ‘Uwah Island,’ far from the Kuwaiti coast, to ensure high and suitable water levels for the ‘Taysir’ to pass safely. This was out of concern for the safety of the sailors and the vessel from any potential dangers.
I fully understood Captain Abdulwahab Al-Othman’s concern for navigating behind ‘Uwah Island to safeguard the crew and the ‘Taysir.’ However, fueled by youthful enthusiasm, my proficiency with marine instruments, and my certainty regarding the water levels—since we were in the days of ‘Haml’ (a period known to sailors characterized by high tides and receding ebb, resulting in strong currents)—and with favorable winds for departing the Kuwaiti coast, God Almighty facilitated all the suitable conditions and circumstances for me at that moment. I therefore decided to navigate closer to the Kuwaiti coast, specifically near ‘Failaka Island.’ The sailors with me on the ‘Taysir’ were surprised by this sudden decision, which they viewed as a risky gamble. Yet, I was confident in my instruments and certain that the water depth at that time was sufficient for the safe passage of the boom without any danger, God willing. Moreover, this decision would save us at least a week, or more, of the time we would have spent had we followed the route designated by Captain Abdulwahab Al-Othman near ‘Uwah Island.’ I placed my trust in God Almighty, took this shorter route, and by God’s grace and favor, we arrived in Basra safely and securely.
By the will of God Almighty, we encountered other Kuwaiti ships returning to Kuwait near ‘Al-Faw’ before reaching Basra, after passing the ‘Taysir’ near the coast of ‘Bubiyan Island.’ When they arrived in Kuwait, they informed Captain Abdulwahab Al-Othman that they had seen the ‘Taysir’ near ‘Al-Faw,’ coming from the direction of ‘Bubiyan Island.’ Initially, Captain Abdulwahab did not believe their account, telling them that the ‘Taysir’ would pass far from the Kuwaiti coast, specifically near ‘Uwah Island.’ However, they insisted that they had encountered me and my crew, greeted us, and provided him with signs and evidence confirming the truth of their story and that it was indeed the ‘Taysir’ under my command. Upon hearing this, Captain Abdulwahab Al-Othman was astonished and became convinced beyond doubt that the report was true. He deferred questioning me until we met in Basra, so he could learn directly from me the reasons behind this sudden decision and the motives for this adventure.
A few days after our safe arrival in Basra, by God’s grace, Captain Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman arrived. I met him and greeted him, and he immediately asked me about the route I had taken when departing Kuwait. I replied directly: ‘Uncle, the present sees what the absent does not. Forgive me, Uncle; the waters were high, the winds were in our favor, and conditions were favorable, so I passed via (Bubiyan).’ At this, Captain Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman smiled his customary smile, acknowledging what I had done. Behind that smile, I sensed his conviction in my words and his implicit approval of my actions, along with the happiness he tried to conceal that a captain of my age, trained under his guidance, could make such decisive decisions—decisions that were considered critical at the time and typically reserved for senior captains with extensive experience. Yet, it was God’s grace that facilitated the matter for me and aided me in making the decision. If God had not granted me a wise and tolerant captain like the great Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman, may God have mercy on him, I would not have succeeded. May God reward him abundantly for me and for all those who learned under his tutelage. This is God’s bounty, which He grants to whom He wills.’
It is worth noting that Captain Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman, may God have mercy on him, was among the most prominent of Kuwait’s great captains. He was a skilled, adept, and courageous mariner. On a human level, it is well known and widely attested that he held his sailors in high esteem, possessing a humane spirit filled with loyalty and gratitude. Among his famous sayings praising his men, the Kuwaiti sailors who sailed with him on the ‘Taysir’—indeed, all Kuwaiti sailors—he once said to the esteemed Dr. Yaqoub Youssef Al-Hajji (recorded in his book, ‘Captains of Sailing Ships in Kuwait’): ‘Do not forget the sailors; they are people of trust, integrity, righteousness, and honesty. They devote their lives to their ships as if they were their own children. They deserve honor and respect. They are people of truth and promise, never delaying their departure. They are always fully prepared to sail, and they are always loyal. We praise them always, both in their presence and in their absence. When we tried others, we realized their true worth.’
Thus, Captain Abdulwahab Abdulaziz Al-Othman, may God have mercy on him, left us through this noble incident and these beautiful words, lessons and insights written in gold. May God have mercy on him; he was indeed an excellent teacher, wise and tolerant, and he recorded splendid lessons in the art of wise leadership and high human ethics through his actions and words. On the other hand, the ethics of the astute learner and the diligent student, Captain Ahmed Al-Subaie, may God have mercy on him, left their positive imprint, demonstrating the importance of acumen, skill, and optimal utilization of circumstances under wise leadership and conscious understanding with the commander.
May God have mercy on them all with a vast mercy, and on others like them among the noble people of Kuwait. May He admit them into the Gardens of Bliss as a reward for the noble legacy they left us, which we proudly cherish and from which we and future generations draw beneficial lessons and moral guidance.
Dr. Abdulmohsin Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi
