All is well: The Omani way of lightness and faith

Observer

2 days ago

In Oman, three simple words carry the weight of centuries of wisdom: El Amoor Tayba — all is well. Whether spoken in as a soft murmur of reassurance during grief or worry, the phrase is more than just a linguistic or cultural habit. It is a philosophy. An Omani way of being in the world.
A quiet, graceful lens through which life's troubles are softened — not by denial, but by faith, patience and spiritual lightness. Though often expressed casually, this philosophy is a centuries-old spiritual compass that allows Omanis to face life's uncertainties with a calm, open heart.
'All is well' is not only said at moments of pain, though those are the times when its power is most felt. It is also uttered in everyday life: when someone is stressed about a decision, worried about a future event, or burdened with too much responsibility.
An Omani might respond gently: El Amoor Tayba. Take it easy. Don't worry. Life will unfold as it should. In this sense, the phrase serves both as a balm and a bridge — soothing distress and reminding the speaker and listener alike that worry changes little, but trust changes everything.
This approach to life is rooted deeply in Islamic spirituality. In the Quran, believers are reminded that with every hardship comes ease (Quran 94:6) and that God is the best of planners (Quran 8:30). In Oman, these verses are not just recited — they are lived. The phrase 'El Amoor Tayba' reflects the Islamic concept of tawakkul, or trust in divine will. After doing what one can, one leaves the rest to God. For Omanis, this trust is not heavy or rigid; it is serene, light and often accompanied by a smile. It is a quiet confidence that things are — and will be — okay.
There is something uniquely Omani about this expression. It reflects the temperament of a people who have long lived between mountains and sea, who understand the unpredictability of life, yet choose to meet it with grace. All is well is not loud or performative. It carries no urgency. It arrives gently, like the scent of frankincense in the air, offering ease, dignity and space to breathe. Even in mourning, when the heart is raw, Omanis often whisper El Amoor Tayba — not to erase sorrow, but to contain it within a larger, more merciful frame. Death, like life, is not the end of the story.
The beauty of this phrase lies in its subtlety. It does not promise miracles, nor does it pretend that life is free of hardship. Rather, it gently shifts perspective. Things may be difficult, but they are not falling apart. You may feel alone, but you are being held by something greater. In this way, All is Well becomes a kind of spiritual shorthand for resilience. For letting go. For trusting the tide.
To live by El Amoor Tayba is to embody lightness — not carelessness, but a lightness of being. Omanis who use this phrase are not avoiding life's weight but choosing how to carry it. They know, instinctively and spiritually, that worry cannot add a single hour to one's life. What can? Faith. Presence. A smile. And perhaps, the quiet confidence that — even when things appear otherwise — all is, somehow, well.
So, the next time an Omani tells you, 'all is well', listen closely. It is not just a phrase. It is an inheritance, a shield and a quiet prayer. And perhaps, if you let it, it can become your philosophy too.
Dr Najma al Zidjaly
The writer is Associate Professor, Sultan Qaboos University