Stories written in the shadow of noon

In the landscape of contemporary Omani fiction, Mahmoud al Rahbi stands out as one of the writers who has shaped the short story with a refined artistic awareness. His collection Sa‘at Zawal (The Hour of Decline) marks a significant milestone in his literary journey. The work, which won the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts and Literature in 2012, does more than present separate narratives; it constructs a cohesive fictional world built around an intense human moment, one that resembles “zawal” as a turning point between two states: before transformation and after it.

In this collection, Al Rahbi does not rely on dramatic events or complex plots. Instead, he focuses on small details that reveal both the fragility and resilience of human beings. His characters appear ordinary at first glance: a man revisiting an old memory, a woman confronting prolonged silence, or an individual standing at the threshold of a decisive choice. Yet this “ordinariness” transforms under the writer’s lens into a space for reflection on time, identity, and the choices that shape human destiny.
Time in Sa‘at Zawal is not merely a backdrop for events; it is an active element in shaping meaning. The hour of decline, suggesting the moment when noon begins to fade, becomes a symbol of transition and subtle change. Al Rahbi captures the instant when convictions shift or hidden truths surface, giving it a quiet philosophical dimension, far removed from direct moralising.

Stylistically, the text is marked by a clear linguistic economy. Sentences are often concise, the rhythm measured, and the language carefully crafted. There is no unnecessary elaboration or excessive ornamentation; rather, a deliberate precision that gives each word its full weight. This density turns reading into a contemplative experience, leaving space for the reader to engage actively with the text and complete its meanings.
Oman is present throughout the narratives without affectation. Place is not merely decorative; it forms part of the characters’ consciousness and identity. The village, the house, and the details of everyday life quietly permeate the stories, affirming that the local setting can embrace universal human concerns. In this fusion between specificity and broader human resonance lies one of the collection’s strengths.

Al Rahbi, born in the Sultanate of Oman in 1969, is considered one of the country’s leading short story writers. He has published several short story collections and narrative works. In addition to winning the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts and Literature, he previously received first place in the Dubai Cultural Award for short story writing. Some of his works have been translated into other languages, contributing to introducing international readers to modern Omani fiction.
Ultimately, Sa‘at Zawal offers a model of short fiction that values depth over spectacle and suggestion over direct statement. It is writing that aligns itself with the honest moment, affirming that major transformations may begin with a small detail or with a passing hour at midday. The collection stands as a testament to the ability of Omani literature to articulate the complexities of human existence with quiet strength and artistic confidence.