Classics Retold

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King that one of the guests said that there was a knock at the door.  Nur al-Din Ali went to open the door, but he was followed, without his knowledge, by one among his guests.  Nur al-Din Ali opened the door, and there stood his steward. "What is the matter?" asked Nur al-Din Ali. The steward replied, "My lord, what I feared has come to pass." "How so?" "To put briefly, you should know that there is not even a Dirham's worth left of your possessions in my hands; here is the record of what was entrusted to your servant in my lord's handwriting." Nur al-Din Ali bowed his head and said, "This is God's wish. No man can alter it." The man who had secretly followed  Nur al-Din Ali returned to his friends, and said to them, "You should consider what to do. Our lord is bankrupt, and destitute." They replied, "We will not stay with him."  Nur al-Din dismissed t...

I heard, O happy King, that One day, Nur al-Din sat in his father's palace, there was a knock at the door.  When he opened the door one of his father's friend and companions stood before him. The guest kissed him and said, "My lord, who he has left the like of you is not dead.  My lord, Nur al-Din Ali, take comfort, be cheerful, and stop mourning." The words of father's friend influenced the mind of Nur al-Din Ali. He went to the guest hall, made some calculations brought there whatever needed for gathering, carousing and entertainment. Then he invited his friends to feasts and asked Anis al Jalis to join him.  Then he started banquets, one after the other dispensing, gifts, honours and favours.  His steward could see the drain that these banquets made on his wealth.  And he warned Nur al-Din Ali, "My lord, this enormous expense and lavish giving will erode our wealth."  Nur al-Din said, "I will not listen to one word of yours.  Haven't you hear...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, the young man who had thrown him down was his father, who then knelt on his breast and pulled out a knife as if to cut his throat.  At that moment the vizier's wife came up from behind and said, "What do you want to do with him?" He replied, I want to kill him." Nur al-Din asked, "My lord, do you find it so easy to kill me?" His father looked at him and, as the divine power moved him and his eyes filled with tears, he said, "Son, do you find it so easy to make me lose my life and my possessions?" "O my lord, the poet says: Pardon my crimes, for mighty judge Is used to mercy some offenders. I stand before you, guilty of all sins  The ways of grace and mercy you Know. He who seeks forgiveness  Shall enjoy the fruits of forgiveness. When he heard this, the vizier was overcome by compassion for his son.  Nur al-Din kissed his father's hands and feet, and his father said to him, "...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, the vizier said to his wife, "Tell me the truth." She replied, "First of all, you have to swear me that you will not loss your self. Be patient and we will deal with it." Vizier said, "Very well." She said, "Your son went into Anis al Jalis and took her virginity."  The vizier sagged down to the ground, beat down his face until his nose began to bleed, and plucked out the wisps of his beard.  His wife said to him, "My lord, you are killing yourself.  I will give you ten thousand dinars, the price of the girl from my own money."  The vizier raised his head and said to her, "Damn it.  I don't need her price.  I am afraid of losing of my life and possessions."   She asked, "My lord, how do?" He replied, "Don't you know our enemy al Mu'in ibn-Sawi is lying in wait for us, and when he hears of this affair he will go to the king and say to him, ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, Nur al-Din the son of vizier asked the two maids about his mother, and they replied, "She went to the bath."  When Anis al Jalis heard Nur al-Din, she said to herself, "What the young man looks like, and if he is the one they warned me about."  She ran still fresh from the bath, and going to the door, looked at Nur al-Din.  A full moon.  Nur al-Din saw Anis al Jalis. Both of them sighed.  And they fell into snares of love for the other.  He went to the two little maids and yelled at them, and they fled for fear and stood at a distance to see what he would do.  He went to the door of the chamber, and opening it, entered, and asked Anis al Jalis, "Are you the one whom my father bought for me?" She replied, "Yes, by God, my lord, I am the one."  So Nur al-Din, who was drunk, went to her, took her legs, and pressed them to his sides, while he locked her arms around his neck, and began to give...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the broker turned to the vizier and said, "If my lord permits me, I have something to say."  The vizier replied, "Speak." The broker said, "In my opinion, you should not take the girl to the king today.  She is just out of a journey, and the change of air seems to have bothered her.  Keep her in your palace for fifteen days, and let her regain her good looks.  Then sent her to the bath and dress her in fine clothes, and take her to the king, and that will be more to your advantage." The vizier considered his advice and found its merit, took the girl to his palace, lodged her in a private chamber in the inner quarters, and arranged to offer her a generous daily allowance of chicken, wine and fine clothes, and she lived in this way for a while. The vizier had a son.  He was a full moon with radiant face, rosy cheeks covered with down like tender myrtle, and a mole like a disk of ambergris. He wa...

Basrah was a port city on the northern coast of Persian channel . It was on the mouth of Shatt al Arab river. In the bygone days a benevolent and popular Chief ruled that city.  He was as bountiful as the sea that even the proud were glad to be his servant.  He was a man who rejoiced in sharing the wealth with others. His name was Muhammad ibn Sulaiman Al Zainabi .  He had two viziers : al-Mu'in ibn-Sawi and Fadl al-Din ibn-Khaqan .  The latter was a very generous man of his time, equalled by none in purity of heart and nobility of conduct.  All the people loved him. Women at home wished him long life, for he prevented evil and did good. al-Mu'in ibn-Sawi, on the other hand was most avaricious, the meanest, the most vicious and the most foolish of men, who always spoke vilely and acted shamefully.  He was cunning than fox.  The people hated him vehemently. One day, King Muhammad ibn-Sulaiman al-Zainabi was on his throne, surrounded by his officers. Vi...

The following night Shahrazad said: The brokers showed the vizier every slave girl brought into the market, before they were sold.  But none pleased the vizier.  However, one day, as the vizier was about to mount his horse, on his way to royal palace , a broker came to him, caught hold of his stirrup , and said, "O Grand vizier ,  she, who has been demanded by the noble order is here." The vizier said, "Bring her to me." The broker went away, and soon returned with the girl. She was about five feet tall, with a slender waist, heavy hips, swelling breasts, smooth cheeks, and black eyes.  She was in her sweet youth, and had an elegant figure, dewy lips sweeter than syrup, and a voice softer than the morning breeze. The vizier was exceedingly pleased with her, and turning to the broker asked, "What is the price?" The broker replied, "Ten thousand dinars. Her owner says it doesn't cover the cost of chickens she had eaten, the wine she had drunk, and ...

The story is one of the longest and continuous romantic story in the collection of Arabian Nights. It has a strong Baghdad centred Abbasid historical background.  It is placed in the social environment of 8th to 9th century Baghdad. The protagonist, Ali ibn-Bakkar was a wealthy youth who came to Baghdad. The heroine Shams al-Nahar is associated with the courtly circle of Abbasid Caliph, Harun al Rashid. The text of the story depicts places, eunuchs, slave girls, gardens, merchants, robbers and the life in eighth and ninth century Baghdad, all of which were part of Abbasid culture and tradition. The narrative belongs to the romance of passions and tragic love type in Arabic literature, like that of Majnum Lyla, tragically ending in idealized love. Shams al Nahar was a slave girl attached to Caliph. But she enjoyed special privileges like separate quarters and maid servants. Abbasid era was known for opulence, patronage of poetry, and tales of love and intrigue at court.  The st...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said: Ali ibn Bakkar charged me and asked me to tell his mother to bear his loss with patience.  Then he fell in a swoon and remained unconscious for a long time, and when he came to himself, he heard a girl singing the following verses: Adversity hastened our parting,  After our happy Love and joyful life,  Such parting is a bitter pain; would  That a lover were spared a strife  Death's agony is a short moment. Parting's pain always remains God allowed all lovers to unite  But condemned me, kept apart. When he heard these verses, he groaned and his soul left his body. I wrapped him in a shroud and committed his body to the care of our host. Two days later I journeyed in the company of some people, and reached my house in Baghdad. Then I went to the house of Ali ibn Bakkar to meet his mother. I bade his servants to leave her mother alone, and I went to her, greeted her, sat by her, ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler related: Suddenly, a man came into the mosque, where we, (Ali ibn-Bakkar and I) took shelter after we were robbed on our way.  After ablutions and prayer, the man greeted us, and said, "You are strangers here, I suppose," "Yes, we are, we have been robbed, and we know no one to seek any help," said I "Will you come home with me," he asked. I turned to Ali ibn Bakkar, and said, "Let us go. We are strangers here and we have nowhere else to go."  The man understood our predicament, we were stripped of our garments and we were half naked.  He took off his girdle robe and turban, and gave it to us. We shared it and were now half-clad. "Let us take advantage of the early hours, and move," he said. He took us to his house.  He knocked at the door and the servant opened it and came out.  At first he arranged us enough clothes and gave it to us.  The servant led us to a ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said: The maid said to me, "Go to Ali ibn Bakkar and warn him to be on guard until we find a way out this situation, or if we fail, to escape with his own life and possessions. This news was such a blow to me, that I could not stand up and my strength drained.  After she left, I hurried to Ali ibn-Bakkar. I said to him, "Gird yourself, summon your courage, gather your wits, compose yourself and shake off your languor, prostration and debility, for there has been a grave development that could cause the destruction of your life and your property."  He was alarmed and his colour changed, and he said to me, "O my friend, you have worried me terribly.  Tell me everything plainly." I said to him, "Such and such things have happened, and you are surely lost.  He sat dazed for a while, looking as if his soul has left his body; then he recovered and asked, "What shall I do?" I sa...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said: When I told Ali ibn Bakkar about the money that Shams al-Nahar had given me, he said, "What a wonderful woman and what perfect generosity! I will replace all the utensils and other goods you lost." He turned to his steward and gave him an order, and the steward brought carpets, drapes, and utensils of gold and silver, which were more than what I had lost.  And steward ordered his servants to carry them into my house.  I felt embarassed and thanked Ali ibn Bakkar for his generosity. I said, "Making the two of you happy is dessert to me than all the goods you have given me.  Out of my love for you I will even throw myself into peril for your sake." I stayed with him for the rest of that day and night.  He lay weak and wan and kept sighing and weeping.  When the day began to break, he said to me, "You should know that there is an end to everything and the end of love is death or enjo...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said: The girl in the service of Shams al-Nahar said, "Wait here until I come back." Then she hurried off, and returned carrying a heavy bag, and handing it to me, said, "Here is the money, take it and go, and may God protect you.  Where shall we meet?" I said, "Come to my house.  I will find out Ali ibn Bakkar, and arrange for you to meet him." I carried the heavy bag and walked forward. I knew it was money, but I did not know how much it comes. "Look!"  She called out from behind, "I am afraid you may not be able to find him out.  I too may not be able to find you." I replied, "Better come to my other house, I am straightway going there to replace the door and secure the place."  I reached home and counted the money.  Two thousand dinars.  I gave a part of it to my family, and another part to my creditors.  Then I took my servants and went to my othe...

The following morning Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the girl said to the jeweler: When I saw Shams al-Nahar, I was rejoiced in her safety and went to help her.  She bade me give the man who had brought her, a thousand dinars. I thanked him and gave him the very purse that I had brought you and you had refused to take.  When he departed I locked the gate.  With the help of two maid servants Shams al-Nahar was carried to the house; she lay as if dead because of exhaustion, stress and sleeplessness.  We laid her on the bed.  She slept the rest of that night and the following day, and I bade the servants not to disturb her  On the following day she awoke, as if she had risen from the dead.  I sprinkled on her face, rose water  scented with musk, washed her hands and feet, and changed her clothes.  I offered her some wine, which brought her some energy.  And I persuaded her to have some food.  As she regained energy I remon...

The following night Shahrazad said to Dinarzad: I will tell you what happened to the jeweler when he came to his house and his people in his own words: The Jeweler's Version: When they questioned me about Ali ibn-Bakkar, I said, "O people, do not press me, for his story cannot be told in public."  While I was imploring them, and trying to pacify them, Ali ibn Bakkar moved in his bed.  The assembled people rejoiced, and some of them departed, while others stayed.  But they did not allow me go home and requested my presence.  They sprinkled rose water scented with powdered musk on his face.  When he came to himself, they began to question him, but he was too weak to answer and motioned them to let me go home. I went out hardly believing my escape, and came home supported by two men.  When my people saw me, they cried and beat their faces, but I motioned to them to stop.  I sent the two men away, and went to sleep.  I slept the whole night.  Whe...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that when the jeweler heard what they said, he almost died of fright and said to them, "If generosity was lost, none would harbour it but you;  if there existed a secret one fears to reveal, none would keep it but you; and if one faced a difficult problem, none would solve it but you."  He went on to expatiate in his praise until he saw that would be more expedient and more useful to tell the truth at once than to conceal it, particularly since it was bound to come out eventually.  So he told them the whole story, and when he finished, they asked, "Is this young man then Ali ibn-Bakkar and this young woman Shams al-Nahar?" He replied, "Yes, I have told you everything and kept nothing from you."  They were upset and expressing regret, went to the two lovers and apologized to them. The jeweler later related: They said to me, "Part of what we took from your house is gone, but here is what is left...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler prayed to God to protect him from harm, and went home, saying to himself, "What has happened to me is just what Abu al-Hasan feared."  Soon the people began to rush to him from all sides, some consoling him, some saying nothing,  and others demanding their goods, while he thanked some, explained to some, and defended himself to others,  feeling so unhappy that he did not touch any food all days. In the middle of these, one of his servants came in and said, "Lord, there is a man at the door asking for you, a stranger whom I never seen before."  When the jeweler went out, the man greeted him and said, "I have something to tell you." The Jeweler said, 'Come in." But the man replied, "No, let us go to your other house." "Do I have any other house left?" The man replied, "I know your plight and bring you comfort." I thought to myself, "I will ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O the happy King, the Jeweler said: Shams al-Nahar took the lute, tuned it, played and sang with consummate skill the following verses: If you are a true messenger,  Deliver and be copy no more. Say nothing, but love is my news And let the truth my joy restore  And if he did deign to reply Even without him I will live, For with coymess he gains charm That I will his coyness forgive. Then she sang these verses: I lay sleepless, as if in love with sleeplessness,  And pined as if pining was for me, My tears coursed over my burning cheeks,  Who can at once in water and fire be? Her singing was so lovely that I had never heard anything like it before.  But suddenly we heard  terrifying noises and screams and felt as if the house was going to cave in under us.  Then a servant, whom I had ordered to stand at the door of the house, rushed in and said, "Some unknown men have broken the door and are raiding the house,...

The following night Shahrazad said: It is related, O happy King, that the jeweler said: I stayed with him that night, and in the morning returned to my house and hardly had I sat down, the maid servant arrived.  I told her what had happened between Ali ibn Bakkar and myself, and she said, "You are right, I will go to my lady, tell her what you have said, and convey to her your invitation."  She went out, and soon returned, and said to the jeweler, "Go to your other house, and make it ready."  She took out a purse and, giving it to me, said, "Use this money to buy food and drink."  But I swore that I would never touch it, and she took the purse back and departed. I was still annoyed at her behaviour, when I went to my other house.  I took with me all the utensils in my possession, borrowed from friends all sorts of fine vessels of gold and silver, carpets, drapes, and whatever else was needed, bought all necessary provisions, and had everything ready.  The ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King that Shams al-Nahar admonished the jeweler. Shams al-Nahar said:  "No secret is confided without trust nor is an endeavour undertaken without ability; no success is achieved save with the help of generous, nor is a serious matter entrusted save to a man of nobility and honour.  Each man deserves to be honoured according to the kindliness of his intentions, the extend of his application, and the efficacy of his deeds.  As for you, no man exceeds you in humanity and generosity.  You know my secret, understand my situation, and see that I have been driven beyond endurance.  This girl, as you well know, I hold in trust and high favour, for she keeps my counsel and transacts my affairs; therefore, trust her in everything she tells you or asks you to do, and you will be pleased; besides, you will.be safe from any danger, for we will not ask you to come to any place before making sure that it is secure.  Sh...

The following Night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the girl said to the jeweler, "If you tell me the truth, I too, will tell you the truth, and entrust my lady's secret to your care." The Jeweler related later: I told her what I had told young Ali ibn Bakkar, how I acted with Abu al-Hasan ibn Tahir until I won him over, how I found the letter she had dropped. "All of this shows my Goodwill," said l, "which I have been reluctant to meddle with.  The girl was astonished, and urged me to swear again to keep the secret of the lovers, while I too made her swear to hide nothing of their affair from me.  Then she took the letter and, sealing it up, said, "I will tell him that it was given to me sealed and that I would like him to seal his own answer with his own seal, so that I may assume no responsibility. I will go to him now, get his answer, stop see you before I take it to Shams al-Nahar."  She bade me goodbye and went away. But she was ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said, "I bade him farewell and went out, not knowing where to go, what to do, or how to manage to let the girl know that I was in on the secret of two lovers.  As I went along, pondering the matter, I saw a letter lying on the road.  I picked it up, opening it, found the following: In the name of God, the compassionate, the Merciful: My envoy came bringing me hope and joy, but I surmised that he misunderstood.  Therefore, instead of joy, my grief increased, knowing that he mistook bad news for good. O my lord ---may God preserve you --- You yourself may know the cause of breaking the bonds of trust between us and interpreting our correspondence.  If the fault is yours, I will remain faithful, and if you are inconstant, I will forbear, forgive and remain constant.  If you succeed in instigating our friend to depart, then you have succeeded in winning a loving companion, a confidant and a ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that when the maid came in, she greeted Ali ibn Bakkar, came close to him, talked to him privately, while he swore and exclaimed from time to time that he had no knowledge of what she claimed.  Then she took her leave and went away, leaving him like a mad man. What the jeweler related later: As soon as I found the opportunity to speak, I said to Ali ibn Bakkar, "Doubtless some members of Caliph's household have some dealings with you or some claim upon you." "How do you know," he asked. I said, "I knew by this maid." He asked, "To whom does she belongs to?" "She belongs to Shams al-Nahar. No other girls is as lovely, lively and wise as she. A few days ago the same maid showed me a letter that she suspected to have been addressed to her lady by none of her lady's maids." Then I repeated to him the contents of the letter, and he was so upset and worried that I feared that ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that Abu al-Hasan, the druggist related later: After I told the jeweler my plan, and asked him to keep it a secret, I prepared myself at once, and set out for Basra. Four days later, the jewele came to the shop and  found it closed. Later, the jeweler related the following: I think of a way to gain Ali ibn Bakkar's confidence and going to his house, I said to one of his servants, "Ask your master Ali ibn Bakkar to grant me leave to go in." The leave was granted, and when I went in, I found Ali ibn Bakkar lying back on a pillow.  When he saw me, he raised himself, and standing up, received me with a cheerful mien and  bade me welcome.  I inquired about his health and apologized for the delay of my visit, and he thanked me profusely, and said, "Perhaps there is something you would like me to give you or do for you?" I replied, "For sometime there has been between me and Abu al-Hasan Al Attar - May God...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, when Abu al-Hasan took his leave of the girl and went to his shop, feeling depressed, he began to think about his situation and what the two lovers had done to him, he became convinced that because of them, he was going to lose his business, ruin himself and come to no good.  He continued in such thoughts the rest of that day and night. The next day he went to visit Ali ibn Bakkar and found people congregated there as usual.  He waited until everybody left. When Ali ibn Bakkar began to complain, he said, "Listen! I have never seen or heard of one like you in your love.  Such torment, sickness, and weariness befit the one whose lover is insincear and unfaithful, whereas the woman you love and wish to possess loves you and wishes to be with you.  What would happen to you, if the one you loved was contrary, disdainful, and perfidious?  If you continue like this, your case will be discovered.  Rise, mix...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that Ali ibn Bakkar sat up and, taking a sheet of paper, said to Abu al-Hasan, "Hold the letter open before me." Abu al-Hasan held it, Ali ibn Bakkar began to read it, and write a reply, then read the rest, write a reply, then read, then weep and write.  Tired, he gave it to Abu al-Hasan and said, "Read it and give it to the girl." Abu al-Hasan related later: I took it and read the following: In the name of God a love letter  Has come to me. A moon, a gift Of light, whose words increases  In loveliness, like the blossoms  Of delight. It has lightened my  Heavy load, and eased my sore. You know my love and desire My eyes burn in love, My heart  Lies on pyre. O my sacred love For you by my unholy wish, I say My poor heart has love for none Harboured since you went away. O my lady your letter has reached me bringing rest to a mind worn out with passion and desire and healing to a wounded heart torn by ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, when Shams al-Nahar's maid came to Abu al-Hasan al-Attar, he took her with him and returned to the house of Ali ibn-Bakkar, and leaving her standing at the door, went in to see him. The young man inquired, "What is the news?" Abu al-Hasan replied, "All is well.  A friend of yours has sent his maid with a letter.  Will you give her your permission to come in to see you?" Ali ibn Bakkar replied, "Very well."  One of his servants went out and brought her in.  Ali ibn Bakkar recognised her, and moving towards her, gave her a wink and asked, "How is your master? May God grant him health and recovery." She took out a letter and gave it to him, and he took it and kissing it, red it, and then gave it to Abu al-Hasan, with a trembling hand. What Abu al-Hasan later related: When I looked at the letter I found the following: In the name of the Almighty God: Answer the one who brings news of me. ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, that the maid said to Abu al-Hasan: I tried to revive her, rubbing her feet and sprinkling her with rose water.  When she came to herself, I said to her, "Tonight you are going to bring ruin on yourself and on all your household.  By the life of your beloved, steel yourself and be patient, even though you are going through hell." Shams al-Nahar replied, "Can anything happen to me worse than death, which will deliver me from torment?" While we were talking, another girl, called Dawn of the Forlorn began to sing the following verses: They say, patience bring consolation  Without him how can I be patient? At our last embrace we pledged: cut  The cords of patience with our paths. When Shams al-Nahar heard the song, she swooned again, and the Commander of the Faithful noticed her and rushed to her, and when he looked at her she seemed almost dead.  He bade wine be removed and each girl return to her chamber, ...

The following night Shahrazad said: I heard, O happy King, when Abu al-Hasan rose to take his leave, Ali ibn Bakkar said to him, "Brother, perhaps you will get some news from my beloved, for I saw how she was, and we must find out what happened to her afterwards." Abu al-Hasan replied, "Her maid is bound to come and tell us about her." Then he left Ali ibn Bakkar and went to his shop, and there he waited for the maid, but she did not come.  He spent the night in his own house, and next morning, after he performed his ablutions and prayers, he went to Ali ibn Bakkar's house.  When he went in, he found him lying in bed, surrounded by all sorts of people and by physicians, each of whom was examining him and prescribing something or other.  Abu al-Hasan related later: When he saw me he hearkened to me with a glad look and a faint smile.  After I made the proper salutation, I told him how much I had missed him, inquired about his health and how he had passed the nigh...