# XXIII explained — Hadji Murád

> Chapter companion for Hadji Murád by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

Hadji Murád resolves to escape from the Russians into the mountains to rescue his family from Shamil. He prepares his henchmen, listens to a song of martyrdom, and recalls memories of his mother and son, Yusúf, before seeking permission to ride out.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Sacrifice

Hadji Murád's decision to risk his life to rescue his wife, mother, and son from Shamil's cruelty.

### Resilience and Defiance

Hadji Murád's determination to escape and fight despite overwhelming odds; the song of Hamzád's last stand.

### Religious Faith and Fatalism

The song's refrain 'Lya-il-lyakha-il Allakh' and the acceptance of death in ghazavát (holy war).

## Character check-ins

### Hadji Murád

Decides to flee to the mountains and rescue his family; prepares his weapons and gives gold to Eldár; reflects on his mother and son.

### Gamzálo

One of Hadji Murád's henchmen; roused to prepare rifles and ammunition for the escape.

### Eldár

Henchman who sews gold into the beshmét and is called to saddle horses for the ride.

### Khan Mahomá

Henchman sleeping at the start; later awakens to prepare weapons.

### Bata

The merry Bata; joins in the song's final refrain.

### Khanéfi

Henchman who sleeps outside with the horses; sings the song of Hamzád.

## Key lines

> He had decided that he must fly to the mountains, and with the Avars still devoted to him must break into Vedenó, and either die or rescue his family.

He resolved to escape to the mountains, rally loyal Avars, storm Vedenó, and save his family or die trying.

_Hadji Murád's final decision to act._

> Fly on, ye winged ones, fly to our homes! Tell ye our mothers, tell ye our sisters, Tell the white maidens, that fighting we died For Ghazavát !

Birds, carry word to our families that we died fighting for the holy war.

_The song of Hamzád's martyrdom, inspiring Hadji Murád's henchmen._

> And it was this son whose eyes Shamil wished to put out!

Shamil intended to blind Hadji Murád's son Yusúf.

_The cruel threat that drives Hadji Murád's desperation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hadji_mur_d_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters