The Mercy of Allah · Chapter
II: Al-Durar, or "The Pearls" explained
The merchant uncle continues his tale, describing how he arrived in an unwalled town and was approached by the chief magistrate who returned a purse of coins, claiming it was left on a prayer-stone.
What happens
The merchant uncle continues his tale, describing how he arrived in an unwalled town and was approached by the chief magistrate who returned a purse of coins, claiming it was left on a prayer-stone. The uncle feigned gratitude, then tricked a young stranger into claiming the purse as a 'seller of pearls,' leading to the stranger's arrest and execution. The uncle hid the treasure, bought a donkey, and stayed with a hermit, learning that the magistrate sold fake pearls and had the stranger beheaded. The nephews express bewilderment at the lack of plan, but the uncle attributes everything to the Mercy of Allah.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Mercy and Justice
Mahmoud attributes his success to the Mercy of Allah, while the hermit warns of divine judgment on wickedness.
Social Inequality and Greed
Mahmoud's scheme exploits the magistrate's greed and the stranger's innocence, highlighting the ruthless pursuit of wealth.
Suffering and Redemption
The innocent stranger suffers execution due to Mahmoud's deceit, while the hermit's piety contrasts with the world's evil.
Characters to notice
- Mahmoud
The merchant uncle narrating his past adventure, now possessing 12,000 dinars after the pearl swindle.
- The judge
The chief magistrate who returned the purse and later sold fake pearls, confiscated them, and had the innocent stranger beheaded.
- The stranger
A young man tricked by Mahmoud into claiming the purse as a 'seller of pearls,' leading to his arrest and execution.
- Brother Selim
The hermit who hosted Mahmoud for four or five days and reported the news of the pearl swindle and the stranger's beheading.
Key passages
“I seized the pouch with an eager air, held it up in transports of joy, and kissing it again and again said, 'Oh! my benefactor! How can I sufficiently thank you! It is my father's last gift to me and is all my viaticum as well!'”
Mahmoud pretended the pouch was his father's final gift and his only travel money, feigning overwhelming gratitude.
Mahmoud's deceptive display of emotion to gain the magistrate's trust.
“I answered that no doubt this was so. But that when the authorities had a whim it was well to humour them. He would therefore do well to approach the officer who guarded the gate of the chief magistrate's house, with the simple words, 'I am the seller of pearls,' on hearing which his path would be made smooth for him, and he would receive his belongings.”
Mahmoud advised the young stranger to claim he was a pearl seller to retrieve his purse, knowing it would lead to his arrest.
Mahmoud's deliberate misdirection to trap the innocent stranger.
“I sincerely regretted from my heart the necessity under which I was to imperil his liberty and life. But you will agree with me, my dear nephews, that I could not possibly afford to have him at large.”
Mahmoud claimed to regret endangering the stranger but justified it as necessary for his own safety.
Mahmoud's cold calculation and lack of genuine remorse.