The Mercy of Allah · Chapter
Al-Wali, or "The Holy One" explained
Mahmoud recounts how, after his recent windfall, he avoids returning to the city and instead joins a group of pilgrims heading to the shrine of a Holy Man.
What happens
Mahmoud recounts how, after his recent windfall, he avoids returning to the city and instead joins a group of pilgrims heading to the shrine of a Holy Man. He pretends to be a devout pilgrim and begins trading religious trinkets to the other pilgrims, amassing profit. On the fourth day, he is summoned before the Holy Man, who reveals he knows Mahmoud's true name and his commercial activities. The Holy Man delivers a series of wise sayings, admits his own lack of business sense, and engages Mahmoud in a conversation about their respective talents.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Resilience
Mahmoud uses a show of piety to gain trust and profit, while the Holy Man is portrayed as genuinely devoted but lacking business acumen.
Social Inequality and Greed
Mahmoud exploits the pilgrims' devotion for financial gain, and the Holy Man recounts failed attempts to commercialize the shrine.
Characters to notice
- Mahmoud
The aged millionaire narrating his past exploits; he poses as a devout pilgrim and engages in profitable trade at the shrine.
- Mar-Hakim
His proverbs are quoted by the Holy One during their interview.
- The old man
The aged attendant who summons Mahmoud to the Holy One.
Key passages
“I determined to follow the same course as I had when my good fortune came to me—to lie passive under the Mighty Hand directing me and to trust to luck.”
Mahmoud decides to remain passive and trust in divine providence, just as he did when he first became wealthy.
Mahmoud rationalizes his opportunistic behavior as submission to fate.
“In mutual appreciation and in mutual benefits each acquires profit. The shortsighted forfeit advantage by too much grasping.”
Both parties gain when they appreciate each other and trade fairly; greedy people lose out by trying to take too much.
A proverb recited by the Holy One, attributed to the learned of Rasht.
“I may have a latent talent, I may even have a genius, for religion. When I tell you that I sometimes pass three days without changing my position of prayer and without taking food or drink, the whole performance watched by a great crowd of astonished faithful, you will agree that I am not without capabilities of my own.”
The Holy Man claims his true skill is in religious devotion, demonstrated by his ability to remain in prayer for days without sustenance.
The Holy Man contrasts his spiritual talents with Mahmoud's commercial abilities.