Ramadan Arabian Nights 2025 : The Tale of Fatima, Halima and Karima “Do not ask questions in this palace” EP.4

Ramadan Kareem.

We continue our tale for this year, the Tale of Fatima, Halima and Karima

Tonight’s episode features Taher Abu Fasha drawing on one of the most recurring themes in the original One Thousand and One Nights—the Sultan or King disguising himself to observe his subjects or unexpectedly visiting a palace.

This theme was especially prominent in the One Thousand and One Nights, which was compiled during the second Abbasid era. It was inspired by real events in Islamic history, beginning with Caliph Umar, who disguised himself to check on his citizens. The practice was also followed by Caliph Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz of the Umayyads and Caliph Harun Al-Rashid of the Abbasids.

We will leave the Kings and Sultans who checked on their citizens and return to our tale.

But now, refresh your memory on what happened in last night’s episode.

Now, let’s gather around Scheherazade to listen to the fourth episode of our tale—or, to be precise, the 676th episode of the beloved radio show.

Episode 4: Do Not Ask Questions in This Palace

When it was the seventy-sixth night after the six-hundredth, Shahryar the king took his seat upon his throne, and Scheherazade arrived at the appointed hour. She greeted him with reverence and sat before him, resuming her tale where it had left off:

"It has reached me, O king of the age, that when King Safwan heard from the servant Marjan the wondrous tale of the mysterious palace and the fruits that ripen out of season, he was seized with an unrelenting curiosity to uncover the secrets of that place.

Thus, after long deliberation, the king and his vizier devised a plan. When night had fallen and the world was cloaked in silence, the two, disguised as foreign merchants, crept out and made their way to the palace. Upon reaching its gates, they knocked, and a voice from within called, 'Who knocks at the door without regard for those within?'

The king answered, 'We are merchants, strangers to these parts, seeking shelter for the night.' To this, the voice responded, 'Strangers are welcome here, for strangers are beloved. Enter, but know this palace has its conditions.'

The gate opened of its own accord, and the two were astonished, for no hands were seen. As they stepped within, the vizier whispered to the king, 'Behold, my lord, the gates open and close as if by magic. This place is no ordinary abode.'

The voice spoke again, saying, 'You are welcome here, but there is one condition: Whatever you witness within these walls, you must not ask about it, nor must you question anything you hear. Meddling in what does not concern you brings neither joy nor peace.'

Though the condition puzzled them, the king and his vizier agreed, saying, 'We accept, and we shall abide.'

They were led through wondrous halls where beauty and enchantment abounded. The king, marveling at the palace and its splendor, could not help but wonder about its mysteries—the orchard bearing fruits out of season, the enchanting maiden who greeted them, and the unseen servants who catered to their every need.

Presently, a maiden of striking beauty appeared before them, she welcomed them graciously and offered them food and drink. When they declined the wine, she offered music and merriment instead.

The maiden's voice was like a melody, and she said, 'Strangers, we welcome you to this palace of ours. You are free to partake of our hospitality, but remember the condition: Do not question what you see or hear.'

The king, unable to contain his curiosity, looked at her and said, 'You speak with such grace and beauty, O lady of the palace. Might I ask your name?'

At this, the maiden’s expression changed. Her eyes, once soft, grew sharp with displeasure. She replied sternly, 'Have you forgotten the condition so soon? Did we not warn you to refrain from asking what does not concern you?'

The king stammered, 'I meant no offense, fair lady. It was a question born of admiration, not intrusion.'

But the maiden would not be soothed. 'Admiration or not, you have broken the bond of trust upon which this palace stands. Such questions are forbidden, and your words have disrupted the harmony of our world.'

The vizier tugged at the king’s sleeve, whispering, 'My lord, let us not anger them further. We have seen enough for now.'

The king nodded reluctantly, and the maiden, still displeased, stepped back, summoning the other maidens of the palace.

The maidens arrived, dressed in flowing garments that shimmered like moonlight. They carried musical instruments: lutes, tambourines, and flutes adorned with gold and silver. They arranged themselves gracefully before the king and his vizier, their movements as fluid as the waves of the sea.

One of the maidens, with a voice like the song of a nightingale, began to sing. Her melody was soft and sorrowful, and as she sang, the others joined her in harmony. The lyrics spoke of an ancient love lost to the winds, of a king separated from his beloved, and of a land cursed by the weight of betrayal.

The music swelled, and the voices of the maidens wove together like threads in a tapestry, filling the room with such haunting beauty that tears sprang unbidden to the eyes of all who listened. The maidens themselves wept as they sang, their faces glistening with tears that fell like pearls upon their garments.

Their lament seemed to stir the very walls of the palace, and the king, unable to bear the mystery any longer, broke the silence once more. He asked, 'Why do you weep, O maidens of this wondrous palace? What sorrow binds your hearts and brings forth such tears?'

At this, the music stopped abruptly, and the lead maiden turned to him with a look of grave disappointment. 'Did we not tell you, O stranger, that the condition of this place is silence? Your question has broken the sacred bond.'

The air grew heavy with foreboding, and the atmosphere shifted. The maidens rose and stepped back, their sorrow now mingled with reproach. 'We offered you hospitality and shelter,' the lead maiden continued, 'but you have brought unrest to our haven by meddling in matters beyond your understanding.'

The king, realizing his grave error, apologized profusely, but the damage was done. The guests were escorted out with courtesy but finality, and the palace doors closed behind them.

As the king and his vizier made their way back under the moonlit sky, their minds swirled with unanswered questions. The king could not sleep that night, consumed by his failure to uncover the secrets of the palace.

At dawn, he summoned his vizier and declared, 'We shall not rest until the truth of that place is revealed, no matter the cost.'

And here, Scheherazade realized the dawn had come, and she fell silent, leaving the tale untold.

Here is the 4th episode of our tale televised.

Till next night inshallah.

You can check previous Ramadan Arabian Nights here.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I invite you to support UNICEF’s relief efforts in Gaza and Sudan as well as other places in the globe. Every pound, dollar, or euro can make a difference.