Ramadan Kareem to all Egyptian Chronicles readers.
Tonight, as we discover what happened to Princess Nuzhat al-Zaman and her fate as a slave girl—much like her mother, the Princess of Atrashan—it is time for our little chit-chat.
The original tale of King Umar al-Nu'man in One Thousand and One Nights, on which our story is based, is one of the most shocking narratives in the entire collection, particularly in the way it confronts taboos that resonate in both Eastern and Western storytelling traditions.
It is also one of the few tales in the original book that deals with incest, in a manner reminiscent of Greek tragedy, presenting the theme as a dark twist of fate and a moral warning about destiny and unintended consequences.
In the original story, King Umar al-Nu’man unknowingly fathers a child with his own daughter Nuzhat al-Zaman.
As a child, she had been kidnapped and separated from her family. Years later, she is purchased as a slave by her elder brother Sharkan.
Believing her to be a noble-born captive and not recognizing her true identity, he decides not to keep her but instead presents her as a gift to their father.
The tragic irony of the tale lies in the fact that Umar al-Nu’man dies without ever discovering the truth.
In his famous radio adaptation, however, Taher Abu Fasha chose not to present the story exactly as it appears in the original text.
Instead, he refined and reshaped it to suit a broader audience in Egypt and the Arab world, softening some of its most troubling elements.
And now, enough of our chit-chat. Let us return to our tale.
Let us now see what will happen to our lost prince in the 101st episode of One Thousand and One Nights, as originally broadcast on Egyptian State Radio.
EP.10 A Forbidden Love
The One Hundred and First Night
And when it was the One Hundred and First Night, King Shahryar took his seat as he had on the night before.
At the appointed hour Scheherazade entered. The king rose to greet her, took her by the hand, and seated her in the place of honor. Then he listened attentively as she resumed her tale.
Scheherazade said:
“It has reached me, O fortunate king, wise in judgment and sound in counsel, that when the Shahbandar purchased Nuzhat al-Zaman, he took her with him to the lands of Marjan, intending to present her as a gift to the ruler of that city.
The merchant treated her with kindness and respect until her strength returned and the freshness of youth came back to her face. Then he adorned her with the finest ornaments and brought her before the king of the city, requesting permission to appear in his presence.
When he was granted entrance, he stepped forward and said:
Shahbandar:
“My lord, King Sharkan, ruler of the lands of Marjan—may God prolong your life, grant you victory, and make your days ever prosperous.”
King Sharkan:
“Rise, Shahbandar.”
Shahbandar:
“God is great.”
King Sharkan:
“Ask, and you shall be given.”
Shahbandar:
“I ask only from your generosity and favor that you show kindness to your humble servant and accept the gift I bring you, though it is not worthy of your rank.”
King Sharkan:
“Your gift is accepted, and so are your words.”
Shahbandar:
“May God increase your honor.”
King Sharkan:
“And what is this gift?”
Shahbandar:
“A maiden like a heavenly nymph.”
King Sharkan:
“Where is she? When will you present her?”
Shahbandar:
“Even now. Just a moment. Nuzha! Nuzha!”
(Nuzhat al-Zaman enters.)
Shahbandar:
“Step forward, Nuzha, and greet our lord the Sultan.”
Nuzhat al-Zaman:
“Peace and safety upon you, O king of the age.”
King Sharkan gazed at her in wonder and said:
“Blessed be the Most Merciful! What God wills comes to pass.”
Shahbandar asked eagerly:
“Are you pleased with her, my lord?”
King Sharkan:
“How did you come upon such a treasure?”
Shahbandar:
“A pearl whose value none knew. So I purchased her—and now I present her to my lord.”
King Sharkan:
“And what price do you ask for her?”
Shahbandar:
“Nothing but your satisfaction with me and with her.”
King Sharkan smiled.
“Do not circle around the matter. Tell me plainly—what do you want?”
Shahbandar replied:
“I offer the girl as a gift. But if my lord wishes to show generosity to his servant…”
King Sharkan:
“Speak clearly.”
Shahbandar:
“Grant me a written decree to carry through the lands and the seas so that no taxes or duties shall be taken from my trade.”
King Sharkan laughed.
“So that is your request?”
Shahbandar:
“Yes, my lord.”
King Sharkan said:
“I grant it. Maimun!”
Maimun:
“My lord!”
King Sharkan:
“Prepare the decree.”
Maimun:
“As you command.”
Shahbandar bowed gratefully.
“May God increase your rank and honor.”
The king then turned toward the girl and said:
“She may be a slave, but she is worth her weight in gold. Come here.”
Nuzhat al-Zaman said softly:
“Your servant, Nuzha.”
King Sharkan asked:
“Where are you from, Nuzha?”
She answered:
“From the lands of God.”
“And where do you live?”
“In the kingdom of God.”
The king smiled and said:
“I believe in God… You are a strange one, Nuzha.”
She replied calmly:
“We are all strangers in this world. Our homes are in the dust, and God alone arranges the causes of our lives.”
The king looked at her thoughtfully.
“You… you…”
She asked:
“What is it?”
“Why are you sad?”
“I think of what has passed, and I think of what is yet to come. Such is life, my lord.”
“Are you sad because of the Shahbandar?”
“Man is made of clay—his heart clears and darkens.”
The king laughed in admiration.
“How wise you are, Nuzha!”
“Yes, my lord.”
Then suddenly the king made his decision.
“Maimun!”
“My lord!”
“Bear witness before the court: I have freed the slave girl Nuzha for the sake of God—and I have taken her as my lawful wife.”
Maimun exclaimed:
“Glory be to God! Congratulations, my lady! I once cast her horoscope and saw her name written among the stars. May God complete your happiness and place blessings in your hands.”
After Some Months Had Passed
King Sharkan said softly:
“Nuzha…”
Nuzhat al-Zaman replied:
“Yes, my lord.”
Sharkan asked gently:
“Will you not take off this garment of sorrow you have been wearing?”
She sighed.
“Ah…”
He continued:
“Answer me, my beloved. You are my wife… why do you hide the truth from me? Open your heart so I may see what lies within it. Why is it that you do not love me, Nuzha?”
She answered quietly:
“On the contrary, my lord. From the moment I first saw you, my heart was drawn to yours.”
The king said:
“We have been together for five months now.”
“The days turn and pass,” she replied.
“Then why will you not tell me?”
“What is it you want me to say, my beloved?”
“Tell me who you are and where your family is. I wish to know my in-laws—should they not be my relatives as well? I feel as though I am living in darkness… darkness… darkness.”
She said quickly:
“My lord! Do you doubt my love? You live within my heart.”
“Then why do you keep your secrets?”
“I wanted to tell you everything.”
“What is stopping you?”
“What stops me is…”
“Yes? What stops you?”
She hesitated before answering:
“The burden that weighs upon me.”
“The burden? What burden?”
She lowered her eyes.
“The burden of pregnancy.”
The king exclaimed in astonishment:
“Pregnancy? You mean—you are with child? How fortunate I am!”
She smiled faintly.
“My lord, I shall give you a prince.”
Sharkan replied with joy:
“God’s bounty is vast and His gate is wide. Do not trouble yourself with worry. Is there any couple who love one another as we do? Still… I wish to know you truly, Nuzha.”
She answered:
“You do not yet know me.”
He said warmly:
“Your family will become my family. You are my beloved, and they too will be dear to me.”
She replied softly:
“At the proper time you will know that you are the proper one.”
“And when will that proper time come?”
She answered mysteriously:
“Between night and day there are many wonders.”
The king repeated thoughtfully:
“Between night and day… there are many wonders.”
After Some Time — The Day of the Birth
The servant hurried in, calling out:
“My lord! My lord! Congratulations, my lord!”
King Sharkan asked anxiously:
“Is the queen still unwell?”
“Praise be to God, she is better today.”
“Praise be to God.”
“With each day she grows stronger.”
“Then tell her I am coming to see her.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
The king moved toward the chamber.
“Announce me before I enter.”
“She is waiting for you, my lord—and in her arms is the princess, pretty as a little lady.”
“Enter, my lord… the Sultan.”
Sharkan approached the bed and said gently:
“Stay where you are, stay lying down. By God, you are not to rise. How are you now, Nuzha?”
Nuzhat al-Zaman replied softly:
“Praise be to God.”
“And how is the little princess?”
“I had wished with all my heart to give you a prince.”
“What God sends is always good. Is she asleep? Leave her… leave her, do not wake her.”
“Look, my lord… see how beautiful she is—like the moon.”
“She resembles her mother. My daughter! My daughter and my wife—my beloved… what shall we name her?”
“Whatever you wish. You choose the name.”
“In the name of God, the Most Merciful.”
“In the name of God, the Most Merciful.”
The king suddenly noticed something hanging from the infant’s neck.
“What is this? What is this charm she wears upon her chest?”
“It is an amulet.”
“Where did you get it?”
“My father gave it to me.”
“Your father? Who is your father? Who are you? Who are you?!”
“Why do you ask me like this?”
“Tell me—who are you? Who is your father? What is your lineage? What is your origin?”
“Why? Tell me why.”
“Are you Nuzhat al-Zaman?”
“I am Nuzhat al-Zaman.”
“And is your father King King Nu'man?”
“Yes, my father is King Nu‘man.”
“And your mother—the princess Atrashan?”
“How do you know this, O king of the age?!”
The king staggered back.
“I am Sharkan… the son of King Nu‘man!”
Nuzha gasped in shock:
“My brother?!”
“My sister!”
“O hidden decree of God!”
“I have married my sister!”
“And I have married my brother!”
“Why did you never tell me your true lineage, Nuzhat al-Zaman?”
“Because destiny must run its course, Sharkan.”
“God help us… my sister… my sister! Guide me.”
“You guide me instead. Listen, my brother—if our father learns of this, he will die of grief. Let it remain a secret between us, known only to the One who created us.”
“How can that be? I will summon the Grand Chamberlain.”
“Why summon him?”
“You will soon know why. My daughter… my sister’s daughter!”
“I fear for our father.”
“My daughter… my niece. Name her, Sharkan.”
“No—you name her, Nuzhat al-Zaman.”
Sharkan said sorrowfully:
“Then let her be called… Qadr wa Kān—‘It Was Destiny.’”
Then Scheherazade said:
“The brother and sister wept and lamented together, recalling their father King Nu‘man and their brother Daw' al-Makan. They marveled at the strange turns of fate—how caution avails nothing before destiny.
Thus the brother married his sister and begot from her a daughter, while neither knew the truth. But when the dreadful reality was revealed and the calamity fell upon them, they began blaming one another.
At that moment King Sharkan lowered his head, then raised it again toward Nuzhat al-Zaman. He told her he had found a way of deliverance—a means to free himself from the shame before the people.
So he sent for the Grand Chamberlain and revealed to him the terrible secret, asking for counsel and a plan.
When the chamberlain heard the words of his master, astonishment overcame him.
Then the king began to weep and turned toward…”
—My lord!
(The rooster crowed.)
And before the tale was complete, the dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent until another night.
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