Ramadan Kareem to all Egyptian Chronicles readers.
Tonight, we will know what is next for al-Nu’man siblings after years of separation—but first, it is time for our little chit-chat.
Our chit-chat tonight will be about our tale’s title hero, al-Nu’man.
By now, you know that our tale for this Ramadan was inspired by an original One Thousand and One Nights story: the saga of King Omar al-Nu’man. One of the main differences between the original tale and our radio adaptation, trimmed for Egyptian State Radio by Taher Abu Fasha, is that the king’s name became al-Nu’man instead of Omar al-Nu’man.
It is unclear why Abu Fasha changed the name; frankly, it is beyond me. My only interpretation is that, just as he pushed the story back into pre-Islamic times, rather than the Umayyad era, as in the original tale, he may have chosen to focus on the root inspiration of the protagonist: al-Nu’man.
Anyone familiar with the history of Arabia and ancient Iraq will immediately recognize that inspiration. The most famous historical figure bearing that name was Al-Nu'man III ibn al-Mundhir, the last king of the Lakhmid kingdom of al-Hirah in ancient Iraq.
If you are familiar with Arabian myths and epics that predate The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, you will know that al-Nu’man and his family inspired some important legends and heroic tales.
The Lakhmid kingdom—commonly known in the Arab world as al-Manādhirah (المناذرة)—was an Arab kingdom that ruled parts of southern Mesopotamia and northeastern Arabia from the late 3rd century until 602 CE. It was governed by the Nasrid dynasty of the Banu Lakhm tribe, and its political center was the city of Al-Hirah.
Ironically—because history in the Middle East often feels like a loop—the Lakhmids functioned as a client state of the Sasanian Empire, playing a key role in defending Persia’s western frontier. In many ways, they served as a buffer force for the empire—an arrangement that sometimes echoes modern regional politics.
The founder of the Lakhmid kingdom was Amr ibn Adi, and its last king was our famous al-Nu’man III ibn al-Mundhir—often simply known in Arab historical tradition as al-Nu’man ibn al-Mundhir, without the Roman numeral.
According to historical sources, al-Nu’man was the son of Al-Mundhir IV ibn al-Mundhir (r. 575–580) and a slave concubine named Salma, the daughter of a Jewish goldsmith.
Al-Nu’man and his eleven or twelve brothers were reportedly educated and tutored by the famous Arab Christian court official and poet Adi ibn Zayd. Ibn Zayd served as a secretary (dabir) responsible for Arab affairs under the Sasanian kings. Like his father and grandfather before him, he held an influential administrative position that often placed him in the role of a diplomat. He was even sent on diplomatic missions to Constantinople.
Al-Nu’man—who was said to have red hair—and his brothers were competing for the throne, or more precisely, for the approval of the Sasanian King Hormizd IV.
According to legend, Hormizd IV asked the brothers whether they could fulfill the duties of kingship. All of them—except al-Nu’man—replied as Adi had apparently coached them: “We can control the Arabs for you, except al-Nu’man.”
When al-Nu’man was finally called in, he confidently declared that he could control not only the Arabs, but his brothers as well, boasting: “If I cannot cope with them, then I cannot cope with anyone.” Pleased with his answer, Hormizd appointed him king and confirmed his position with a gold-and-pearl-encrusted crown said to be worth 60,000 dirhams.
Adi ibn Zayd was therefore not only a poet and court official but also, in many ways, a kingmaker.
He helped place al-Nu’man on the throne and is often credited with influencing his conversion from paganism to Christianity, making al-Nu’man the first—and last—Nestorian Christian ruler of the Lakhmid kingdom, aligned with the Church of the East.
Needless to say, I personally suspect that al-Nu’man’s Jewish mother may also have made him more receptive to monotheistic beliefs.
Now, enough chit-chat.
Let us now see what is going to happen in the 103rd episode of One Thousand and One Nights, as originally broadcast on Egyptian State Radio.
EP.12 al-Nu’man
The One Hundred and third Night
When it was the one hundred and third night, King Shahryar took his seat as he had on the previous evening. At the appointed hour, Scheherazade came before him, greeted him, and knelt at his feet. Then she continued her tale as the king listened attentively.
Scheherazade said:
“It has reached me, O fortunate king, wise in judgment, that when Princess Nuzhat al-Zaman was reunited with her brother Daw' al-Makan, the two began to weep and lament together. She told him everything that had happened to her and explained all that she had endured.
When she finished her story, she turned to him and asked him in return to tell his own tale and recount what had happened to him.
So the prince began to speak of the trials he had faced after the Bedouin had lost hope of curing him and abandoned him, casting him upon a heap of refuse. There he had been discovered and rescued by Uncle Karkoub, the humble garbage collector.
Meanwhile, the caravan continued its journey, carrying both the princess and the prince. As they traveled, they spoke of their past days, recalling their memories—sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing.
At last they approached the lands of their father, King King Nu'man. Suddenly a great cloud of dust rose into the sky, filling the air and darkening the horizon between earth and heaven.
The men shouted and prepared themselves for battle.
Before the two forces could clash, Daw’ al-Makan rode forward into the field and cried out:
Sounds of Horses, Clashing Arms, and Shouting
Daw’ al-Makan shouted:
“Men! Brave warriors! Listen to me!
There is no feud between us. You do not know us, and we do not know you. If you are true men of valor, send out your champion so we may learn who you are before we fight.”
From the other side, Dandan, the vizier, called out:
“Brave knight, step forward! Masked rider—speak! Who are you, courageous warriors?”
Daw’ al-Makan replied:
“We are the horsemen of King Nu‘man.”
The vizier exclaimed:
“King Nu‘man?! I am Vizier Dandan!”
Daw’ al-Makan cried out in astonishment:
“Dandan? The very same Dandan? Horsemen of King Nu‘man—and Vizier Dandan?!
Warriors, sheathe your swords! Friends, not enemies! These are the men of King Nu‘man!”
(The sounds of battle fade.)
Vizier Dandan called out:
“Who are you, rider of the field? Do you not recognize me—Dandan? Remove your veil!”
Daw’ al-Makan replied:
“Here is my face.”
Dandan gasped:
“By God… it is you! Daw’ al-Makan!”
“At last, Dandan!”
“And where is your sister, Princess Nuzhat al-Zaman?”
“She is with us, in her litter. She has been watching all this from the very beginning. Nuzhat al-Zaman! Nuzhat al-Zaman! Come—come with me, Dandan.”
(The sound of Nuzhat al-Zaman weeping.)
Daw’ al-Makan said:
“Dandan, are you crying?”
The vizier replied sadly:
“I wish that what has happened had never happened.”
Daw’ al-Makan answered:
“Why dwell on the past? What is gone is gone. Come, Nuzhat al-Zaman. Come, Dandan.”
The princess asked:
“What is wrong, Daw’ al-Makan? Why does he not seem happy?”
“Sometimes a man weeps from overwhelming joy.”
Dandan replied bitterly:
“Joy? Of course—you are joyful now. But do you know where we were heading?”
“Where?”
“We were on our way to the Land of Marjan.”
“Why?”
“To bring back your brother Sharkan.”
“Why?”
“So that he may take the throne.”
“What throne? What are you saying? What has happened to my father?”
Dandan lowered his head.
“May God have mercy on him and on the days that are gone.”
Daw’ al-Makan and Nuzhat al-Zaman cried out in shock:
“He is dead?! Dead?! Tell us what happened!”
The vizier said bitterly:
“If only he had died a natural death.”
Nuzhat al-Zaman gasped:
“He was murdered?!”
Daw’ al-Makan demanded:
“Who killed him? Why was he killed?”
Dandan replied:
“He was struck down by a thunderbolt.”
“A thunderbolt?”
“The old sorceress.”
“Why would that old woman kill him?”
“To avenge Abriza.”
“Abriza?!”
“Yes—Abriza, daughter of King Hardoub. To prevent the written fate from being fulfilled, your father King Nu‘man violated her honor. She fled with her maid Luluwa and the slave al-Ghadban. Along the road the slave attempted to betray her, and when he mocked her with the child she had borne, she stabbed herself and washed away her shame with her own blood.”
He continued:
“In those days, you two had gone hunting and never returned, and from that moment the late king was never free from sorrow. We thought perhaps some celebrations might lift his spirits. But before we could finish speaking…”
“…the palace doors burst open, and an old crone stormed in like the wind, shouting—”
And in a flashback to the legendary palace of King Al-Nu’man
The Old Woman:
“O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge…”
The Guards:
“Let her pass… let her pass.”
The Old Woman:
“Where is King Nu‘man? Drowning in a sea of sorrow. Why, Nu‘man? The son of Adam grows weary. Rise! Rise! Wake from your sleep, O heedless one. There is a Judge — the Divine Judge — who can show mercy, change your state, and ease your heart.
O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge.
Rise, Nu‘man. Stretch out your hand and turn to your Lord. Your sorrow will not help you. Say: O Lord.”
King Nu‘man:
“O Lord, Lady Sheikh… O Lord.”
The Old Woman:
“Remove the crown from your forehead.”
King Nu‘man:
“My crown?”
The Old Woman:
“Yes. Remove the crown from your forehead. Raise your right hand… look at it with your eyes.
O Living One… O Living One… O Living One…
O Sender of clouds… O Creator of water… water… water…
O Creator of water… water… water…”
Minister Dandan:
“The crown in my hand has filled with water! Astonishing! I see it with my own eyes!”
The Old Woman:
“Take care not to spill the water.”
King Nu‘man:
“Where did this water come from, Lady Sheikh?”
The Old Woman:
“From Him. He sent it to you to extinguish your burning grief. This is the Water of Mercy. Drink from it — it will cool the fire in your heart and bring you peace. Drink.”
Minister Dandan:
“Wait, my lord — don’t drink!”
The Old Woman:
“Drink the water.”
King Nu‘man:
“I will drink…”
The Old Woman:
“May it bring you health.”
King Nu‘man:
“May God reward you. Who are you, Lady Sheikh?”
The Old Woman:
“Those of the outward world do not question those of the hidden world. I was sent to you — to help you and lift your sorrow.
Tell me, Nu‘man, now that you have drunk the Water of Mercy… are you happy?”
King Nu‘man:
“Happy? I am bewildered!”
The Old Woman:
“The candles will prove it. Bring the candles, Nu‘man. And you, Dandan — bring the candlestick.”
Minister Dandan:
“O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge…”
The Old Woman:
“Leave the candlestick. Step aside, Dandan.
Candlestick, O candlestick — light yourself and appear!
Servant of light and fire, companion of the maidens of paradise —
turn and turn, ignite the light!
O Powerful One… O Powerful One…”
Minister Dandan:
“The candles lit themselves! This is beyond imagination!”
King Nu‘man:
“May God grant us blessings through you! The candles burn without anyone lighting them! Where do you come from, Lady Sheikh?”
The Old Woman:
“O Powerful One… O Powerful One… Did I not tell you? Those of the outward world do not question those of the hidden world.
It is enough that I have come to help you. I have brought with me five slave girls.”
King Nu‘man:
“Five slave girls?”
The Old Woman:
“Like hidden pearls — none like them exist in the world. I have brought them so you may buy them ,if you can afford them.”
King Nu’man
“And what could stop me?
The Old Woman:
“Perhaps you cannot afford their price.”
King Nu‘man:
“And where are these girls?”
The Old Woman:
“They are here.”
King Nu‘man:
“Dandan, take the lady and the girls and settle them in the Palace of the Pillars. I will cast off my robe of sorrow and follow you there. I will hear them speak and see them myself.
As for their price… may God grant me the means to pay it.”
In the Palace of the Pillars
Minister Dandan:
“Lady Sheikh… Lady Sheikh… Lady Sheikh…”
The Old Woman:
“O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge… O Divine Judge…”
King Nu‘man:
“Lady Sheikh…”
The Old Woman:
“At this moment I am with my Lord, opening my heart to Him. Would you place yourself between me and Him, O man? Have you gone mad, Nu‘man?”
King Nu‘man:
“Mercy, O Lord, mercy! Forgive me, Lady — pardon me.”
The Old Woman:
“What do you want? Why did you intrude upon my solitude?”
King Nu‘man:
“Very well… I will return later.”
The Old Woman:
“Wait. What did you want, Nu‘man?”
King Nu‘man:
“At least call me my lord or something.”
The Old Woman:
“Our only Lord is God.”
King Nu‘man:
“I believe in God.”
The Old Woman:
“And who is this with you, Nu‘man?”
King Nu‘man:
“This is the Vizier, Dandan.”
The Old Woman:
“A poor man. You had no right to drag him in like that.”
King Nu‘man:
“Forgive him, Lady Sheikh. What were you about to say?”
Minister Dandan:
“I wished to ask about the five slave girls.”
The Old Woman:
“Have you seen them?”
Minister Dandan:
“I have never seen the like of them. What price do they command?”
The Old Woman:
“And could you afford it?”
King Nu‘man:
“How much would that be?”
The Old Woman:
“How much? Do you think I sell them for money?”
King Nu‘man:
“Indeed, Lady Sheikh, they are beyond price. I will give you twenty purses of gold for each.”
The Old Woman:
“Money?”
King Nu’man : “Forty purses?”
The Old woman : “Even if you offered two thousand — even if you gave me your entire kingdom! The people of the unseen do not deal in money.”
King Nu‘man:
“Then what price must I pay?”
The Old Woman:
“You wish to know their price?”
King Nu‘man:
“Yes. What is it?”
The Old Woman:
“Fast for thirty days for the sake of God. Repent to Him and return to Him. When you complete your fasting, the five slave girls will be yours.”
King Nu‘man:
“That is all?”
The Old Woman:
“And what more could there be? That alone would bring divine favor ; after you break your fast… and ten days pass… then you will see, Nu‘man…”
Scheherazade:
“King Nu‘man and the minister Dandan left, both stunned by what they had witnessed. The king began his fast, and ten days passed. Then he went to visit her again. But just as—
My lord!”
(The rooster crowed, announcing the coming of dawn.)
And before the tale was complete, the dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent until another night.
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