Tales of the Marvellous and News of the Strange (Hardcover Classics)

by Malcolm C (Tr Lyons

  He stayed with the monk for three days but when he was intending to leave on the fourth a number of people arrived on a visit and came to al-Qarafa outside Fustat, near the monk’s cell. The monk was glad to see them and said to Sul: ‘You can be glad to know that you have got what you want. Shaikh Najah has come, and it is he who will lead you to your goal. He is a sorcerer, and all other sorcerers go to him for help, as he is their leader. He can summon devils and marids as he in possession of the Greatest Name of God which gives him mastery over all the others.’

  The monk then brought Sul a donkey and took him down with him. When the shaikh saw him he got up to greet him, thanking him for coming and saying: ‘We are not used to seeing you coming down from your cell, as it was we who were going to present our services to you.’ The monk told him that there was something he needed and he told Sul’s story from beginning to end, explaining how he had been parted from his cousin.

  The shaikh looked at Sul and told him that he could be at ease. ‘I was on my way to China,’ he explained, ‘on an errand for my father Iblis, God curse him, which only I could perform, and he had sent with me these flying devils. When I come here I usually stay no more than three days, but now that I have met you I see that yours is a remarkable case which can only be solved by Iblis Abu Murra himself. His authority extends over all the jinn and the devils, and none of them can conceal anything from him.’

  When Sul heard this he burst into tears and recited these lines:

  What can I say when fires of longing burn my heart,

  And its anguish consumes my inmost parts?

  I did not think Time would do this to me,

  But perhaps you may pity me today.

  Listen, God guide you; feel my sufferings,

  So through your help I may find happiness.

  When the shaikh heard this, he was pleased and impressed by Sul’s eloquence and felt pity for him, realizing that he was sincere in what he said. He again told him that he could be at ease and that he felt compassion for him. Because of this and out of respect for the monk he would go back to Iblis, rescue Shumul and reunite her with Sul. ‘You must know, Sul,’ he said, ‘that I am a man of authority, and all the jinn, in the sky or on the earth, obey me.’ Sul was overjoyed when he heard this and recovered his senses.

  For three days the shaikh stayed with the monk and on the fourth he ordered the emir of the ‘ifrits to carry Sul so they could fly with him, and he told Sul to hold his tongue and never mention the name of God. He then mounted him on the ‘ifrit’s back, and they all flew off through the night. At midnight they landed at the gate of a city, where the Shaikh told Sul his brothers lived and whose king was his friend. They waited until daybreak, but when it grew light the shaikh took Sul into the city with him. The gatekeepers came rushing out but when they saw Shaikh Najah they recognized him, kissed the ground in front of him and prostrated themselves before him.

  When they told the king’s guards of his arrival, the king himself with his officials and intimates came out to greet him. Najah went up and kissed the king’s stirrup, while the king kissed his head by way of welcome before asking who the young man was he had with him. At this point Najah told him Sul’s story from beginning to end, explaining what had happened to him and how he had lost his cousin, while adding an account of his eloquence and culture. ‘This is as good as finished,’ said the king and, turning to Sul, he told him to take comfort, saying: ‘When Shaikh Najah comes here on any errand, the matter is settled quickly.’

  This delighted Sul, who called down blessings on the king and then recited these lines:

  A wretched lover greets the mighty king.

  Greetings from Sul, of whom men talk all year.

  Time has afflicted me, mighty and generous lord,

  And I have come to you from the earth’s end,

  So as to ask you to fulfil my need.

  On hearing these lines the king smiled admiringly and repeated his words of comfort, promising Sul that he would get what he wanted. They all left with the king, who was listening to the shaikh. Sul was frightened of the jinn, but the shaikh blew into his eye and said: ‘All fear has left you. Look at the jinn, for I have cleared your sight and guarded you against any evil they can do and against the terror they inspire.’

  The shaikh then turned to one of them and said: ‘Go to such-and-such a spot and call to my servant to come quickly.’ The ‘ifrit went off and did as he was told and soon afterwards he came back with the servant, and Shaikh Najah went with the king to his palace.

  Sul said: ‘Soon after that the two of them took me to sit in a beautiful, well-built house with high pillars, ninety-six spans long, made of onyx, yellow, red, white and green, with two stone benches and two facing halls. There was a pool with a fountain, seats facing each other and a network of seven pipes, with Taliqan matting and Samanian carpets. In it were birds of all kinds, ring-doves and pigeons, blackbirds, bulbuls and nightingales as well as peacocks, all of which were netted in so that they could not fly away.’

  Sul was left there and he went on: ‘We sat there to rest as maid-servants waited on us, bringing us splendid food and goblets of wine. We took off our clothes, and they washed us and fetched us fine clothes to replace our old ones. We put these on and sat for a time until the king’s messenger arrived and told us that his master was calling for us. When we got to his palace we saw luxury that would stand the test of time and wealth that only Almighty God could count, with furnishings of all kinds and magnificent vessels. When we sat down we were brought food, which we ate, as well as wine in all sorts of containers of gold and silver, crystal and gems. Tables were brought in laden with splendid food of all descriptions, and when we had eaten our fill they fetched the wines. The glasses went around, and the king drank one and toasted Shaikh Najah with another. The shaikh drank this and refilled it and placed it in front of me, but I refused it. The king urged me to drink, but I insisted: “By God, I am not going to drink it until you unite me with my cousin.” He told me to take comfort as he would see that I got what I wanted.’

  After three days spent like this the king summoned Sul, who, when he came, kissed the ground before him and called blessings down on him. The king told him to sit and then summoned an ‘ifrit named al-Sanduh, who on his arrival was told to take Sul immediately to Iblis, together with a letter. The ‘ifrit placed Sul on his back, telling him to be strong and courageous, and he took the letter that the king had written in his own hand. Within the blink of an eye, there was Sul facing Iblis. After putting him down, the ‘ifrit handed Iblis the king’s letter and another from Shaikh Najah. When Iblis had opened and read them, grasping their contents, he looked at Sul, who was weeping for his cousin. ‘Prostrate yourself to me, Sul,’ he said, ‘for if you agree to serve me I shall give you your cousin, Shumul, and more wealth that can be counted or described.’

  Shedding bitter tears, Sul recited these lines:

  Perpetual greetings to the mighty king

  From wretched Sul, as long as the stars shine.

  Lord, do as you think fit; desire has brought me here.

  If you show me your bounty, I shall be

  Your grateful servant till the end of Time.

  Your grace and your eternal law encompass all mankind,

  But God Alone is King Omnipotent.

  I ask whoever caused my suffering

  To bring it through His knowledge to an end.

  Iblis was favourably impressed by Sul’s lines and asked him how long ago it was that his cousin had been snatched away. ‘A year and a half,’ Sul told him, and he then asked who it was who had brought him here. ‘Master,’ said Sul, ‘this was Shaikh Najah and the king,’ and he went on to tell him his story from beginning to end with an account of the sufferings he had experienced during his search for Shumul. Iblis told him that he could take comfort as he himself would settle the affair and reunite them.

  At this point Iblis summoned the ‘ifrits and told them to tell him about Shumul. They l
ooked at each other and pointed to Abu ‘l-Nahhada. Iblis told him to fetch his daughter immediately, and he went off and brought her. When she had come before him he told her to fetch Sul’s cousin at once. ‘Tell me what wrong had she done to make you burn up her cousin’s heart and snatch her away,’ he said. ‘Master,’ she replied, ‘it was jealousy that made me do that.’ ‘Who is it that you love?’ Iblis asked and she told him: ‘I love Sul, and when he married this cousin of his, I was overcome by jealousy and produced this plot against him. I ask you, master, and I ask him, that we may marry in your presence.’

  She then recited these lines:

  The sight of you is my delight;

  I see you both absent and here.

  Each one whom Time has parted from his love

  Finds in his sadness that death is more sweet.

  Iblis told her that he wanted her to fetch him Shumul, which she did. Shumul was still dressed as she had been in the cave in which she had been put, and when she saw Sul she threw herself on him and they embraced tearfully, complaining of the pain of separation and the extent of their longing. Iblis ordered that they be given a fine house and he sent them such furnishings that had never been seen or heard of. He gave Shumul five human maids, swelling-breasted and moon-like virgins, and he ordered both her and Sul to go to the baths. The maids went with them and attended to their needs, and Iblis provided them with a bundle of regal clothes worth a thousand dinars, together with necklaces of gold, jewels and silver as well as ten thousand dinars’ worth of other fine things.

  He then called for Sul and said: ‘Look at the wealth that I have given you, with other things as well. I want you now to bow down and worship me.’ ‘God forbid, master, that I should worship any but Him, Almighty is He. That can never be.’ He then recited:

  The Great and Glorious God is generous with His grace.

  He is the One King, Who has no vizier,

  And there is none to share His majesty.

  It was He Who brought forth the classes of mankind,

  And it was He Who gave me the true faith.

  It is He Who is worshipped by us all,

  And through the bounty of His grace I am enriched.

  Master, may you remain in glory and at ease,

  As long as birds are seen to perch upon the boughs.

  Iblis admired the beauty of Sul’s poetry and realized that he was a believer. He had him taken with Shumul to a house, where they shared their complaints with one another, Shumul accusing him of having forgotten her. ‘God forbid that I should do that!’ he exclaimed, and he went on to tell her how he had never stopped searching for her throughout the lands. For her part, she told him how good al-Nahhada had been to her, treating her with respect and showing her every kindness. She then told Sul that he would not be able to enjoy life with her if he did not marry al-Nahhada as well. ‘I do not want anyone but you,’ he told her, to which she replied: ‘I know that, but she overwhelmed me with her kindness.’ At this, he agreed and told Iblis.

  Al-Nahhada’s father was summoned and in the presence of Iblis he gave his daughter to Sul. The marriage contract was drawn up, and a wedding was held that neither men nor jinn could rival. The bride was given the most splendid adornments and after Sul had slept with her he stayed for three days, enjoying the most pleasant of lives. Al-Nahhada then presented him with robes, treasures and wealth such as had never been heard of or seen. He then asked permission from Iblis to return to his family. Iblis granted him this and instructed two ‘ifrits to carry the wealth, the maid-servants and all the possessions of Sul and Shumul back to the king and Shaikh Najah. ‘To hear is to obey,’ they said and they transported both Sul and Shumul as well as all their wealth, the maids and everything else that night, setting them down at midnight by the city gate.

  Next morning they went to the king and the shaikh to present their respects. The shaikh asked how they had got on with Iblis, and Sul told him of the wealth, necklaces, jewels and maid-servants that he had given them and the good that he had done them, expressing his deepest gratitude. The king was delighted and he told the ‘ifrits to carry Sul, Shumul and all they had with them back to their families. ‘To hear is to obey,’ they said and they flew off at nightfall, arriving at dawn.

  When Sul and Shumul saw their camp they were overcome by joy, and in the morning when the people there heard of their arrival they came out with drums, pipes and other instruments, splendidly decorated. Sul’s father and his uncle were bewildered with joy and the tribe was turned upside down. Sul slept with Shumul in his family camp and was delighted to find her a virgin.

  Al-Nahhada used to come, bringing them an indescribable quantity of gifts and staying for some days before going home. In fact, she would come every month whenever she felt a longing for Sul, and Shumul was deeply fond of her.

  Sul and Shumul continued to enjoy the most pleasant and comfortable of lives and had both sons and daughters, while al-Nahhada had children by Sul. She built a palace in the lands of Sul’s tribe, where she would stay whenever she came to visit him. They enjoyed their lives until death parted them.

  This is the whole of their story. Praise be to the One God and may His blessing and peace rest on Muhammad and his family!

  Tale Eleven

  The Story of Abu Muhammad the

  Idle and the Marvels

  He Encountered with the Ape

  As Well As the Marvels of the

  Seas and Islands.

  In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

  They say – and God knows better, and is greater and more noble – that Harun al-Rashid was seated one day in the caliphal palace with Masrur, his servant, when Ja‘far son of Yahya the Barmecide came in and greeted him. ‘Peace be on you,’ he replied, ‘and on all who follow right guidance and fear the consequences of evil-doing.’

  He went on to say that he was feeling depressed and wanted to walk around the markets of Baghdad dressed as a common person in the hope that he might find relief from worry and depression. ‘I shall obey God and the Commander of the Faithful,’ Ja‘far told him, at which Harun removed his robes and put on the clothes of a commoner, tucking back his forelock and disguising himself so that he looked like an Arab merchant. Ja‘far did the same, and the two of them left the palace and walked from place to place until they reached the bank of the Tigris.

  Sailors were shouting invitations to would-be pleasure trippers, and Harun urged Ja‘far to go on board with him so they might spend the rest of the day with them. Ja‘far agreed, and Masrur called to the sailors to bring in the boat so they could board. They did this and when Harun’s party were all on board they set off on their pleasure cruise.

  While they were on their way and enjoying themselves to the full, ten small boats came into sight from the direction of Basra, laden with Andalusian copper. On the prows of each squadron of five of them were fifty men with nautical flags and Hijazi streamers, and in their waists were more men, hairless and beardless, holding Egyptian clubs and ornamented bucklers and wearing brocade with gilded turbans on their heads. They were holding crossbows and shooting at birds in the air, laughing if they hit one, cheering noisily and shouting: ‘God is greater’, and ‘Praise be to the bringer of good news and the warner [Muhammad].’

  Harun the caliph said: ‘Ja‘far, do you see how fine these ships are and the luxuries they have on board, the Chinese pepper, cinnamon, camphor, amber, pungent musk, aloes and splendid clothes?’ Ja‘far told Masrur to ask who owned the ships and all their cargoes, together with their crews. Masrur said: ‘I went up and after greeting them I put this question to them, and they told me that the owner was a Basran merchant called Abu Muhammad the Idle, adding: “And how would it be if he were energetic!” ’

  Another man there said: ‘Don’t be surprised by this, master, as this is all a drop in the ocean for him.’ Harun was very angry and he disembarked and told Ja‘far to go back to the palace with him, as they had had enough of the pleasure cruise. When they got there
he took his seat on his throne thoughtfully and filled with wonder. Just then a servant entered with a golden ring on his finger, wearing on his head a crown of red gold studded with pearls and other gems. He kissed the ground and, after calling down blessings on the caliph, he said: ‘Master, your sister sends you her greetings and says that she made this crown for your son al-Mu‘tasim, but it lacks one central jewel.’

  Harun ordered chests of jewels to be produced and when they had been opened, he began to examine them one by one and was saddened when he failed to find one that would suit. An old man came up to him and told him that what he wanted could only be found with a Basran merchant called Abu Muhammad the Idle. This so angered Harun that he ordered a message to be sent immediately by pigeon to Basra, ordering that Abu Muhammad be sent to him.

  When it was afternoon the emir Muhammad son of Sulaiman al-Rub‘i was seated in his state room when the postmaster came in with the pigeon. ‘God willing, it will be good news,’ said the emir and he opened the message, read it and grasped its contents. He got up immediately and set off with his escort to the house of Abu Muhammad, whose servants jumped up and went to tell their master that the emir was at the door. Abu Muhammad looked out in alarm and, seeing the emir, he went down, kissed his hand and welcomed him. ‘God willing, this will be a blessed day!’ he exclaimed. ‘There is nothing but good,’ replied the emir, adding: ‘you should know that the Commander of the Faithful has sent to ask for you.’ ‘I am at the command of God, the Commander of the Faithful and you,’ said Abu Muhammad, ‘but give me time to say goodbye to my children.’ ‘Impossible,’ said the emir, ‘for I have come out to look for you, and this is the caliph’s letter, written in his own hand.’ ‘There is no might and no power except with the Great and Glorious God!’ exclaimed Abu Muhammad, and no one who utters these words is ever left abandoned.

  He then turned to a servant of his who was out of his mind with fear and said: ‘Go to the shop and fetch me my kerchief.’ The man hurried off and brought it, and Abu Muhammad put it in his sleeve. The emir sent him under escort to the river bank, where they put him in a boat that sailed to Wasit and from there to Baghdad, where they brought him to the caliph.