The Theocrat: A Modern Arabic Novel (Modern Arabic Literature) by Bensalem Himmich Read Free Book Online Page A

doing, he lifted the prohibition on such acts). At the same time, he again permitted the Ramadan and noon prayers and altered the call to prayer, replacing the phrase “Come to the best of works” with “Prayer is better than sleep.” He himself rode to the Mosque of ‘Amr ibn al-‘As and prayed the noon prayer there. He began to show a preference for the doctrines of the Maliki school; in the mosque he placed a silver stove lit by 1,100 wicks inside and two others underneath. The procession consisted of guards, trumpets, and cries of joy and praise to God, all accompanied by drums; this all took place on the night of mid-Sha’ban. On the first day of Ramadan heattended the grand mosque in Cairo; all kinds of furnishing were brought there, including gold and silver chandeliers. The populace prayed devoutly for him. That year on the tenth day of Ramadan he wore a woolen garment, rode on a donkey, made a public display of his self-denial and filled his arms with notebooks. On Friday he preached the sermon and led the prayer. He prevented anyone from addressing him as “My Lord,” or from kissing the ground in front of him. He gave contributions to the poor. Qur’an reciters, strangers, and travelers who sought refuge in mosques. He had a large niche [mihrab] of silver made for the mosque; it had ten candle holders and was encrusted with jewels. For three years he continued this way, carrying perfumes, incense, and candles to mosques, things no one had ever done before. Then suddenly he had a change of heart: he killed the jurisconsult. Abu Bakr al-Antaki, and the other shaykh with him, along with a great number of other Sunnis. and for no justifiable reason. All this he carried out in a single day. In addition, he closed the doors of the House of Learning, revoked everything he had done, and went back to his old ways, killing scholars and jurisconsults and so on. He continued this way until he was murdered. 11
    In the eighteenth year of al-Hakim’s quarter century, a number of decrees were issued aimed at Egyptians and. in particular, women, singers, and astrologers, which had a debilitating effect. There follows a sample selection of them:
    Decree against astrologers and singers:
    I have come only to refute the stars and disrupt their purity and predictive power. My method involves filling my kingdom with incidents and exceptional circumstances and thwarting the power of principles and expectations.
        On such a basis, anyone who practices astrology or predicts by the stars sets himself in opposition to me. I will exile anyone who opposes me, or else I shall cause his star to fall from the skies. Did not ‘Ali, the Prophet’s own trustee, say: “Beware of the science of astrology, except whatever may guide you through the dark regions of earth and sea. The astrologer is like the magician; magicians are soothsayers, unbelievers roasting in hellfire.”
        My decision is irrevocable, even for those astrologers who strive to convert the pearls of heaven to my benefit and service.
        Singers should be banished from my sight.
        My people are innate dancers. What need do they have of people to play instruments or sing?
        I have proclaimed all-out war against all kinds of debauched transvestitism and effeminate behavior. Singing belongs in that category, since it tempts and corrupts the body. As long as I live and am your pastor, singing is forbidden.
    In this same year astrologers left the country, except for those who claimed to be blind or mad and a few others who took refuge in deserted towers or underground storehouses.
    All musical instruments were collected and burned. No one was allowed to ride boats to the Canal; all gates leading to it and all balconies and windows looking out on it were closed.
     
    Decree concerning the proper cloistering of women:
    By Fatima the radiant, what I have to say about women is nothing but good!
        How can I possibly despise them or defame them