Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Character

Mohammed el Dheilan

A Howeitat elder whose braided hair and weak, cynical eyes conceal a career of stabbings, prisons, and desertions across every court in Arabia.

supporting

Also known as Mohammed, el Dheilan, Dheilan

First appearance: XL

As a supporting figure in Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Mohammed el Dheilan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted.

In the storyXVOpen this moment free

See Mohammed el Dheilan in XV Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Mohammed el Dheilan is the seasoned Howeitat voice at Auda's shoulder, a man whose long black plaits and loose, sensual mouth give him a good-humoured, half-cynical air. His past is a catalogue of expulsions — from Nejd, Kuwait, Hail, and the Sherifian police — each ending in stripes or a knife drawn too publicly. He matters because he embodies the tribal world Lawrence must navigate: loyal when useful, dangerous when slighted, and utterly unsentimental about the causes he serves.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mohammed el Dheilan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mohammed el Dheilan in XL

Character Web

30 connections

A slice of how Mohammed el Dheilan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Diverse Support Figures
Arab Revolt Leadership
Protagonist

+25 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Lawrence confronts his own fraudulent self-i…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Mohammed el Dheilan appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XV
Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted.
XXXV
Assists Lawrence in climbing a splintery pole to cut telegraph wires during the demolition work.
XXXVIII
Auda's politic cousin; part of the party at Wejh.
XL
Auda's cousin; helps teach Lawrence Arabic.
XLV
Second man of the Abu Tayi; described as powerful, thinking, and cynical; joins Lawrence by the fire and later leads a pursuit.
XLVI
Present at the feasts, sharing food and offering select fragments to Lawrence.
Nebk: Strategy and Deception
Mohammed is the butt of Auda's joke about a pearl necklace, having been forced to guest with tribesmen.
XLIX
Rides behind Lawrence with the Ageyl; asks philosophical questions about stars and other worlds.
LIII
Chases fleeing Turks and is angry at the recklessness of the charge.
LVII
Involved in the alleged correspondence with the Turks; explains he used Auda's seal to trick the Governor of Maan.
LXII
Mentioned as part of the party, helping with camp setup.
LXIII
Blows up the fire at the coffee-place while Lawrence tries to get the old man to speak.
LXVIII
Helps with the exploder and wire during the ambush.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mohammed el Dheilan unlock in the free preview.

See Mohammed el Dheilan in XL

See Mohammed el Dheilan in XV