# Mahmoud — The Mercy of Allah character guide

> Mahmoud in The Mercy of Allah by Hilaire Belloc.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** old Mahmoud, The excellent Mahmoud

**First appearance:** 0001-the-mercy-of-allah

## Snapshot

Mahmoud is an elderly merchant of enormous wealth whose casual opinions make markets tremble, and whose brother El-Hakim he cheerfully promises to disinherit.

## Who they are

Mahmoud is an elderly merchant of enormous wealth whose casual opinions make markets tremble, and whose brother El-Hakim he cheerfully promises to disinherit. He agrees to instruct his seven nephews in the art of getting rich, then confesses he knows no rule for it — only the accidents and reversals of his own career. His complacent vanity and his conviction that fortune is a moral test set the tone for the whole tale.

## Relationships

### [The old man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_old_man)

_psychological_

Mahmoud is deeply influenced and possibly manipulated by the old man, who serves as a mentor or tempter figure.

### [His master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/his_master)

_rivalry_

His master and Mahmoud are competitors, likely vying for influence or resources.

### [The judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_judge)

_professional_

Mahmoud and the judge have a formal, transactional relationship based on legal or business matters.

### [The stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_stranger)

_social_

Mahmoud and the stranger have only a single, fleeting encounter with no lasting impact.

## In the story

### [The Mercy of Allah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/the-mercy-of-allah)

Central figure whose actions and fate illustrate the chapter's moral lessons.

### [I: Al-Rafsat, or 'The Kick'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/i-al-rafsat-or-the-kick)

The elderly merchant who narrates his early life to his nephews.

### [II: Al-Durar, or "The Pearls"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/ii-al-durar-or-the-pearls)

The merchant uncle narrating his past adventure, now possessing 12,000 dinars after the pearl swindle.

### [III: Al-Tawajin, or “The Pipkins”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/iii-al-tawajin-or-the-pipkins)

The narrator and protagonist, who recounts his rise to wealth and power through the pipkin monopoly.

### [Al-Kantara, or "The Bridge"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/iv-al-kantara-or-the-bridge)

Referenced as the uncle telling the story to his nephews; the narrative is his life story.

### [V: Milh, or "Salt"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/v-milh-or-salt)

The old merchant narrates his error of seeking ease and his subsequent loan to the king of Izmar.

### [VI: Al-Wukalá, or “The Lawyers”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/vi-al-wukal-or-the-lawyers)

The narrator and plaintiff, who reluctantly pursues legal action against the king after losing his salt tax fortune.

### [VII: Ghanamat, or “The Sheep”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/vii-ghanamat-or-the-sheep)

Narrates his past poverty and proposes a partnership with the shepherd to sell sheep.

### [Al-Bustán, or “The Orchard”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/viii-al-bust-n-or-the-orchard)

Referenced as the uncle whose misfortunes are being recounted; the nephews listen to his story.

### [IX: Al-Jamal Wa’l-Nakhl, or “Camels and Dates”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/ix-al-jamal-wa-l-nakhl-or-camels-and-dates)

The narrator and merchant, who tells his nephews of his adventures and his resolve to imitate Yusouff ben Ahmed.

### [X: Al-Hisān, or “The Horse”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/x-al-his-n-or-the-horse)

Narrates his latest adventure, describing how he stole a grey horse and sold it to rebuild his fortune.

### [Al-Wali, or "The Holy One"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/xi-al-wali-or-the-holy-one)

The aged millionaire narrating his past exploits; he poses as a devout pilgrim and engages in profitable trade at the shrine.

### [XII: Al-Mahallat al-Jadida, or "The New Quarter of the City"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/xii-al-mahallat-al-jadida-or-the-new-quarter-of-the-city)

The narrator and protagonist, who reflects on past fortunes and executes a calculated scheme to build wealth in the new quarter.

### [XIII: Al-Fulús al-Masnú Min al-Qirtás, or “The Money Made of Paper”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/xiii-al-ful-s-al-masn-min-al-qirt-s-or-the-money-made-of-paper)

The aged financier narrates his scheme of financing both sides of a war, then plots to move his wealth to Dirak, a state where the rich rule.

### [XIV: Itmi’nán al-Nafs, or “The Peace of the Soul”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/xiv-itmi-n-n-al-nafs-or-the-peace-of-the-soul)

The elderly merchant who narrates his life story and is tricked by his youngest nephew.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/mahmoud
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters