The Mercy of Allah · Character

The old man

He is Mahmoud grown old, holding his nephews spellbound with the harrowing story of how he lost a million dinars.

supporting

As a supporting figure in The Mercy of Allah, The old man is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A voice of wisdom and experience, guiding others through hardship.

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He is Mahmoud grown old, holding his nephews spellbound with the harrowing story of how he lost a million dinars. His flaw is a fatal appetite for ease — books, gardens, manuscripts — which he now denounces as the…

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Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how The old man sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Friendship
Rivalry
Social
Other

Character groups

Diverse Minor and Symbolic Characters
Protagonist
Authority and Judgment Figures

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story’s dramatic climax because it marks the absolute peak of the merchant’s worldly success and e…

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Relationships

Mahmoud
psychological · ambivalent
Mahmoud is deeply influenced and possibly manipulated by the old man, who serves as a… How this plays out →
The stranger
friendship · positive
His master
rivalry · negative
The judge
rivalry · negative
Brother Selim
social · ambivalent
Brother Selim
social · ambivalent
The stranger
friendship · positive
His master
rivalry · negative

Mahmoud
Mahmoud is deeply influenced and possibly manipulated by the old man, who serves as a mentor or tempter figure.
The stranger
The old man and the stranger share a bond of mutual respect and shared secrets, acting as allies.
His master
His master and the old man are antagonists, clashing over authority or ideology.
The judge
The judge and the old man are adversaries, representing opposing moral or legal systems.
Brother Selim
Brother Selim and the old man are acquaintances with occasional respectful but distant interactions.
Brother Selim
Brother Selim and the old man are acquaintances with occasional respectful but distant interactions.
The stranger
The old man and the stranger share a bond of mutual respect and shared secrets, acting as allies.
His master
His master and the old man are antagonists, clashing over authority or ideology.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

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In the story

The old man appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Mercy of Allah
A voice of wisdom and experience, guiding others through hardship.
I: Al-Rafsat, or 'The Kick'
Mahmoud's father, who kicks him out of the house with 100 dinars.
III: Al-Tawajin, or “The Pipkins”
Mahmoud's uncle, who is telling the story to his nephews.
Al-Kantara, or "The Bridge"
Narrates his journey and the bridge scheme, demonstrating his cunning and self-serving philanthropy.
V: Milh, or "Salt"
Mahmoud is referred to as 'the old man' as he addresses his nephews.
VII: Ghanamat, or “The Sheep”
The shepherd with a haughty, eagle-like bearing who owns the flock and agrees to Mahmoud's scheme.
Al-Bustán, or “The Orchard”
Narrates his own past as a destitute wanderer who cons a wealthy stranger.
IX: Al-Jamal Wa’l-Nakhl, or “Camels and Dates”
The excellent old merchant, Mahmoud himself, who speaks to his nephews.
Al-Wali, or "The Holy One"
The aged attendant who summons Mahmoud to the Holy One.
XII: Al-Mahallat al-Jadida, or "The New Quarter of the City"
Mahmoud himself, now an old merchant, telling the story to his nephews.
XIII: Al-Fulús al-Masnú Min al-Qirtás, or “The Money Made of Paper”
Mahmoud, referred to as the wealthy old man, explains the mechanics of his war loans and taxation system to his nephews.
XIV: Itmi’nán al-Nafs, or “The Peace of the Soul”
Mahmoud himself, referred to as the old man in the narrative.

Chapter companion notes

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