# The old man — The Mercy of Allah character guide > The old man in The Mercy of Allah by Hilaire Belloc. **Role:** supporting **First appearance:** 0001-the-mercy-of-allah ## Snapshot He is Mahmoud grown old, holding his nephews spellbound with the harrowing story of how he lost a million dinars. ## Who they are 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 poison of content, and his tale is a warning against retirement. His pious self-justification and relish for his own misfortunes make him both comic and unsettling. ## Relationships ### [Mahmoud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/mahmoud) _psychological_ Mahmoud is deeply influenced and possibly manipulated by the old man, who serves as a mentor or tempter figure. ### [The stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_stranger) _friendship_ The old man and the stranger share a bond of mutual respect and shared secrets, acting as allies. ### [His master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/his_master) _rivalry_ His master and the old man are antagonists, clashing over authority or ideology. ### [The judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_judge) _rivalry_ The judge and the old man are adversaries, representing opposing moral or legal systems. ### [Brother Selim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/brother_selim) _social_ Brother Selim and the old man are acquaintances with occasional respectful but distant interactions. ### [Brother Selim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/brother_selim) _social_ Brother Selim and the old man are acquaintances with occasional respectful but distant interactions. ### [The stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_stranger) _friendship_ The old man and the stranger share a bond of mutual respect and shared secrets, acting as allies. ### [His master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/his_master) _rivalry_ His master and the old man are antagonists, clashing over authority or ideology. ## In the story ### [The Mercy of Allah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/the-mercy-of-allah) A voice of wisdom and experience, guiding others through hardship. ### [I: Al-Rafsat, or 'The Kick'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/iii-al-tawajin-or-the-pipkins) Mahmoud's uncle, who is telling the story to his nephews. ### [Al-Kantara, or "The Bridge"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/iv-al-kantara-or-the-bridge) Narrates his journey and the bridge scheme, demonstrating his cunning and self-serving philanthropy. ### [V: Milh, or "Salt"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/v-milh-or-salt) Mahmoud is referred to as 'the old man' as he addresses his nephews. ### [VII: Ghanamat, or “The Sheep”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/viii-al-bust-n-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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/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"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/xi-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"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/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”](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) 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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/chapters/xiv-itmi-n-n-al-nafs-or-the-peace-of-the-soul) Mahmoud himself, referred to as the old man in the narrative. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters/the_old_man - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mercy_of_allah_se/characters