Fitnah Khânum

Barakah

Barakah and Fitnah Khânum are bitter enemies, locked in a struggle of manipulation and jealousy.

Yûsuf Bey

Fitnah Khânum is obsessively fixated on Yûsuf Bey, using manipulation and schemes to draw his attention.

Muhammad Pasha Sâlih

Fitnah Khânum and Muhammad Pasha Sâlih are involved in a transactional or political alliance, using each other for gain.

Yûsuf Bey

Fitnah Khânum is obsessively fixated on Yûsuf Bey, using manipulation and schemes to draw his attention.

Barakah

Barakah and Fitnah Khânum are bitter enemies, locked in a struggle of manipulation and jealousy.

Yûsuf Bey

Fitnah Khânum is obsessively fixated on Yûsuf Bey, using manipulation and schemes to draw his attention.

Barakah

Barakah and Fitnah Khânum are bitter enemies, locked in a struggle of manipulation and jealousy.

I

Enraged over her son Yûsuf's desire to marry the English governess; argues with the Pasha.

II

The Pasha's wife who is furious about the proposed marriage and conversion.

III

Furious about Barakah's marriage; is bound, gagged, and beaten on the Pasha's orders.

V

Mentioned as a potential source of trouble due to her past frowardness and jealousy.

VI

Suspected by Gulbeyzah of plotting against Barakah by sending the old woman; remains aloof and averted during trousseau preparations.

VIII

Consumed by anguish and righteous fury, she seeks the sorcerer's help to kill Barakah, believing her to be a jinniyeh who will destroy her son.

IX

Prepares the poisoned sherbet for Barakah.

X

Confesses to poisoning the bride, kneels before her in remorse, and later reconciles with Yûsuf in a tearful embrace.

XIV

Initially foretold Barakah's death, but upon her recovery grows to love her deeply, eclipsing her love for Yûsuf. She leads the harem's indignation when denied access to Barakah's sickroom.

XV

Acts as intendant for Murjânah Khânum in arranging Gulbeyzah's marriage, showing shrewdness and delight in the process.

XVI

Not directly present, but referenced as the 'kind princess' who advised Bedr-ul-Budûr on proper attire.

XVIII

Overjoyed at Barakah's pregnancy, sends messengers to Yûsuf and the Pasha.

XIX

Arranges the wet-nurse, enforces traditional customs, and secretly orchestrates the zâr exorcism out of love for Barakah.

XX

Takes delight in talking with villagers; scolds Hamdi and threatens to marry him to Na'imah.

XXI

Praises matrimony as a panacea for young people's crotchets after Hamdi's successful marriage.

XXII

Hosts the women at the mausoleum and later recommends Umm ed-Dahak to Barakah.

XXIII

Fitnah Khânum comments on Umm ed-Dahak's love of subtlety over comfort, and enjoys her company despite scolding her.

XXIV

Mentioned in Umm ed-Dahak's list of women who bore many children to the Pasha.

XXV

Shakes her head at Muhammad's lack of discipline and is announced at the end of the chapter.

XXVI

Witnesses Muhammad's violent behavior and physically disciplines him, then insists on the child's removal from Barakah.

XXVII

One of the Pasha's ladies who helps in Muhammad's upbringing; Barakah visits her house.

XXVIII

Advises marriage as a cure for demonic possession in unmarried girls, and later pities Barakah as 'possessed'.

XXIX

Fitnah Khânum loudly laments the suppression of the slave trade, calling it impiety.

XXXI

Greets Barakah at the old palace and informs her of the Pasha's condition.

XXXVII

Doses Barakah with medicine as part of her care.