# Umm ed-Dahak — Veiled Women character guide

> Umm ed-Dahak in Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** O Umm ed - Dahak, old Umm ed - Dahak, Old Umm ed - Dahak

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

Barakah's elderly, tireless confidante, whose cheerful fatalism about dying children and genius for smuggling her mistress through back doors make her indispensable.

## Relationships

### [Barakah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters/barakah)

_family_

Barakah and Umm ed-Dahak have a close familial relationship, likely mother-daughter or maternal figure, with strong emotional ties.

### [Yûsuf Bey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters/yusuf_bey)

_family_

Umm ed-Dahak regards Yûsuf Bey with maternal affection, often acting as a protective figure in his life.

### [Yûsuf Bey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters/yusuf_bey)

_family_

Umm ed-Dahak regards Yûsuf Bey with maternal affection, often acting as a protective figure in his life.

### [Barakah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters/barakah)

_family_

Barakah and Umm ed-Dahak have a close familial relationship, likely mother-daughter or maternal figure, with strong emotional ties.

### [Barakah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters/barakah)

_family_

Barakah and Umm ed-Dahak have a close familial relationship, likely mother-daughter or maternal figure, with strong emotional ties.

## In the story

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxii)

Reappears after the earlier incident, offers her services and companionship to Barakah.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxiii)

Umm ed-Dahak becomes Barakah's close advisor and entertainer, using her wit and storytelling to gain influence, while avoiding Yûsuf Bey and maintaining her superstitious beliefs.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxiv)

Attempts to instruct Barakah in harem customs, including blood sacrifice and accepting illness; consoles Barakah after the birth of a girl.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxv)

Relates the tragic story of the bride and groom's suffocation and Tâhir's subsequent vow, and praises Muhammad's manly spirit.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxvii)

Comforts Barakah throughout the crisis and advises a change in parenting approach.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxviii)

Indulges in romantic fictions about Barakah's future, adjusts prophecies after the favorite's downfall, and encourages Barakah's delusions.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxix)

Umm ed-Dahak feels too weak to talk in the heat but loves Barakah's daughter and teaches her about womanly duty.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxi)

Brings news of the victory at Kafr ed-Dowâr and discusses polygamy with Barakah.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Mourns with Barakah, mumbles on her hand, and later remains constantly with her, watching silently.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Crouches by Barakah's bed and croons to her like an infant.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Helps Barakah deliver the letter and arranges the secret meeting, despite initial reluctance.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxix)

Accompanies Barakah to the interview, believing she is aiding a criminal intrigue, and later comforts her when she sees Barakah's distress.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters/umm_ed_dahak
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/characters