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It is related that the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, equipped an army of Muslims and sent it against the enemy in the direction of Syria. They laid close siege to one of the enemy’s fortresses. Among the Muslims were two brothers whom God had endowed with fierceness and daring against the foe. The commander of the fortress would say to his chieftains and the champions attending him, “If only these two Muslims could be put out of action or killed, I would rid you of all the rest.” So they kept setting traps and devising stratagems against the brothers, laying ambush after ambush, until one was taken prisoner and the other was slain a martyr. The Muslim captive was brought before the commander of the fortress, who looked at him and said, “To kill this man would be a grievous loss, yet to let him return to the Muslims would be a hateful thing.” But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and seventy-fifth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when the enemy brought the Muslim captive before the commander of the fortress, he looked at him and said, “To kill this man would be a grievous loss, yet to let him return to the Muslims would be a hateful thing. I wish he would embrace Christianity and become our helper and support.” One of his patricians said, “My lord, I shall tempt him until he renounces his faith. The Arabs are much given to falling in love with women, and I have a daughter of perfect beauty. Were he to see her, he would surely be captivated.” “He is entrusted to you,” replied the commander. “Take him away.” So the patrician took him home, dressed the girl in clothes that enhanced her grace and beauty, and brought the man into the house. He had food set before him, while the Christian girl stood in attendance like a servant obedient to her master, waiting for a command to carry out. When the Muslim saw the plight in which he found himself, he sought refuge in God Most High, lowered his eyes, and devoted himself to worshipping his Lord and reciting the Quran. He had a beautiful voice and a gift for recitation that moved the soul, and the Christian girl fell deeply in love with him and became utterly devoted to him. He continued thus for seven days, until she began to say, “Would that he would consent to my embracing Islam!” Her heart seemed to speak these verses:

Do you turn away, while my heart yearns for you? My life be your ransom; my heart is your home. Gladly would I part from my people and forsake a faith guarded by the keen-edged sword. I bear witness that God alone is Lord: the proof stands firm, and doubt has fled. Perhaps he who shuns me will grant me union and cool a heart consumed by longing and love. Doors may open after being shut fast, and one whom sorrows have beset may yet attain his wishes. At last her patience failed and her heart could bear no more. She threw herself at his feet and said, “I beseech you by your faith to hear what I have to say.” “What is it?” he asked. “Teach me Islam,” she replied. He explained it to her, and she embraced the faith. Then she purified herself, and he taught her how to pray. When she had done so, she said, “My brother, it was because of you that I embraced Islam, and because I wished to be near you.” He answered, “Islam permits no marriage without two upright witnesses, a bridal gift, and a guardian. I have neither the witnesses nor the guardian nor the bridal gift. But if you could contrive a way for us to escape this place, I would hope to reach the land of Islam, and I pledge that I shall have no wife in Islam but you.” “I shall find a way,” she said. Then she summoned her father and mother and told them, “This Muslim’s heart has softened, and he wishes to embrace our faith. I shall grant him what he desires of me. But he says, ‘I cannot do this in a town where my brother was killed. If I could leave it, my heart would find comfort, and I would do what is asked of me.’ There would be no harm in your letting me go with him to another town, for I guarantee to you and to the king that you shall have what you desire.” Her father went to their commander and told him the news. He was delighted and ordered that the two be allowed to leave with the father for the village she had named. So they went out, and when they reached the village they remained there for the rest of the day. When night enfolded them, they set off upon their journey, making their way across the land, as a poet has said:

They said, “The hour of departure draws near.” I answered, “How often must departure threaten me? I have no occupation but to cross the wilderness and traverse the earth, mile after mile. If my beloved ones journey to some distant land, I become a wayfarer in search of them. I make my longing for them my guide, and it shows me the road without a guide.” But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and seventy-sixth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that the Muslim captive and the girl remained in the village they had entered for the rest of that day. When night enfolded them, they set out upon their journey and travelled all that night. The young man had mounted a swift horse and seated her behind him. He rode on across the land until dawn was near, then turned aside from the road and helped her dismount. He performed his ablutions, and they prayed the dawn prayer. While they were thus occupied, they heard the clatter of weapons, the jingling of bridles, the voices of men, and the pounding of horses’ hooves. He said to her, “My dear, the Christians pursuing us have caught up with us. What can we do? The horse is so spent and weary that it cannot take another stride.” She answered, “Shame on you! Are you frightened and afraid?” “Yes,” he said. “Then where is all you told me of your Lord’s power and His succour for those who call upon Him? Come, let us beseech Him and pray to Him. Perhaps He will come to our aid and enfold us in His kindness, glory be to Him, the Most High.” “By God,” he answered, “you have spoken well!” So they began to implore God Most High, and he recited these verses:

I need You at every hour, though diadem and crown should rest upon my head. You are my greatest need; if my hand gained what You willed, no need would remain to me. There is nothing in Your keeping that You withhold; the torrent of Your bounty flows in ceaseless abundance. It is I who am veiled by my disobedience, while the light of Your forgiveness, O Forbearing One, shines bright. O Reliever of sorrow, relieve this affliction of mine! Who but You can dispel such grief? While he prayed and the girl said “Amen” to his supplications, and the pounding of the horses drew nearer, the young man heard the voice of his brother who had been slain a martyr, saying, “My brother, do not fear or grieve. These are God’s envoys, His angels, whom He has sent to bear witness to your marriage. God Most High has boasted of you both before His angels and granted you the reward of the blessed and the martyrs. He has folded up the earth for you, and in the morning you shall be among the mountains of Medina. When you meet Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, give him my greetings and say, ‘May God reward you well for your service to Islam, for you have been sincere in counsel and tireless in your efforts.’” Then the angels raised their voices in greeting to him and his wife, saying, “God Most High married her to you two thousand years before He created your father Adam, peace be upon him.” Joy and gladness, peace and delight overwhelmed them; their certainty grew, and they stood firm in the guidance of the God-fearing. When dawn broke, they offered the morning prayer. Now Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, used to pray the dawn prayer while it was still dark. Sometimes he would enter the prayer niche with only two men behind him and begin the prayer with the chapter of Cattle or the chapter of Women. The sleeping would wake, those needing ablution would perform it, and those living far away would arrive, so that before he had completed the first unit of prayer the mosque would be full. Then he would recite a short chapter in the second unit and bring it swiftly to an end. But that day he recited a short chapter in the first unit and did likewise in the second. When he had pronounced the closing salutation, he turned to his companions and said, “Come, let us go out to welcome the bride and bridegroom.” His companions were astonished and did not understand his words. He went ahead, and they followed him until he reached the gate of Medina. When the light had appeared and the young man saw the landmarks of Medina, he made for the gate with his wife riding behind him. Umar and the Muslims met him and greeted him. Once they had entered Medina, Umar, may God be pleased with him, ordered a wedding feast to be prepared. The Muslims attended and ate, and the young man went in to his bride. God Most High granted him children by her. But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the four hundred and seventy-seventh night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, ordered a wedding feast to be prepared. The Muslims attended and ate, and the young man went in to his bride. God granted him children by her who fought in the path of God and cherished the knowledge of their lineage as a source of pride. How beautifully it has been said in this vein:

I see you at the gates, weeping and complaining, yet unlike the other seekers you receive no answer. Has the evil eye struck you, or some calamity befallen you, that a veil should bar you from the Beloved’s door? Cry out today, poor soul, and keep His remembrance on your tongue; repent, as others have repented and returned to Him. Perhaps the rain of forgiveness will wash away the past, and reward will shower upon those burdened with sin. A captive may escape while still in chains, and souls be freed from the prison of punishment. They lived on in the greatest comfort and fullest happiness, until there came to them the Destroyer of Delights and the Sunderer of Companies.