Evident By Abu Khalid Writing The Diary example essay topic

The Qadi and the Fortune Teller The novel The Qadi and the Fortune Teller written by Nabil Saleh is the translation of a diary by Abu Khalid. Abu Khalid writes this journal over a ten month span from January 1843 to October 1843. The diary takes place in Beirut and follows the life of a Qadi or Muslim judge. 1843 was a year of relative calm but was a transition period to more change in the Ottoman Empire.

It is a period which followed the bitter fighting in the Lebanese mountains between Christians and Druze's as well as foreign intervention into the Middle East. This is approximately the time of the Tanzimat which began in 1845 when Mustafa Rashid returned to office as grand vizier. During the Tanzimat period many reforms occured and were initiated by a bureaucracy as opposed to the sultan. Some of these reforms included the Hat-i-sherif, which granted civil equality for all Ottoman subjects. Along with this came other legal reforms such as mixed tribunals. With the increase in numbers of foreigners within the Ottoman Empire mixed tribunals allowed for fairer judgment and helped lead to a codified commercial and penal code.

It is through the trials of Abu Khalid that these changes are evident. Throughout the novel there are many changes that are presented such as the reduced role of the qadi and the influence of foreigners within the Ottoman empire. In the beginning of Abu Khalid's diary the reader is told that it is a period of danger. As Abu Khalid begins by saying "I am aware that committing ingenuous thoughts to paper is careless at a time when one has to hide permanently behind a facade... the danger is greater nowadays" (p. 9) For Abu Khalid his role in society is changing. The function of the Qadi is becoming less important as the country starts to assimilate. This is a period of distrust which is evident by Abu Khalid writing the diary.

He can't confide in anybody so he writes in a journal, he does not even trust his wife. His life as a Qadi has been reduced considerably. Commercial, criminal, and cases dealing with foreigners are no longer tried in front of a Qadi. The end of the novel is kind of like a microcosm of the Qadi. At one point the Qadi was very important and influential. Everything seems to be going well for Abu Khalid his daughter will marry someone rich and he will be set for life.

However, the turning point is when he sees the fortune teller. Only bad things happen from then on for Abu Khalid. His daughter runs away with a coffee boy, and he is forced to resign. Similarly it seems that the Qadi from then on out would serve a different role than before and like Abu Khalid lose their power. It seems that the role of the Qadi had become a joke, which is shown by the violent mob at the end which are led by someone pretending to be a Qadi.

Foreigners now have more influence and even the Qadi is forced to become more respectful to their rights even when he wants to rule against them. For example when the French owners of the silk shop dig there own well and take the water Abu Khalid is forced to rule in their favor even though he doesn't want to. As evident by his diary "I cannot bring myself to rule in favour of the French owners. Foreigners have done a lot of harm to the community.

Not only are they active in all walks of life; more dangerously, they help to destroy the fabric of our society". (p. 35) It is obvious with statements like these that the Muslim's of the Ottoman Empire are not embracing the foreigners presence in their land. Even following the ruling Abu Khalid and Abu Kasim keep thinking of ways to try and get the decision overturned. Another story where the hatred for foreigners is evident is the story of Austrian Jew and the merchant. "There dispute degenerated into abusive language on either side, although it was the Austrian who foolishly tried to intimidate his opponent and resorted to cursing our pure religion". (p. 37) Quotes like this are said throughout the novel like he should follow the true religion. These are just evidence that the Muslims were not very acceptable of their foreign neighbors. There are many instances of distrust between the Muslims and their foreign counterparts, however, Abu Khalid needs these foreigners to help his own cause as well However, Abu Khalid needs these foreigners to help his own cause as well.

Throughout the story Abu Khalid talks about his interaction with Mr. Saba and whenever either of them needs help they go to one another. There relationship shows the changing nature of the Ottoman Empire but when Abu Khalid really needs him at the end Mr. Saba is no where to be found. As Abu Kasim said "for them we are but lemons that are thrown away once squeezed and drained. (p. 139) This sums up the relationship foreigners had with the Muslims during the Ottoman Empire as well as the time period. Just like what Abu Khalid started his journal off nobody was trustworthy and it looks like he was right. Although the Ottoman Empire was changing it was not always for the best.

During this time period Europeans were becoming more influential and the Middle East was looking to open up. Trade was very popular and the Ottoman Empire was becoming a more friendlier place to foreigners. By opening up to the west one would think it was a positive, however, by reading this novel it seems that for the Muslim citizens it was an unpleasant change. Foreign influence changed commercial laws and limited the power of the Qadi. As Abu Khalid said nobody was trustworthy and that's the way it seemed.

Everybody used each other for their own benefit and was a very hypocritical society. The Ottoman empire was looked at as the sick man of the Middle East and ended up becoming influenced by Europeans. This is shown in the mixed tribunals and the influence by foreign figures such as Mr. Saba in many court cases. The Qadi was a symbol of tradition and with its decline was a symbol of the change that occurred during the Tanzimat period.