Robert Stevens

What a story, and what an ending! Hakim was born into relative poverty in the city of Merv, and raised by his father and uncle to be a dyer. Unfortunately a dyer was not considered to be a very noble position. He eventually became so disheartened and fed up with his position, that he swore off all colors forever and left Merv. While out in the desert, he claims to have been visited by angels and have spoken to God, revealing himself as a great new Prophet (perhaps the successor to Mohammed?). Part of his “legend” involved him wearing a veil at all times, because anyone who saw his face was supposed to be made blind. Eventually he gathers a following and declares jihad against his resident Caliph. The end of the story finds Hakim and his army surrounded, and it is in this position his secret is revealed. He is nothing more than a leper propagating an elaborate rouse. They summarily kill him.

In the beginning of the story Hakim talks about purple robes. Purple was the color of the Roman Emperors, could this have been some kind of foreshadowing of his ambitions?