Tale of Bulūqiyā (3)

Text
Bulūqiyā’s father is named as Ushiya (= Josiah) king of Israel, but living in Egypt. At his death Bulūqiyā finds writings in an iron box which tell of Muhammad’s coming. He obtains consent from his mother to travel to Syria to find out more. On his way he meets serpents who confirm the coming of Muhammad; they are guarded by Tamlikha, a small yellow serpent, who sends her greetings to Muhammad should Bulūqiyā ever meet him. Bulūqiyā arrives in Jerusalem, meets ˁAffan and they set off together. They catch Tamlikha in a cage, and come across a tree which voluntarily tells them it contains magic juice with which they can travel the Seven Seas. They cut it down, take the juice and let Tamlikha free. With the help of the juice they cross two seas and come to the cave where a body lies on a golden throne guarded by a serpent. ˁAffan recognises it as Solomon’s, and knows the ring’s significance; he wants to take it in order to stay alive until Muhammad’s coming. Bulūqiyā reminds him that nobody might have as much power as Solomon until the Day of Resurrection, but ˁAffan dismisses his objection and goes to take the ring. The serpent warns him off and breathes at him, but Bulūqiyā pronounces Allah’s name and averts harm. Gabriel descends and distracts Bulūqiyā, so that the serpent’s fiery breath succeeds in incinerating ˁAffan. After a brief conversation Gabriel departs, and Bulūqiyā resumes his quest, still using the magic juice. He crosses six seas without elaboration. On the seventh he is menaced by warriors, but when he says the name of Allah they are respectful and introduce him to their king Sakhr, who tells him how junns were created. Bulūqiyā leaves and in a tour of the cosmos meets a series of pious angels. Eventually he meets al-Khiḍr, who arranges for him to be transported home to mother on the back of a white bird.

Source (list of abbreviations)
Thaˁlabi, ˁrāˀis al-majālis

Bibliography

Stephanie Dalley

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