The Author And His Characteres

The Author and His Characters

Moussa Ould Ebnou

Translated into English by Marhaba Language Expertise

          It was late on a long moonless night in December 2036. I was tossing and turning in bed alone, setting traps for sleep, only for it to resist them. I did not resort to sleeping pills for fear of addiction and side effects. I listened to the sounds of nature, hoping they would dispel my insomnia. An owl gave a muffled cry, probably after catching a mouse, which it must have swallowed the wrong way; another owl answered with a soft hoot. I tried to relocate to a beach or forest, if only in my mind, to help myself fall asleep. I imagined myself in a bikini on a beach, relaxing on the sand and listening to the waves crashing nearby... Suddenly, there was a terrible silence. I was overwhelmed by light that, had it been daytime, would have obliterated the sunlight, just as the sun obliterates the light of the stars. My mother asked me what was happening. I went outside in panic to find the source of the light. I gasped when I saw a huge spaceship covered in bright lights landing. When it was about a meter high, it stopped and remained suspended between heaven and earth. A giant emerged and leaped forward. Without touching the ground, he stood in front of me. He was wearing a shimmering white suit with a wide belt studded with bright dots in different colors. He was tall, about three meters tall. I raised my head and looked at his face. It was gorgeous, tranquil, and showed no signs of travel. His silver hair lay in curls on his shoulders. With his great, clear eyes, he gave me a look which froze me on the spot. He pointed an instrument at me, and I found myself inside a bubble, surrounded by curved, transparent walls. From afar, I saw other giants moving, without touching the ground. I thought to myself:

          How did they get here without being intercepted by air defenses?

The giant reappeared and approached me. He smiled calmly. I was overwhelmed by a sea of love and joy. he telepathized me:

          “Our ship can make itself invisible and indetectable by radars.”

           Wow, how strange! He reads my thoughts and communicates his thoughts to me without speaking!

           “We don’t need to talk; we can transmit the waves of our thoughts by telepathy.”

           “Why are you holding me in this bubble?”

           “Don’t worry! We are not one of those predatory aliens who sometimes land on your planet, but you must be cleansed and decontaminated. My name is Moldak. I am a human being like you, but I come from a distant future. I live in an age thousands of years away from yours. I’ve gone back to the past to change the course of history on Earth! Our ancestors were always thinking of doing something to save the ʿArabic language on planet Earth...”

           “This is unbelievable! Aliens defending the ʿArabic language!”

           “Don’t be surprised by that. I am an ʿArab; my ancestors emigrated from planet Earth at the end of the twenty-first century to save their language, which became threatened after being abandoned by authors.”

           “This event is not recorded in history!”

“It happened a long time ago. The first migration took place in the year 2070 of your era...”

“A long time ago, in 2070?”

“Yes, but compared to our own time…”

“And where did they go?”

“They got lost for a long time, before they found a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy that looked like Earth. They called it Planet Ḍaaḍ (the fifteenth letter of the ʿArabic alphabet, unique to the ʿArabic language) and inhabited it. The Cabinet of our planet created the "Avatar" project to save the ʿArabic language on Earth. "Avatar" transforms the characters of the novels written by ʿArab Authors in foreign languages into programs which can generate avatars, who can communicate with their Authors and seek to make them go back to writing in their mother tongue. I’m the chief of the team tasked with moving the avatars to Earth, whenever the project decides to target a specific Author. This time, we are targeting Suhail Qahtan, winner of this year’s Booker Prize for his novel Andalusia Was Not Reconquered. We will upload to his brain the “ʿArabic” file, which contains the essential books and dictionaries, so that he can write in ʿArabic. I’ll have the avatars of the characters of his novel send him a petition to convince him to return to writing in ʿArabic. We have chosen you as a Reader, we know that, like us, you are keen on saving the ʿArabic language. You will have to follow the progress of the ʿArab manuscript.”

“How can the characters petition the Author, when they are nothing but imaginary linguistic beings of the Author’s making?”

“This is the case in your world, but in our world, anything imagined can become reality. The "Avatar" project transforms characters imprisoned in writing into living beings, transporting them from the world of the novel to the real world. The characters get embodied in living organisms produced from artificial cells that resemble biological cells. The characters’ avatars have extraordinary sensory powers; they do not get sick, do not age, and feed on sunlight. In their shape, age and personality traits, the avatars resemble the characters they embody. We control their lives, recording all their actions and feelings with audio and video. In the formation stage, the biological clock of the avatar is accelerated until it reaches the desired age, which is the age of the character. Then the clock is stopped to prevent the avatar from aging, and its life span is determined; it usually ranges from three to six months...”

“What is the reason for the shortness of the avatars’ life span if they don’t get sick or age?”

“Their death is programmed. At the end of their lives, they spontaneously disintegrate. Their life span depends on how long it takes them to communicate with the Authors. Wait a minute, I’ll show you the avatars of some characters of Andalusia Was Not Reconquered.”

He pressed one of the bright spots in his belt and a screen appeared on his suit. Then holograms emerged from it. These three-dimensional images included a dark-skinned man with moderate stature, and a slender body. He had a light moustache, black eyes, and a sharp nose. On his head there was a crown, and he wore a loose cloak with a white cape hanging over his shoulders.

“These are just three-dimensional images of the characters, but the embodyer will print the characters’ profiles to produce the avatars.”

“What is the embodyer?”

“It is the artificial intelligence that transports the characters of the novel to the real world by embodying them in living avatars with a digital brain that generates consciousness, allowing them to understand the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of the character they embody. We chose you as a reader to introduce the Author to the characters of his novel, so that he can listen to their petition… You’re going to kidnap him...”

“Kidnap him!? I don’t even know where he is.”

“His publisher is organizing a signing for his novel tomorrow at the ʿArab Book Museum. The ceremony begins at five o’clock. You will bring him here and we will hold him inside the ship for a writing residency until he rewrites his novel in ʿArabic. Take this device with you to disable surveillance cameras on the highway and around the museum, and to remotely control the. When you arrive at the museum, turn on the device, click here, the options menu will appear, including the "Authors" option. Click on this option and the list of names will appear on the screen. Click on the name “Suhail Qahtan.” The device will enable you to send commands to his brain, and he will carry out your commands involuntarily. We connected your brain to the system that enables the avatars and I to communicate with each other by telepathy. After disinfecting you, I will take you to the printing hall to see the characters getting embodied.”

The embodyer sat among various instruments in the middle of a vast hall, its walls covered with screens.

 “Hello, reader! Just a minute. I am downloading the characters’ profiles before printing them out.”

The cameras recorded the process on screens in real time. I could see the avatars gradually forming before they came out of the printer. The embodyer announced them successively:

         “Prince Yusuf bin Tashfin; Judge Abdullah bin Adham; poet Ibn Maqana Al-Ashbouni; poetess Nazhoon bint Al-Qalaʿi; vizier Abu Bakr bin Zaydun; King Al-Muʿtamid bin Abbad; Prince Muhammad binʿAisha; Tamim bin Balqin, ruler of Malaga; Abdullah bin Balqin, governor of Grenada; Al-Mutawakkil bin Al-Aftas, governor of Badajoz; Prince Abdullah bin Balqin; Al-Muʿtasim bin Sumadih, governor of Almería. The dresser will now put the suits on them...”

         “What suits?”

         “The clothes that will make them invisible to curious eyes. Here is the text of the characters' petition, you will have to collect the signatures.”

A door slid open on a point of the wall, revealing empty shelves.

         “You can't see them, but they are there. Now the embodyer is going to print your avatar...”

         “My avatar?”

         “Yes, the embodyer simulated you. Your avatar will be a replica of you, she will have a brain and a personality identical to yours. But her body will correct the defects of yours, it will reproduce your features by perfecting them. She will be of perfect beauty. Her body will have the capacity to reshape itself. She will be an angelic blonde on Monday, a flamboyant redhead on Tuesday, a café au lait brunette on Wednesday, a golden brown on Thursday, a brunette with a golden tan on Friday, a classic brunette, hazel on Sunday and Saturday; in short, she will be multiple and unique. Your avatar will be so beautiful that no one will be able to resist her. She will lead the Author by the nose, you will see. I will follow the progress of the operation.”

         “What will be our means of contact?"

         “Our brains will remain connected.”

The ship landed and I went home with my avatar. When I found myself in the house, I was surprised to see that barely an hour had passed. I couldn’t sleep that night until dawn.

         When it was almost five the next afternoon, I went with my avatar to pick up the Author at the museum. We got into the self-driving airmobile. I let her take the wheel. She launched the navigation app and entered the address of the ʿArabic Book Museum. As soon as the destination was set, the airmobile moved.  The air corridors of the E311 East highway were closed, but traffic remained fluid on the eight lanes. The highway gave us a detection of the traffic flow, the weather conditions, safety instructions, and congestion avoidance guidelines. The airmobile drove along E66 to Burr Dubaï, then followed the signs indicating Al-Fahidi historical neighborhood, and stopped in the parking lot in front of the museum.

         When my avatar entered the hall, specially set up for the signing session, an admiring cheer rose up. Two long lines had already formed, but as she approached, people moved aside to let her pass. Arriving in front of the Author, she introduced herself:

         “Maitha Al-Jaber avatar, member of the Dubaï ʿArab Reading Club.”

And while the Author, with his hand trembling with emotion, aimed his laser pen at her forehead, trying to draw the complicated figure of his signature, she ordered him in her wonderful voice, full of innuendo:

         “Follow me!”

He followed her, and soon they appeared in the parking lot. The Autor was between 30 and 40 years old and had a confident and mature appearance. He was of medium height and his skin was fair. He had an athletic build and an aquiline nose. His eyes were deep and piercing, indicating intelligence and wisdom, of a warm brown color. Above them, he had a unibrow. His salt-and-pepper hair was curly, short and neatly combed, adding an aesthetic touch to his distinctive look. when he got in the airmobile, I pressed the barrel of my gun to the back of his neck:

         “Stay where you are, let yourself be driven!”

         “Watch out, Author! The angel at the wheel told him. You have the gun of the ʿArab Reader on the back of your neck. I warn you; she is trigger-happy and is mad at you for choosing the English-speaking readers for her!”

He asked in astonishment:

          “Who are you and how did you take me in your car?!”

“I am Reader Maitha Al-Jaber, from the Dubaï ʿArab Reading Club. I am taking you to the alien ship where the characters of your novel will petition you to abandon writing in a foreign language and write in ʿArabic, your native language! Our ʿArabic language is great, and it should not be abandoned. It is a language with a rich heritage and deep roots, and it is the language of the Holy Qur’an. If it was nothing but the language of the Qur’an, that would be enough. ʿArabic must remain the language of ʿArabic literature. We will not accept that our Authors abandon it!”

The Author thought to himself:

         Aliens, novel characters demanding a change in the language of writing... I must be sleeping, and this is a surreal dream!

Moldak telepathized me:

“Did you find the Author?”

“Yes, we’re on our way.”

“After disinfecting, take him directly to the reception hall to introduce him to the characters of his novel. The avatars will be waiting for you.”

“How can I introduce the avatars to him? I don’t remember all their names.”

“I’ll communicate them to you by telepathy.”

When we approached the ship, I telepathized with the avatars:

          “Line up to greet your Author!”

The airmobile stopped near the ship. They took us to the disinfection room. After the cleansing, we went to the reception hall. We found the characters lined up to greet the Author. I said:

          “Greet the characters of your novel. This is an opportunity that is not available to all Authors!”

He began to shake hands with the avatars. I introduced them one by one: “Prince Yusuf bin Tashfin; Judge Abdullah bin Adham; poet Ibn Maqana Al-Ashbouni; poetess Nazhoon bint Al-Qalaʿi; vizier Abu Bakr bin Zaydun; King Al-Muʿtamid bin Abbad; Prince Muhammad binʿAisha; Tamim bin Balqin, ruler of Malaga; Abdullah bin Balqin, governor of Granada; Al-Mutawakkil bin Al-Aftas, governor of Badajoz; Prince Abdullah bin Balqin; and Al-Muʿtasim bin Sumadih, governor of Almería.”

After shaking hands with the Author, Prince Yusuf bin Tashfin came forward and read the petition:

          “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Dear Author, Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you. In the face of the challenges that threaten our ʿArabic language, the language of the Holy Qur’an, the ʿArabs of space launched the "Avatar" project to save the endangered ʿArabic language on the planet Earth, after most ʿArab Authors shifted to writing in foreign languages. This project aims to transform the characters of novels written by ʿArab Authors in foreign languages into programs embodied in living bodies that can communicate directly with their authors and seek to make them return to writing in their mother tongue. We, the characters of Andalusia Was Not Reconquered, express our rejection of writing in a foreign language, and we ask you to write only in ʿArabic. Our ʿArabic language is our identity, not just a means of expression and a tool of understanding. The foreign language is not a neutral being, but rather a tool of intellectual invasion that carries the beliefs, morals, and culture of its people. We are who we are as long as we speak our language. ʿArabic is the guardian of our identity, and the dominance of a foreign language is the biggest challenge threatening us. The reluctance to write in ʿArabic in favor of other languages has led to the emergence of a new generation of Authors who do not care about their mother tongue. All they aspire to is to be recognized as Authors in the foreign language in which they write. May God grant you long life, good health, and creativity; and may God help us and you to be supportive and proud of our ʿArabic language. ʿArab Spaceship, 27-12-2036.

Signed by:

Prince Yusuf bin Tashfin

Judge Abdullah bin Adham

Poet Ibn Maqana al-Ashbouni

Poet Nazhoon bint Al-Qalaʿi

Vizier Abu Bakr bin Zaydun

King al-Mu’tamid bin Abbad

Prince Muhammad binʿAisha

Tamim bin Balqin, governor of the Malaga sect

Abdullah bin Balqin, governor of the Granada sect

Al-Mutawakkil bin al-Aftas, governor of Badajoz

Prince Abdullah bin Balqin

Al-Muʿtasim bin Sumadih, governor of Almería.”

The Author replied:

“You are crossing the line! Characters have no right to give orders to the Author! How can you submit a request to me, when you are only ephemeral beings of my creation, mere figments of my imagination, incapable of thought, and whose fate is already decided in the text?”

I replied:

“Yes, they are imagined, but characters come to control their Authors. When authors choose characters and they become narrative beings on paper, authors lose the ability to direct them. Characters start to have a life of their own in the book and acquire their own behaviors that surprise their Authors. The authors realize that they cannot control and subject the characters to their own ideas. On the contrary, the characters acquire authority over the authors.

“And you as a reader are just an observer who has nothing to do with the process of writing a text...”

“May I remind you that the death of the author is a precondition for the birth of the reader. The author is forever dead once the text is composed, and the reader wanders freely in the world created by the author.”

To end this discussion, I turned on the remote control and said:

          “You must go back to writing in ʿArabic!”

The Author did not understand the reasons for this revolt that was rumbling in the ranks of his troops. He did not disarm, but decided to adopt a more conciliatory tone:

          “My dear characters and reader, humanity uses many languages. This is not a curse. Half the pleasure for today’s reader comes from the joy of Babel! Why do you want to limit me to writing in ʿArabic? If you want an ʿArabic version of the novel, why not hire a translator? I am willing to pay the bill...”

“We don’t want translation! The beauty of our ʿArabic language is lost in translation!”

        After some arguing, the Author agreed to rewrite his novel, and I took him to his residence on the ship.

“Don’t try to escape, the avatars don’t sleep and they’re watching you!”

“I’ll start by writing a preface that is not in the English text. I will tell how I knew that my novel won the prize even before the official announcement, and how I received a petition from its characters. I will also talk about some aspects related to self-translation and bilingualism in writing...”

“By the way, what is your winning novel about? They uploaded it to my memory, but I didn’t understand a word of it!”

“What? An Emirati who doesn’t understand English! Weren’t you trained?”

“No, I refused the language training. I preferred to pay the fine and serve the prison sentence. I paid three thousand Dirhams and was imprisoned for two years!”

Now, my beloved Reader, keep silent. The knowledgeable narrator has information that may benefit you and other readers: That night, the Author saw in a daydream the ghost of a man with fair skin, of medium stature, with an egg-shaped head and a prominent forehead, high and wide. He was wearing a shoulder-length white wig, neatly styled. He had a small mustache and a thick and defined beard. He intoned with a theatrical gesture, “To be or not to be…”

Shakespeare?!

“‘To be’ means to be present and alive. The Author can achieve this only if he writes in English. ‘Or not to be’ means that a person is not present, and this is the case when writing in a language other than English. What is the value of an Author and is he even worth considering if he does not write in English? English is a fascinating and influential means of communication. It is celebrated for its richness, flexibility, and global reach. It has evolved over the centuries, absorbing words and expressions from different cultures, making it a dynamic and constantly growing language. The strength of English lies in its broad vocabulary, with a huge range of words that allow for precise and complex expression. From everyday conversations to scientific research, literature, and art, English provides a wide range of words to convey thoughts and feelings clearly and deeply. English is also known for its flexibility and adaptability. It is open to new words, adapts to changes in time, and reflects the cultural and social diversity of its users. As a result, English has become a universal language, connecting people from different backgrounds and enabling global communication in diverse fields. Moreover, English literature has produced countless fascinating works, ranging from my works to Walter Raleigh’s poetry and the novels of Charles Dickens. These literary treasures not only shaped the English language, but also influenced the world of literature and art, leaving an unforgettable imprint on human culture. Do not give in to the characters and the reader. Stick to writing in English!”

At this moment, a scent of apple spread through the room, and another ghost appeared. He was tall, with a slender and firm body and a sharp nose. His thick black hair was neatly arranged, reaching his shoulders. The Author said to himself:

This is Sibawayh, Umar bin Uthman bin Qanbar. Sibawayh means "the smell of apples" in Persian.

“Don’t believe him!” exclaimed Sibawayh. “ʿArabic is the language of the Holy Qur’an, and it is older than English. It dates to the pre-Islamic period (Jahiliya). English is newer, it evolved from the Germanic languages that were spoken in Britain, and it spread globally with British colonialism and its subsequent cultural influence. Therefore, it can be said that the ʿArabic language is the oldest of the two. ʿArabic is a great, praiseworthy language, with a rich heritage and deep roots. It is the language of the Holy Qur’an, the book that is considered the source of inspiration and guidance for millions of people around the world. The ʿArabic language is characterized by its beauty and aesthetic linguistic structures, as well as its rich artistic and literary diversity. It introduced to the world great poets and Authors since ancient times, such as the poets of the pre-Islamic era, Al-Mutanabbi, Abu Tammam, Al-Razi, Al-Maʿari, and many others. Their creativity and genius greatly influenced literature and culture in general. ʿArabic is also rich and accurate, providing a wide range of vocabulary and expressions that enable speakers to express thoughts, feelings, and concepts clearly and accurately. Its ability to articulate details makes it a powerful language in fields such as poetry, literature, philosophy, and law. The ʿArabic language carries with it ʿArab history, culture, and identity. It is the language of ʿArab scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who have contributed to the development of human knowledge in many fields such as science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy. Return to writing in your language!”

Suhail Qahtan’s family reported to the police that he had disappeared. During a search by police investigators at the ʿArab Book Museum, where the author disappeared, they were able to detect the trace of an unknown pattern of brain waves, at a frequency of 17-73 Hz. Laboratory analysis showed that these waves contained partial copies that determined the activity of neurons. The waves were subjected to physiochemical analysis in order to read their partial copies and were uploaded to the computer to decipher their alphabet and determine their meanings. A video appeared on the screen: "Maitha Al-Jaber avatar, member of the Dubaï ʿArab Reading Club. Follow me!" Police investigators confirmed that the Author had been kidnapped by a woman and sent the recording to a listening center to identify the speaker. The wiretapping department found calls with the same voice but was unable to locate or decrypt them. Police hackers were mobilized to locate the source and decrypt the calls to analyze their content. After days of searching, the hackers were unable to locate the source or comprehend the content of the calls. They submitted a report to the director of Dubaï Police, stating that these communications did not resemble any communications on Earth; its source may as well have been aliens who landed on Earth. The Director submitted the report to the CIA, which sent an investigation team to Dubaï.

After a few days, the Reader paid a visit to the Author.

“I hope you are having a nice time here. How is the manuscript progressing?”

“I’ve written the preface, the introduction, and the first chapter.” He handed me a tablet.

Preface

I received this letter from the future:

Suhail Qahtan @ 3205218739752 D.Y.M.

أوْهَد، 73 ناتِق، 573. 14:25

Subject: Abandoning writing in a foreign language.

Status: urgent.

Dear Past Self,

I congratulate myself on receiving this year’s International Booker Prize, but I draw my attention to the fact that today, four centuries or more after the ʿArab renaissance that restored the grandeur of the ʿArab language and identity, the ʿArab world finds itself in a linguistic confrontation with foreign languages. Many Authors have turned to writing in foreign languages, which made ʿArabs ask questions about the link between language and identity, as their ancestors did before. I deeply regret being among those Authors. Language is a tool of intellectual dominance. Have you forgotten that the first thing the English did when they colonized Egypt was to impose teaching ʿArabic grammar in English, so that كان وأخواتها became "Kan and Her Sisters"? Why do I trap myself in linguistic exile and run away from my mother tongue? Stop writing in the foreign language and write in your native language. This may correct the mistake you committed by establishing the Union of Emirati Authors Writing in English. ʿArabic is our language and our identity, not just a language we speak, but a part of who we are, a mark of our identity and the language our souls speak.

Stay Well,

Your Future Self

I thought to myself:

          This award will change my life. My books were not popular. The number of the copies of my novels sold in bookstores never exceeded 5,000 copies. Now, having won a prize, it will reach millions. But ʿArab readers will not appreciate the success of an Author who has abandoned his mother tongue. They will ask me to rewrite the novel in ʿArabic! 

I called the publishing house:

           “Why didn’t you tell me I won the Booker Prize?”

“The name of the winner of this session has not yet been announced. The winning novel will not be announced until the beginning of next week.”

“I received an email congratulating me on my winning...”

“It has to be a message from a hacker!”

But when the statement issued by the prize committee was published, it was proved that my future self was right: "Based on what was approved by the award committee in its meeting on 7/6/2035, and after examining the nominated novels, and applying the conditions for nomination for the prize, the Booker International Prize for this year, 2036, was awarded to the novel Andalusia Was Not Reconquered by the Emirati Author Suhail Qahtan."

Introduction

My novel Andalusia Was Not Reconquered was first written in English. However, after winning the Booker Prize, my future self, a reader, and the characters of the novel asked me to rewrite it in ʿArabic. From now on, I will write all my novels in English first, and then rewrite them in ʿArabic. Thus, my writing will go in both directions: it is written in a foreign language, English, the premier language of writing, and then rewritten in ʿArabic, my mother tongue, which becomes the second writing language and the first foreign language, if we consider the mother tongue the first foreign language we learn. Whether writing in English or ʿArabic, I always use the same language, the pre-writing language, from which I derive the content expressed in the writing. The text rewritten in ʿArabic will not be a translation, but a mutated text that changes the original text.

Andalusia Was Not Reconquered evokes a crucial period in the history of Andalusia, the time of the Almoravid dynasty (Al-Murabitun), and introduces an alternative history of Andalusia. It is known that when Toledo fell to the Latins, Andalusian jurists and scholars met in Cordoba for consultation, complaining to the judge of the city about the humiliation the Muslims were facing. They suggested seeking help from the Banu Hilal in Africa, but the judge feared that the Banu Hilal would sabotage Andalusia as they did in Africa, and advised them to contact the Almoravids, because they were better than Banu Hilal and closer to Andalusia. They agreed and sent a delegation to Morocco to meet the Almoravid prince, Yusuf bin Tashfin. The delegation delivered to him a letter from the jurists and scholars of Andalusia complaining about the political rupture and disagreement among the Muslims in Andalusia. In the letter, they implored him to go to Andalusia to help the Muslims defend themselves against the Christians, especially against Alfonso VI, who continued to humiliate Taifa kingsand to attack Islam.

The prince declared a state of general mobilization for jihad in Andalusia; many from Morocco and the Sahara volunteered. As soon as the troops were gathered, he issued orders to cross to Andalusia to save it and rebuilt it after the destruction caused by the rival Muslim rulers, as well as the attacks of the Castilians. The Taifa kings tried to counter Ibn Tashfin and his forces, and they cut off the supplies to his camps. They even asked Alfonso VI to support them against the Almoravid intervention. The Almoravids attacked Toledo and trapped Alfonso VI and his armies, preventing him from providing assistance to the Taifa kings. Then they proceeded to conquer city after city, capturing fortress after fortress. After the third crossing in 1102 CE (AH 496), in which the prince seized the entire Muslim territory of Andalusia, jurists allowed the Almoravid prince to depose the Taifa kings and annex their states. Fatwas (religious advice from knowledgeable scholars) came from scholars such as Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali and Abu Bakr Al-Tartushi supporting this view. He deposed of the Taifa kings and annexed their territories to the Almoravid state. I imagined an alternative history for this period. The turning point that changed history was that Ibn Tashfin did not return to Marrakesh but made Cordoba the capital of his state. His dynasty ruled Andalusia, which remains under Muslim rule to this day.

Alternative history is a genre of fiction that explores the possibilities of what could happen if certain historical events had happened differently. This usually involves changing one or more major events in history and examining the changes in the world that followed. For example, an alternate history story might ask, "What would have happened if the Nazis had won World War II?" Or "What would have happened if the American Revolution had failed?" Alternative history opens up broad horizons for reading historical events and highlights the importance of the choices and decisions we make in the present. Alternative history and multiverse theory are two concepts that explore what could have been or might be. Multiverse theory is a scientific theory that refers to the existence of several universes or parallel worlds, which exist in dimensions parallel to that of our universe. This means that there can be an infinite number of universes, each with a different set of possibilities and outcomes. Although alternative history and multiverse theory are two different concepts, both deal with the exploration of different outcomes and possibilities. Alternative history deals with exploring what might have happened in our own universe, while multiverse theory refers to the existence of an infinite number of universes, each with a different reality.

Andalusia Was Not Reconquered

Like Andalusia Was Not Reconquered, the novel rewritten in ʿArabic deals with the deterioration of a political situation, divisions among Muslims in Andalusia, and the attacks of the Latins and their seizure of castles and fortresses, prompting the Andalusians to seek help from the tribes of Banu Hilal in Africa, especially after Alfonso VI continued to humiliate the Taifa kings and to be disrespectful towards Islam. However, the Taifa kings were not enthusiastic about seeking help from the Banu Hilal, for fear that they might usurp their thrones. But after Toledo fell to the Latins, Andalusian jurists and scholars held a conference in Cordoba to discuss the situation. They described to the city’s judge, Ubayd Allah bin Adham, the humiliation the Muslims were facing and suggested that he seek help from the Banu Hilal in Africa. The turning point that changed history, according to the novel rewritten in ʿArabic, is that the public supported the jurists and convinced the Taifa kings, especially Al-Muʿtamid bin Abbad and Al-Mutawakkil ibn Al-Aftas of Badajoz. Talks took place between these two princes and Prince Abdullah bin Balqin al-Sanhaji, ruler of Granada, after which it was decided to send a delegation to Tunisia to meet Sultan Hassan bin Sarhan of Bani Halal.

The delegation was to deliver a letter to Banu Hilal Sultan, Hassan bin Sirhan, from the jurists and scholars of Andalusia complaining about the political rupture and disagreement among the Muslims in Andalusia and asking him to go to Andalusia to help the Muslims defend themselves against Christian attacks. The mission delegation consisted of the judge of Cordoba, Abdullah bin Adham; the judge of Badajoz, Ibn Maqana; the judge of Granada, Ibn al-Qulayi; and the minister of Muʿtamid Abu Bakr bin Zaydun. Together they went to Tunisia and met with Sultan Hassan bin Sirhan, delivering a handwritten letter from Al-Muʿtamid bin Abbad describing the devastation of cities and how fortresses were exposed to Christian armies. The letter invited him to go to Andalusia and relieve the Muslims there. Hassan bin Sarhan briefed the leaders of Banu Hilal about the content of the letter and discussions ensued with the members of the Andalusian mission. The Banu Hilal leaders showed great enthusiasm to go to Andalusia and fight with their brothers against the Latins. They decided to send half their troops to Andalusia and keep the other half in Africa. But everyone wanted to go to Andalusia; no one wanted to stay in Africa. The dispute intensified to the point of threatening the Hilali alliance. Finally, Al-Jaziyya intervened, and she alone was entitled to a third of the collective decision, saying "Let’s vote on this." They proceeded to vote on who would go for jihad, to struggle on behalf of their religious community.

Sultan Hassan bin Sarhan assembled a vast army, consisting of about thirty thousand warriors from Banu Hilal, Banu Maʿqil, and Banu Suleim, in addition to various other tribes. Then he asked Al-Muʿtamid to allow him to use the city of Algeciras as the transit point for the Hilali army. Al-Muʿtamid agreed and signed a gift deed for him. The Sultan declared a state of public mobilization for jihad in Andalusia and equipped the army before giving orders to cross into Andalusia. The Hilali armies crossed the Mediterranean Sea, led by Sultan Hassan bin Sarhan, in August 1086 (AH 479). They raided Andalusia like a swarm of locusts, excited by the hope of booty, destroying and ruining everything in their path. The Sultan landed with his army in Algeciras and worked to fortify it and restore its walls and towers, then marched to Badajoz. While resting in Seville for three days, he sent letters to the Taifa kings, urging them to join the jihad. The first to heed the call was the ruler of Granada, Abdullah bin Balqin al-Sanhaji, and his brother Tamim, the ruler of Malaga. Ibn Samadh, the king of Almeria, sent his son Al-Muʿizz. This huge army marched until it halted in a plain near Badajoz. Banu Hilal besieged the city; during the siege they destroyed the surrounding countryside and villages. They forced the farmers to pay taxes for the right to use their lands. The people of the countryside took refuge in the city; the Hilalis continued to besiege it and carry out horrific acts of destruction. When they finally conquered it, they looted it. Its treasures, goods, and palaces fell to the victors. The Christian and Muslim armies engaged in battle, with the Muslims making a major victory. Thus, Banu Maʿqil, Banu Suleim, and Banu Hilal spread throughout Andalusia and turned it into ruins.

Meanwhile, King Alfonso was busy besieging Zaragoza. He lifted the siege and return to Toledo to reunite his army. He summoned soldiers and knights from the neighboring Christian kingdoms, and they came from Italy and France with the blessing of the Catholic Church. Alfonso managed to gather large forces and bring them with their arms from the castles and territories of the Christian kingdoms of Europe and Andalusia. Troops and supplies gathered around Alfonso in Toledo from everywhere in a way that exceeded all expectations, turning the city into a striking force bubbling with enthusiasm and desire to go out to meet the Hilalis. This gave him the confidence to take the initiative of the war, without waiting for their attack. Alfonso attacked the weak points of the Banu Hilal’s army and began a series of ambushes and skirmishes attacking the rear of the Banu Hilal’s army, with the aim of dismembering it and depriving it of its resources. His raids targeted the rear where the provisions, weapons, food, horses, camels and sheep were located and continued to inflict loss after loss on the rear, decimating the livestock and burning the food stores, capturing elderly, children and women, and seizing property. Hassan ibn Sarhan summoned his advisory council, which unanimously advised the Sultan to send Prince Diab bin Ghanem to protect the rear and defend the Hilali food and arms against the aggressors and thieves.

The Taifa kings conspired against the Hilal’s army and attempted to cut off supplies to its camps. They even asked Alfonso VI to support them against the Hilali intervention in their kingdoms. The Hilalis attacked Toledo and blocked Alfonso VI and his armies to prevent him from providing Taifa kings with assistance. The Banu Hilal’s army faced problems on the border with the Leonians and Castilians and on the Portuguese border due to the conquests of Geraldo Sim Baffour in Extremadura. Portugal continued its incursions into the Grand Valley and the Lower Algarve, which led to the Battle of Seville. The other point of interest was the region of Murcia, which was still controlled by enemy forces. In Salvatera, Alfonso VI was planning with Pedro II, King of Aragon, to launch a crusade against the Muslims. Although he initially refused to participate, Sancho VII of Navarre decided, under the influence of the Bishop of Narbonna, to join the crusade and support the Christian armies. Unlike Navarre and Aragon, Portugal and León were absent during the preparations, despite papal pressure. However, many knights from those kingdoms participated in the preparation of the crusade, even without the presence of their kings.

Awlad M’barek were at the forefront of the Muslim army. They were led by Hannoun Laʿbeidi. Their horsemen were heavily armed and had high mobility during combat, allowing them to run away from the enemy and facilitating the rapid retrieval of the dead and wounded. The Awlad M’barek warriors differed from the other members of the Banu Hilal’s army because of their military capability, weapons, and ability to organize and distribute themselves on the battlefield. Their most notable features in war were their courage and dedication. The military effectiveness of the Awlad M’barek forces led to their excellence in the Battle of Arcos. They were at the forefront of the army with archers, another unified corps, and jihad volunteers. In Las Navas de Tolosa, they played a key role in the days leading up to the fighting. They harassed the Christian warriors in their camps by throwing arrows. The most notable exploits of Awlad M’barek were their attacks on Torre Novas, Tomar and Sylvesh, and their victory in the Battle of Arcos against Alfonso VI, King of Castile. Commander Hannoun Laʿbeidi was able to incorporate Christian mercenaries from the northern kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula into the Awlad M’barek army. Christian mercenaries had great military skill as well as experience, courage, and of course knowledge of Christian territory and peoples. During battle, they remained firm in their positions, boosting the confidence of the rest of the war forces. The Christian mercenaries collaborated with the army of Awlad M’barek at the forefront of the army and Hennoun besieged and conquered Salvatera even before the Christians marched to attack the Muslims. It was an unusual battle in terms of its military strategy.

At first, it was not the plan to resolve the conflict in an open battle. Hannoun Laʿbeidi sought a direct extermination battle against the army of Castile, Christian noble courtiers, and the Council militias which were preparing to join the crusade. The Awlad M’barek army besieged Salvatera, joined by a number of soldiers from all over Andalusia, clashing with Christian forces. They took the initiative and attacked Christian sites. After twelve days of fighting and the advancement of Awlad Anbark’s army, the extremist Pyrenees abandoned their crusade due to various factors, including heat and disagreements with Alfonso VI. The Christians began a counteroffensive with almost all their forces. This decision was a mistake for Alfonso VI because Hannoun Laʿbeidi had kept a group of troops for himself. In the face of the tactics of the Awlad M’barek army and the arrival of reinforcements, the Christian armies began to retreat from their positions in the face of the Muslim advance. Alfonso VI and the Christian leaders fled the scene. The Muslim army continued throughout the day and into the night to pursue the fugitives and loot their camps.

Hannoun Laʿbeidi organized his forces by integrating his relatives, followers, and people close to him, giving them rewards for their service in the army. The goal of the volunteer warriors was to get the spoils of war. In addition, the prestige, fame, glory, and other positive aspirations of the knights were among the reasons behind their participation in the war campaigns. Several Awlad M’barek knights joined Hannoun’s forces, pursuing these goals. Jihad was a motivation for these zealous fighters. They maintained their military traditions, unity, and internal cohesion during battles. They even camped away from the rest of the Banu Hilal army. The troops were well-equipped with armor, helmets, and spears, and the army was made up of light cavalry to move quickly in battle. The style of attack was very similar to their way of life: quick attacks without direct contact with the enemy, and then retreating quickly. The army was led by tribal sheikhs, although they were also subordinate to the Hilali commanders.

In a short period of time, almost half of the Spanish territory came under Hilali sovereignty. The Hilalis conquered city after city and took down fortress after fortress, until they captured all Islamic Andalusia, isolating Taifa kings and turning their small states into principalities that they distributed among their leaders. They divided the country so that the eastern part fell to Banou Souleim, the western part fell to the Benou Hilal confederation, and the northern part fell to Banou Maʿqil. The Muslims turned the neighboring Christian kingdoms into colonies and imposed taxes on them. They recaptured all the cities that had fallen to the Latins. The Christian kingdoms failed to form an alliance. The Muslims penetrated the Christian countries as far as France, capturing Narbonne, Poitiers, and Toulouse. They also raided the Frankish kingdoms of Aquitaine up to the Rhône Valley and sent expeditions to Burgundy. They conquered the Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia, Corsica, and the Balearic Islands, as well as all the Septuagenarian cities. Throughout the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Christians tried to reclaim Andalusia but failed. In the thirteenth century, the Andalusian principalities of Banu Hilal were united, forming a single state that still exists today.

When the sultan wanted to grant Awlad M’barek a fiefdom, he summoned their commander Hannoun Laʿbeidi. Hennoun came accompanied by some of the leaders of Awlad M’barek. He was heavily armed, wearing his sword, but without a helmet. He was tall and strong in his limbs. His legs were long and straight, with a slim waist. His chest was thick and high, with long and strong arms, broad shoulders, a large head, and a freckled face. Marching confidently toward the Sultan, he exclaimed:

 “May God protect Your Majesty the sultan and may you live long for Islam and the Muslims!”

The sultan ordered the reading of the letter of donation, according to which he granted a fief to Awlad Anbark:

           “I, Hassan ibn Sarhan, sultan of the whole of Andalusia by the grace of God, on the basis of my own authority, and in appreciation of the constant devotion and dedication of the Awlad M’barek in repelling enemies from Muslim lands, hereby grant the territory of Zaragoza, with its mountains, springs, meadows, pastures, entrances, and exits and everything in it, and with all its rights, conditions, and property to the tribe of Awlad Anbark. I give them this fiefdom so that everyone living in this community may serve them, and so that they may enjoy all property rights, without any opposition. This territory, with its people, their descendants, and all their coming generations are now the responsibility of the Awlad M’barek with a permanent hereditary right. They can do whatever they want with it, and no one of my lineage, or anyone else, can annul my decision. This decree was signed in Cordoba, on 17 Shawwal of the Hijri year 483 (December 1090).”

Hannoun Laʿbeidi founded the principality of Awlad M’barek in Zaragoza and built a castle within which his palace was constructed. The palace was distinguished by its magnificent Islamic architecture and decorations, including intricate stucco carvings, wood carvings, and tile mosaics. The palace contained several interior courtyards and interconnected rooms and halls, each elaborately decorated. Among the most famous rooms inside the palace are the Central Hall, the Ambassadors Hall, the Lions Hall, and the Throne Hall or the Golden Hall. These places were characterized by intricate geometric patterns, ʿArabic calligraphy decorations, and an impressive collection of fountains, baths, and gardens. The prince himself described his palace as the "Palace of Pleasure".

Hannoun Laʿbeidi was known from the beginning of his reign as a patron of the arts and sciences. Immediately after the establishment of his emirate, he summoned Ibn Bajja, the most prominent of all Andalusian philosophers, and appointed him his minister. Ibn Bajja was known as the first ʿArab of Andalusia to engage in Levantine philosophy, the philosophy of Al-FʿArabi and Ibn Sina, and was given the title Al-FʿArabi of Andalusia. However, he also engaged in politics, natural sciences, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. He was also fond of music and muwashahat poetry and was described as the greatest imam in music. He wrote a muwash praising the prince, who admired it immensely and swore that the road to the poet’s house would be lined with gold. So, Ibn Bajja put gold in his sandal, to fulfill the prince’s oath. After a while, Hennoun relieved Ibn Bajja of his administrative functions, allowing him to devote himself to music.  Ibn Bajja excelled in the development of Andalusian music, inventing a wind instrument called the Zanami flute, and adding two strings to the four traditional strings of theʿoud. He arranged these strings so that each was equivalent to three quarters of what was above it and made them of horsehair. In his book Risalat al-Alhan (the epistle of melodies), Ibn Bajja writes of music’s effect on the mood of the soul: « If the lute player is skilled and intelligent and wants to move and excite a person with yellowness, he insists on hitting the bam (the C cord), the thick string of the lute, because of the similarity between them in lightness and delicacy, it excites him with joy. Likewise, if he wants to move the one with blood and excite his joy, he shall insist on hitting the muthanna, the dual strings of the lute, after the first, because of the similarity between them. Therefore, it excites the bloody temperament and brings him joy and ecstasy, and joy moves him. » Ibn Bajja continued to work on music, developing Andalusian melodies, combining Eastern ʿArabic melodic genres with Western Hispano-Christian melodic genres. He also composed famous tunes.

          The Banu Hilal crossing into Andalusia had a profound impact on the Maghreb, (the western part of the ʿArab world). In Tunisia, Al-Muʿizz Ibn Badis recaptured Kairouan and Cyrenaica and chased the Ismailis out of Tripolitania. In the mid-thirteenth Hijri century, Mauritania, which was not reached by the Banu Hassan, was divided into three principalities: the Emirate of Chinguetti in the north, the Emirate of Idwaich in the east, and the Emirate of Tendujah in the center and south. But the threat of French colonization was looming. When Faidherbe, the French governor of Senegal, attempted to expand into Mauritania, Sheikh Sidia the Great, the founder of the Emirate of Tendujah, wrote to him: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and praise be to Allah, the Supreme. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, His prophet and His holy messenger, and upon his family and companions and those who followed them on their right path. This is from the pious Sidia Ibn Al-Mokhtar Ibn Al-Hiba, may Allah endow him with His blessings, to Faidherbe, the governor of Senegal. I call on you in accordance with the teachings of Islam: Be peaceful and you will find peace. If you refuse to convert to Islam after what we communicated to you, exhorting you, and after we promised you its rewards and showed you its virtue and dignity, you will regret your choice. You will also take the blame for your followers, and this will multiply the tortures inflicted upon you. Turn away from infidelity and free all Muslims who are imprisoned and enslaved by the Christians". Shortly after this letter, he attacked the French governor at N’dar, Senegal, inflicting heavy losses on his forces, which caused the French to withdraw from the city. With the Battle of  N’dar, Sheikh Sidia terminated the French ambition to colonize Mauritania.

The Reader exclaimed:

           “Awesome! I cannot wait to read the rest of the story!”

Several days later, Yusuf bin Tashfin’ avatar approached the Author and asked:

 “Is it true what the Reader told me, that you deleted me from the ʿArabic version of the novel?”

“Yes, because the turning historical point in the ʿArabic version is the Andalusians seeking help from the tribes of Banu Hilal and not from the Almoravids, as in the English version.”

“Why did you distort the original text?”

“This is not a distortion! Rewriting in another language is not a translation, but a mutation that changes the original text.”

“You have no right to deprive me of my role in the novel.”

“How dare you say: ‘you have no right to’? I am the one who chooses the characters in my novels.”

“True. But remember what the Reader said: When you chose me to be among the characters of Andalusia Was Not Reconquered, and I became a narrative being, I rebelled against you to lead my own life and acquired my own behaviors. You can no longer subject me to your thoughts. I am leading you!”

“Oh Yusuf, I am sick of this argument. I will not make you a character in the ʿArabic version. Do as you will!”

“You can imagine a role for me in that changed history. For example, imagine that I did not cross into Andalusia, but I crossed into the desert...”

“How?”

“At that time, the Prince of the Almoravids, Abu Bakr Bin Umar, was living in Aghmat with his wife Zaynab bint Ishaq Al-Nafzawiyya. She was extremely beautiful, decisive, intelligent, and wise, with sound opinion and practical knowledge to the point that she was called enchantress. A messenger from the lands of the qibla came to him and told him of the turbulence in the desert and the disagreements among its people. Prince Abu Bakr was a devout man, and he hated to see Muslims kill each other, when he was able to stop them. So, he resolved to go out to the desert countries to stabilize their affairs and establish whether jihad was needed. He told Zaynab of his intention and asked her to accompany him. She said to him, and this is the turning point, ‘I am a white, full-figured woman. I can’t tolerate the heat of the desert nor your absence. Send Yusuf bin Tashfin in your place and make him your successor over the land of the desert.’ The prince agreed and appointed me his successor over the land of the desert. I traveled to the desert and reformed it, remaining a mujahid fighter in Sudan until I ruled over the whole desert, from Sudan to the gold mountains. This is how I crossed into the desert, instead of crossing into Andalusia. This is a deviation which is consistent with the alternative history of the ʿArabic version. It is known that when Prince Abu Bakr decided to go out to the desert to handle its affairs, and to establish whether jihad was needed, he divorced his wife Zaynab and said to her: ‘O Zaynab, I am going to the desert, and you are a beautiful, white, full-figured woman. You can’t tolerate its heat, so I am divorcing you. Once your post-divorce waiting period is over, marry my cousin Yusuf Bin Tashfin, as he is my successor over the Maghreb.’ He divorced her and left Aghmat and headed for Tadla until he reached Sijlmassa. He stayed there for a few days, and then traveled to the desert.”

           That night, the Author had a vision while he was somewhere between sleep and wakefulness: a woman came to him. She was white and full-figured, beautiful, glowing, her eyes gleaming with pride. She was surrounded by an aura of confidence that emanated from within. He was enchanted by her presence. She spoke to him in a sultry, feminine, dominating voice:

            “Why you strip me of my title Wife of Kings?”

The Author exclaimed:

            “Zaynab al-Nafzawiyya?!”

“Yes, Zaynab al-Nafzawiyya! Don’t let Yusuf bin Tashfin go to the desert and let him be the successor of Abu Bakr in the Maghreb!”

“This happened in an alternative history and will not affect your real story.”

“I want to remain the Wife of Kings, even in the alternative history!”

As soon as the Author woke up, he summoned Yusuf bin Tashfin and said to him:

            “Find yourself a role other than the one you suggested to me.”

“Why did you change your mind? You already agreed to it.”

“Zaynab al-Nafzawiyya came to me and objected to it.”

“Ah, that woman! She wants to impose her opinion even in the alternative history. You can imagine that when the mission of the people of Andalusia handed Sultan Hassan bin Sarhan a letter from Al-Muʿtamid bin Abbad calling him to cross to Andalusia and provide relief to the Muslims, he sent me a letter urging me to jihad. So, I prepared an army under my command that crossed with the Hilalis to Andalusia...”

           The novel did not progress much after that. When the Reader asked the author why, he complained:

            “I no longer had the inspiration to complete the novel! I need you and the characters to help me write the rest.”

The Reader asked Moldak:

            “Can the characters help the Author to complete the novel? He told me he no longer had the inspiration to write the rest of it.”

Moldak replied:

            “We can ask one of our hackers to install a character’s program in the Author’s brain to identify with his body and mind. In this way, the avatar of the character and the Author will be alternative characters in one person. Neurogenes will be transformed into transmitters...”

“What are transmitters?”

“They are mobile elements of DNA that can move from one place to another in the genome. They can modify the structure and function of genes. After hacking, the Author and his character will be merged into one person. The hacked organic brain will be transformed according to the software, and the Author’s memory will be partially erased and replaced with the memory of the avatar.”

“Will the Author be conscious during the installation?”

“He will have intermittent moments of consciousness, interspersed with transitional dreams, but he will not know if these dreams are produced by his imagination or by the program or are the result of the download process. We will develop the avatar program, add classical ʿArabic books of literary heritage, and connect it to the Internet to access computers, applications, and other online resources to meet different writing needs. After hacking, the Author’s personality will become a mixture of two different characters who share one body: his personality and the installed personality. His identity will be divided into two distinct personalities who take turns in appearing and controlling his behavior and thinking. Each of these two personalities will have a unique set of memories, feelings, ideas, beliefs, actions, and skills.”

“Will alternating personalities appear at specific intervals?”

“The appearance of each character will be a possibility, in the quantum physical sense, a probability of being in the subjective field. The phases during which one of the alternative personalities dominates consciousness and behavior will be gaps in the memory of the other.”

“Will each person be hearing the other talking inside himself?”

“Each will have a doubled self and will wonder, ‘Who is this voice that speaks inside me? To whom does this bundle of organs that breathe, digest, and defecate belong?’ An invisible existential mystery of each person’s self will materialize hysterically in the form of a mirror of the silence of the other ego that haunts him.”

           After his brain was hacked and the avatar of Muhammad binʿAisha was downloaded into it, Suhail felt a great horror, a horror from which he could not escape, for it was a part of himself. He realized in a glimpse of destructive fear that he was no longer one person, but two people! His personality was divided into two identities, Suhail Qahtan and Muhammad binʿAisha. But the transition from one identity to another was chaotic; the alternative personality and host personality were in constant conflict over who had consciousness. Moldak asked the hackers to write a program that would simulate his personality and contain a projector. When its powerful beam of light is directed at one of the alternate personalities, it will take control of the other's consciousness. They wrote the program and installed it into Suhail's brain. Moldak became Suhail's second alternate personality, deciding which of the alternate personalities would take control of the author's consciousness. When the character of the prince Muhammad binʿAisha merged with the character of Suhail Qahtan, he asked Moldak to take him on a tour to explore Andalusia, to immerse himself in reality and be able to give the novel a realistic touch. Moldak replied:

            “The past is gone; the novel is a product of the imagination. However, if you make it a condition for the completion of the novel, it doesn’t cost us anything to extend our journey a bit. I can show it to you this evening.”

“Exploring a centuries-old world in one night? Are you mocking me, Moldak?”

“In fact, it takes much less! The phrase ‘this evening’ is only a reference point for determining our journey in Earth-time. Our ship travels in hyperspace, outside of time, at speed beyond the speed of light. Without this speed, we wouldn’t have been able to visit Earth...”

“How can my body tolerate traveling so fast?”

“Your body is not going to travel. You will be dematerialized during the journey. We will simulate your brain and make it travel with us in a digital form.”

“But if I don't accompany you, I will not be able to immerse myself in reality, to be able to give a real effect to my story.”

“Rest assured, the Reincarnator will simulate in your brain a life-size representation of the reality that we will have crossed. The digital version of your brain will record a vivid image of the reality we will visit and store in its explicit and implicit semantic memory different types of information, such as facts and events, related to the time periods we will be traveling to. You will be able to keep this information for life and retrieve it when needed.”

“How so?”

“To give you an idea, think a little about what happens during the agony...”

“When the dying person instantly sees the entire course of his past life?”

“Yes, but for you it will be more than that. It will not only be your life that you would see again, if you already existed, but the history of an entire era.”

“If I have to dematerialize during the journey, I might as well let you do it for me!”

“Your presence is necessary. Your dematerialization, caused by the contact of matter and antimatter in your body, will produce an electromagnetic radiation. If this radiation has not penetrated the reality we will cross, your biological brain will not be compatible with its electronic version.”

“Are we going to visit the multiverse of Andalusia?”

“No, we will only explore our own universe.”

When Moldak announced to the Readers that he was going to take the Prince/Author in his ship for a trip to Andalusia, the Reader-avatar began to climb on Moldak's body. She was crying and lamenting, her eyes flooded with tears, she embraced Moldak everywhere, letting out small, stifled cries.

“Take me with you! I can't live without you! I love you, I have you in my blood!”

“Calm down, calm down! We'll be back before tomorrow morning.”

He asked her:

“What are the incomprehensible messages you have been sending me these last few days?”

“They are love poems in your glory...”

“Love poems?”

“Yes, it's to tell you how much I love you! Are there any poets on your planet?”

“No, but oral traditions speak of mythological creatures called "poets" who had the power to transmute reality.”

Moldak traveled through the past with the digital brain of the prince/writer to the era of the Islamic conquest. In that period, Andalusia became a state of the Umayyad dynasty and continued to be under the central authority in Damascus, until the Umayyad dynasty collapsed, and its rulers took refuge in Andalusia. The Umayyad Caliphate continued until it fell in 422/1030, fragmenting into small states. As a result of the political rupture, the disagreements among the Muslims in Andalusia, and the Frankish Latins’ vicious attack on the country and destruction of one castle after another, the Andalusians sought help from the Almoravids. The Almoravid prince, Yusuf Bin Tashfin, declared a state of public mobilization for jihad and crossed with his army to Andalusia. The Taifa kings tried to counter the Almoravids, and they cut off the supplies to their camps. They even asked Alfonso VI to support them against the Almoravid intervention. The Almoravids attacked Toledo and trapped Alfonso VI and his armies, preventing him from providing assistance to the Taifa kings. Then they proceeded to conquer city after city, capturing fortress after fortress. After the third crossing in 1102 CE (AH 496), in which the prince seized the entire Muslim territory of Andalusia, jurists allowed the Almoravid prince to depose the Taifa kings and annex their states. Fatwas (religious advice from knowledgeable scholars) came from scholars such as Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali and Abu Bakr Al-Tartushi supporting this view. He deposed of the Taifa kings and annexed their territories to the Almoravid state.

Today Andalusia is known for its olive oil, wine, citrus fruits, and vegetables. It has a diversified economy that includes many sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services. Tourism is booming, with millions of visitors heading to cities such as Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Malaga to visit historical sites, architectural wonders, and natural scenery. Andalusia has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history of Islamic rule, Christian conquest, and subsequent cultural blending. It is famous for its Moorish architecture, such as the Alhambra in Granada and the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Flamenco, a traditional form of Spanish music and dance, has deep roots in Andalusia and is celebrated throughout the region. Andalusians are known for their love of celebrations, and Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated extensively, with majestic processions held in cities such as Seville and Malaga. The Feria de April Festival in Seville is another famous event where flamenco music, traditional costumes and horse processions are displayed. Other festivals include the Córdoba Patio Festival and the Cádiz Carnival. Andalusian cuisine is diverse and delicious, with influences from Mediterranean and ʿArab traditions. Popular dishes in the region include gazpacho (cold tomato soup), salmorijo (a thicker version of gazpacho), pesquetto fretto (fried fish), and paella. Tapas culture is also famous, with many bars and restaurants serving a variety of appetizers and light, delicious dishes around which people gather, chat, and laugh. Andalusia has a diverse landscape, including the magnificent beaches on the coasts of the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Doñana National Park. Outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and water sports are popular in the area.

After returning from the trip to Andalusia, the Prince/Author said to Moldak:

 “Unbelievable! This Author, what a fabricator! Al-Andalus fell and became ‘Andalusia,’ and the ones who crossed to it and tried to save it were the Almoravids...”

“The Hilalis crossed to Andalusia and protected it from falling, but that happened in another world parallel to ours. In that universe, the ʿArabs did not emigrate and were assimilated. Those who emigrated were the Anglo-Saxons...”

“What?! What are you saying?”

“Yes, it happened in 2090 of your era. In that period, the United States became a colony of the state of Eurasia. English was classified as an endangered language in the world. Children no longer learned it as a mother tongue at home. Anglophones chose to emigrate to escape the greed of the dominant language...”

“Where did they go?”

“They colonized a planet in the Frog galaxy.”

           As omniscient narrator, perfectly aware of the actions of the characters in the novel, a narrator who has complete knowledge of the events of the story, I heard a conversation between Yusuf bin Tashfin and Abdullah bin Adham. Bin Tashfin said:

            “Don't you see that he took us out of the novel? I asked him to keep us in the ʿArabic novel, but he refused. If we do not act, we will be forgotten, and the readers will never mention us! But don’t worry, I’ll call the omniscient narrator and convince him to find a role for us.”

The spaceship’s transmission system got disrupted again. This time, the attack appeared to be stronger than the previous one. Several hours passed after the malfunction and the technical teams were not able to repair it. Moldak opened the door of the transmission hall to exit, and he almost crashed into a robot in the image of a beautiful woman. They telepathized words of apology. The robot said:

            “Sorry, sir! I wanted to replace the old bouquet with new flowers.”

The robot held a fragrant bouquet of flowers, arranged in a stunning display of the vibrant colors of nature. Yusuf bin Tashfin asked me for a role in the ʿArabic novel:

“Our esteemed omniscient narrator, make me one of the characters of the ʿArabic version.”

“I will only tell you what the Author told you: You will not have a role in ʿArabic novel, because the turning historical point in it is that the Andalusians sought help from the tribes of Banu Hilal and not from the Almoravids, as in the English version.”

When Prince Yusuf bin Tashfin’s avatar expired and disintegrated, Moldak sent a message of condolences to the Mauritanian ambassador. The ambassador transmitted the message to the UAE authorities: "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the United ʿArab Emirates presents its compliments to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and seeks to inform them of the following letter as received from a gang of cybercriminals:

To His Excellency the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the United ʿArab Emirates

Villa No. 31, Al Karama Street, Abu Dhabi, United ʿArab Emirates.

Phone: +971 24462724

Fax: 24465772.

Subject: Condolence Message

We are still grieving the loss of Yusuf bin Tashfin’s avatar. In these painful hours we, the ʿArab aliens, the representatives of the Avatar project to save the ʿArabic language on Earth, express to Your Excellency and to all the Mauritanian people our deep sadness and unlimited gratitude to the Muslim Emir Youssef ben Tashfin, who unified the Muslims in Andalusia, saved them from political rupture and loss, and reformed the state after being drained by Taifa kings, and the attacks of the Castilians. I extend my sincere condolences to you and to the Mauritanian people. May God bless the late Emir with his mercy and grant him a spacious paradise, and bestow on you all patience and solace. We belong to God and to Him we return.

Moldak

The Mauritanian Embassy strongly condemns the embodiment of Prince Youssef bin Tashfin, may God have mercy on him, in an avatar and the impersonation of his identity by a gang of cybercriminals. Defending the image of the deceased is a moral right for a person after their death. The embodiment of historical figures in avatars constitutes a violation of the sanctity of the dead. We ask the UAE authorities to ensure the integrity of the image of the prince and make sure that his memory is respected.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the United ʿArab Emirates takes this opportunity to convey anew its highest appreciation to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Mohamed Salem Ould al-Naji

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the United ʿArab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi, 21 August 2037."

           Today, the Reader said to Moldak:

            “I want to go home to check on my mother!”

The ship landed and she went back home. She found her mother waiting impatiently for her.

“Why have you been away for so long? I called you, but your phone rang in the kitchen.”

“I forgot it. I was with friends.”

Her phone, which was self-charging during her absence, rang. It was her friend from the readers’ club:

            “Maitha, why have you been away for so long?”

“I was away from you, but I was with the ʿArab aliens serving the ʿArabic language.”

“Who are the ʿArab aliens? What did you do?”

“I’ll tell you when we meet.”

Around five in the morning, the Reader was awakened by the hustle and bustle of loudspeakers:

“Home in sight! Send the drones! To the right! To the right! Forward! Come with me! Take your positions! Be ready! Give up! We have surrounded the house!”

The Reader telepathized with Moldak:

            “Help! The police are raiding my house.”

They forced the door and searched the house, damaging furniture and making a mess. Thirty soldiers were deployed all over the house and others climbed to the roof. A call came via the division commander’s communication device:

            “Chief, there is no trace of Maitha here.”

Moldak had teleported the Reader to the ship, which took off, taking a fixed geographical orbit over the Emirates.

           When the ʿArabic novel was completed, the alien ship landed on Earth near the Author’s home. Prince/Author Muhammad binʿAisha/Suhail Qahtan took the manuscript with him and walked towards the entrance of his home. It was a sunny morning. He hesitated a bit before entering. His hand hovered over the doorknob. He was a loving father, but he had been absent from his family’s life far too long. He had missed the joy of being a father and a husband. He took a deep breath, turned the knob, and entered. His eyes fell on his wife Dalia and his daughter Arjouwan. When Dalia saw her long-absent husband standing in front of her, she shrieked:

            “Suhail?!”

She rushed to him and embraced him. She hugged him, tears of joy streaming down her face. Arjouwan ran to her father, throwing herself into his waiting embrace. She clung to him as if she never wanted to let go. Her laughter filled the air, infectious and pure, as they hugged each other tightly. Arjouwan was now a little girl with sparkling eyes and a smile that lit up the room. Suhail sat on the couch in the living room chatting with his daughter. His wife entered the kitchen and returned with a tray of toast and a drink that she placed in front of Suhail. He took the glass and downed it. Ice cubes rang at the bottom of the glass as he put it back on the tray. Dalia asked him:

 “Where have you been all this time? You left your signing ceremony at the ʿArab Book Museum more than a year ago. We didn’t know why you disappeared, and we didn’t know where you went, despite the police search...”

“I don’t remember anything. All I remember is that this morning, I found myself in front of the house.”

“What are these papers in your hand?”

“Let me see. It seems to be a manuscript entitled تغريبة العرب, written by an author called Muhammad binʿAisha.”

“Do you know him?”

“No, I don't know him.”

“How did you get the manuscript?”

“I do not know.”

Suddenly, his face changed, and his eyes went dim. He began to mutter as if talking to himself:

             “ⵍⵏⴷⵍⵙ ⵙⴰⵔⵜ ⵍⵙⵙⵓⵎ... ⴰⵃⵎⵙⵉⵓⵏ ⴰⵎⵔⵏⴳ... We thought we had saved Andalusia. My father sent me at the head of a large army to Murcia. I deposed its ruler, then I entered Ebra, Denia and Xativa, and conquered Valencia and Badajoz. We turned Andalusia into one of our states. My father will be angry when he knows that Murcia fell to the Christian kingdoms...”

Dalia shouted:

“Oh my God! Suhail?! What is this delirium?”

“I am not Suhail. I am Muhammad binʿAisha, the son of the Muslim Emir Yusuf bin Tashfin!”

“Oh! My whole world is gone with you!”

She said it and burst into tears. Suhail’s eyes turned, and his lips moved as if talking to himself. He hugged his knees to his chest, trembling.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t really know what’s happening to me. My whole body is trembling, and I feel dizzy. Why are you crying, sweetheart? And you too, my daughter. Come, sit next to me!”

Then his face changed, and he murmured:

             “The Franks will kill me...”

   “What is this madness, Suhail? You’re being very weird!”

His eyes turned again, and his lips moved as if talking to himself:

             “Don’t cry, baby! Now I remember what happened to me. My consciousness has become like a stage, with a spotlight shining on a specific area of ​​my consciousness. This brings out my personality or the personality of one of my two inhabitants. When one of the three is enlightened, it takes control of my body and controls my behavior, and I become Suhail Qahtan, Muhammed bin Aisha or Moldak! Sometimes, it’s done consciously and deliberately, but often it’s done spontaneously and unconsciously. My identity has been divided into three identities; I suffer from severe schizophrenia. I think I’m crazy! I lost my identity and my person! I hear the voice of others ordering me. I think these other persons who invaded my body are creatures who came from space to torture me.”

The father remained constantly shifting between characters. One day, a voice shouted at him in his head:

Go to Dar Al-ʿArab publishing house, ask them to publish the ʿArabic novel, and tell them that Muhammad bin ʿAisha is your pseudonym!

When he got ready to go out, his wife asked him:

             “Where are you going?”

   “To Dar Al-ʿArab publishing house. I want to ask them to publish the manuscript.”

He got in the airmobile and opened the GPS (Global Positioning System) app on his smartphone to find the route. The app determined his current location. He used voice search and selected his destination. The app drew the route on the screen. The airmobile set off and the app provided the necessary directions to reach the specified destination, displaying the route map on the screen, and giving voice and visual directions while driving. He arrived at the building where the publishing house had its offices. He parked his airmobile in the parking lot. The lobby of the building had large windows, and its walls were decorated with works of art. The floor was made of polished marble. Comfortable and luxurious carpets and sofas were scattered throughout the hallway. In the center there was a water fountain. Security guards wore identification badges prominently displayed on their uniforms. He took the elevator to the fourth floor and walked through the glass doors to the reception area. The walls of the corridor carried pictures of published books. He arrived at the front desk where staff were sitting behind phones, intercom systems, computer terminals, and other necessary communication devices. They welcomed him. His first impression of the publishing house was positive. One receptionist welcomed him with a friendly face and a warm smile:

             “Welcome to Dar Al-ʿArab Publishing. How can I help you?”

           “I am Muhammad binʿAisha. I have a novel that I want to publish.”

The employee took him to a comfortable seating area and asked him to wait. She returned a moment later:

 “The editorial head is waiting for you. The editorial department is responsible for the acquisition, revision, and editing of manuscripts.”

The elegant marble floors seemed to him to whisper the stories of countless authors who had walked the same path. He was overwhelmed by the smell of books and the quiet buzz of people immersed in their work. He was greeted by the editor-in-chief, a woman in her forties, with tender lines of laughter on her face that had formed over time. The walls of the office were covered with neatly arranged bookshelves and piles of files.

“Suhail Qahtan! That receptionist, what a fool! Congratulations on the award, we are honored to have you here! When did you switch to writing in ʿArabic?”

“A while ago. This is my first novel in ʿArabic.”

He handed her the manuscript. She saw the author’s name on the title page.

“Muhammad binʿAisha?”

“This is my pseudonym for my ʿArabic texts. I believe that a pseudonym enables the Author to objectively judge his merit, without the prejudices or preconceived notions associated with his real name. Publishing the novel under a pseudonym may give it the opportunity to find a wider audience.”

The editor began to flip through the manuscript, and as she read it, the Author held his breath and anxiously awaited her reaction, the minutes stretching into what seemed like eternity. Then she looked at him, her eyes sparkling with interest as she said:

             “Give me some time to read the novel.”

She opened the calendar app on her smartphone, creating an appointment and specifying the date and time:

“Can we meet on Tuesday, March 16, at ten o’clock?”

“Okay, no problem!”

When Suhail returned to meet the editor, she greeted him warmly.

“Suhail, your writing is exceptional. Your novel is a living tale, and your characters are full of life. I can see great potential here. Dar Al-ʿArab prides itself on nurturing talent. Your manuscript is very promising. We are honored to publish your novel.”

The Author felt a wave of relief.

             “Thank you very much!”

Over the following months, the Author worked closely with the team at the publishing house to refine the manuscript. A beautiful book cover was designed, and the marketing team devised strategic ways to present the novel to readers. Every step in the publishing process was a combination of hard work, collaboration, and excitement. Dar Al-ʿArab’s publishing team worked tirelessly to ensure that the novel got the attention it deserved. When the novel hit the shelves and online platforms, the response was overwhelming. Positive reviews poured in, and readers became fascinated by the novel. Within weeks, it jumped to the top of the bestseller list. Critics hailed it as a masterful work of fiction; readers demanded more from Muhammad bin ʿAisha. The success was beyond anything the Prince/Author could have imagined. Throughout that time, Suhail Qahtan oscillated between his alternate characters, sometimes seeming crazy. He consulted several psychiatrists and tried several prescriptions, to no avail. His wife decided to put him in a mental hospital.