Chapter 4, Tale of Nur Al-Din Ali And His Son Badr Al-Din Hasan Summary

Ja'afar tells the story of the Wazir of Cairo who has two sons: Shams al-Din Mohammed and Nur al-Din Ali. When the Wazir dies his sons take over his duties, alternating so that one serves a week, then the other serves a week. The sons discuss marrying on the same day in hopes of producing a son and a daughter so that these cousins will be pledged to marry. They argue about it and go their separate ways. Shams al-Din Mohammed travels with the Sultan while Nur al-Din Ali leaves on a mule to travel the world.

Nur al-Din Ali travels as far as Bassorah where he meets the local Wazir who asks him to marry his daughter. Nur al-Din Ali...