What do you think of living in the palace?
Is living here more pleasant than living in the desert?
What have you done, you fool?
What kind of manners are these? Why doesn't his mother teach him?
Doesn't she have time for him?
Do you call my son, fool?
- Don't you see what he's done? - He's playing just like other kids
Other kids don't act like that
He's but a fool and intellectually challenged
"Episode 7"
I've had it with those people I won't stay a minute in this palace
My Lady, the Governor might not like you leaving like this
Shut up and do what's you're told
Come on!
Maysun, Maysun, wait!
Is it conceivable for the lady to leave before her husband's return?
I've been humiliated in this palace and I won't stay one more day
This is the palace of the Governor of Damascus
and the palace gates don't open without his permission
Return to your chamber and wait the return of your husband
to tell him about it
The guards won't let you leave
Thank Allah for your safety
May Allah bless you
How was it during my absence?
We have a lot to discuss
Building the fleet is much harder than I thought, Utba
It requires a long time and lots of resources
You got it, Aba Abd al-Rahman
Haven't you find Al-Adhami yet?
Not yet
As if he disappeared into thin air
You are a reliable person
May his absence be for a good reason
- Continue searching for him - Yes, sir
What about Fakhita and Maysun?
Whom do you think is at fault?
Both, you know how women fight
What are you going to do with them?
Nothing
I can't bear fighting in the palace
and I don't have any strength to deal with this frivolity
I'll leave them to end their fight without meddling in
Well said
You're a great advisor, Utba
"Constantinople"
My wife is dying, sir
She's calling her son's name on her death bed
I implore mercy
Let him visit his mother quickly
So that she could see him for the last time
and I'll stay in his place to assure you of his return
Please, sir
Do you think he's bluffing to help his son escape?
Al-Adhami has been compromised
and Mu'awiya will meet the bitter end soon
Thus, we no longer need a spy
Go get his son
Alright, Adhami, you'll get that I'll bring him over
You'll go to Damascus your mother misses you
You'll stay by her side for 2 days then you return
I'll wait for you here
I'll stay in your place until your return
Come on, Son
Don't you ever return here
Go now
No, Father
I won't leave you here
- Do what's you're told - No, no...
Come on, Son your mother is alright
- She just misses you, that's all - Father, please
Wipe your tears and leave
Go, Son Your father is waiting for you
He's ready to leave Go with him
Go with him, Son Your mother is alright
Leave, Son, go
- What did he tell you? - Ridwan said that the Governor is asleep
Haven't you told him that I've something urgent to discuss?
I've told him so, my Lady but he said that he's tired
- Leave, now - Yes, my Lady
My Lady, Maysun wants to meet you, my Lord
Tell her that I'm busy
She is outside and insists on seeing you, my Lord
Let her in
Your wife has hurt me and humiliated me before the servants
I've waited your return so you could do me justice
But now, you refuse to see me?
I assure you that I won't be humiliated again in this palace
Were you intending to leave while I'm gone?
Is that what you care about?
I couldn't bring myself to saying in this palace
but I preferred waiting for your return to tell you what really happened
I'm well-aware of that but I cannot bear such nonsense
You know that yet didn't do anything about it?
- And you won't listen... - Lower your voice
The wife of Damascus's Governor shall not raise her voice to him
You're treading on thin ice, Maysun
Beware of anger for it's unpredictable
and be certain that you're disobeying your Governor not just your husband
Leave for your family and don't return before realizing your mistake
Leave us alone, please
I won't take long, Maysun...
don't go
For Mu'awiya's sake
and for my sake too
Stay with us
When Allah grants you a son
your heart will be overflowing with motherly love
you'll understand
You'll lose your mind if someone called your son...
Especially, if it has a kernel of truth
a truth I refuse to see
I know that I'm your sister wife
but before that, I'm a mother
A mother who suffers from a broken heart day and night
A woman who lost a son and unaware what the other son thinks
Pardon me if I lost it when you've yelled at Abdullah
It's out of my hand
Mu'awiya loves you, Maysun
I see that every time I meet him
I prefer to share him with you on having a husband with a broken heart
Don't leave
I'll order the servants to bring your things inside
Fakhita
What have you done?
I asked her not to go to preserve Mu'awiya's alliance with Bani Kalb
He needs them
I won't be the one who foils him
If Mu'awiya wanted to divorce her
let him do it of his own free will not because of me
What you've done will make her stir the pot further
She'll think of herself our Lady
Mu'awiya won't accept that
You can live in humility in favor of another woman if you want
unlike myself
Open the door
- It seems that you're Master is here - Yes, my Lady
Ayham!
- Where's Mother? - In her chamber
Mother!
- Ayham - I'm here, Mother
Ayham
Bring the light things only and leave anything heavy behind
Alas!
Does my son return only so I lose my husband?
Calm down Mother, please
We can't stay here
- We should leave by sunset - I won't leave my home
My father didn't sacrifice his life so we endanger ours
The safest place for us, right now is the palace of Damascus's Governor
Enter, please
"Peace upon you, O Governor"
"I've turned myself to save my son"
"I hope you take care of my son and wife"
"and bestow your protection on them"
"after the protection of Allah"
"for, they'll take vengeance on them"
"When they realize my son isn't going to return like I said"
"I leave them under your protection"
"You are the most worthy for safekeeping"
We'll give you a dwelling away from the reach of Byzantines, Ayham
Thanks, my Lord
- Peace be upon you - Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you
My Lord, there's a message from Acre
- Who's the sender? - Abi Suhayb
He's asking for more lumber for building the fleet
Tell him that we'll give him everything he needs
Yes, my Lord
Peace be upon you
Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you
- How are you, Governor? - I'm great
- Thank Allah for your safety - Thank Allah
- Welcome - My daughter, Maysun
- Please enter, welcome - Please, come in
- Welcome, Malik, come in - Thank you, Governor
- I've missed you, Brother - Me too, Maysun
Malik will stay in Damascus
I would have let Bahdal live here if he agreed
My children are enough, my Lord leave their father in his desert
Maysun, my precious
I've grown weary because of your absence how are you, Maysun?
I'm exhilarated to see you
Please, come in
We'll have an organized naval army
We're in the process of building the fleet
It'll be done soon enough if Allah wills
I wanted to see you today to ask for your help
We need brave men on the ships
We'll fight in the midst of stormy seas
Everything seems hard at first
But with practice you will become masters of the sea
We'll be your swords that you draw as you wish, Governor
May Allah bless you
"Fustat, Egypt"
Father, I've ordered the army commanders to leave
and told them that we'll meet tomorrow after noon prayer
I wish you haven't scheduled a meeting with them
But they want you to approve their payments
I'm well-aware of that, Abdullah
They want their payments and they're right
but I don't know what to tell them
"In the name of Allah The All-Merciful..."
"From the Commander of the Faithful Uthman Ibn Affan to Amr Ibn al-As..."
What do you find upsetting about that, Father?
You no longer have to deal with this arduous concern
Obedience comes with loyalty
and enforced with money
How would they obey me when someone else is handling the money?
This country has been eluding me since I came here
like a lion hunting a prey
but where it might flee?
Where it might flee?
Eventually...
the lion must take what it wants
Yes
It'll have what it wants
Go to Abdullah Ibn Abi Sarh and tell him about the commanders
Amazing!
- How are you tonight? - I'm fine
I pray to Allah this child may fill our lives with joy
Congrats on your son Aba Abd al-Rahman
May Allah bless you, Fakhita
Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar
I testify that there's no god but Allah
I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
I'm afraid the wedge might widen between Amr Ibn al-As...
and Abdullah Ibn Abi Sarh creating a turmoil
Both of them are hardheaded and adamant
We must find an end to this so, council me
O Commander of the Faithful I think that...
I lean strongly towards Abdullah over Amr
I think Amr is still the same
He's very deceitful
concealing what he does not reveal and revealing what he does not conceal
But being cunning and deceitful
is an advantage for Amr and not a disadvantage
Wasn't that what helped him conquer Egypt and rule it?
- Yes - So, Amr's cunning is beneficial
and that's what helps him succeed in governance
Perhaps you remember that I was in Egypt with him
when Umar sent him may Allah be merciful to him
Although I don't condone some aspects of his daily life
However, regarding governance he was artful and wise
But things have settled down in Egypt by virtue of Allah
And that's one of Amr's achievements
Who knows if the Caliph punished or dismissed him...
that the situation in Egypt will not change?
Is Amr the only Governor capable of ruling Egypt?
You didn't say a word, Aba al-Hassan
Commander of the Faithful I've studied this matter carefully
and realized we have three paths
Either one of them is a liar while the other is honest
or both of them are honest
or both are liars
If it is the first...
dismiss the liar and keep the honest
and if it is the second...
if Amr is embezzling spoils that he's not entitled to
while Abdullah doesn't listen to others in war
and doesn't follow a well organized plan
then, both of them aren't worthy of this position
but if it's the third...
it would be the hardest path
If either one of them is trying to plot a scheme to the other
to have control over Egypt
and govern it solely
that would mean that they don't care about their people or Egypt
I think that we won't reach an agreement this way
You've asked for our council Commander of the Faithful
and do what you find best
"Al Ghouta, Damascus"
Why are you anxious, Mu'awiya?
It's Abdullah, Father
He seems different than other children
He is excessively active hurts others...
has little comprehension
Probably he'll change by staying with you
Don't worry about him
He's just like all the other children
Leave him under my care
Tell me...
how's the fleet building going?
I didn't know it would be that hard until I've started
What worries you?
Don't you have everything you need?
I've brought skillful workers
and I'm on the verge of completing the fleet
but our soldiers aren't ready yet
They are frightened from going out to sea
Honestly speaking...
I'm afraid, Father
I don't dare to tell that to anyone else
I fear that my soldiers would drown if we head out into the sea
I'm worried they might not be able to face the Byzantines
It seems to me that I don't know the consequences of this
Be at ease
Be at ease, Son and remember...
that you've conquered Caesarea that was impossible for the best commanders
Weren't you the son of a merchant who uses camels for trade?
But now you're a Governor who leads his people
and rules over Armenia and Tripoli?
Go ahead, Son
Do what you've determined to do
success is the reward for hard workers
I put my faith in Allah
Is there among your soldiers a man called...
Abdullah Ibn Qays al-Jasi?
No, who is that?
That's strange
How did you miss him when he's known for sailing the seas and commanding ships?
He was fighting with the Byzantines
but he left them
Where do I find him?
I have no idea
Look for him in the coastal cities of Syria
He might be in Acre or Tyre
You won't mess this up
You won't mess it up, Son
as long as you're patient and depending on Allah
By Allah's will
Thank Allah for your safety Aba Abd al-Rahman
May Allah bless you
Where's Abdullah?
He's with his grandfather in Ghouta
Why did you leave him there?
You've told me that he'd visit his grandfather and return with you
I left him there to toughen nothing more
Why didn't you tell me that you'd leave him there?
Why did you do that?
- I want my son, Mu'awiya - He's my son as well
- Aren't you worried about him? - What should I be worried?
My father used to send me to the desert for months
Where I would wrestle with the boys, run barefoot
- and I only ate dates and ... - I want my son, Mu'awiya
I'm doing all this so that I won't be spoiled by good fortune
That's exactly what your father and brothers used to do
These are our traditions and I don't want him to be spoiled
I want my son, Mu'awiya
- Bring him back - What's wrong with you?
He should get used to rough living and he'll return safe and sound
If you miss him, you can visit him whenever you want
Peace be upon you Aba Abd al-Rahman
Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you
We should have decorated Damascus to receive you, Aba Abdullah
You didn't do that when I was Governor of Egypt
Now you'll do it after I've lost my position and returned as a common man?
Utba
Aren't you weary of the governance and its troubles, Aba Abdullah?
Isn't time to play with your grandsons?
You still inexperienced, Utba
you don't know anything about the harshness of life
He's joking with you, Amr but he's still young
I know that
I've come to the Umayyads to complain about them
What a disaster
- Please, come in - Please, come in
Let them bring us some food
We want Ibn al-As to forget what he used to eat in Egypt
and let him try the best of Damascus food
Egypt?
I swear, Aba Abd al-Rahman I wouldn't forget Egypt in a million years
Eat first and decide later
Let's stop talking about food, Mu'awiya and discuss what's important
- Have a seat - May Allah bless you
I'm going out for a walk
- Take care of Yazid - Yes, my Lady
- Peace upon you, my Lady - Open the gate
I'm sorry, but I can't
I want to get out open the gate
I can't do that without the Governor's permission
But he's entertaining guests from Egypt go ask for his permission
I can't interrupt him
We aren't permitted to allow the women to leave without the Governor's permission
I'm the only lady of this palace
Do what you're told
or else, I'll punish you for your audacity and stubbornness
My Lady, I'm a guard following order
I've told you to open the gate
I can't
Don't you think you're being harsh on yourself, Aba Abdullah?
Everyone knows what you've done to Egypt
but no one stays the Governor forever
Would you say that if the Commander of the Faithful dismissed you?
or you'd lament about Syria and the time you've spent there...
and mourn everything you've done for it's development, safety and stability?
Would you accept that everything you've done goes in vain?
Tell me, Amr
To what measure has your wisdom attained?
I can solve any problem
I can get out of any bad situation
But I don't fall into any situation that I must get out of
It's not easy to be in your place and I feel sorry for you
But you're not supposed to stay as a Governor forever
I'm not saying otherwise
But I want to know what made the Commander of the Faithful dismiss me
although he knows about my success in Egypt
He knows also very well...
what I've done for its safety and stability
Marwan says that Abdullah Ibn Abi Sarh has increased the tribute
What kind of nonsense is this?
Although I was in charge he was getting all the benefit
He did nothing else
He mismanages collecting the tribute
to make people defy the Commander of the Faithful
Even though, he's collecting a larger sum of tribute today
he won't be able to do so later on
Take it easy, Amr, sit down
The Commander of the Faithful wasn't harsh on anyone
So, if he dismissed you from governing Egypt today
he probably thinks you fit to govern another province
True, Al-Farouk used to do that may Allah be merciful to him
Dismisses you today and appoints you tomorrow
That was Al-Farouk
No, Al-Farouk and Uthman's methods are different
I'm not the only one who thinks that
The companions in the Medina and everywhere else think the same
No, don't let your anger ruin your heart, Aba Abdullah
Uthman is reverenced and more noble and we don't accept dispraising him
neither me nor you
He's the Commander of the Faithful
Obeying him is an obligation and respecting him is our duty
Be patient
"You know not, perhaps Allah will bring about after that a different matter"
Pardon me
I'm among my next of kin I swear, Mu'awiya...
I think of you as my son, Abdullah
I said that here...
because I know how much Uthman revers you
I promise you to do my best
We need wise men just like you for our nation to become glorious
I'll bide my time to discuss it with the Commander of the Faithful
Alright
I forgot to ask you about the fleet because of my distress
- How is it going? - I'll tell you everything over dinner
I'll stay here but keep our conversation secret
Don't say anything to the Commander of the Faithfull until we see him together
Alright, Mu'awiya
I entrust you to Allah Whose trusts are never lost
- Farewell - May Allah bless you
He wronged the Commander of the Faithful
Leave people express their feelings so that they won't give in to anger
He means no harm and trusts us
He only said that to tell the Commander of the Faithful
to appoint him in a position worthy of his efforts for Islam and Muslims
The Lady of the palace satirizes you in her poem, Mu'awiya
- What did she say? - I've written it down
"A small house filled with happy souls"
"is dearer to me than a magnificent palace"
"Wearing a cloak and feeling pleased..."
"is dearer to me than wearing silk"
"Eating a crumb in my humble house..."
"is dearer to me than eating a loaf of bread"
"A dog barking at my visitors"
"is dearer to me than a pet cat"
"A slender and simple cousin of mine..."
"is dearer to me than a cold sturdy foreigner"
Maysun!
What kind of poem is that?
You know very well that I don't like this place or its residents
I hope your dreary life within these walls
I hate when you turn away from me even though you're my husband
I can't stand this place
Pack your things
You're divorced this instant