Islam may be seen as a controversial religion, with many contradicting morals. Some of the Quran’s values are not always promoted in the fictional works. For example, there are differences in interpreting the way families should be formed in some Arabic tales. Comparing the Quran and “Prince Behram and the Princess Al-Datma” will allow the readers to ascertain the similarities and differences in values.
The Quran is straightforward regarding extramarital sex and arrogance. Verse 32 of Chapter 17 explicitly states: “Do not commit adultery, for it is an indecent and an evil course” (Fiero 231). It also views arrogance negatively: “37. Do not walk proudly on the earth” (Fiero 231). From these excerpts, it is evident that the Quran promotes the sanctity of family and the humble attitude towards oneself and the world.
“Prince Behram and the Princess Al-Datma” is a story about a marriage of an Arabian princess, who is a skilled warrior and agree to marry only a man who can defeat her in battle. The princess believes that no person will be able to rival her skills and beauty (Fiero 240). One of the suitors is a son of a Persian king prince Behram, who seeks her hand. The fight between Behram and Al-Datma ensues, yet, when she starts to lose the fight against him, she uses trickery to defeat him (Fiero 242). Humiliated, the prince goes into exile and plans revenge. He pretends to be an old man offering young maids to play a game of marrying and then immediately renouncing the marriage. Al-Datma falls into the trap, the prince reveals himself, refuses to revoke the marriage and rapes her (Fiero 242). It can be concluded that the princess was punished for her arrogance and dishonesty, which are also discouraged by the Quran.
However, it should be noted that the prince does not get any comeuppance for adultery as they marry each other and live the rest of the life together. This implies that the princess has brought such an outcome on herself. As a result, the tale does not view sexual violence negatively, thus contradicting the corresponding moral value of the Quran. At the same time, both sources are similar in promoting the value of honest demeanor, despising trickery and following a humble worldview.
Work Cited
Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition. 14th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1997.