Long ago, in Egypt, there ruled a Sultan famous for justice and generosity. He loved scholars and holy men and kept a wise old Wazir at his side.
That Wazir had two sons —Shams al-Din Mohammed (the elder)andNur al-Din Ali (the younger).
Both were handsome, noble, and brilliant — but Nur al-Din was so beautiful that people traveled from far countries just to look at him.
When their father died, the Sultan was heartbroken. He summoned the two brothers and said:
"You shall take your father's place. You will rule Egypt as joint Wazirs."
They shared power in perfect harmony, taking turns each week to govern.
One night, before Shams al-Din was to travel with the Sultan, the brothers were sitting together.
Shams al-Din said:
"Brother, let us both marry on the same night. Two sisters. And if by God's will our wives conceive on that same night and one bears a son and the other a daughter, we shall marry those children together."
Nur al-Din agreed.
But then came the question of dowry.
Shams al-Din demanded:
"Your son must pay my daughter three thousand dinars, three gardens, and three farms."
Nur al-Din was offended.
"We are brothers. We are both wazirs. My son should not have to buy your daughter. If there must be a dowry, let it be only a token."
The argument grew bitter.
Shams al-Din shouted:
"I raised you up! You were nothing without me!"
Nur al-Din answered:
"I will never marry my son to your daughter, even to save my life!"
They parted in rage.
That very morning, Nur al-Din left Cairo, taking only gold and his mule.
He wandered through cities and deserts until he reached Basra, where the old Wazir of the city saw his noble mule and summoned him.
When Nur al-Din told his story, the Wazir said:
"I have a daughter. She is your equal in beauty. Marry her, and take my place as Wazir."
Nur al-Din agreed.
That very night, he married the Wazir's daughter.
Meanwhile in Cairo, Shams al-Din married a merchant's daughter.
And by the decree of Fate…
Both wives conceived on the same night.
Both gave birth on the same day.
Shams al-Din had a daughter: Sitt al-Husn (Lady of Beauty).Nur al-Din had a son: Badr al-Din Hasan.
This was the weaving of destiny.
And it had only just begun…
In the city of Basra, Nur al-Din Ali lived happily with his wife, the Wazir's daughter. Their home was filled with joy when their son was born.
They named him Badr al-Din Hasan.
From the day he opened his eyes, people said he was not a child, but a miracle. His face shone like the moon. His eyes were dark and deep. His smile could soften even the hardest heart.
Nur al-Din loved him more than his own soul.
But Fate is never gentle for long.
Not long after Badr al-Din's birth, Nur al-Din fell ill and died suddenly. His wife, heartbroken, followed him to the grave only a few months later.
The baby Badr al-Din was left alone.
The old Wazir of Basra, his grandfather, took him in and raised him like a prince. He taught him law, poetry, languages, and the ways of rulers.
Badr al-Din grew into a man of stunning beauty and brilliant mind. When he walked through the city, people stopped and stared.
The Wazir loved him deeply — but he also feared for him.
Because destiny had not forgotten Cairo.
Meanwhile, in Cairo…
Shams al-Din Mohammed ruled as chief Wazir. His daughter Sitt al-Husn grew into a woman of rare beauty.
One night, Shams al-Din remembered the oath he had made long ago with his brother — to marry their children together.
And regret filled his heart.
"My pride destroyed my brother," he said."I must find his son."
He sent messengers across the world.
But none could find Badr al-Din.
Years passed.
Then one night, in Basra, the old Wazir dreamed of his dead son-in-law Nur al-Din, who said:
"Take my son Badr al-Din to Cairo. His destiny is waiting."
The old man woke trembling.
He decided the time had come.
That night, something impossible happened…
That same night, while the old Wazir of Basra slept, God's will moved the heavens.
In Cairo, Shams al-Din's daughter Sitt al-Husn lay restless in her bed.In Basra, Badr al-Din Hasan lay restless too.
Neither knew why.
Far above the world, angels carried out a command that had been written long before either of them was born.
A mighty jinn, servant of King Solomon, descended.
In a blink of an eye…
Badr al-Din was lifted from his bed in Basra.
Sitt al-Husn was lifted from her bed in Cairo.
They were carried through the air like leaves on the wind.
And in the middle of the world, in a hidden chamber prepared by fate, they were laid together.
When Badr al-Din opened his eyes, he saw a girl more beautiful than the dawn.
When Sitt al-Husn opened hers, she saw a man more handsome than any prince.
They sat up, stunned.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I do not know," he said. "But my heart knows you."
They spoke long into the night, and their souls recognized one another.
Before dawn came, love had already bound them.
They were married in that hidden place, with the jinn and angels as witnesses.
Then, before the sun rose…
They were separated again.
Sitt al-Husn was returned to Cairo.
Badr al-Din was returned to Basra.
Neither knew where the other had gone.
Only the memory of that night remained.
But in the bed beside Badr al-Din…
Lay a golden belt.
And in the bed beside Sitt al-Husn…
Lay a diamond ring.
Proof that it was no dream.
Destiny had tied their lives together.
But it had not yet shown them how cruelly.