This Woven Kingdom

The narrative pulls from ancient sources, including copious elements from Islamic tradition and mythology. One of the most prominent features that adds complexity to the novel’s characters and conflicts is the author’s decision to incorporate Jinn: supernatural beings that are often mentioned in Islamic texts and are typically misunderstood. Occupying a position somewhere between angels and humans and born of smokeless fire, Jinn are capable of both malevolent and benevolent actions: both of which become apparent in Alizeh’s characterization. Her personality aligns with Islamic notions of dual morality, whereby individuals are continuously tested for integrity. Just like the Jinn of Islamic mythology, Alizeh finds herself navigating a myriad of trials that test her capacity for good and evil. Her journey is perhaps a contemporary expression of the Islamic notion of Jihad al-Nafs, the internal moral and spiritual struggle.

The name “Iblees,” which denotes the supernatural villain in the story, is taken directly from the devil-like figure of “Iblis” in Islamic tradition: the entity who refused to bow down to Adam and was subsequently expelled from Heaven. Iblees’s role as the puppet master orchestrating chaos parallels the Devil’s role as the great tempter and deceiver in Islamic tradition.