In the opening scene of the thief and the dogs, Said Mehran walks out of jail after four years of imprisonment. From there, Naguib Mahfouz portrays Said as a man desperate to find meaning in a world that he believes is corrupt. Throughout the book, he constantly carries the belief that the innocent fail and the guilty prosper. He also seeks guidance and help from his father's spiritual advisor, Sheik al Junaydi. As the story progresses Sheik al Junaydi can be characterized as the moral voice in the novel. He also transformes the mood of anger and hatred through his Sufi ideology. His first words to Said in the book is "peace and God's compassion be upon you" even though he recognizes that Said's main concern is an immediate need for food and shelter.
Sheik al Junaydi contributes to the theme of fat vs. free will as he integrates the free will component in the plot. By displaying a contrast between environments, the reader beings to become aware of Said's actions and questions his motives. Said was so focused on inflicting revenge and seeking retaliation. In doing so- by king Nabawiyya and Illish- he though that he would gain internal peace and vengence. This makes us question Said's meaning of morality as people typically gain that internal peace through things such as forgiving. Sheik al Junaydi introduces the reader with a different idea of morality as he provides to lead a clear and cleansed path.The spiritual advisor's soothing influence is smoothly repeated throughout the novel, but Said is unable to accept his guidance.
Sheik al Junaydi contributes to the theme of fat vs. free will as he integrates the free will component in the plot. By displaying a contrast between environments, the reader beings to become aware of Said's actions and questions his motives. Said was so focused on inflicting revenge and seeking retaliation. In doing so- by king Nabawiyya and Illish- he though that he would gain internal peace and vengence. This makes us question Said's meaning of morality as people typically gain that internal peace through things such as forgiving. Sheik al Junaydi introduces the reader with a different idea of morality as he provides to lead a clear and cleansed path.The spiritual advisor's soothing influence is smoothly repeated throughout the novel, but Said is unable to accept his guidance.
After accidentally killing a man in Illish's old apartment,Said visits al Junaydi again. This time Said skips the morning prayer with his fellow Muslims and Sheik followers. When he wakes, the Shieik observes, "you've had a long sleep but you know no rest ... your burning heart yearns for shade, yet continues forward under the fire of the son." From this we can see how the Sheik is aware of Said's actions but he refuses to take his simple wisdoms. After the pointless shootings and Said's public awareness, we can see how his fate can be a consequence of his free will. By choosing to ignore his religion and
