Fatima.Mernessi_The-Forgotten-Queens-of-Islam-EN

The Lady of Cairo 167
of the idea itself, but because it 'obliged them to prostrate themselves
every time his name was pronounced in a meeting or a
mosque or in the street. All those who heard his name had to
prostrate themselves and kiss the ground to glorify his greatness.' 30
So the disappearance of al-Hakim surprised no one. It did, however,
create much anxiety, for everything connected with al-Hakim had
something of the irrational, the unforeseen about it, something
that baffled simple people. Al-Hakim might have decided to just
disappear for a few days, to retire to the desert to meditate 'wearing
bedouin sandals on his feet and a kerchief on his head'. 31
This is the reason why, after the caliph's disappearance, the
Egyptians not only made no difficulty for Sitt al-Mulk, but became
her accomplices and allies, remaining calm and avoiding the disorder
that usually accompanies the death of a caliph. This peacefulness
and calm were all the more surprising considering that many people
thought thatyshe had masterminded the disappearance. During the
five following days she sent equerries and soldiers to comb Cairo and
its hills, especially those that al-Hakim used to frequent regularly.
Normally a clear succession is required, in which only those close
to the sphere of power are involved, those who have the privilege
of choice. Succession takes place as rapidly as possible, given the
dangers offitna, that is, any possibility for the people to intervene
and disturb the order maintained by the elite. Either the death of
the caliph is kept secret until the heir arrives, if he is far away, or
it is announced only while the enthronement ritual of the successor
is being arranged.
Strangely, in this springtime of 411 no one thought of disturbing
the palace and the intrigues of the power brokers. Cairo held its
breath. The military, like the people, retreated into silence. For
once a power void had an inhibiting effect. Scorned by the official
historians, the people, who never had a chance to express themselves
except in street battles on the rare occasion of an interregnum when
the walls of the political theatre were showing cracks, acted with
surprising lethargy. 32 A lethargic Cairo is even more surprising than
a Cairo in open revolt. It is a city that since its birth has been
fascinated by its own state of disorder to the point of becoming
identified with it. Cairo has always been
the meeting-place of comer and goer, the stopping-place of feeble
and strong. Therein is what you will of learned and simple, grave
and gay, prudent and foolish, base and noble, of high estate and low