Author’s Note to The Hidden Prophet
The following major characters in The Hidden Prophet are either historical or have a historical basis: Sayf dhu Yazan, Khosrow Anushirvan, Wahriz, Nu’mān, Karib, Rayhānah, Abraha and Masruq. Many minor ones mentioned in passing are also historical, and several of the other major characters are based on figures that appear in traditional Persian and Arabic tales, and who in turn may have been based on real people. A man known as Wahriz did, under the Khosrow’s orders around the time the events of the novel are set, gain Persian control over southern Arabia at the behest of Sayf dhu Yazan. According to the Koran, Abraha and the Abyssinians attacked Mecca in 570 AD (the year of Prophet Mohammed’s birth when this novel is set), with an army of elephants and were mysteriously repulsed. The geographical descriptions, too, are as accurate as I was able to make them within the confines of the story, as are the customs, dress and foods.
The Hidden Prophet is, however, a work of fantasy fiction, an alternative world where the Persian and Arabic mythology is real. In particular I don’t pretend to have portrayed any of the worlds’ religions faithfully, and have always chosen interpretations that suit my story rather than striving for accuracy. Zoroastrianism especially has suffered considerably through this treatment. Islam doesn’t exist at the time the novel is set, but the story required the Prophet Mohammed as a baby to feature in a scene that may – but isn’t intended to – cause offence.
Ubār is also a real city, mentioned in the Koran as well as in the Arabian Nights. In 1992 the site of this fabled Atlantis of the Sands was found by an Anglo-American team of archaeologists in the Rub‘ al-Khali desert of Oman. The discovery was aided by an analysis of remote sensing data from the Landsat 5 satellite and the Space Shuttle Challenger. Imaging techniques revealed ancient camel tracks which lay buried under 200 metre high sand dunes. The tracks converged at a point where excavations revealed a great walled city with tall towers dating back to 2800 BC.
Although The Hidden Prophet features countless historically-based characters, events and details, I have only portrayed these as accurately as the needs of my tale allowed. As with the rawis that have gone before me, it’s the story that counts.
Dirk Strasser
The Hidden Prophet is, however, a work of fantasy fiction, an alternative world where the Persian and Arabic mythology is real. In particular I don’t pretend to have portrayed any of the worlds’ religions faithfully, and have always chosen interpretations that suit my story rather than striving for accuracy. Zoroastrianism especially has suffered considerably through this treatment. Islam doesn’t exist at the time the novel is set, but the story required the Prophet Mohammed as a baby to feature in a scene that may – but isn’t intended to – cause offence.
Ubār is also a real city, mentioned in the Koran as well as in the Arabian Nights. In 1992 the site of this fabled Atlantis of the Sands was found by an Anglo-American team of archaeologists in the Rub‘ al-Khali desert of Oman. The discovery was aided by an analysis of remote sensing data from the Landsat 5 satellite and the Space Shuttle Challenger. Imaging techniques revealed ancient camel tracks which lay buried under 200 metre high sand dunes. The tracks converged at a point where excavations revealed a great walled city with tall towers dating back to 2800 BC.
Although The Hidden Prophet features countless historically-based characters, events and details, I have only portrayed these as accurately as the needs of my tale allowed. As with the rawis that have gone before me, it’s the story that counts.
Dirk Strasser