Kingdom of the Concubines

In the late 5th century AH, amidst the raging sectarian conflicts between the emirates of southern Arabia, and within a harsh patriarchal environment, a woman ruled the region of Jibla for over 50 years without a male guardian, relying on the pillars of the Ismaili esoteric doctrine... and her concubines. At the palace, Queen Arwa al-Sulayhiyya trained her concubines in the arts of seduction, conversation, and absolute loyalty, and through them, she subjugated the princes of the fortresses and castles. Among the neighboring regions, Shawdhab stood out, enjoying the queen's trust. Possessing the cunning and shrouded in mystery, she would secretly rule in her mistress's name for a long time after her death, thanks to the demands of her followers. She acknowledged that concealing the queen's death was essential for the continuation of their power. Shawdhab, or rather, her reputation, was not only the queen's beloved, but also the forbidden love of the one who corresponded with Queen Jawdhar, spending his nights and days in her absence. It is the kingdom of women whose days would end with the death of Shawdhab, igniting wars between the various proponents of the divine God—Zaydi, Sittite, and Sulali—and fragmenting the kingdom into Malik… It is the story of yesterday… It is the story of today… In the late fifth century of the Islamic calendar, amidst the raging sectarian conflicts between the emirates of southern Arabia, and in a harsh patriarchal environment, a woman ruled the region of Jibla, extending her authority for over fifty years. She had no army to protect her, only a few Ismaili missionaries and concubines. In the school attached to the palace, Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi trained her concubines in the arts of seduction, eloquence, and absolute loyalty, using them to subdue the princes of the castles and fortresses. Among these concubines emerged Shaddadah, who gained the queen's trust. This knowledgeable slave girl, whose names and attire were many, secretly ruled in her mistress's name for a long time after her death, at the behest of her fellow slave girls, who realized that concealing the queen's demise was the only way to protect their power. Shaddadah, or whatever her name was, was not only beloved by the queen, but also the forbidden love that tormented the queen's scribe, Jawahir, keeping him awake at night and consuming his days. It was the kingdom of women that would end with Shaddadah's death, igniting wars between proponents of divine right—Zaydis, Sunnis, tribes, and rulers—and dividing the kingdom into smaller kingdoms. That was the story of yesterday. That is the story of today.