Shamsuddin, the honest and trustworthy merchant of Egypt, had built a prosperous life. He was well-liked for his character, and his numerous stalls in the Egyptian market were brimming with various goods. He possessed a retinue of servants and maids, both black and white, who served him diligently. Shamsuddin’s good conduct and successful business endeavors earned him the moniker “King of the Egyptian Market.”

Despite his wealth and contentment in life, Shamsuddin carried a heavy burden in his heart. He and his beloved wife, who shared a deep affection, had been married for forty years. However, they remained childless, and the weight of this childlessness weighed on him.

One Friday afternoon, Shamsuddin observed a scene in the market that deeply troubled him. Merchants of the market were accompanied by their sons, whom they were mentoring in the art of trade. These fathers were sharing their knowledge and expertise with the younger generation, and Shamsuddin was haunted by the realization that he had no offspring to inherit his wisdom.

After the call to Friday prayer, Shamsuddin, filled with anxiety and a heavy heart, made his way to the marketplace’s public bath for his ablutions. As he left the bath, he caught sight of himself in a barber’s mirror, and the sight of his graying beard further heightened his distress. He associated the graying of his beard with the passage of time and the inevitability of death, compounding his fears about leaving no heirs behind.

Upon his return home, he was met with his wife’s warmth and hospitality. She had prepared a sumptuous meal and displayed a joyful demeanor. However, Shamsuddin’s worries loomed large. Without hesitation, he uttered, “I do not find this evening to be blessed.”

Perturbed by his sudden outburst, his wife inquired about the cause of his distress. Shamsuddin, unable to contain his feelings, confessed that she was the source of his worries. Bewildered, his wife implored him to explain his statement. He replied, “I opened my shop today and noticed that every merchant had their sons with them, teaching them the trade. I, on the other hand, stand alone, bereft of an heir. This morning, when I beheld my reflection with a gray beard, it seemed to me as though death would soon overtake me. It was then that I remembered the oath I made to you to have no other wife or take a concubine from Ethiopia or any other tribe. I also vowed to never spend a night away from you. You have made me swear that I would not have children, and now my life seems like a living death.”

His wife, alarmed by his words, countered, “The issue is not with me but with you. You have weak sperm, which is the reason for our childlessness.”

Unwilling to accept her response, Shamsuddin inquired, “Then what can be done to remedy this situation?”

His wife advised him, “Consult the physicians and seek their guidance.” Relenting, Shamsuddin shared a night of intimacy with his wife. The following day, he reflected on his harsh words from the previous evening, regretting his abrupt dismissal of her.

Determined to address their infertility, Shamsuddin embarked on a quest to consult with doctors. He searched tirelessly, but the physicians he encountered did not provide him with a solution; they merely chuckled at his predicament. He returned home disheartened.

Back at his stall, Sheikh Muhammad Samsami, a local vendor who revered Shamsuddin, spoke of the benefits of tea leaves, bamboo shoots, and tobacco. After his spiel, he approached Shamsuddin and noticed his troubled countenance. With genuine concern, Sheikh Muhammad inquired about the source of his distress.

Shamsuddin recounted his troubles, his concerns about not having an heir, and the inability to conceive. The compassion and understanding of Sheikh Muhammad touched him. Shamsuddin confided in him, “I have been married for forty years, but we have not been blessed with a child.”

Sheikh Muhammad acknowledged that it could be due to a male infertility issue and asked if Shamsuddin was willing to go to great lengths to change his fate. Shamsuddin, eager to overcome the predicament, inquired about the remedy. Sheikh Muhammad requested a mere penny for his assistance, but Shamsuddin insisted on giving him two dinars.

Sheikh Muhammad required a dish and a pan for his method. Shamsuddin supplied both items, and Sheikh Muhammad set off to carry out the remedy.