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When Santiago asks for food in exchange for cleaning the crystal merchant's glasses, it is clear that the merchant is following the obligations of the Koran when he offers Santiago something to eat.
The Koran literally means "the recitation" and is the Islamic sacred book.
It is believed to be the very word of God (Allah) as dictated to the Prophet Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel and written down by scribes in Arabic.
The Koran consists of 114 chapters known as suras. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings, including wisdom, doctrine, worship, law, etc.
The basic theme of the Koran is about the relationship between God and His creatures.
It is the complete code for the Muslims to live a good, chaste, abundant and rewarding life in obedience to the commandments of Allah.
Referring to the Koran, the crystal merchant reveals, "The Prophet gave us the Koran, and left us just five obligations to satisfy during our lives. The most important is to believe only in one true God. The others are to pray five times a day, fast during Ramadan, be charitable to the poor...the fifth obligation of every Muslim is a pilgrimage...to visit the holy city of Mecca (Coelho 54)."
The allusion to the Koran is significant to the book "The Alchemist" because it shows the importance of the five obligations in which Muslims must follow to achieve their personal legend and to strengthen their relationship with Allah. Without the customs of the Koran, Santiago would not have been cared for by the crystal merchant and would not have acquired a job to help pay for his journey in fulfilling his own personal legend.
Mecca is regarded as the holiest city in the religion of Islam. Located in Saudi Arabia and is ruled by Muhammad's descendants.
The focal point of Mecca is the Kaaba, the "House of God" believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishamel. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times and may also try to touch or kiss its cornerstone, the Black Stone.
Pilgrimage to Mecca is required of every Muslim who can afford it and are to pray five times a day in the direction of the Kaaba.
Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the city.
When Santiago asks the crystal merchant why the merchant would not go on a pilgrimage to Mecca, it is clear that the crystal merchant is afraid to pursue his personal legend when he admits it.
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Islam Guide: What Is the Quran About? (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014,
Koran - The Alchemist Allusions. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://thealchemistallusions.weebly.com/koran.html
Mecca - The Alchemist Allusions. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://thealchemistallusions.weebly.com/mecca.html
Mecca. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014,
Mecca: Holy City of Islam - ReligionFacts. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014,
Quran. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014,
The allusion to Mecca is significant to the book "The Alchemist" because it is the fifth pillar of Islam in which the crystal merchant has dreams of fulfilling. The crystal merchant’s dream is what he lives for and so he is afraid that if he does complete the last obligation, it may not be what he was hoping for. Thus, it is the journey that the crystal merchant lives’ for which encourages Santiago to keep his dream to find his personal legend.
Referring to Mecca, the crystal merchant reveals, "It's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the same, these mute crystals on the shelves, and lunch and dinner at that same horrible cafe. I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll have no reason to go on living (Coelho 55)."
Presented by: Vicky Tran
Image by Tom Mooring