Imām was a poor young man who came from his village to complete his higher education in Cairo. He rented a small room from Shafāʻāt who was the owner of a cereal mill. She was attracted to Imām and they had an affair, but he was really in love with Salwá, who was the daughter of his father's acquaintance in Cairo. Shafāʻāt threatened him and called the police and accused him of stealing her jewelry.