Islam versus Christianity
The main theme of the stories is to show the Islamic characters as courageous, and the non-Islamic characters as "Infidels", dishonorable, lacking in courage and of course as far able warriors than their brave Islamic opponents. The goal of the stories was to show the Islamic warriors and characters in a positive light and all others in a negative light. Even King Shokli, who is seen as an underhanded man who raids encampments is seen in a positive way after he converts to Islam; it is as if he has suddenly seen the light or the error of his ways. This is an early work of propaganda designed to perpetuate the image of Islamic heroism.
The Importance of War
The greatest concern that a father has in the stories is that his sixteen year old son has no battle experience. This continues the theme of the importance of war in the culture and also shows the emphasis placed on participation in battle making the man. Paternal fears are realized as inexperience in battle causes the young man to be captured.
Another way in which the importance of war is emphasized within the theme is the "earning" of a name of title by way of valor or bravery in battle. Several of the characters are awarded their names because they are courageous and this stresses the importance of war and bravery within it.
