How does Naguib Mahfouz use religion in the book?

Naguib Mahfouz's religious upbringing is reflected through the omnipresent thread of Islam laced throughout Midaq Alley. Some characters, like Radwan Hussainy and Sheikh Darwish, are explicit mouthpieces for Islam. Radwan Hussainy, arguably one of the most unsullied characters in the novel, offers sage advice to all the lost souls of the alley, while Darwish makes more obfuscated pronouncements. However, every character is forced to balance his or her ethical decisions against the code of Islam. Reciting over the Qur'an has special meaning for Umm Hamida, and though she is willing to ignore Hamida's engagement to Abbas, she must confront the religious significance. Finally, the code of Islam helps to understand several other aspects of society, most notably the place women hold in the alley.