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Zena is a deleted character from the 1992 Disney animated feature film, Aladdin. She was the titular character's mother who passed away prior to the events of the film.

Background[]

Zena's youth was briefly explored in the Aladdin comic story, The Mysterious Amulet, where she's engaged to a lamp-seller named Hamid. The story portrays Zena as having been just as adventurous as her son, with a no-nonsense attitude towards those who judge her purely because of her gender. She was also a skilled fighter, having battled Aladdin one-on-one. The final panels show that she named Aladdin after a dog belonging to one of her patrons.

In the film Aladdin and the King of Thieves, her death was mentioned by Aladdin, who said she died when he was still just a little kid. It was also clarified that Aladdin lived with her and her husband (his father), Cassim, until the latter decided to leave the family in hopes of finding a better life for them. But Cassim ended up being gone for much longer than anyone anticipated, and during his absence, Aladdin's mother passed away unexpectedly, leaving the young Aladdin an orphan and ultimately forcing him to become a thief in order to provide for himself. When Cassim finally returned to the home that he once shared with his wife and their son, he found it abandoned, leading him to believe that his wife and child had both died. In his grief, Cassim was motivated to become the leader of the Forty Thieves.

Before Cassim left, Cassim asked his wife to give Aladdin his dagger, a request she had apparently carried out before she died as Aladdin possessed the dagger until adulthood, which is what causes Cassim to discover Aladdin's true identity when the two reunite years later.

Development[]

The unnamed mother of Aladdin was conceived in the early stages for Aladdin; at one point she had a major role in one draft for the film. However, as development progressed, the character was removed from the film (along with many other characters) to streamline the story. However, on the Aladdin DVD, the scene where she and the Genie urge Aladdin to tell Jasmine the truth is included in the deleted scenes. In the actual film, it is stated in "One Jump Ahead" that Aladdin has no parents (i.e., he's an orphan).

Role in the film[]

In an earlier rendition, the plot of Aladdin revolved around Aladdin raised in the lower parts of Agrabah with his mother. At the beginning of the story, Aladdin's mother was very frustrated with her son because he was supporting their family with thievery and she wanted to be able to make a living through more honest means. One day, Aladdin's mother made plans to go out and sell a rug that she had previously woven, hoping to get a fair price for it. When Aladdin volunteered to do it for her, she begrudgingly let him but warned him to keep out of trouble. Unfortunately, Aladdin ended up losing the rug to a swindler.

Upon learning of this, Aladdin's mother became very distressed and despite her son's objections, agreed to sell her engagement ring. It was at this point that Aladdin realized that he had never been a very good son and that night as his mother slept, he secretly returned her engagement ring while vowing to one day make her proud via the song "Proud of Your Boy".

Her son returned from the Cave of Wonders with the Genie, Aladdin's mother was very pleased to find that the Genie could provide for them. She was even happier after Aladdin had made his wish to become a prince, because she was invited to come and live in the palace with him. However, she was still very displeased with her son for deceiving Jasmine and believed that he owed it to Jasmine to tell her the truth.

At the end of the film, when Aladdin finally comes clean to Jasmine about who he is, his mother hugs and states that she's never been more proud of him.

Printed media[]

Aladdin (Marvel Comics)[]

In Issue #6 of the comic book series published by Marvel Comics, Aladdin uses Genie's magic to travel back in time in search of information about his parents after finding an amulet with his name engraved into it. During his time in the past, Aladdin is attacked by a giant bird. He is rescued by a hooded woman, who reveals herself to be Zena. Zena explains that the bird (known as the "Roc") has been tormenting Agrabah by stealing various treasures and hoarding it atop its nest. Zena has her eyes on the nest, needing to retrieve a valuable object belonging to her patron. Aladdin offers to help, which Zena nonchalantly accepts. Along the way, Aladdin runs into a group of centaurs, whom Zena is familiar with. She guides Aladdin to safety, and shortly afterwards, to the Roc's nest, which is surrounded by a giant spider's web. There, Aladdin takes a handful of treasure and throws it off the nest, which the Roc flies after only to inadvertently trap himself in the spider's web. With the Roc defeated, Zena gathers the amulet she was searching for and delivers it to her patron with Aladdin.

It turns out, the amulet belonged to a dog's collar—a dog named Aladdin. A disappointed Aladdin laments the revelation, disappointed in having endured a wild goose chase. He wishes to return to the present, which Genie obliges—but not before Zena thanks him for his help and friendship. After Aladdin departs, Zena's fiance, Hamid, arrives and announces that he's snagged a job as a lamp seller. Now a family with income, Zena and Hamid anticipate their marriage. Zena also mentions having a name idea for their future son: "Aladdin."

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

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  • There is a concept art image of the main cast that includes Aladdin's mother. Most of the character's names are below and under Aladdin's mother is a name; the first letter looks sort of like an "H" however it is very hard to make out.
  • In the comic, Zena is engaged to a lamp seller named Hamid. However, in the film, she was the wife to the King of Thieves, Cassim. It is possible that Hamid was a mistake on the author (the comics were made before Aladdin and the King of Thieves was made) or Zena may have left him once she met Cassim.
  • She named her son after the name of a dog. Similar to Indiana Jones, both in the films and in real life.
  • She is briefly, indirectly mentioned in the live-action version of the film, along with Aladdin's father. Aladdin claims to Jasmine at one point that he had lost both of his parents at a young age.
v - e - d
Aladdin Logo
Media
Films: Aladdin (video/soundtrack) • The Return of Jafar (video) • Aladdin and the King of Thieves (video/soundtrack) • Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your DreamsAladdin (2019) (video/soundtrack) • Aladdin 2

Shows: Aladdin: The Series • "Hercules and the Arabian Night" • Great Minds Think 4 ThemselvesA Poem Is...
Books: Comic bookAladdin's QuestA-Mazing AladdinJasmine's Magic CharmRoyal WeddingsAladdin: One True LoveJasmine: The Missing CoinJasmine the MatchmakerDisney Princess BeginningsThe Art and Making of AladdinAladdin: Far From AgrabahThe Magic Carpet's Secret
Video Games: Video gameNasira's RevengeActivity CenterDisney's MathQuest With AladdinAladdin PinballDisney InfinityDisney Infinity: 2.0 EditionKingdom HeartsKingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesKingdom Hearts IIKingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysKingdom Hearts codedKingdom Hearts χKingdom Hearts Unchained χ/Union χDisney Enchanted TalesDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Magic KingdomsDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion KingDisney POP TOWNDisney Classic Games CollectionDisney Speedstorm

Disney Parks
Arabian CoastCaravan CarouselCastle of Magical DreamsDisney Animation BuildingGarden of the Twelve FriendsIt's a Small WorldKaribuni MarketplaceLe Passage Enchanté d'AladdinMickey's PhilharMagicPLAY!Sorcerers of the Magic KingdomStorybook Land Canal BoatsThe Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)The Magic Carpets of AladdinVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Entertainment: Aladdin: A Musical SpectacularBelieve! Sea of DreamsCinderella's Surprise CelebrationCinderellabration: Lights of RomanceDisney's BelieveDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicFeel the MagicGolden Fairytale FanfareMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookOnce Upon a MouseRoyal Princess Music CelebrationThe Magic Lamp TheaterThe Starlit Princess WaltzVillains Tonight!
Restaurants: Aladdin's Oasis
Shops: Adventureland Bazaar
Parades: A Million Splashes of ColourAladdin's Royal CaravanCelebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's FantillusionDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney Adventure Friends CavalcadeDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeDreaming Up!Dreams.... And Shine Brighter!Happiness is Here ParadeMagic HappensMove It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street PartyMickey's New Year's Eve ParadeMickey's Soundsational ParadeMickey's Storybook ExpressMickey and Friends CelebrationThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLightsNightfall GlowDisney Harmony in Color! Parade
Fireworks: Believe... There's Magic in the StarsDisney Dreams!Disney EnchantmentDisney in the StarsFantasy in the SkyHappily Ever AfterHarmoniousIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationMickey's Mix MagicMomentousOnce Upon a Time Remember... Dreams Come TrueWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party!Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Disney's Summer Oasis SplashStitch and Friends Summer SurpriseStitch's Summer Dance Bash
Halloween: Disney's Maleficious Halloween PartyDisney Villains Wicked GatheringFrightfully Fun ParadeHappy HallowishesHocus Pocus Villain SpelltacularIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsJack Skellington’s Villainous GatheringKooky Spooky Halloween NightRe-Villains! Halloween ParadeThe Disney Villains Halloween ShowtimeThe Villains WorldVillains Mix and MingleVillains Night Out!
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: AladdinGenieJasmineAbuMagic CarpetThe SultanRajahJafarIagoThe PeddlerRazoul The Royal GuardsGazeemPrince AchmedHarem GirlsFarouk

Sequels: Abis MalAbis Mal's ThugsCassimSa'LukForty ThievesThe Oracle
TV Series: SadiraMercQueen HippsodethScaraKing PectorThe MukhtarKing MamoodEdenSultan Pasta Al-DenteDhandiHamedPharabuPrince UncouthmaGeneral GoudaBrawnhildaBudRuntaThundraQueen KimblaSydneyBrisbaneKoala KidMachanaFasirRiders of RamondSamir the "Destroyer"SquirtCaptain Al BahtrossPrince WazooAjed Al-GebraicAmalAbnor MalMechaniclesScooterMaraudersZorastoMozenrathXerxesKhartoumSiroccoShamanMirageHaroud Hazi BinFashoomSaleenArmandAyam AghoulEvil AladdinCaliph KapokSootinaiDaru TavelevilMalchoDominus TuskAl Muddy SultanAl MuddyAzizMinos and FatimaNefir HasenufNefir's ImpsArbutusMagmaAmuk MoonrahChaosEvil GenieScourge of the DesertAmin DamoolaFrigeedAnubisSahkata, Razili, and FaridaSand MonsterSand SharkMothiasDing and OopoQueen DelucaKing ZahbarQueen Deluca's BrothersThe Great RiftMamluksKileemThe EtherealZin and ZangKutatoUnkbuutDestane
Enchanted Tales: AneesaHakeemSaharaSharma
Video game characters: NasiraBizarrahVery Ankh-Amman
Deleted Characters: ZenaGenie of the RingJasmine's MotherBabkak, Omar, and Kassim
Remake: DaliaPrince AndersHakim

Episodes
Season One: Getting the Bugs OutMudder's DayFowl WeatherThe Prophet MotiveMuch Abu About SomethingMy Fair AladdinTo Cure a ThiefNever Say NefirRaiders of the Lost Shark

Season Two: "Air Feather Friends" • "Bad Mood Rising" • "Do the Rat Thing" • "The Vapor Chase" • "Garden of Evil" • "Some Enchanted Genie" • "Web of Fear" • "Plunder the Sea" • "Strike Up the Sand" • "Sneeze the Day" • "I Never Mechanism I Didn't Like" • "Forget Me Lots" • "Scare Necessities" • "SandSwitch" • "Lost and Founded" • "Moonlight Madness" • "The Flawed Couple" • "Rain of Terror" • "Dune Quixote" • "That Stinking Feeling" • "The Day the Bird Stood Still" • "Of Ice and Men" • "Opposites Detract" • "Caught by the Tale" • "Elemental, My Dear Jasmine" • "Beast or Famine" • "Smolder and Wiser" • "The Game" • "Poor Iago" • "The Spice is Right" • "The Animal Kingdom" • "Power to the Parrot" • "The Sands of Fate" • "Hero with a Thousand Feathers" • "The Citadel" • "Snowman is an Island" • "The Secret of Dagger Rock" • "In the Heat of the Fright" • "Witch Way Did She Go?" • "The Seven Faces of Genie" • "The Wind Jackals of Mozenrath" • "A Clockwork Hero" • "Mission: Imp Possible" • "Stinker Belle" • "Sea No Evil" • "Shadow of a Doubt" • "Smells Like Trouble" • "The Way We War" • "Night of the Living Mud" • "Egg-stra Protection" • "A Sultan Worth His Salt" • "Heads, You Lose" • "The Love Bug" • "When Chaos Comes Calling" • "Genie Hunt" • "Armored and Dangerous" • "The Lost Ones" • "Eye of the Beholder" • "Shark Treatment" • "Black Sand" • "Love at First Sprite" • "Vocal Hero" • "The Lost City of the Sun" • "As the Netherworld Turns" • "Seems Like Old Crimes" • "From Hippsodeth, with Love" • "Destiny on Fire" • "The Return of Malcho"
Season Three: "The Hunted" • "Riders Redux" • "The Book of Khartoum" • "While the City Snoozes" • "Two to Tangle" • "The Ethereal" • "The Shadow Knows" • "The Great Rift"

Locations
AgrabahCave of WondersThe Sultan's PalaceThe Vanishing IsleOdiferousThe Isle of GalifemMorbiaOld Wizard's Lab
Objects
Golden Scarab BeetleJafar's Snake StaffGenie's LampJafar's LampEden's BottleMozenrath's GauntletCrystal of IxBlue Rose of ForgetfulnessTree of RenewalEmerald of KhufuCassim's DaggerThe Oracle's ScytheHand of Midas
Songs
Original: Arabian NightsOne Jump AheadFriend Like MePrince AliA Whole New World

The Return of Jafar: I'm Looking Out for MeNothing in the World (Quite Like a Friend)Forget About LoveYou're Only Second Rate
King of Thieves: Party in AgrabahOut of Thin AirWelcome to the Forty ThievesFather and SonAre You In or Out?
Enchanted Tales: More Than a Peacock PrincessI've Got My Eyes on You
Deleted: Humiliate the BoyProud of Your BoyWhy Me?You Count on MeCall Me a PrincessBabkak, Omar, Aladdin, KassimHigh AdventureMy Finest HourTo Be FreeDesert Moon
Broadway: A Million Miles AwayThese Palace WallsSomebody's Got Your BackDiamond in the Rough
Remake: Speechless

See also
MusicalFriend Like IagoThe Disney AfternoonDisney RenaissanceAs Told by Emoji
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