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torian) be merciful unto Al Walíd, and to all who are like Al Walíd, who demolished the church of Damascus, and built a large Mosque on its site. God be merciful unto Al Walíd, and to those who are like Al Walíd, who gave a large silver dish, and apportioned it for the reader of the Baitu-lMukaddas! He died in Damascus, in the year 76. (God be merciful unto him!) Also Sulaimán-Ibn-Abdul-Málik, the Khalíf, came to the Holy City; whither also came the envoys, to inaugurate him. He sat in the middle of the great area (under the dome) of the Baitu-l-Mukaddas, near the Sakhrá. His carpet of state was spread near the Chapel (and the Rock). Upon this were placed the cushions and the throne. Having taken his seat, proclamation was made unto the public, who came and took their seats upon portions of the throne, and on small pillows. The magistrate, collectors, and the registrars were by his side. He had some idea of taking up his abode in the Holy City, and fixing his household there. He communed with Al Zabari and Házim; from which latter he asked questions and received advice. Some say, that in his way to Mecca he passed through Medína, and inquired if any comrade of the Prophet had survived so long as that period. Házim being sent for, and presented, Sulaimán said, Wherefore do we hate death?

Házim replied, Because you are always demolishing the other world, and building up this world; therefore you detest to pass from restoration to demolition. Then he said, And how can I arrive at a healthful state with regard to God? Házim replied, Truly good deeds shall be like secrets presented before the public; but evil deeds shall be like a runaway slave who comes suddenly in front of his master. Sulaimán, upon this, wept, and said, O that I knew how I am with God! Házim said, Turn aside your attention to the Book of God. Sulaimán replied, In what part shall I find it? Házím said, Here-" Truly the pious are careless about good, and the wicked are careless about Hell." Upon this, Sulaimán said, Where, then, is the mercy of God? He replied, Very near to good doers. Then said Sulaimán, Which of God's servants is most noble? He who is first in manly fortitude and manly abstinence. What prayer is most acceptable? The supplication of a good man who does good. What alms are most meritorious? Those given to a poor suppliant with liberality by one who has but little, when no benefit and no repayment is to be expected. What word is most equitable? The word of justice and right, said by one who hopes or fears. What believer is most wise? He who performs obedience unto God, and leads men

thereto.

Who is most foolish? He who, when his brother injures him, falls into wrath, and turns love into anger; and he who sells the next world for this. Then said the Khalíf, What wilt thou say of us? Házim replied, O Commander of the Faithful, pardon me! The Khalíf replied, Speak truth and probity, which thou shalt also meet with from us. Then said Házim, thy father conquered. the people with the sword, and seized these kingdoms without the advice of the Moslems; nor did he obtain their acquiescence until he had made a great slaughter of them. Upon which, one of the attendants said, O Házim! you are insolent in what you say. Then said Házim, Thou art a liar. Would that God would begin to thrust forth doctors who would openly manifest the Book to men, and not conceal it! Then said Sulaimán unto him, How, then, shall we act rightly? He replied, Let your pasture be straightforwardness, your dwelling manliness, your rule and measure equity. Then said Sulaimán, How shall I most properly manage my wealth, received hence (from my subjects)? Házim said, Let us take it legally, and allot it among the people. Then said Sulaimán, Thinkest thou, Házim, that what is fit for us is fit for thee? He said, My refuge is in God! Also he said, I fear lest I should incline and yield to thee the least thing,

and so be made to taste half life and half death. So said Sulaimán, Remove thy dubious expressions. He replied, I mean, mayst thou save me from Hell, and cause me to enter Heaven! Then said Sulaimán, This is nothing to the purpose. He replied, I have no other difficulty to solve. Then said Sulaimán, Pray, then, for me! Then he said, O God! if Sulaimán be thy friend, give him all happiness and prosperity both in this world and the next; but if he be thy foe, seize by the forelock all that he loves, and all that contents him, whether in word or deed. Upon this, Sulaimán said, O Abú Házim! speak weightier words to me, and more of them. Upon this, replied Abú Házim, I abbreviated the matter. If thou art of

the household (of God), I have spoken abundantly; but if thou art not of the household of God, wherein should I profit if I shoot an arrow from a stringless bow? Then said Sulaimán, Give me some precept. I will give thee a precept, he replied-a very compendious one;-it is, "To magnify thy Lord, and consider that he sees thee wheresoever thou arrivest, and can frustrate thee wherever thou art engaged." When, then, Sulaimán departed, he sent him one hundred dínárs, and wrote to him-"Spend these, and you shall receive many such from me." But he returned them, and wrote thus unto him, O Commander of

the Faithful! God be thy refuge! If thou didst design this in joke, then my rejoinder to thee is sufficiently broad, being thy own munificent gift. These things do not satisfy and content thee; how then can they satisfy and content me? This is the chief event which Sulaimán has to boast of. He began to reign in the year 96, and died in the year 99, aged forty-five.

Also Sulaimán-Ibn-Tarkhán.

He dwelt at

Basra, and asserted that when he entered the Holy Abode, his breath never entered him, nor did he respire until he came out. He died in the year 143. Also Abú-Ambah-Al-Khawás. He is the author of the following tradition :-"There was a Shaikh eminent for silence, for rigid abstinence, and for poetry, who, in the Holy City, wished to barter with me for a black vest and a black turban. I said to him, God have mercy on thee! dost thou not know that this is thy robe? dost thou not perceive that white becomes thee not? Then he wept and said, This is like the garment of sorrow. Whilst we are in the world, let us not wear mourning; for unto that we are reserved. Then he covered the robe over. Also, Thúr-IbnYazíd. He is said to have lived in a village of the Holy Land. Every morning he came with the dawn, and prayed all the prayers in the Temple, returning, after the last evening prayer,

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