AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
5
of the Faithful, ʾOmar-ibn-el-Khattâb [may God be satisfied of him],[1] in whom, and in the mention of whom, I, the author, am blest.
- ↑ This formula is used after mentioning the names of the first Khalîfahs, and of the Associates of the Prophet, and of the disciples of Christ. It is more honourable than the formula "May God have pity upon him," which is used for doctors of the law and other persons of note. "May God bless and grant salvation to him," is used only for the Prophet. I may remark here, once for all, that these formulæ are always used, but they cause such awkwardness in breaking the sentence, that I have in almost every case omitted them. Even Muslims abbreviate them to the utmost.
this illustrious family had been abandoned by fortune, the people had a more lively sense than ever of the important services the members of it had rendered them. Their exalted merit and excellent qualities then appeared in a stronger light than even when they were in the zenith of their power, and in after ages they found as many historians to celebrate their virtues as did the greatest conquerors and most powerful princes of the East.
