And I examined a letter that had arrived together with the replies from the people of Baghdad, and its wording is as follows:

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, the Supporter of the Islamic community and the Exalter of the Muhammadan law, through the continued days of the blessed, sultanic, royal (1) Nāṣirid state. May Allah robe it in the garment of lasting honor and adorn it with the jewel of unbroken victory as nights and days pass. Blessings and peace be upon the Prophet sent to all mankind, and upon his noble and righteous family.

O Allah, Your gate has never been closed to those who ask, and Your bounty has never ceased to be lavished upon those who come. Whoever You have accustomed to address his requests to You alone will seek from no one else, and whoever You have graced with the gifts of Your favor will turn to no other door and seek refuge only in Your protection. You are the mighty Lord, the most generous, the most munificent. For Your servants, turning to any door but Yours is forbidden. You alone are the One besides whom there is no deity, none is worshiped but You. Exalted is Your protection, lofty is Your praise, sanctified are Your names, tremendous is Your trial; there is no god but You.

Your way (2) with Your creation has never ceased ⦗127⦘: You test Your friends and beloved ones (3) as a grace from You toward them and a kindness from You to them, so that in every circumstance they may increase their remembrance of You, and in every change of condition may show greater gratitude for Your favors. Yet most people