bearing a letter from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. In it we were ordered to rise up against al-Aswad. We realized how serious the affair was, and we also saw that al-Aswad’s attitude toward Qays ibn ʿAbd Yaghūth had shifted. We therefore informed Qays and conveyed to him the words of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; it was as though we had already secured him, and he pledged his support. Wabr arrived, we wrote to the people and summoned them to join us.
Al-Aswad then consulted his demon, who sent for Qays and asked him, “What does the king say?” The demon continued, “The king says: ‘I singled Qays out and honoured him, yet once he had entered into every part of you he turned as the turn of your enemy.’” Qays swore that none of this was true and tried to clear himself. The demon retorted, “Do you dare belie the king? He has spoken the truth, and I know you are repentant.”
Qays came to us and reported what had happened. We told him, “Stay on your guard.” Shortly afterwards al-Aswad sent us a message: “Did I not raise you above your people? Have reports about you not reached me?” We replied, “Overlook us this one time.” He answered, “Let nothing reach me from you again, or I will kill you.” We barely escaped, and he remained suspicious of us.
We then wrote to ʿĀmir ibn Shahr, Dhū Kalāʿ, and Dhū Ẓulaym, instructing them not to make any move. I next visited his wife Āzād and said, “Cousin, you know the affliction this man has caused—the murder of your husband and your people and the disgrace he has brought upon the women. Will you help us against him?” She replied, “Nothing God has created is more hateful to me than he. He upholds no right for God and refrains from no violation.”
When I went out, Fayrūz and Zādawih were waiting for me, and Qays arrived while we were preparing to challenge him. Before Qays could sit down a man said, “The king summons you.” He went in with ten men but could not strike him while they were present. Al-Aswad said, “I am ʿAbhala—do you think I can be protected by men? Did I not tell you the truth while you told me lies? You want to kill me!” Qays answered, “How could I, when you are the Messenger of Allah? Command me as you wish. As for fear and dread, I have both—so kill me and relieve me.” Al-Aswad felt pity for him and let him go. Qays came out to us and said, “Proceed with your plan.”
Al-Aswad then advanced on us with a force, and we rose to confront him. At the gate stood one hundred head of cattle—cows and camels—which he slaughtered. He then said, “Is it really true that…"