I have heard about you, Fayruz? I was almost resolved to put you to death.’
Fayruz answered, ‘You chose us as your in-laws and preferred us above your own kinsmen; through the Messenger of Allah ﷺ we have been granted both our religion and our worldly lot, so do not give ear to every report that reaches you about us.’
Al-Aswad retorted, ‘Then divide these beasts.’
I began allotting one camel to each group of men and one cow to the members of the household.
Later I met with the woman (Āzād). She said, ‘He is on guard and the sentries encircle the palace; only this door is left unprotected. Attack him from here, and I have made ready a lamp for you.’
I went out, and al-Aswad met me as I was leaving the palace. ‘What brought you in?’ he demanded, striking me on the head so that I staggered. The woman cried out, ‘My cousin came to visit me!’
‘Silence—may you be bereft!’ he said. ‘I have spared him for your sake.’
I rejoined my companions and said, ‘Away—save yourselves!’ and related what had happened. While we were speaking her messenger arrived, saying, ‘Do not abandon what we agreed upon.’
We said to Fayruz, ‘Go to her and settle the matter for us.’
That night we came and entered; a lamp had been placed beneath a large bowl. We put Fayruz in front, for he was the boldest of us. When he drew near the chamber he heard heavy snoring, while the woman sat waiting.
As soon as Fayruz stood at the doorway al-Aswad seated his demon beside him and said to it, ‘Again—what have I to do with you, Fayruz!’
Fayruz feared that if he withdrew both he and the woman would perish, so he rushed upon him, grappled with him—he was like a great camel—seized his head, wrenched his neck and killed him.
As he rose to depart, the woman grasped his garment, imploring him. He said, ‘Go tell my companions that he is slain.’
She came to us; we went in with her and tried to sever his head, but the devil shook it and it writhed so that we could not hold it. Fayruz said, ‘Sit on his chest.’
Two men sat upon him, the woman took hold of his hair, and when we heard a gurgling sound we gagged him with a cloak. Then the blade was drawn across his throat and he bellowed louder than any bull.
The guards dashed to the door crying, ‘What is this? What is this?’
She replied, ‘The prophet is receiving revelation.’
We spent the remainder of the night discussing how to inform our supporters, and agreed that we would first raise our rallying cry and then give the call to prayer.
When dawn broke, Dādawih called out