and from every sum of wealth that reaches twenty mithqals they pay half a mithqal, and they laid out for him the alms-due on every kind of property.

He asked, “If he collects it, where does he put it?”

They answered, “He returns it to their poor. He enjoins maintaining kinship ties, keeping one’s covenants, forbids adultery and wine, and he will not eat anything that has been slaughtered in the name of anyone but Allah.”

Al-Muqawqis said, “This man is a prophet sent to all people. Were the Copts and the Byzantines to act rightly, they would follow him; Jesus, son of Mary, ordered them to do so. What you describe of him is exactly what the prophets before him were sent with. In the end the victory will be his, so that no one will be able to challenge him, and his religion will prevail to the farthest land trodden by sandal or hoof and even across the seas—though his own people will soon try to fend him off with the palms of their hands.”

They retorted, “Even if all mankind were to join him, we would still not do so.”

Al-Mughīrah continued, “Al-Muqawqis shook his head and said, ‘You are only playing.’

“Then he asked, ‘How is his lineage among his people?’

“We replied, ‘He is of the most distinguished lineage among them.’

“He said, ‘So it is—by the Messiah!—prophets are always sent from the best lineage of their nation.’

“Next he asked, ‘And what of his speech?’

“We said, ‘Because of his truthfulness he is known only as the Trustworthy.’

“He remarked, ‘Reflect on your situation: do you think he would be truthful with you yet lie about Allah?’

“He asked, ‘Who has followed him?’

“We answered, ‘The young.’

“He said, ‘They—by the Messiah!—are the followers of the prophets before him.’ Then he asked, ‘So what have…’