two emirs came as envoys (1) from the council of assembled princes, judges, and their retinue. They conveyed a letter from the princes whose purport was a summons for you to appear, to speak briefly before the judges so the case might be concluded, and demands of that sort (2).

So I said, “Convey my greetings to the princes and tell them: For an entire year—and even before that for another span—you have listened to the adversaries night and day, yet up to this very hour (3) you have not heard a single word from me. This is the height of injustice. Had the opponent been a Jew, a Christian, or any other enemy of Islam and of your state, it would not be lawful for you to judge against him until you had heard his side. You, however, have listened to the words of the opponents alone (4) in numerous sessions. Therefore, listen to my statement alone in a single sitting; afterwards we may gather and speak in your presence (5). This is the least degree of fairness that Allah has enjoined when He said:

‘Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. Excellent indeed is what Allah instructs you. Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.’ (6)

The two envoys asked me to set this down in writing, so I wrote it. They departed, then returned and said, ‘What is required is your personal attendance so that the judges may address you with a few words and the matter will be finished.’ (7)