in the monastery, for he is eagerly awaiting news from you.” So we hastened to you, frightened by it and unsure whether it might be a she-devil.

He said, “Tell me about the date palms of Baysān (1).” We asked, “What about them do you wish to know?” He said, “I am asking whether its date palms bear fruit.” We replied, “Yes.” He said, “They will soon cease to bear fruit.”

He said, “Tell me about Lake Tiberias.” We asked*: “What about it do you wish to know?” He said, “Does it contain water?” They replied, “It contains abundant water.” He said, “Its water will soon disappear.”

He said, “Tell me about the spring of Zughar (2).” They asked, “What about it do you wish to know?” He said, “Is there water in the spring, and do its people irrigate their crops with its water?” We replied, “Yes. It contains abundant water, and its people irrigate their crops with it.”

He said, “Tell me about the Prophet of the unlettered people. What has he done?” They replied, “He has left Mecca and settled in Yathrib.” He asked, “Did the Arabs fight him?” We replied, “Yes.” He asked, “How did he fare against them?” We informed him that he had prevailed over the Arabs in his vicinity and that they had obeyed him. He asked them, “Has that truly happened?” We replied, “Yes.” He said, “It is indeed better for them to obey him. I shall now tell you about myself: I am the Messiah, and I shall soon be granted permission