The author then wrote in his own hand beneath the foregoing: “Correct. Stated and written by Ahmad ibn Ali Ibn Hajar al-Shafi‘i—may he be pardoned.” • In manuscript H the colophon reads: “End of Tawdih Nukhbat al-Fikr. Completion and revision—if Allah Most High so wills—were granted to the one in need of the mercy of his mighty and strong Lord, Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Mughayzil, known as Ibn Hammad, al-Hamawi, al-Shafi‘i, al-Abdari, in the protected city of Cairo, at various sittings, the last of which was mid-morning on Sunday, 3 Rajab al-Fard 850 AH. Praise be to Allah.” At the end of the manuscript there is also a record of its reading and audition before the author, together with his ijaza for a number of scholars; it states: “Praise be to Allah for His favours; may Allah bless our master Muhammad, his family and his Companions, and grant them peace. The entire text of this book was heard from its author, our shaykh, the imam, the eminent scholar, Shaykh al-Islam, king of the distinguished scholars, last of the mujtahids and hadith masters, the second al-Bayhaqi, Chief Judge Shihab al-Din Abu al-Fadl Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad Ibn Hajar al-Kinani al-Asqalani al-Misri al-Shafi‘i—may Allah prolong his life—, with the recitation of the scribe of this copy: the shaykh, the imam, the scholar, mufti of the Muslims, head of the lecturers, Zayn al-Din Abu al-Barakat Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Nasr Allah ibn Mardhi al-Abdari al-Hamawi al-Shafi‘i, famous as Ibn al-Mughayzil, from the beginning up to the author’s words, ‘and it is not permissible deliberately to alter the form of the text’; from that point to the end it was read by our shaykh, the imam, the scholar, the hafiz, Burhan al-Din Abu al-Hasan Ibrahim ibn Umar al-Rabbat al-Biqā‘i al-Shafi‘i. A large number of people attended these sessions, among them: the judge Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Bakri; Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad al-Sakhawi; Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Alam al-Din Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Sunbati; his counterpart Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Sunbati, known as Ibn Abd al-Kafi; and Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Quraysh al-Makhzumi. Also present—though with some absences—was its scribe, Muhammad, called Umar ibn Muhammad ibn Fahd al-Hashimi al-Makki, together with others. The reading was verified in sessions, the last of which took place on the night of Monday, 4 Rajab al-Fard 850 AH, at the al-Mankutamariyya Madrasa in Cairo. The shaykh granted each of us permission to transmit from him whatever he is authorised to relate. Praise be to Allah alone.” The author then confirmed this in his own hand, writing: “This is correct as to reading, audition and ijaza—may Allah Most High make it beneficial. I have authorised the first reader to transmit it from beginning to end as often as Allah wills, and to impart it to whomever he judges qualified, whether resident or travelling. Stated and written by Ahmad ibn Ali Ibn Hajar—may Allah Most High pardon him—while praising Allah, invoking blessings and offering peace.” In the margin one also finds: “Praise be to Allah. I saw in a copy of Sharh al-Nukhba, bearing the author’s handwriting, the following:”