as the latter did. Rather, they treated Allah’s enemies with severity and His allies with compassion and mercy. Concerning the Messiah, they affirmed what Allah, glorified and exalted is He, said, and what the Messiah and the disciples said—not what was invented by those who went to extremes or those who failed to give him his due. The disciples foretold that the last of the messengers would be sent from the land of Yemen and would be sent with the rod of discipline, namely, the sword. The Messiah foretold that he would come with clear proofs and interpretation, whereas the Messiah himself had come with parables. This subject would require a lengthy explanation.

I offer this reminder, as one calling to the faith, to a leading figure among his co-religionists and his people only because I learned of his religious devotion, virtue, love of knowledge, and desire for scholarly discussion. I also saw that Shaykh Abū al-ʿAbbās al-Maqdisī was grateful to the king for his gentleness, kindness, and attentive reception, and was likewise grateful to the priests and others.

We are people who wish good for everyone, and we wish that Allah grant you the good of both this world and the Hereafter. The greatest act by which Allah is worshipped is offering sincere counsel to His creation; it was for this that Allah sent the prophets and messengers. No counsel is greater than that concerning a servant’s relationship with his Lord. For the servant must inevitably meet Allah, and Allah will surely call His servant to account, as He, exalted is He, says:

“We will surely question those to whom messengers were sent, and We will surely question the messengers.”

As for this world, its affairs are insignificant, and what seems great in it is small. Ultimately, its pursuits come down to power and wealth. The most a person with power can attain is to be like Pharaoh, who was drowned by