As for this world, the Muslims are more capable than anyone else of repaying both kindness and harm. Woe—utter woe—to anyone against whom they wage war! The king must surely have heard the historical accounts and learned that small groups of Muslims have repeatedly defeated Christians and others many times their number. What, then, when the Muslims themselves outnumber them? He will also have heard of the famous battles of earlier and more recent times, such as forty thousand defeating more than four hundred thousand Christians, most of them horsemen.

The Muslims guarding the frontiers have continued to enter Christian lands despite their small numbers and the Muslim kings’ preoccupation with other matters. How much more so now that Allah Most High has blessed the Muslims with unity, numerous armies, valiant commanders, lofty resolve, and a desire for whatever brings them nearer to Allah Most High; when they believe that jihad is the best of voluntary deeds and affirm the promise their Prophet made them when he said:

“The martyr is granted six blessings: he is forgiven with the first drop of his blood; he sees his place in Paradise; he is clothed in the robe of faith; he is married to seventy-two of the maidens of Paradise with beautiful, wide eyes; he is protected from the trial of the grave; and he is kept safe from the greatest terror on the Day of Resurrection.”

Furthermore, there are many times as many Christians in their lands as there are Muslims among you. Among them are Christian leaders with few equals across the sea. As for the Muslim captives, none of them is someone the Muslims need or from whom they derive benefit. We seek their release only for the sake of Allah Most High, out of compassion for them and to draw nearer to Him on the Day when He rewards