and build their mosques there, then the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—has said:

“It is not right for there to be two qiblahs in one land.”

Another report states:

“A house of mercy and a house of punishment cannot coexist.”

The Muslims have become numerous in Egypt, and the land has grown so populous in these times that its inhabitants now number several times as many as in the days of Salāh al-Dīn. Salāh al-Dīn and his family did not take the Christians as allies, nor did they employ any of them in any aspect of Muslim affairs whatsoever. For this reason, they were supported and granted victory over their enemies despite their limited wealth and numbers.

The Christians and Tatars only grew powerful after the death of al-‘Ādil, Salāh al-Dīn’s brother. Some kings even gave them Muslim cities, and troubles arose because of neglecting what Allah and His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had commanded. For Allah Most High says:

“Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Almighty.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer, give zakat, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters.”

Thus, rulers who demolished their churches and enforced Allah’s commands concerning them, such as Umar ibn Abd al-Azīz, Hārūn al-Rashīd, and others like them, were supported and granted victory. Those who acted otherwise were defeated and subjugated. Strife among the Muslims multiplied, and they became divided in their allegiance to their kings, only from the time of the involvement of