the present time; for their affairs were concealed from most people when the forsaken Franks controlled the coastal regions. When Islamic rule returned, their true condition was uncovered and their misguidance became apparent. The affliction they cause is very great indeed.
May a Muslim give someone in marriage to them or marry from among them? In these circumstances, is it lawful to eat the animals they slaughter, or not? What is the ruling on cheese made with rennet from animals they slaughter? What is the ruling on their utensils and clothing? May they be buried among Muslims, or not? May they be employed at the Muslims’ frontier strongholds and entrusted with them? Or must the ruler dismiss them and employ other competent Muslim men? Does he sin if he delays their expulsion, or may he proceed gradually while intending to do so?
If he employs them, whether or not he makes allotments to them, may he spend funds from the public treasury on them? If he does so, and part of someone’s stipulated pay remains unpaid, may the ruler withhold it from him and spend it on other Muslims or eligible recipients, or earmark it for that purpose? Are these courses of action permissible for him, or obligatory? Is it lawful to shed the blood of the aforementioned Nusayrīs and take their wealth, or not?
If the ruler—may Allah Most High support him—wages jihad against them by suppressing their falsehood, removes them from the Muslims’ fortresses, warns the Muslims against intermarrying with them and eating the animals they slaughter, compels them to fast and pray, and prevents them from openly practising their false religion, they being the unbelievers nearest to him: is that better and more greatly rewarded than preparing and lying in wait to fight the Tatars in their own lands and destroying the towns of