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doctors of the law , the delight of commoners and men of rank ,
a help to the traveller and a benefit to the merchant. Thus I
could not essay the task of compilation till I had travelled through
the whole kingdom, and visited the territories of Islam , had held
converse with the learned and waited on princes, had discoursed
with Qadhis and studied, under the doctors of law, had frequented
the society of men of letters and the Readers (of the Quran)
and writers of the traditions, and hud held familiar intercourse with
religious persons and the Sufis and been present at the assemblies
of narrators of stories and public preachers. 1 I was wont, moreaover,
to buy and sell in every town, and associate with people of
tall classes, giving everywhere close attention to the particulars
f this science till I attained to a knowledge of it I have measured
The extent of the provinces in farsakhs, with all exactness,
uhave travelled round the frontiers and defined their limits , visited
the country towns and seen them , and inquired into the religious
insects and become familiar with them, and I have duly remarked
the dialects and complexions and have classified them, and have
paid particular attention to the division of the provinces into districts
I have also inquned into the revenues and estimated their 3
amount, and have examined likewise into the condition of climate
and water. In accomplishing this I had to incur great expense
loth of money and labour, pursuing throughout what is legitimate
and avoiding what is sinful , and dealing sincerely with the Muslims
in expectation of reward , and reconciling myself to humiliation
and absence from country and friends, and observing the laws of
'God and standing in fear of Him having in the first place
jnspired my soul with the hope of reward and filled it with the
ambition of renown and the dread of sin
if In all 1 ha\e here written I have carefully kept from falsehood
and perversion of the truth, and have guarded myself by valid
arguments against adverse criticism. 1 have not nisei ted in my
writing mere possibilities or improbabilities, nor have I heeded
1 Discourses in public for the purpose of religious instruction are distinguished
into Qussus and Mudhakuan The Qussas narrate scriptural and
kindred stories and explain them to the people. The Mudhakkaun, on the
other hand, remind then hearers of the mercies of God, urge them to
thankfuluess and wain them against disobedience Of Gloss Beladh. Bub