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History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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Abdur Rahman III 141<br />

city had driven away the pirates from the land and sea before the<br />

Caliph and the Navy Commander appeared on the scene.<br />

Awe-Struck Christian Rulers<br />

Ordono the cousin <strong>of</strong> Sancho and son-in-law <strong>of</strong> Ferdinand, the ruler <strong>of</strong><br />

Castile was the ruler <strong>of</strong> Leon. When Caliph Abdur Rahman III<br />

restored Leon to Sancho, Ordono had gone to Ferdinand. Now<br />

Ordono along with twenty men from Galicia reached Salamanca city<br />

in 355 A.H. on the way to Cordova. But Ghalib, the caretaker <strong>of</strong> the<br />

northern borders stopped him because he was visiting Cordova<br />

without permission <strong>of</strong> the Caliph. Ordono, the former ruler <strong>of</strong> Leon<br />

argued that he considered himself an ordinary slave <strong>of</strong> the Caliph and<br />

was, therefore, going to appear before his master and needed no<br />

permission. However, Ghalib held him in Salamanca and informed<br />

the Caliph about Ordono. The Caliph granted him permission and<br />

sent a commander to welcome him to Cordova.<br />

On entering Cordova, Ordono went to the tomb <strong>of</strong> Caliph Abdur<br />

Rahman in, got down from his horse, kept praying for a long time and<br />

moved ahead after <strong>of</strong>fering his prostration to the departed Caliph. The<br />

Caliph allowed him to appear in the court in a white garment, which<br />

was considered a sign <strong>of</strong> honor among the Umayyads. Abdullah bin<br />

Qasim, the bishop <strong>of</strong> Toledo and Waleed bin Khairun, the magistrate<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Christians <strong>of</strong> Cordova had accompanied him. Appearing before<br />

the Caliph, Ordono was astonished and awe-stricken <strong>by</strong> the splendor<br />

and magnificence <strong>of</strong> the court and took <strong>of</strong>f his cap in a state <strong>of</strong><br />

bewilderment. However, his Companions escorted him towards the<br />

throne and he fell down in prostration before facing the Caliph. He<br />

then raised<br />

his head and moved ahead on his knees and lay prostrate<br />

once again. He reached the spot fixed for him lying in prostration<br />

repeatedly. At last, he sat in the chair put for him. Even though he<br />

made several attempts to utter something, he failed to be able to<br />

speak. The Caliph in view <strong>of</strong> his state <strong>of</strong> bewilderment kept silent for<br />

sometime and gave him time to collect himself. At last the<br />

broke Calioh<br />

his silence and<br />

V<br />

said:<br />

O Ordono, I<br />

the needful for you."<br />

am happy to see you here. My royal favor wUl do

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