The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 17.8

17.8

About this time occurred the sad event of the martyrdom of Umar son of Khattab, (may God be pleased with him). And the Khalifate came into the hands of the Commander of the Faithful, Usman son of Affan (with whom may God be pleased). He became desirous of sending an expedition to Sind to carry on a religious war, and he forthwith sent an army to Kandáíl and Makrán under the command of Abdulláh son of A’mir son of Rabíah, who was instructed to gather full information about the country of Sind, and depute a clever, wise and good man to make full enquiries as to the true state of Hind and Sind, and to communicate the result in full detail. Accordingly Abdullah son of A’mir sent Hakim son of Hailah Abdi for the purpose. It is related by Abdullah son of Umar, son of Abdul Kais, that Hakim was an eloquent speaker and a very good poet, though he was an illiterate person. For example, the following verses in the praise of Ali son of Tufail Ghanawi are his:— Verse.— Ever confer favours on me and on my tribe, May I and they be elevated and abide for ever; May you attain the abode of bliss, And may the low be raised to your kindness.” He has also composed the following verses in praise of our lord, the Commander of the Faithful, Ali son of Abí Talib (may the great God glorify his nature) on his return after a victory:—