Muntakhab al-tawarikh 379.6

379.6

but their traffic hath not been gainful.’ I am convinced that the people of succeeding generations who shall see their false fables and all their unprofitable prolixity will, in accordance with the saying ‘he who hears dispenses with the solution of his difficulties,’ with another class of men, regretful not in the least, be perplexed, and will expect and await (something else), and therefore, that the veil may be drawn aside, it is incumbent on me, who am acquainted with some, at least, of the affairs narrated, and have even been intimately connected with these transactions, to place on record what I have seen and what I have heard, for my evidence regarding these things is that of an eye-witness who is certain of what he relates, and does not spring from mere supposition and guess-work (‘and when can that which is heard resemble that which is seen?’) in order that, on the one hand, my record may be an expiation of the writings, past and present, which I have been compelled and directed to undertake, and, on the other, right may be proved to be on the side of the Muslims. Islam has gone from your hands, and ye heed it not, Infidelity has captured the world, and ye sleep!”