تحفة النظار في غرايب الامصار وعجايب الاسفار 12.2.1

12.2.1

وهذا الملك أحب الناس في إسداء العطايا وإراقة الدماء، فلا يخلو بابه عن فقير يغنى أو حي يقتل! وقد شهرت في الناس حكاياته في الكرم والشجاعة، وحكاياته في الفتك والبطش بذوي الجنايات، وهو أشد الناس مع ذلك تواضعا وأكثرهم إظهارا للعدل والحق، وشعائر الدين عنده محفوظة، وله اشتداد «في أمر الصلاة والعقوبة على تركها، وهو من الملوك الذين اطردت سعادتهم وخرق المعتاد يمن نقيبتهم، ولكن الأغلب عليه الكرم، وسنذكر من أخباره فيه عجائب لم يسمع بمثلها عمن تقدمه، وأنا أشهد بالله وملائكته ورسله أن جميع ما أنقله عنه من الكرم الخارق للعادة حق يقين وكفى بالله شهيدا.

This king is of all people the most fond of bestowing gifts and of shedding blood, so that his gate is never without some poor man being enriched or some living man being killed! His stories of generosity and courage have become famous among people, as have his stories of slaughter and severity towards those guilty of crimes; yet with all that he is the most humble of people and the most given to displaying justice and right. The rites of religion are upheld with him, and he is strict in the matter of prayer and in punishing those who neglect it. He is one of those kings whose good fortune has been unbroken and the auspiciousness of whose undertakings has surpassed the ordinary, but generosity is what most prevails in him. We shall mention from his deeds in this respect marvels the like of which have not been heard of anyone before him, and I call God, His angels and His messengers to witness that all I relate of his extraordinary generosity is true and certain, and God suffices as a witness.