مكاتبة رمز إلى آل أبي تراب
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. The letter of the shaykhs, my brethren, reached me. May God prolong their lives, preserve their success and raise their stations. I read its contents, examined it closely and sought an explanation of the obscure parts of its knowledge through my brother Abū al-Ḥasan—may God Most High give him honor. I found it expressing pure consciences and good, virtuous, radiant souls, shining with the dawn of the causes of a new age and the prospect of meeting beloved friends under an auspicious rising star. They spoke of their longing, but God is witness that what I feel is many times greater. Whatever time permits of the fulfillment of some of these hopes, I ask God to bring the desired gathering and its joys to pass through His bounty and kindness.
As for what the shaykhs of the House of Abū Turāb said of their agreement, their reunion, their resolution to sell these goods, and their effort to realize the trade while guarding against loss and ruin: may God strengthen them with the means of His success and guide them to what is right and good along the clearest path.
I have accepted everything the shaykhs mentioned and recognized the truthfulness of their account. I have likewise accepted the judgment of Shaykh Abū al-Sarāyā and his appeal to God Most High. He and the others are released and given ample scope in all that they have mentioned. They are forgiven everything that, through ignorance, they neglected or failed to carry out in this affair. May God strengthen them in their company and in the work they undertake, and recompense them generously through His favor.
Regarding Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim, the custodian of al-Bustān—may God exalt him—and what he mentioned about the House of ʿAbd Allāh, the House of Sulaymān and the community, and what caused them anxiety and weighed upon them in the matter of the oath: they should not fear that obligation if it becomes necessary for them to undertake it.
A sincere oath is an act of glorification and praise. If a man does not take it, however, he may impose upon himself a financial liability and find himself exposed to estrangement and displacement. God judges every person according to his belief and holds him accountable for his intention.
Abū al-Qāsim also asked concerning al-Jarmaqī—may God curse him. By God, we have not seen him; we were only told that he was in Egypt with al-Kurdī and his companions and did not leave them. Whatever he says is the work of al-Kurdī, who laid the foundation of these actions for him and others in the past and at the present time; the matter originated with him. By God, do not permit him to settle in any of your localities. He is a cursed corrupter. His behavior comes from al-Kurdī, who in our judgment has produced even greater confusion in Egypt than in Syria. May God permit him no further advance.
As for the condition of the two distinguished shaykhs from the House of ʿAbd Allāh—I mean Shaykh Ibrāhīm and Abū al-Fawāris Ḥusayn ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, whom God strengthen—I have been told of their strength in cultivation and the labor they and all their cousins have performed in farming. Write to them from me with the promise of good things: we shall strengthen them, together with their cousins, with resources for which no account will be demanded from them. Nor will they be denied additional aid when they request it, without their being required to sign binding instruments of debt concerning it.
Likewise write to Abū al-Dirʿ and Abū al-Laqā—may God strengthen them—with the same favorable promises.
Send this letter to Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim, the guarantor of al-Bustān, enclosed in Shaykh Abū al-Sarāyā's letter and carried by someone trustworthy who will act promptly rather than delay its delivery. Inform the shaykhs of the House of ʿAbd Allāh and House of Sulaymān about it. Enforce the banishment of the liar Ṭarrād al-Jarmaqī—may God curse him and whoever instructed him to bring ruin and destruction to the localities.
All the shaykhs who serve as heads of the allotments should administer affairs on their own authority and promise their people support and improvement without requiring account from them. The noble master has already disbursed some of his own property specifically designated for restoring the allotments. They are excused for whatever the locusts destroyed. If any part of the fruit has been lost or damaged, he will release compensation to them without charging it to their accounts.
By God, by God, the shaykhs must not delay the delivery of this letter to Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim, custodian of al-Bustān—may God strengthen him. Shaykh Abū al-Sarāyā and whichever other shaykhs can accompany him must see to the matter. Do not neglect it: it has not been possible to write more than this.
By God, put the expulsion of the accursed al-Jarmaqī into effect. May God expose his disgrace and hasten the shame of whoever supported him in this affair. Tell us what has happened to the olives, vines and all the fruit. Shaykh Abū al-Ḥasan reported that the olives, grapes and figs bore a fine crop again after the locusts had eaten them.
Do not delay your answer about the result of the affair and the condition of this fruit. Did it return to producing like the fruit of every ordinary year after the locusts devoured it? Do not put off reporting on this.
I and the community send the shaykhs of the House of Abū Turāb our fullest greetings. The same greetings go to the shaykhs of the House of ʿAbd Allāh and the House of Sulaymān, to everyone in al-Ḥamrāʾ and to the shaykhs of al-Bustān, as well as to all those in the capital and those belonging to every allotment.
Praise belongs to God, Lord of the Worlds; may His prayers rest upon His Messenger to all created beings, and may He grant peace. God suffices us and is the best Supporter and Helper.
Send this letter to the House of Sulaymān and the House of ʿAbd Allāh so that they may read and examine it. May God choose the best outcome through His favor, generosity and kindness. Peace.