Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/31

2 Book of Manifestation (of His commands); and related to him histories of the past and of things to come (in this and the next world as well); and taught him what was and what will be until the Day of Judgment.We praise Him for having appointed us His people. And we thank Him for His gifts and His grace. And we bear witness that there is no god but God. He is one. He hath no companion. Behold! of His goodness He hath vouchsafed to us knowledge of the state of those who have preceded us among nations. And He will not raise His mantle (of protection) from over us, even though our footsteps fail us. And He made us a people just, and above others, and testified unto us thereof in the great and honoured Book. And thus spake the Most High: "Ye are the blessedest of people that hath appeared among mankind. Ye shall exhort with kindness and forbid from iniquity." And virtue appeareth through that which He hath made excellent by it, and glorified.

And we bear witness that our lord and our prophet Muhammad is His servant and His messenger, who (Muhammad) said: "My Lord instructed me, and therefore gave me the best instruction." And he is