religion?" The Hijazi said: "As for what they believe, say, and manifest regarding the rites and marriages: they hold that the believer is not a cuckold, nor is he born of fornication, and he is only born of marriage from pure fathers to pure mothers. A man among them is as protective of his brother's family as he is of his own. They do not make lawful the taking of what is not rightfully theirs, nor do they permit it or approve of it; they see that as forbidden. They do not approve of lying nor do they practice it against anyone. They do not make drinking wine lawful or permissible, nor are they shameless with it. They do not neglect an obligation due to one another.

And they related: "That the righteous believer brother is connected to Allah — Exalted Glory — and that good deeds are acquired from him."

They pray the prayer in its perfection and at its times, and they give the zakat to its people. They fast the month of Ramadan according to what the Messenger — Exalted Glory — established and made obligatory. They perform Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah, are loyal to the friends of Allah, and are antagonistic to His enemies."

The Indian said: "And what do you say regarding Amir Al-Muminin?" The Hijazi said: "They say magnificent things of him and relate of him what I cannot mention." The Indian said: "O man, had you gained understanding in your religion and contemplated the word of Allah — Exalted Glory —: «And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For why should there not go forth from every group of them a party to obtain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them that they might be cautious?»¹. You would have been self-sufficient from your journey and would have been in a magnificent state." The Hijazi asked: "And how is that?"