Here is a "virgin" [poem] in her chamber,

Refined and elegant, free from any flaw.

Its speaker is the "Halabi" [the Aleppine] who

Hopes for a beautiful outcome from Allah.

Whoever speaks [believes] as I have spoken,

Has truly mastered the religion, in its binding and its loosening.

"He—may Allah be pleased with him—has many beautiful odes and poems regarding Monotheism that possess deep meanings. It is our purpose to present some of what was composed by each person of merit whose reports have reached us, provided that "Many people have employed the art and system of poetry; if we were to include a segment of verse for every one of them, this book would become exceedingly long. However, God willing, it is necessary to mention them—either by citing something they have uttered or by their names—so that they may be memorialized among the noble believers.

May Allah grant them all success, join us with those who preceded us, and allow us to reach the final degree of those who follow. Allah is the Giver of success.

Among the choice believers and the great, illustrious Monotheists—may Allah sanctify him—is Hasan al-Mawsili (of Mosul), known as al-Khabban.