Al-Qadi al-Fadil

From MedNub
Jump to navigationJump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

[pp. 307-308]

Al-Qāḍī Al-Faḍil

(d. 1199 A.D.)

Abū Alī A. Rahmān b. al-Qāḍī al-Faḍil al-Ashraf al-Asqalānī al-Baysānī. Saladin's famous secretary and influential vizier. He wrote many official letters (100 volumes), quoted by some historians.

T.: Al-Qalqashandī and Ibn Khallikān A: 0


[Here below are two excerpts from his letters, the one recommending a preacher for transfer from Aidhab to Kerak, the other announcing to Saladin the capture of Ibrīm by Tūrānshāh.]

Of him [al-Qādī al-Faḍil] we record a kind letter he wrote [and sent] to Saladin through the preacher (khatīb) of ʿAydhāb, in favour of the latter recommending him for the post of preacher at al-Kerak. This is the letter:

[Omitted: Compliments] ... This letter expressing all regards to the kings, is forthcoming through the preacher of Aidhab. Being dissatisfied with the place and the little benefit that may be found there, and having been told about those victories which have filled the earth with astonishment and compelled all living mortals [p. 308] to give thanks, he moved (hajar) from the salty watering trough (hajīr) of 'Aydhāb, and travelled throughout the whole night of hope, which is an all-brilliant light, without awaiting the dawn. Actually, he wished to be assigned the post of preacher at al-Kerak, for he is a preacher indeed. He has laid his suppliant request before the kings from near. Therefore he rose from Miṣr yearning for Syria (ash-shām), and left 'Aydhāb for al-Kerak, which is in itself a wonder. Poverty is a violent driver, while the aforementioned [preacher] is a poor fellow, but God has been generous to mankind in sending [to the world] our magnificent master (mawlānā) [= Saladin]. (Ibn Khallikan, Cairo ed. IV, p. 159).

... They [Nubians] formed a hot garrison (ḥimiyyah ... ḥāmiyah), consisting of children of Ham (min banī Ḥam). Their feet [were] as numerous as locusts, but God roasted them with His fire. They were spread in every direction like the flood-waters, but God drowned them with His deluge. They looked like ants by their colour and their manners, but God, by means of His Solomon, crushed them, both the troops (alfāf) and ranks (al-aṭrāf) who joined them. (Qalqashandī, VI, p. 510).