Biographical Dictionary Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 edition. Excerpt: ...taking castles and subduing the open country. Before the expiration of A. H. 455, he was master of all Yemen, hill and dale, land and sea. An occurrence of this nature had never been witnessed before, either in the times which preceded lslamism or in those which followed; and (as an eceample of his good fortune, it may be related) that, one day, when preaching from the pulpit at al-Janad (7), he said that, on the same day (of the newt year), he should preach from the pulpit in Aden; a city of which he had not yet obtained possession. A person who was present at the sermon and heard these words, exclaimed in derision: " O most adorable most holy (8) l" As-Sulaihi ordered the man to be taken into custody, and on that day (of the newt year), he preached at Aden. The same man was again present; and now, after most extravagant professions of admiration, he took the covenant and joined the sect. From the year 455 (A. D. 1063) his head-quarters were established at Sanaa, where he caused a number of palaces to be erected. (In his newt earpeclttrions) he took with him the princes whom he had dethroned and lodged them near his own person, after having confided the command of their fortresses to other hands. Having sworn that no person should receive from him the government. of Tihama without previously weighing out one hundred thousand pieces of gold, that sum was paid down to him by his own wife Asma, in the name of her brother Asaad lbn Shihab. "Vhere didst thou get this, mistress?" said he. "From God," she replied; " he bestoweth on him whom he ehooseth, and without taking reckon-ing (9)." Perceiving that the sum came from his own treasury, he smiled, and took it, saying: "Here is our money...