In the name of God, the Compaffionate, the Merciful!

PRAISE be to God, Who renders eafy to thofe poffeffed of underftanding the knowledge of Biographies and Genealogies; Who guides them in difcriminating between the excellencies of different peoples and communities; Who difclofes to them what has befallen kings of unfullied dignity: enabling them to raife the veil from that which had been hidden; to arrange under appropriate heads the leffons which they acquired; and to communicate the fame in fhowers to all inquirers respecting the character or descent of their fovereigns and the limits of their kingdoms,—their replies flowing like a running torrent! And mercy and falvation be to the moft learned of mankind and the moft eloquent in lucid difcourfe, our lord, the Apoftle of God, and to his Family and Companions, whofe fpeech none could gainfay!