013 Taha bin Mahmoud Qatriyeh, head of correction at the Grand Imperial Press, says: The best of speech, in ancient and modern times, after praising God Almighty, whose glory is great, is to praise God, who showers His blessings upon His servants. Praise be to God, whose existence is eternal, whose favor is general and specific, and whose bounty is ancient, before all things without beginning, and eternal, after all things without end. He cannot be dated by time, nor asked where He was, when He was, or how. He is the one who created time and space. We praise Him for making us successors to the ancients and for recounting to us the best of stories in His clear Book. He told us of the past, including the stories of the prophets, so they were a good example for us, and a clear lesson from their good deeds and their mistakes. We send prayers and peace upon the Prophet of Mercy and the Guide of the Ummah, the first of the prophets in existence and the last in birth, and upon all the other prophets and messengers, and upon those who followed their path and walked the way of the guided.

To proceed: It is a good endeavor and a worthy use of time for Egyptians in general, and for students of history in particular, to print this magnificent book, which the ages have not seen its like in its field. It is called "Al-Kaf fi Tarikh Misr al-Qadim wa al-Hadith" (The Kaf in the History of Ancient and Modern Egypt), authored by His Excellency the esteemed, noble, and perfect gentleman, the honorable "Michael Bishay Rubayyim," Director of the Imperial Estates in the Ministry of Finance. May God preserve him and increase his favor upon the Egyptians with his likes. He has undertaken this work with diligence and care, and has authored this history in the best manner. He has filled the book with the origins of Egypt and all that has transpired, and has elaborated on its wonders, the customs of its people, and what they have lived upon, comprehensively and sufficiently. He has also elaborated on the policies of its kings in every era, from the time of the ancients, then from one state to another until now, up to the year 1309 AH, in which the late Muhammad Tawfiq Pasha, the former Khedive of Egypt, passed to the eternal abode. May God have mercy and be pleased with him. This author has drawn from the ambition of one who served the nation with this great work and this industry, for which necks have stretched, the greatest of achievements. It is no wonder that Egypt has boasted of it over all other lands, and Cairo has been a source of pride for it compared to other cities. For he has, may God preserve him, established a reputation for it, explained its affairs, and raised its status. For there is no Egyptian who does not need to acquire it and is compelled to know its details and specifics, so that he may know God's blessing upon him in this happy and prosperous land. This river from which the sun shines, blessed be its inhabitants. This land to which men have journeyed, and to which the winds have stretched. In it, the calamities and horrors have been placed. And it has been said of it: "To me, Egypt is the sweetest of lands; There is no doubt in its wondrous beauty. If you compare it to any other land, It would be built and the measure would be given." And he who said: "Egypt is but a pleasant dwelling; So settle in it, whether east or west. And if you are on a journey, make your stay pleasant and easy." (65 - Al-Kaf, the fourth)