And he said, "By God, we were not accustomed to anyone who found solace by our side until this dove was struck with the breaking of its egg." So he left the tents and stayed in Egypt until the dove's joy returned. Then he departed and named the city of Egypt in the foreign tongue "Babylon," which is now a large city, exceedingly prosperous, fertile, pleasant, and beautiful. Its streets are wide, its buildings are well-constructed, its markets are active, its trade is flourishing, its buildings are continuous, and its agriculture is growing. Because of this, its sky is high, its air is pure, its wealth is abundant, and its goods are exquisite. Their souls are not troubled, nor are their hearts burdened with sorrow, due to their great hope, their comfortable life, the prevalence of justice and protection among them, and the city's length and size. The Nile irrigates it from its northern lands, passing through its southern side and curving along its western edge, dividing its interior into two parts. The river flows from one arm to the other within the city. On this island are many grand residences and continuous buildings in the manner of the Nile. This island is called Dar Anfiyās, and you will encounter it again, God willing. This island is reached by a bridge with about 30 ships. The second part, which is wider than the first, is reached by another bridge, and its roof is more than the ships of the first. The end of this bridge connects to the known district called Al-Jumayrah. There are beautiful buildings, towering structures, a market, and construction. The land of Egypt is saline, not pure soil, and the construction of its houses and palaces is such that some are built upon others. Among these, their stories are five, six, and seven stories high. And perhaps a hundred people or more live in one house. Al-Hawlī informed in his book that during the time of his writing, there was a house known as Dār Abd al-Aziz in Al-ʿUf, where it was difficult for those within it to...