Facsimile · p. 60
The port of Safi, and the clarity decreases. When the sea appeared, its smoke emerged from the sea. And the news of this reached Ahmad bin Omar, known as Raqam, the Oz, who was a governor for the Emir of the Muslims, Ali bin Yusuf bin Tashfin, over a number of his conquests. He resolved to enter it with the ships he had. But the end of entering it was death for him, and he did not achieve his hope in that. And this island has a western aspect, which was reported by the deluded, from the top of the city of Lisbon in Andalusia, when they ascended to it in their ship, and how it was named Safi after them, and from the port, and its story is long, and we will mention it in its place when we mention the city of Lisbon, God willing. And in this sea is the Island of Sheep, which is a large island, and the Darknesses are located there, and there are countless sheep on it, and they are small, and no one can eat their meat because of its bitterness. And this was also reported by the deluded. And next to it is the island of Raqa, which is the Island of Birds, and it is said that there is a species of bird there, like the al-Afban, red, with claws, that prey on sea creatures and eat them, and they do not leave this island. And it is said that there is there a date that resembles a large fig, and eating it is beneficial against all poisons. Even the author of the Book of Wonders mentioned that a king of the kings of Africa reported this, so he sent a ship to bring him dates from it. But he was prevented from those dates because he had knowledge of their bitterness. And the ship that was sent was saved, but did not return to him. And from it is the island of Al-Samand, around which one travels for 11 days in width for 10 days. And it had three large cities, and people inhabited it. And ships would pass by them and trade with them, buying from them amber and colored stones. Then, between the enemies of those lands, evils occurred, and they harmed each other until they were annihilated.