We were, during the time of the Caliphs, more advanced than all other lands. The reason for this was that the Caliphs supported scholars, masters of various arts, and others. Some of them were personally engaged in these pursuits. Consider Al-Ma'mun, son of Harun al-Rashid. In addition to supporting the astronomers of his state, he personally engaged in the science of astronomy. He is the one who, through experimentation, determined the obliquity of the ecliptic to be twenty-three degrees and thirty-five minutes, and other such matters. And Ja'far al-Mutawakkil, of the Abbasid dynasty, supported Isaac on the translation of Greek books, such as Dioscorides' book on medicines. Similarly, King Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir, ruler of Al-Andalus, requested from the captured King of Constantinople, Romanos, to send him a man who spoke Greek and Latin to teach him languages, so that he would have translators. He was offered a large sum of money, and more. From this, you understand that sciences do not spread in an era except with the support of the ruler for its people. And it is said in wise proverbs, "People follow the religion of their kings." When the Caliphs were dispersed and their kingdom collapsed, look at Al-Andalus. It is now in the hands of the Spanish Christians, for about fifty-three years. The power of the Franks has grown due to their skill, planning, knowledge in warfare, diversity, and innovation in it. If Islam were not victorious by the power of God Almighty, it would be nothing compared to their strength, numbers, wealth, skill, and so on. And among the famous proverbs is that the wisest of kings are those who foresee the consequences of affairs. This is a reminder to the benevolent ruler, may God Almighty preserve him, since God Almighty has entrusted him with the land of Egypt, Cairo, to restore its former youth and revive its splendor. His appointment, may God Almighty preserve him, is a sign that he is working to cure its ailments, which would have been incurable, and to rectify its corruption.