EXPLANATORY NOTE

1 . Square brackets [ ] are used :

(a) to enclose words which do not occur in the Arabic text but which are added in the translation to complete the obvious meaning ;

(b) to enclose a transliteration of an Arabic proper name or other word.

2. When a line of dots occurs thus, . . . , some words or sentences have been omitted in the translation. Such omissions are made in six cases:

(a) When there occur laudations of God following mention of His name.

(b) When there occur complimentary phrases, such as "upon him be blessings," which always follow mention of Muhammad, the Prophets or the Companions.

(c) Where a passage is identical, or practically so, with a passage quoted elsewhere. In such a case the reference is

always given.

(d) — Chiefly in AB and D3 — where the subject-matter is of insufficient interest to warrant translation. In such a case a

short precis is generally given of the passage omitted.

(e) When the author has added an explanation as to what are the vowel points of the preceding proper name : the result in such a case is made clear by the English transliteration.

(/) When a word is illegible: in this case the word "illegible" is added in brackets.

3. When it is said that a passage is identical with another the statement must be understood with the implied reservation that there may be slight grammatical variations not affecting the meaning.

4. The textual notes give obvious emendations for misprints that occur in the text, and conversions of dates from the Muham-