IV. BA. XLViii. OF THE SUDAN 21

that is from the earth that is trodden underfoot, so how shall one be

proud and boastful: one branch is no greater than another save by the will of God on account of piety.

XLIII Four things characterized the days of ignorance: boasting

of their merits, speaking ill of [each other's] lineage, [excessive] lamentation, and prognostication of rain by the stars.

XLIV It has been said [by the poet] " By thy life! What is [a man's] pedigree if he be not a child of religion: so forsake not piety, trusting to your lineage. Verily by Islam was Selman the Persian [slave]

exalted, and [by his unbelief] did Abu Lahab forego his rich portion."

XLV God Almighty said "Justify not yourselves": that is "do not [pretend to be] free from sin nor boast of your deeds." And it is said that the meaning of the verse is "He knows you best, O ye faithful," i.e. knows your condition from the day of your creation till your last day; therefore "Justify not yourselves" with false humility and arrogance, nor say to one that you know not truly "I am better than thou" and "I am purer than thou." "Knowledge is of God," and this saying is an index [for men] to their duties, that they may take warning of what will befal: and verily God knows what will befal him that is pious, and God best knows who is the most pious, that is the greatest and most obedient and most efficient in his works. He who is tardy in works will not be speeded [to salvation] by his pedigree, and he that is speedy in works will not be retarded by his pedigree : works outweigh pedigrees ; and if you are wanting in your works you have no profit in this world or the next.

XLVI They gained not the dominion and riches save by obedience

to God Almighty, and by humility and self-abasement and gentleness,

XLVII And it is related on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (God bless him) that he upon whom be the blessings of God said "There is no

alternative to be accepted of the Arabs excepting Islam or the sword."

XLVIII According to Ibn Wahhab there are seven tribes whose enslavement is not permissible, namely:

/ KURAYSH

EL Ansar

I MUZAYNA { GUHAYNA

Ashga'a

ASLAM Ghafar

and it is related also that the Prophet said that no Arab should be

enslaved. If you wish for the reference, see El Mishkat li '1 Kari ["The Reader's Illuminators"] with the commentary of 'Abd el Baki.