is, unto the Prophets, especially unto that Symbol of Mercy of the people of the world, that Herald of the Faithful, that Seal of the Prophets, that Pioneer of the better Path, that Bright Lamp of the right road, the Raisondétre of the creation of this world, the First-born: the Last-disclosed,[1] that is, the Pride of the Prophets, the Leader[2] of the Innocent, the Interceder on the day of Judgment, Muhammad the Chosen—Ahmad the Select; God's special mercy and peace be on him and his descendants, and the people of his sacred house, and on his successors and all his companions!
After God's and the Prophet's praise,[3] this humble servant who is hopeful of the intercession of the Prophet, namely, G͟hulām Ḥusain, whose title is Salīm Zaidpūrī,[4] so says that since some period, according to chances of time, he has been in the service of Mr. George Udny, who is a gentleman of high position and high rank, of graceful character, of kind heart, mild disposition, praiseworthy deportment and great generosity, who is the Ḥatim[5] of
- ↑ This has reference to the Muhammadan belief that the Nūr or light of Muhammad was the first thing created by God, and that all else followed, though the Prophet in bodily form was ushered into existence after all other prophets.
- ↑ This has reference to the tragic martyrdom of Ḥusain and other members of the Fatimite family, who were all innocent, and whose ancestor the Prophet was.
- ↑ Every Muhammadan book begins with the praise of God. This praise is called ḥamd in Arabic, and is followed by Na't, or praise of the Arabian Prophet.
- ↑ G͟hulam Ḥusain Salīm Zaidpūrī is the author of the present historical work entitled the Riyaẕu-s-Salāt̤īn, or History of Bengal. Ilaḥī Bak͟hs͟h in his history "K͟hurs͟hid Jahān Numā" of which Mr. Beveridge has published lately an Analysis in the Journals of the Asiatic Society, has some notice of G͟hulām Ḥusain. He states that G͟hulām Ḥusain was of Zaidpūr in Oudh, migrated to Māldah in Bengal, and held the office of Dāk Muns͟hī or Post Master there, under Mr. George Udny. Noticing the Charitable Dispensary at Māldah, Ilahī Bak͟hs͟h observes that here used to be the house of G͟hulām Ḥusain, and that in the quarter known as Cak Qurbān Alī is the tomb of G͟hulām Ḥusain who died in 1233 A.H. or 1817 A.C. The chronogram composed in honour of his memory by his pupil, Abdul Karīm, is منشي ز عالم رفته which yields 1233. Mr. Udny appears to have been at the time Commercial Resident of the East India Company's factory at Māldah.
- ↑ Ḥatīm was a Prince of Yemen, in Arabia. His generous hospitality is a by-word in the East.
