Karl Hermann Ethé

“ It concludes with an imaginary vision of a beautiful world of spirits who have stripped off the fetters of earthly cares and sorrows and revel in the pure light of divine wisdom and love. If we compare this with a similar allegory in Nāsir's dīwān, which culminates in the praise of Moṣtansir, we are fairly entitled to look upon it as a covert allusion to the eminent men who revealed to the poet in Cairo the secrets of the Isma‘ilitic faith, and showed him what he considered the “heavenly ladder” to superior knowledge and spiritual bliss. ”

“ At the very time of Nāsir's visit to Cairo, the power of the Egyptian Fātimites was in its zenith; Syria, the Hejāz, Africa, and Sicily obeyed Mostanṣir's sway, and the utmost order, security and prosperity reigned in Egypt. At Cairo he became thoroughly imbued with Shī‘a doctrines, and their introduction into his native country was henceforth the sole object of his life. ”

“ Nāsir visited Mecca four times, and performed all the rites and observances of a zealous pilgrim; but he was far more attracted by Cairo, the capital of Egypt, and the residence of the Fātimite sultan Mostanṣir billāh, the great champion of the Shī‘a, and the spiritual as well as political head of the house of ‘Ali, which was just then waging a deadly war against the ‘Abbāside caliph of Bagdād, and the great defender of the Sunnite creed, Toghrul Beg the Seljūk. ”