what made me hopeful about them was their debate with us and their comparison with our companions. after cursing they began to guard our backs after forbidding speech they sat together after turning a deaf ear they listened and after being ostentatious they pretended to be polite. the common people did not perceive the interpretation of their silence nor did they know how to approach them. they leaned toward us to the extent that their inclination appeared and they listened to what they saw of their listening.
وقد أطمعني فيهم مناظرتهم لنا، ومقايستهم لأصحابنا. وقد صاروا بعد السب يحفون، وبعد تحريم الكلام يجالسون، وبعد التصام يستمعون، وبعد التجليح يدارون؛ والعامة لا تفطن لتأويل كفها، ولا تعرف مقاربتها. فقد مالت إلينا على قدر ما ظهر من ميلها، وأصغت لما ترى من استماعها.