so we have included in this book of ours arguments against those who have criticized us for the kingdom of the singing girls and have reviled us for the company of the brothers and have blamed us for showing off our blessings and talking about them. we hope for victory for we have begun and the one who begins is the most unjust and the writer of the truth is eloquent and he narrates and the tongue of the truth is eloquent and the soul of the embarrassed cannot be supported and the attack of the forbearing and patient cannot be followed by permanence.
فوضعنا في كتابنا هذا حججا على من عابنا بملك القيان، وسبنا بمنادمة الإخوان، ونقم علينا إظهار النعم والحديث بها. ورجونا النصر إذ قد بدينا والبادي أظلم، وكاتب الحق فصيح ويروي ولسان الحق فصيح ونفس المحرج لا يقام لها، وصولة الحليم المتأني لا بقاء بعدها.