State document, in Arabic script. Probably another decree of ʿAbd al-Majīd (al-Ḥāfiẓ) concerning the monks at Mt. Sinai, however, he is not mentioned by name. …
When therefore there were presented to the caliphial seat of the Commander of the Faithful noble documents,
and honourable open decrees, drawn up in the days of his noble ancestors,
during the reign of one true Imam after the other, one document following the other,
containing rules of justice towards the non-Muslims firmly established by the Imams, through which rules God manifests their glorious renown
hidden by the passing of time, and renews the memory of their good deeds which is not diminished by the progress of the days and nights;
and some sections of the said documents referred to the promulgation of orders to protect the monks who have retired to Mount Sinai,
the Christians of the neighbouring regions who come to them,
and their co-religionists who visit them,
and those who occupy themselves with obtaining their food,
their livelihood and sustenance—to guard them, their persons, companions,
belongings, and representatives, to restrain settled people and Bedouins
from harming them, cut off arrogant hands from hurting them,
to exempt them from forced payments and from fines which are imposed upon them; these documents being accompanied by
a petition addressed to our holy presence headed by the name of the bishop of the aforesaid Mount Sinai, Anthony (may God preserve him)
and of his monks, invoking the beneficence shown to them by this empire,
and stirring up the mercies of the Commander of the Faithful by freely acknowledging the favour and kindness which have always been extended to them;
and they earnestly asked to be honoured by the issue of an order to write an open decree which should renew the garment of these [privileges] and confirm for them
the covenants of justice, preserve the order of their safety
and untie all terror knotted by events; and the Commander of the Faithful (may God give him success)
wished to have a share of the reward and a portion of the recompense due to good behaviour towards them; [in view of all this] his order issued
to write this open decree to protect their persons, companions, and representatives,
and those who occupy themselves to collect the revenues of their charitable bequests and properties in the city of Old Cairo (may God preserve it), Tinnīs, Damietta, and Alexandria (may God protect it),
and in the other provinces of the Empire, near or far; to treat them according to the
documents and decisions which bear witness of their habitual customs;
to deal with them in regard to these properties so as to preserve the source and make the income fruitful,
and ensure the best conditions in the collection of their crops, prevent the introduction of unjust customs,
and hinder changes of fortune from harming them; not to interfere with them when, during the whole year, they carry to al-Ṭūr [or: to Mount Sinai]
their crops and other provisions or else other similar goods
which they buy in order to keep in reserve for the necessities of their life and set apart for future use,
since they live in a distant and remote place; not toforce them to pay,
in regard to any kind of goods, anything which is not customary and the exactor of which has no....