2. I was told by Abu’l-Hasan bin Umar and Ibn Ali bin Abdullah al-Basri, that he said: We were told by Abu Muhammed, Khalaf bin Muhammed al-Balkhi, in it [1], from his father, Muhammed bin Ahmad, that he said: We were told by Ayyash bin Dahhak, from Makki ibn Ibrahim, from Ibn Jurayh, from ‘Ataa’, that he said:

We were at the place of Ibn Abbas in Ta’if, me, Abu’l-‘Aliya, Sa’eed bin Jubayr and Ikrima, and then the muezzin came and said: Allah is the Greater, Allah is the Greater. The name of the muezzin was Qatham ibn Abdul-Rahman al-Thaqafi. Then Ibn Abbas said: Do you know what the muezzin said? Then Abu’l-‘Alia asked him and said: Tell us of its interpretation. Ibn Abbas said: When the muezzin says: «Allah is Greater, Allah is Greater» he is saying: O those who are occupied with the earth, verily, the prayer has become obligatory, so dedicate yourselves to it. When he says: «I testify that there is no god but Allah» he is saying: The Day of Resurrection will arise, and it will be testified for me by what is in the Heavens and what is in the earth that I have informed you five times a day. When he says: «I testify that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah» he is saying: The Day of Resurrection will arise, and Muhammed will testify for me before you that I have, verily, informed you of that five times a day, and my argument with Allah is established. When he says: «Hasten to prayer» he is saying: [It is] A right religion, therefore, establish it. When he says: «Hasten to success» he is saying: Come forward to obedience of Allah and take your portion of Allah’s mercy, meaning congregation [1]. When a servant says: «Allah is the Greater, Allah is the Greater» he is saying: Actions have been made forbidden. When he says: «There is no god but Allah» he is saying: The trust of Seven Heavens, Seven Earths, the mountains and the seas have been placed upon your necks, which if you wish so, then accept, and if you wish so, then turn back.