In Bukhara

3

Then we departed for Bayqand, and next entered Bukhara. We visited Jahani, who was the secretary of the governor of Khurasan, a person known as "Shaykh al-Amid" in that region. He instructed them to prepare a house for us, arranged for someone to take care of our needs, and provided attendants so we could do whatever we wished without any inconvenience. We stayed there for several days.

Notation	Translation Note
Shaykh al-Amīd	A title used in the text as a designation for someone from Jahani. Here, the Arabic form is retained.

Next, he obtained permission for us to visit Nasur ibn Ahmad. When we visited, Nasur was still a young boy who had not yet grown a beard. We greeted the chief and sat down as he instructed us. The first thing he asked us was this:

"My lord, how was the appearance of the leader of the believers? May God protect you and your young attendants, as well as those who are close to you, keep them healthy, and grant them long lives."

When we answered "We are doing well," he said, "May God grant you even greater blessings."

Next, a letter was read aloud in his presence. The letter instructed him to receive the Al-Safshami seal from al-Fadl ibn Musa, a Christian who was an agent of Ibn al-Firrat, and deliver it to Ahmad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. It also contained instructions for us to be sent away. Furthermore, letters were read instructing his representative in Khurasan not to confiscate our luggage, and another letter instructing them to escort us to the entrance of the Turkish lands and allow our baggage through.

He asked, "Where is Ahmad ibn Musa?"

We answered, "We left Heiankyo. We were supposed to come here five days after our departure."

He said.

"My lord, I have received and understand your order regarding the leader of the believers. I will obey. May God grant him a long life."

Ibn Fadran continues.

This news reached al-Fadl ibn Musa, a Christian who was the representative of Ibn al-Farad. He devised a plan against Ahmad ibn Musa. To the officials in charge of security from Saraws on the road to Khurasan to Bayqand, he sent the following message:

"Place guards at inns and checkpoints, and search for Ahmad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. His appearance and characteristics are as follows. Those who find him should detain him until further instructions arrive via our written correspondence."

Thus, Ahmad was captured and detained in Marw.

We stayed in Bukhara for twenty-eight days. Al-Fadl ibn Musa also arranged a meeting with our companions, Abdullah ibn Bashtu and others. They said:

"If we stay here, it will be winter, and we will miss the opportunity to enter. Even if Ahmad ibn Musa comes here, he will be able to follow us."

He also stated the following:

In Bukhara, I saw various types of Dirham coins. One of them is called a Ghitrifiya coin, which is made of copper, brass, or bronze. They are accepted by counting the number of pieces, and one hundred of these equals one silver Dirham. When they determine the conditions for a woman's dowry, they say something like, "So-and-so's son married so-and-so's daughter for such and such a number of Ghitrifiya Dirhams."

Notation	Translation
Dirham currency	The name of a type of currency. The text distinguishes between silver coins and copper-based coins, meaning that they are not all made of the same material or value.
Mahr (bridal gift)	Property given to the wife upon marriage.
Brass	The original text lists two materials in addition to copper: شبه and صفر. These are words with similar meanings, but I have left them listed separately instead of combining them into one entry.

When buying real estate or slaves, it is the same, and I do not mention other types of dirham currency.

Besides this, there are also dirhams made entirely of brass. Forty of these are equivalent to one dinar. There are also brass dirhams called "Samarkandiya," and six of these are equivalent to one dinar.

Notation	Translation Note
Forty pieces is one dāniku	This translation directly reflects the ratio mentioned in the text of the adopted edition. Due to uncertainties in reading the manuscript, a conversion table will not be determined based on this value. "Dāniku" refers to a unit of small currency or weight.