“To the Lord of all be honour and glory, it is well with me. Great was our longing to see thee, O Sheikh.”
“May God in His compassion fulfil your desire and bless you. Are ye in your state of health well content?”
“Glory be to Allah and to His Prophet, on whom is His grace.”
“Amen, be it as thou hast said.”
Fresh pipes revive the immortal soul; renewed, almost interminable courtesies are interchanged; and at last the rigid conditions of etiquette have been fulfilled, and it is permissible to turn to business matters.
“O Sheikh, with the help of the All-merciful, I would travel through this stretch of desert.”
“May Allah give thee good speed.”
“Art thou in possession of camels both to run and to carry burdens?” we ask.
“I am. Is it well with thee, my brother?”
“The Almighty be praised, it is well. How many camels canst thou provide for me?”