Ali of Herat, writing in 1173, fifteen years before Hebron was retaken by Saladin, gives the following account
of what he himself saw at Hebron some years before, while the town was still in the hands of the Crusaders.
'Ali's account has been copied by Yakut (Yak., ii. 468) ; the present translation is made from the text of the
Oxford Manuscript of 'Ali's work (folios 43-45).
... And I, 'Ali of Herat — may Allah pardon me my sins ! — do relate the following of my own experience :
I went to Jerusalem in the year 567 (1172), and both there and at Hebron I made the acquaintance of certain
Shaikhs, who informed me that [in the year 513 (1119)]* during the reign of King Bardawil (Baldwin II.)
a certain part over the Cave of Abraham had given way, and that a number of the Franks had, by
the King's permission, made their entrance therein. And they discovered (the bodies of) Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob— peace be upon them ! — their shrouds having fallen to pieces, lying propped up against
a wall. Over each of their heads were napkins [or lamps], and their heads were uncovered. Then the
King, after providing new shrouds, caused the place to be closed once more. And this was in the
year 513 (1119).
* The words in square brackets [ ] are inserted from Yakut's text, and are not found in the Oxford MS.
