Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms, Vol. 12

It is said that the kings of the Arabs original: 大食 (Dashi); a name derived from Persian used by the Tang to refer to the Islamic Caliphate held their country for thirty-four years through two generations. In the early years of the Kaiyuan era 713–741 AD, the peak of the Tang Dynasty under Emperor Xuanzong, they again sent envoys to present horses and belts inlaid with precious stones. During the audience, the envoys refused to bow referring to the koutou or full prostration required before the Emperor. The presiding officials prepared to impeach them for this disrespect, but the Chancellor Zhang Shuo argued, "Their customs are different, and since they have come from afar out of a longing for our righteousness, we cannot punish them." Emperor Xuanzong granted them a pardon.

When the envoys came again, they explained their refusal: "In our land, we bow only to Heaven; we do not bow to kings." The officials scolded them severely, and only then did they perform the bow. In the fourteenth year of the era [726 AD], the envoy Sulaiman original: 蘇黎滿 (Suliman) arrived to present local products. He performed the bow and was granted the military title of General of Valiant Might, along with a symbolic gift of a crimson robe and belt.

Some say that among the Arab tribes, there is the Quraysh original: 孤列 (Gulie); the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad lineage, which has produced hereditary leaders for generations. The Umayyads original: 白衣大食 (Baiyi Dashi), literally "White-Clothed Arabs," named for the color of their dynastic banners consist of two major families: the Banu Umayya original: 盆尼末換 (Penni Mohuan) and the Hashimites original: 奚深 (Xishen).

There was a man named Muhammad original: 摩訶末 (Mohemo), who was brave and wise. The people established him as their lord. He opened up three thousand li of territory and captured the city of Damascus original: 夏臘城 (Xiala Cheng); likely referring to ash-Sham/Damascus. The rule passed through fourteen generations until it reached Marwan Marwan II, the last Umayyad Caliph, who killed his elder brother to seize the throne for himself. The people beneath him resented his cruelty.

A man from Merv original: 木鹿 (Mulu) in Khorasan original: 呼羅珊 (Huluoshan), a region in modern-day Iran and Afghanistan named Abu Muslim original: 並波悉林 (Bingbo Xilin); the general who led the Abbasid Revolution led an army to punish him. He issued a proclamation to the masses, saying: "All who aid me shall wear black." In a short time, his followers numbered in the tens of thousands.