THE master archers are three: abu-Hāshim al-Māwardi [literally: The father of Hāshim, the man who sells rose water], Ṭāhir al-Balkhi [Balkh is a place in northern Persia in the province of Khurasan], and Isḥāq al-Ragqi [Raqqah was a place in northern Syria]. These three men were well known for their knowledge of this profession, and their fame spread far and wide. Anyone desiring to master the art should look into their works and select for himself whatever is suitable just as al-Ṭabari did in his book al-Wādih [The Clear Book].