The Institutes of Akbar 135.2.3

135.2.3

“At one of the meetings, the emperor asked those who were present, to mention each the name of a man who could be considered the wisest man of the age; but they should not mention kings, as they formed an exception. Each then mentioned that man in whom he had confidence. Thus Hakim Humám (vide above, p. 175) mentioned himself, and Shaikh Abulfazl his own father. During this time, the four degrees of faith in His Majesty were defined. The four degrees consisted in readiness to sacrifice to the Emperor property, life, honor, and religion. Whoever had sacrificed these four things, possessed four degrees; and whoever had sacrificed one of these four, possessed one degree. All the courtiers now put their names down as faithful disciples of the throne.” “At this time (end of 989), His Majesty sent Shaikh Jamál Bakhtyár to bring Shaikh Qutbuddín of Jalesar who, though a wicked man, pretended to be ‘attracted by God.’ When Qutbuddín came, the emperor brought him to a conference with some Christian priests, and rationalists, and some other great authorities of the age. After a discussion, the Shaikh exclaimed, ‘Let us make a great fire, and in the presence of His Majesty I shall pass through it. And if any one else gets safely through, he proves by it the truth of his religion.’ The fire was made. The Shaikh pulled one of the Christian priests by the coat, and said to him, ‘Come on, in the name of God!’ But none of the priests had the courage to go.