The Institutes of Akbar 135.2.8

135.2.8

for no eunuch had a beard; and one could not exactly see of what merit or importance it was to cultivate a beard. Moreover, former ascetics had looked upon carelessness in letting the beard grow, as one way of mortifying one's flesh, because such carelessness exposed them to the reproach of the world; and as, at present, the silly lawyers of the Islam looked upon cutting down the beard as reproachful, it was clear that shaving was now a way of mortifying the flesh, and therefore praiseworthy, but not letting the beard grow. (But if any one considers this argument calmly, he will soon detect the fallacy.) Lying, cheating Muftis also quoted an unknown tradition, in which it was stated that 'some Qazis' of Persia had shaved their beards. But the words kama yaf'alu ba'sulquzate (as some Qazis have done), which occur in this tradition, are based upon a corrupt reading, and should be kama yaf'alu ba'sul'unde (as some wicked men have done). * * * *