The Institutes of Akbar 135.5.4

135.5.4

“They were admitted as disciples in sets of twelve, one set at a time, and declared their willingness to adopt the new principles, and to follow the new religion. Instead of the usual tree, His Majesty gave his likeness, upon which the disciples looked as a symbol of faith and the advancement of virtue and prosperity. They used to wrap it up in cloth studded with jewels, and wore it on the top of their turbans. The phrase ‘Alláhu Akbar’ was ordered to be used as the heading in all writings. Playing with dice, and taking interest, were allowed, and so in fact was every thing else admitted which is forbidden in the Islam. A play-house was even built at Court, and money from the exchequer was lent to the players on interest. (vide Second book, Aín 15). Interest and shatal (money given at the end of the play to the by-standers) were looked upon as very satisfactory things. Girls before the age of fourteen, and boys before sixteen, were not to marry, and the story of the marriage night of the Prophet with Ciddíqah was totally disapproved of. But why should I mention other blasphemies—May the attention which any one pays to them run away like Quicksilver—really I do not know what human ears cannot bear to hear!