Muntakhab al-tawarikh 34: Infallibility of the Emperor

34

[Text, vol. ii. p. 270.] [In the same year (987), a declaration made its appearance, which bore the signatures and seals of Makhdúmu-l Mulk, Shaikh 'Abdu-n Nabí Sadru-s Sudúr, Kází Jalálu-d dín Multání, who was Kázíu-l Kuzát, of Sadr-i Jahán, the muftí general, of Shaikh Mubárak, the most learned man of the age, and of Gházi Khán Badakhshí, who had no rival in the science of metaphysics. The object of this declaration was to establish the complete superiority of the Imám-i 'ádil (just leader) over the Mujtahid (chief lawyer); and to make his judgment and choice a preponderating authority on divers questions, so that no one could possibly reject (his) commands, either in religious or political matters, but must by them be self-convinced. * * * * I copy the document verbatim.
[_Preamble — Citations from the Kurán and the Traditions._]
"We have agreed and do decree that the rank of a Sultán-i 'ádil (just ruler) is higher in the eyes of God than the rank of a Mujtahid. Further we declare that the Sultan of Islam, the refuge of mankind, the leader of the faithful, the shadow of God in the world — Abu-l Fath Jalalu-d din Muhammad Akbar Padshah-i Ghazi (whose kingdom God perpetuate !) — is a most just, wise, and God-fearing King. Therefore, If there be a variance of opinion among the mujtahids upon questions of religion, and His Majesty, in his penetrating understanding and unerring judgment, should incline to one opinion, and give his decree for the benefit of mankind and for the due regulation of the world, we do hereby agree that such a decree is binding on us and on the whole nation. Further we declare that should His Majesty, in his unerring judgment, issue an order, which is not in opposition to the Kuran, and which is for the benefit of the nation, it shall be binding and imperative on every man. Opposition to it shall involve damnation in the world to come and loss of religion and property in this life. This document has been written with honest intentions, for the glory of God, and the propagation of Islám, and is signed by us, the principal 'ulamá and lawyers, in the month of Rajab, 987 Hijra."
The draft of this document was in the handwriting of Shaikh Mubarak. The others had signed it against their will. But the Shaikh of his own accord added at the bottom that he had most willingly signed his name, for it was a matter which for several years he had been anxiously looking forward to.
After His Majesty had obtained this legal opinion, the road of deciding religious questions was opened, the superiority of the judgment of the Imam was established, and opposition was rendered impossible. The legal distinction between lawful and unlawful was set aside, the judgment of the Imam became paramount over the dogmas of the law, and Islam was called Taklid (counterfeit). * * * His Majesty had now determined publicly to use the formula, "There is no God but God, and Akbar is God's representative." But as he found that the extravagance of this led to commotions, he restricted the use of it to a few people in the harem.