Muntakhab al-tawarikh 61.9.1

61.9.1

First of all he wrote a letter to Islām Shāh in the following terms, “Seeing that the Mahdawī question is not indissolubly bound up with the faith of Islam, and very great difference of opinion exists as to the veritable signs by which the Mahdi is to be distinpunished, it is accordingly impossible to convict Shaikh ‘Ala’i of infidelity and impiety. At any rate, all doubts regarding him should be removed. Here books are very scarce, whereas there are sure to be many books in the library of the learned men of your country, let them settle the truth of the matter.” The sons of the Shaikh impressed upon him that Makhdumu-l-Mulk was the Sadru-s-sudur, and said, “This opposition of theirs to him has undoubtedly been the cause of your being summoned. At your great age it is far from wise for you to undertake so long a journey, and to undergo the severe fatigue incidental to it.” They accordingly cancelled his first letter and, whether he would or not, secretly wrote another letter as if from Shaikh Budh, couched in terms of flattery of Mulla ‘Abdu-llah, and sent it to Islam Shah, saying, “Makhdumu-l-Mulk is one of the most discriminating of the learned doctors of the day. What he says is the truth and his decision is the sound decision.” At the time when Islam Shah was encamped in the Panjab Shaikh ‘Ala’i arrived at the camp of Ban.