Muntakhab al-tawarikh 79.1.2

79.1.2

Should therefore in future a religious question come up, regarding which the opinions of the Mujtahids are at variance, and His Majesty in his penetrating understanding and clear wisdom be inclined to adopt, for the benefit of the nation, and as a political expedient, any of the conflicting opinions, which exist on that point, and issue a decree to that effect, we do hereby agree that such a decree shall be binding on us and on the whole nation. Further, we declare that, should (P. 272) His Majesty think fit to issue a new order, we and the nation shall likewise be bound by it, provided always that such order be not only in accordance with some verse of the Qur’an, but also of real benefit to the nation; and further, that any opposition on the part of his subjects to such an order passed by His Majesty shall involve damnation in the world to come, and loss of property and religious privileges in this. This document has been written with honest intentions, for the glory of God, and the propagation of the Islam, and is signed by us, the principal ‘Ulama and lawyers, in the month of Rajab of the year nine hundred and eighty-seven (987).” The draft of this document, when presented to the Emperor, was in the handwriting of Shaikh Mubarak. The others had signed it against their will, but the Shaikh had added at the bottom that he most willingly signed his name; for this was a matter to which for several years he had been anxiously looking forward.