Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 67.4.8

67.4.8

He refused to do so because the King drank wine, and was guilty of excesses forbidden by the divine law. On the present occasion, he sent a messenger to order the holy man to his presence, and required him either to take the oath of allegiance, or give an assurance, under his own hand, of his fidelity. The Sheikh, without replying to the message, related the following anecdote to the King's messenger, to be conveyed to the King: — Once a scholar, a syud, and a prostitute, were taken prisoners by infidels, who promised to give them quarter if they would worship their idols; if not, they threatened them with instant death. The scholar, agreeably to the casuistry of the schools of logic, reconciled himself to perform the ceremony, and the syud thought it must be right to follow so worthy an example. The prostitute, however, said, "I have been all my life sinning, and am neither a scholar nor a syud, to be able to hope for mercy for this additional crime." She refused, therefore, and suffered death. The Sheikh observed, "My case is like hers, and I am resigned to the King's resentment, but will neither come into his presence, nor acknowledge allegiance to him." Mahomed Shah, being more incensed, commanded him to quit the city.