The Rashīdī History 131.7

131.7

When the chief men were met together in the mosque of Mulkan, they carried out that unseemly order, and then remained silent, until Háfiz-ud-Din, who was the preacher [khatib] was conducted to the pulpit. Hafiz ascended the pulpit and gave out praise and thanksgiving to the Bestower of all good gifts, and praises to the Lord of all living things [the Prophet]. When the turn came for the blessed names of the Companions of the Prophet, the hand of honour and piety seized the collar of [faithfulness to] Islám and gave him the courage of Háfiz, so that he, preferring the good things of the next world, and eternal felicity, to this transitory life, said: "For many years I have read the Khutba in accordance with the Sunna. To-day, the sun of my life has reached the west of old age. If it were the dawn of my days, I might not have hesitated to perform this act of infidelity to preserve my young life; but now that my days are just drawing to a close, what benefit could I derive from such an act of blasphemy [kufr]?" So saying, he proceeded to read out the names of the Companions, with the customary honour and respect. The accursed Kizilbash (may God curse them) rose up to a man, and pulled the hoary-headed Hafiz down from the pulpit, by his collar, trampled him under their feet, and then cut him in pieces; while the great men of the city all fled.