The Rashīdī History 131.8

131.8

On the following day, the Shaikh-ul-Islam (who has been mentioned among the great men of Khorásán) was sent for by Sháh Ismail. When the Shaikh came into the king's presence, the king turned to him and said; "Oh, Shaikh! you are a learned man. It is a pity you should commit an error. Come and curse the Companions and adopt the Shia faith." The Shaikh then opened his lips and said: "Oh, my son! what do you know of religion, that you should point out the way thereof to me? Bring before me those cowardly men who are nothing more or less than infidels and worthy of death, and who have brought you to this sad plight. If their words convince me, I will renounce my own faith and enter their sect. But if the superiority of my religion is proved against them, then you will renounce your corrupt belief and adopt my pure faith." Then Shah Ismail turned to his Ulama and asked them what they had to say to this. They replied: "With people such as these words are of no avail." That hundred times a wretch twice turned towards the Shaikh ul-Islam and said : " Come, Shaikh, renounce your sect." But the Shaikh retorted insultingly : " Oh, cursed infidel, may your mouth be filled with the earth of malediction, and your head struck with the stones of execration ! You, who are deceived by false and wicked guides, and cannot distinguish between the path of life and the road to perdition : what do you know of religion, or of sects ? How do you know Satan from God the all-merciful ?