The Rashīdī History 139.8

139.8

In spite of all these [barbarities] Mirza Aba Bakr affected great piety, and was given over to good works, charity, and almsgiving to such an extent, that he never rested from these matters ; while Mullas and doctors of the law were continually in his assemblies. In all his affairs and actions he relied upon a fatwa; he even procured fatwa for the most atrocious of his deeds. If the Ulama granted the fatwa, well and good ; if they refused it, he would accuse the Mufti, find him guilty and sentence him to death, but would pretend to show him mercy, saying : "He ought, according to the law, to die, but owing to my regard for him, I will remit the sentence of death, and will give him some work to do instead." But the work he gave him was far worse than death. Among the fatwa he demanded were the two following. If Amr attack Zaid with the intention of killing him, Zaid does all he can against Amr in self-defence, and according to the law is justified. Again, if Khalid be one who excites sedition and carries his evil intentions to another kingdom, in order to stir up rebellion in his own, the governor of his own country does all he can to prevent Khalid from going to another country, lest he may become a source of distress to his own people; and in so doing is justified by the law.