Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 18.6.3

18.6.3

Doubtless were the Prophet himself or the Prophet's heir, to come into the world again, whatever they should command would be obligatory on a Mussulman, and would require his submission and obedience ; but in the Pontiff's absence, or that of his Prophet's, self-defence only becomes our right ; by which it is meant, that if any one should attack our life, honour or property, and injury is not otherwise to be prevented, we have then a right, nay we are obliged to repel it by whatever means are in our power. This unquestionably is lawful to us ; but not, that out of ambition and covetousness, we should, on those accounts, expose to imminent danger both ourselves and the People of God. Accursed and destroyed be the house of those faithless Muftees, who by their shameful answers and disgraceful sentences, have plunged a world of Unfortunates into a sea of evils ! But destroyed it has already been. God, our Lord, preserve us, as well as all the other Faithful, from the wickedness of such men, as put us in fear of demons, and of man. But to return to our history, Seradj-ed-doulah, after having passed some time at Calcutta, in beholding the destruction of houses, and the desolation of numbers of its innocent inhabitants, as well as in completing some other affairs, which he fancied to be very advantageous and proper, at last set out for his capital, where he arrived in full health.