The Nāṣirī Generations 283: THE DECEASE OF KYUK, THE ACCURSED.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 283
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THE DECEASE OF KYUK, THE ACCURSED.
283.1
Trustworthy persons related that Kyuk was constantly being incited by the Tunian fraternity to acts of oppression towards the Musalmans, and that they used to instigate him to persecute the true believers. There was an Imam, in that country, one of the theologians of the Musalmans, adorned with manifold erudition in theological knowledge, and proficient in the rules and canons of the ecclesiastical law, and the subtile doctrines of the Truth. His exterior [mind] being illuminated with the jewel of knowledge and excellence, and his interior [soul] with the splendour of the attributes of purity, he had become distinguished among the followers of the faith of Islam, and a pole of indication in the orthodox religion of Mustafa—on whom be peace! His surname was Imam Nur-ud-Din, the Khwarazmi—the Almighty’s mercy be upon him! A number of Christian laymen and priests, and the fraternity of idol-worshipping Tunian, made a request to Kyuk, saying: Be pleased to summon that Imam of the Musalmans that we may carry on a discussion with him, and make him prove the superiority of the religion of Muhammad, and his apostleship, or otherwise it behoveth that you should have him put to death.”
283.2
In conformity with this request, Kyuk had this godly Imam brought into his presence, and he, trusting in [the promise] “and God will protect thee from [wicked] men,” in the defence of his religion, was strengthening and supporting himself with [the rest of the promise] : “ for God directeth not the unbelieving people.” When he sat down in that assemblage, they asked him : “ What person was Muhammad ? explain.” That godly Imam answered : “ The last of the prophets, the head of the apostles, and the messenger of the God of the universe, whose head is adorned with the diadem of ‘ By thy life I swear,’ and his body with the mantle of ‘ Have we not opened ’ Musa was enamoured of his excellence—‘ Make me, O God ! one of the people of Muhammad ! ’— and ’Isa the herald of his mission ‘ bringing good tidings of an apostle, who shall come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.’ ” That assemblage of infidels said : “ He will be a prophet who will be purely spiritual, and not entertain appetite for women, and not be inclined to it like as ’Isa was. Muhammad had nine chambers [women] and a number of children : How was that ? That godly Imam replied : “ The prophet Da’ud — on whom be peace !
283.3
— had ninety-nine women — ‘ This my brother hath ninety and nine ewes ’ and Suliman, the Lord of Potentiality, had three hundred and sixty women to wife, and a thousand handmaids.” That assemblage of infidels, by way of annoying, negation, contention, and obstinacy, denied the prophet-ship of Da’ud and Suliman — on whom be peace ! and said : “ They were kings merely.”
283.4
At length, as the proofs and arguments of those accursed ones were weak, and destitute of the force of truth, they drew back the hand of contradiction, and drew the mark of oppression and outrage upon the pages of the subject, and made a request to Kyuk, saying ; "Say unto the Imam that, in accordance with the rites and ordinances of the Muhammadan law, he should perform two genuflexions in prayer, in order that, to us and to thee, in the performance of this adoration, his unbecoming actions may be manifested.” Kyuk commanded him, saying : “ Arise and perform two genuflexions in prayer, as with the congregation, according to the rites of thy religion.” That godly Imam — God reward him ! — called unto him one of the Musalmans who was in the vicinity of the place, and arose, went through the form of pronouncing the call to prayer, and genuflexions, in accordance with the orthodox Sunni rule, and standing up, Khalil-like, repeating, from his heart and mind, the verse : “ Verily I have turned my face unto Him who hath created heaven and earth, being a true believer, and not one of the polytheists,” began pronouncing “God is great.” Then he commenced the form of prayer, and went through, as prescribed and enjoined, with due pause and ceremony, the standing, sitting, bowing, and prostration.
283.5
When, in the act of prostration, he placed his forehead to the ground, some individuals among the infidels, whom Kyuk had introduced and prompted, greatly annoyed that godly Imam, and the other Musalman who had followed him [in the prayers], knocked their heads with force against the ground, and committed other unbecoming actions towards them, in order that, thereby, the prayers might perhaps be rendered ineffectual. But that godly Imam and holy sage continued to bear the whole of this annoyance and tyranny, performed all the required forms and ceremonies, and made no mistake whatever, and the prayers were in no way rendered ineffectual. Having delivered the salutation, he raised his face upwards towards the heavens, observed the form of “ Invoke your Lord in humility and secresy,” arose, with permission, and returned to his dwelling again. Almighty God of His perfect power and foe-consuming vengeance, that same night inflicted a disease upon Kyuk which, with the knife of death, severed the artery of his existence, so that verily that same night he went to hell, and the Musalmans were delivered from his tyranny and oppression. When the sons of Kyuk beheld that awful vengeance, the next day they asked pardon of that Imam, and sought his good opinion. May God reward him and all true believers!