The Nāṣirī Generations 285.2

285.2

and, when he reached puberty, and grew into youth and virility, and attained unto man’s estate, he turned out exceedingly active, intelligent, expert, and frugal, in such wise, that everything belonging to that accursed one, in whole and in part, came under the youth’s disposal; and, as this Mughal had called him son, on this account, the whole of the property and effects, and cattle, and whatever else belonged to him, the youth had taken under his control. All the servants and followers of that Mughal were under his orders, so that not one of them, without the permission of that youth, used to have the power of making use of anything belonging to that accursed one. At this time, all of them [the Mughals], with one accord, girded up their loins to despatch this youth, saying : ' The deceased [Mughal] used not to regard any one more than this youth : it is necessary to inter him along with him.' Their object was to destroy this youth, and take vengeance on him for the sway he had exercised ; and, in this proceeding, all agreed. The Musalman youth, in this state of affliction, was astounded, and resigned his heart to death, seeing that he had no asylum and no succour, save in the Lord, the Helper of the Helpless. He stretched out the hand of supplication to the promise of Him, “ who hears the distressed when they pray unto Him,” and performed the ablution of purification, donned clean clothes, and placed his foot within that subterranean [chamber].