The Nāṣirī Generations 292.1

292.1

For some time, the infidel Mughals desired to detain the Lord of the Faithful, Al-Musta’sim B’illah. There were a great number of Musalmans among the Mughal forces, and they declared: "If Hulau should pour out the blood of this Khalifah on the ground, both he, and the Mughal army will be swallowed up in an earthquake; and therefore it behoveth not to slay him.” The object of these Musalmans was this, that the Lord of the Faithful should remain alive; for, among all, hesitation arose about putting the Khalifah to death. The Malik of Mausil, Badr-ud-Din-i-Lulu—God’s curse upon him!—and other infidels, represented to Hulau, saying: “If the Khalifah continues alive, the whole of the Musalmans which are among the troops, and other [Musalman] peoples who are in other countries, will rise, and will bring about his liberation, and will not leave thee, Hulau, alive.” The accursed Hulau was frightened at this, saying: “If the Khalifah continues to live, an outbreak of the Musalmans may take place; and, if he is slain, with the sword, when his blood falls upon the ground, an earthquake will take place, and people will be destroyed;” so he proposed to put the Khalifah to death after a different fashion. He gave orders therefore so that they enfolded him in a [leather] sack for holding clothes, and kicked his sacred person until he died—May the Almighty reward him and bless him!