Tarikh-i Daʾudi 6.1

6.1

As men live not eternally, and as no confidence can be placed in earthly possessions, at this time the Sultan fell ill. It is said the origin of his disease was this. One day Haji 'Abdu-l Wahab said to Sultan Sikandar, "You are a Musulman monarch, and yet wear no beard; it is contrary to the institutions of Islam, and particularly improper in a king." Sultan Sikandar replied, "I intend wearing one; and if it please the Most High, I will do so." His excellency Shaikh 'Abdu-l Wahab said: "In doing what is right make no delay." The Sultan said, "My beard is thin; if I allow it to grow, it will look ill, and men will scoff at me, and will be thus guilty of sin. I do not desire that Musulmans should commit sin, especially when I am the cause." Haji 'Abdu-l Wahab answered, "I will pass my hand over your face, and if it please God, your beard will become a fine one; all other beards will salute it, and who will dare laugh at it then?" Sultan Sikandar hung down his head, and made no reply. The Haji said, "O King of the Universe, I speak what is right in your presence, why do you not answer?" The Sultan said, "When my pir, or spiritual guide, orders me, I will wear one." "Who is your pir?" returned the Haji. "He is a man," said the Sultan, "who occasionally comes to see me. He resides in the jungle of Manga Sassu, in the pargana of Jalesar." Haji 'Abdu-l Wahab said: "Does he wear a beard?" "No," replied the King.