The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 63: Eighth Mukaddama. — Report made to the Sultan by the son of 'Imádu-l Mulk, and the Sultan's appropriate reply.

63

Malik Is'hák, (son of) 'Imádu-l Mulk, made a report to the Sultán that many of the soldiers were old and feeble, and unfit for duty. It was therefore expedient to replace them with young and efficient men. At this period 'Imádu-l Mulk was an old man, and Malik Is'hák discharged for him the duties of the díwán-i 'arz. When he made this report the Sultán observed it was a very proper one: when men grew old they should be set aside, and their places should be filled by their sons or strangers; no consideration whatever should be shown to these old men. "Now," said he, "Your father is an old man, first turn him out of his office, and then I will remove all the old men from the service of the State." Malik Is'hák was silenced.
The Sultán, in the kindness of his heart, then said: "If I remove the old and inefficient men, and appoint their sons or strangers in their stead, the poor old men will be greatly troubled, and will be reduced to distress in their old age. I do not approve of dismissing them, and putting their sons in their places. This is not a time for encouraging disobedient children. With age the heart becomes desolate, and if the old men are turned off and their sons succeed them, these sons may prove undutiful, and the hearts of their poor old fathers may break in their distress. Let an order therefore be promulgated that, when a soldier grows old and incapable, his son shall succeed him, as his deputy; if he has no son, his son-in-law, and failing any son-in-law, his slave shall represent him. The veteran may thus remain at home at ease, and the young ride forth in their strength." Addressing Is'hák, he said, "Do not make such reports. The Almighty does not take away his servants' sustenance because they are old, how then can I, his creature, dismiss my aged servants." All the actions and words of Sultán Fíroz * * * were like unto this, and are worthy of a place in history. This humble author desires to write the Sultán's memoirs, but his gracious words and generous actions are so numerous that the author makes but slow progress towards his conclusion.