The History of Fīrūz Shāh (Baranī) 5.21

5.21

When the questions were put to him by the Sultán, he said, "If your Majesty will order the wine to be removed, and all persons to withdraw except the four nobles, Ulugh Khán, Zafar Khán, Nusrat Khán, and Alp Khán, I will then open my mind to your Majesty." The Sultán gave the order * * * and 'Aláu-l Mulk, after apologizing for his boldness, said "Religion, and law, and creeds, ought never to be made subjects of discussion by your Majesty, for these are the concerns of prophets, not the business of kings. Religion and law spring from heavenly revelation; they are never established by the plans and designs of man. From the days of Adam till now they have been the mission of Prophets and Apostles, as rule and government have been the duty of kings. The prophetic office has never appertained to kings, and never will, so long as the world lasts, though some prophets have discharged the functions of royalty. My advice is that your Majesty should never talk about these matters. * * * Your Majesty knows what rivers of blood Changíz Khán made to flow in Muhammadan cities, but he never was able to establish the Mughal religion or institutions among Muhammadans. Many Mughals have turned Musulmáns, but no Musulmán has ever become a Mughal." * * * The Sultán listened, and hung down his head in thought. His four friends heartily approved what 'Aláu-l Mulk had said, and looked anxiously for the Sultán's answer.