سندبادنامه 4.4

4.4

the requisites of the Sharīʿa. And just as He commanded the prophets and messengers to deliver the message, reveal proof,
and display miracles, He directed rulers and sultans to exercise justice and manifest virtue,
as He said: "Surely God commands justice and kindness" (16:90). And just as
the prophets have ranks, rulers and commanders have degrees. And the Commander of the Faithful ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb,
may God be pleased with him, who was the destroyer of the foundation of polytheism and the builder of the principles of Islam, and by whom the foundation of religion
and state was consolidated, and the rites of kingship and the religious community were confirmed through him, says:
"The most blessed of rulers is the one through whom his subjects are blessed." The most fortunate of sultans is he whose subjects
dwell under the shadow of his favor and care and within the protection of his immunity and defense, and whose submissive people
find rest in the neighborhood of his security, impregnable sanctuary, and unburdened and lofty courtyard. And the Prophet,
peace be upon him, said: "The sultan is the shadow of God on earth; to him every wronged person repairs." He states that
the king is the shade of the sun of the Creator's mercy over the expanse of the earth—that is, those burning in the critical heat
of the jaundice of tyranny, the sunstruck victims of oppression, and those thirsting in the Midsummer month of disappointment may find rest in the shade of his clemency and the courtyard of
his justice, and travelers through the wasteland of deprivation in the midday heat of separation may drink the pure water of bounty from the fountain of
his justice and the watering-place of his virtue, reciting: