The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.102

v4.c16.102

Abu-’l-Fath and some later writers, loth to deprive Islām of the adherence of so great a man as Akbar, are at pains to prove that he never ceased to be a Muslim, and that the Divine Faith was but Islām reformed; but the Portuguese priests reported more than once that he was not a Muslim, and the question is decided by one of his “Happy Sayings”, recorded by Abu-’l-Fazl himself. “Formerly I persecuted men into conformity with my faith, and deemed it Islām. As I grew in knowledge I was overwhelmed with shame. Not being a Muslim myself it was unmeet to force others to become such.” The *shast*, as the vow which his disciples were required to take was called, comprised a repudiation of Islām, and the acceptance of the four grades of entire devotion, namely sacrifice of Property, Life, Honour and *Religion*.