The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.73

v4.c16.73

Whereas Hindūstān is now become the centre of security and peace, and the land of justice and benevolence, so that numbers of the higher and lower orders of the people, and especially learned men possessed of divine knowledge, and subtle jurists who are guides to salvation and travellers in the path of the diffusion of learning have immigrated to this land from Arabia and Persia, and have domiciled themselves here; now we, the principal *‘Ulamā*, who are not only well versed in the several departments of the law and the principles of jurisprudence, and well acquainted with the edicts based on reason and testimony, but are also known for our piety and honest intentions, have duly considered the deep meaning, first, of the verse of the Korān, "Obey God, and obey the Prophet, and those who are invested with authority among you"; and, secondly, of the genuine Tradition, "Surely the man who is dearest to God on the Day of Judgement is the just leader; whosoever obeys the *Amīr* obeys Me, and whosoever rebels against him rebels against Me"; and, thirdly, of several other proofs based on reason and testimony; and we have agreed that the rank of Just King is higher in the eyes of God than that of *Mujtahid*.

Further we declare that the King of Islām, the Asylum of Mankind, the Commander of the Faithful, Shadow of God in the world, Abu-’l-Fath Jalāl-ud-dīn Muhammad Akbar, *Pādishāh-i-Ghāzī* (whose kingdom God perpetuate!) is a most just, and wise King, with a knowledge of God.