The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c21.52

c21.52

Even the majority of the *ulema*, the guardians of the sacred law, was utterly materialistic in outlook and opportunist in conduct. They entered into an unholy alliance with the secular authorities and by distorting the rules of the *Shariah*, found sanction for the Sultan's pagan practices. Even traditions from the Prophet were concocted to give the king's despotism a moral backing. They held out that the Sultan's office was only slightly inferior to that of the Prophet and his sanctity almost equalled that of God⁵. To suit the Sultan's convenience his religious duties were sought to be confined to such matters as leading the prayers, making endowment for the *ulema* and religious establishments and dispensing justice, while the most flagrant breaches of the *Shariah* rules like drinking, non-observance of the fast etc. were condoned¹. The *ulema* even authorised him to appropriate the people's wealth whenever he desired².