Later Mughals v1.c6.s24.4

v1.c6.s24.4

* [Yahya 115b-116b.] Bahadur Shah had strayed from the orthodox faith of the Sunnat. He therefore sent for the learned men of the Panjab and reciting various traditions favourable to Ali said ‘Are these correct? or inventions’? The learned men replied ‘They are correct; and in respect of other companions there are many chapters (fasl) of traditions, there is no dependence (hasan) on such traditions for one only.’ After that the Emperor recited several traditions from which the Lord of the Faithful (Ali) was shown as heir (Wasi) and he asked ‘Are these traditions, too, correct or not?’ They said ‘It is correct.’ The Emperor replied ‘Therefore it is necessary to call the Lord of the Faithful Ali (the grace of God be upon him) the Chosen Heir (Wasi-i-mustaffa) in the public prayer (khutba).’ From this they believed the rumours to be true that they had already heard, namely that Bahadur Shah had become a Shia, and they thought, if we agree to this, he will in future be able to say ‘you must recite such and such words.’ It would be better not to consent now. Therefore they replied ‘There is no doubt that Ali was the Chosen Heir, but in the form of khutba fixed in the past by men of learning and perfect in the faith (mujtahid)—and thought best by them—and ordered to be recited, if the word wasi is left out therein that is no denial of Ali’s heirship. Accordingly, in the holy Quran the word sahib (companion) with regard to the Lord of the Faithful (Sadiq Akbar) is distinctly fixed, Qaulah taali az qal lasahabahu la tahzan an ullah manad. Although we do not refer to him in the khutba by those words, there is by their omission no denial of his companionship (Razi ullah anahu.)’ And although they gave reasonable answers he was not satisfied. He said ‘I will give orders that if you do not obey I will make you eat out of the same platter as the dogs.’ They said ‘That matters not—for we feared that you