1870.] Translations from the Tdrihh i Wiruz Shdhi. 15 



commits adultery with another's wife, I cut off his (offending) organ 

 and put the woman to death ; in revolts I slay both the good and the 

 had ; embezzled money I recover by means of various kinds of torture, 

 and keep the delinquents in prison and in chains so long as one 

 jetal of the sum remains unliquidated, and revenue defalcators I 

 make prisoners for life. Now, do you mean to say all these acts are 

 contrary to divine law ? " 



Qazi Mughisuddin then rose from his seat, and advancing to the 

 foot of the throne, bowed his head upon the ground, and cried in a 

 loud voice : " monarch of the world ! whether you permit your poor 

 slave to live, or whether you order me, this instant, to be removed 

 from the world, I must declare that all are contrary to divine law ; 

 and in the tradition of the Prophet, (on whom be peace !) and in the 

 doctrines of the learned, it is nowhere stated that a sovereign may do 

 whatever he chooses with regard to the promulgation of orders." 



Sultan 'Alauddin offered no reply on hearing the above speech, but, 

 putting on his slippers, retired into his private apartments. Qazi 

 Mughis also returned home, and next day, having taken a final adieu 

 of his family, dispensed alms, and performed ablutions, entered the 

 royal Court, and came before the Sultan, prepared to undergo execu- 

 tion. Sultan 'Alauddin, however, summoning him to the front, treat- 

 ed him with great kindness, and giving him a robe and a thousand 

 tankahs, said : Qazi Mughis, although I am not versed in learn- 

 ing, yet for many generations have my ancestors been Musalmans °, 

 and in order that insurrections may not occur, in which so many 

 thousands of Musalmans are constantly destroyed, I adopt such mea- 

 sures towards the people, as seem most to their advantage. The peo- 

 ple, however, shew a rebellious and contumacious spirit, and will not 

 fulfil my commands ; and I am, therefore, compelled to make such 

 severe laws as will reduce them to obedience. I know not whether 

 these laws are sanctioned by our faith or not ; but whatever I con- 

 ceive to be for the good of the State, and whatever appears expedient 

 to me at the time, that I order, and as for what may happen to me 

 on the approaching day of judgment, that I know not." 



[But stop, Mauhina Mughis ! One thing I do not forget in my 

 prayers to Grod, and I often say, "0 Grod, thou knowest that my 

 kingdom suffers nothing, if any man sleeps with the wife of his neigh- 



