138 
E. C. Ross —Annals of 1 Oman.—Booh IV. 
[No. 2, 
and went forth obstinately in open rebellion, resolved on bis downfal. 
The Sultan meanwhile bad been advancing to el-Sirr, whilst the Imam, 
being deserted by the main body of bis army who were now opposed to him, 
bad only a small and weak body of followers. He bad only left Nezwa 
indeed in hopes of inducing them to abandon their intention of going forth 
to join the approaching foe. Finding himself deserted and rebelled against, 
and unable with his small party to oppose the Sultan, he feared to be sur¬ 
prised in the place, and withdrew with his followers from Bahia to Ka- 
dam. 10 He hoped that by this step he had ensured his safety and kept on 
his guard. He remained at Kadam until he ascertained that the enemy 
had entered el-Jowf, when he became alarmed, and removed with a small 
party of attendants to W&di. el-Nakhr. 11 
He then busied himself actively in endeavouring to raise a force to 
oppose the Sultan, and at length succeeded in assembling a sufficient num¬ 
ber of allies and adherents to commence active operations against the 
enemy. By this time the Sultan was encamped at Nezwa. B} 7- the advice 
of those present of his kinsmen and well-wishers, who thought it best in 
the interests of Islam, the Imam remained behind the army which he sent 
against the tyrant Sultan at Nezwa. He took his position close to the 
pass to Manh, so he was not distant from them. As God had ordained, his 
army was defeated and put to flight and dispersed, and the Imam went 
forth vanquished and panic-stricken, seeking safety from his pursuers. 
The battle occurred in the forenoon, and by evening he found himself aban¬ 
doned by all his followers, a prey to terror and deprived of all hope of the 
success of his people. 
The tyrant Sultan then reduced all ‘Oman with its vai’ious districts to 
submission. The people sought to ingratiate themselves with the Sultan, 
who, on his part, deluded and beguiled them, until all the districts had 
submitted to his rule. Meanwhile the Imam lay concealed amongst the 
heights of the mountains and in desert places, in fear alike from the Sultan 
and from his own subjects, dreading to meet death at every place, and in 
terror of being surprised in his sleep. Whilst he was thus a fugitive from 
home and family in terror of his life, the people of his kingdom were dwell¬ 
ing in their houses in peace and security, having artfully conciliated the 
Sultan and ingratiated themselves with him. There was nothing to induce 
the Imam to withhold his submission ; indeed there was no other course 
open to him but submission, as no further effort was possible. He deliber¬ 
ated concerning his position and consulted with persons of sound judgment. 
He acted in accordance with the decisions and sanctions of people of piety, 
who pronounced an opinion, which, as far as we know is incontrovertible, 
that a Dafi‘i Imam is justified in practising “ religious dissimulation” 12 
when abandoned by his subjects. And we know not of a more signal 
