The Pious Sultan: A Story of Justice and Spiritual Insight
(Ameer Abdur Rahmaan Khaan was the Sultan of Afghanistan, about a century ago).
The Sultan’s wife had killed a female worker, shooting her with a revolver. The heirs of the killed woman complained to Ameer Abdur Rahmaan. He referred them to the Qadhi. Whatever the Qadhi decrees will be implemented.
After the charge was laid, the Qadhi ordered the arrest of the accused queen. The Sultan ordered his army to ensure that the Qadhi’s messengers are able to execute the task imposed on them by the Qadhi. Thus, the queen was brought to the court of the Qadhi. On the basis of her confession, she was found guilty and the Qadhi issued the decree of Qisaas (that is she has to be executed).
The son of the Sultan came to plead with him on behalf of his mother. The Sultan responded: “My son, I am helpless in this matter. The Hukm of the Shariah will take its course. I do understand that you are concerned because she is your mother. However, she is also my wife. I too am gravely concerned. But, understand that nothing can be said or done to conflict with the course of the Shariah. It is also surprising that while you are so concerned with your aged mother, you have no concern for your aged father. You do not think that if I make a concession in conflict with the Shariah, I shall be dragged in disgrace on the Day of Qiyaamah into the Divine Court.”
The sons of the Sultan asked him if paying the heirs of the killed lady a sum of money for the acquisition of forgiveness, will it be permissible. The Sultan said: “Yes, it is called Diyat. However, the condition is that no pressure whatsoever must be applied on the heirs. Only if they wholeheartedly and happily accept the diyat, will it be valid.”
The heirs happily accepted the Diyat and forgave the Queen. Thus she was saved from execution. Indeed such a man is fit to be king. If there is no justice in the ruler, he will then be an exceptionally evil person.
Another episode of this Sultan’s piety, was his Firaasat. (Firaasat is the spiritual insight which is the effect of a very lofty stage of Taqwa. The intelligence of such a Man of Allah comprehends issues with the clarity of Kashf. Rasulullah – Sallallahu alayhi wasallam- said: “Beware of the Firaasat of the Mu’min, for verily he looks with the Noor of Allah.”)
Abdur Rahmaan Khaan (who was a contemporary of Hadhrat Thanvi) was a guest of the Sultan for a few days. He narrated: One night, I wrote some advices for the Sultan regarding progress and prosperity for the country. I had numbered these advices in point form, and planned to hand these notes to the Sultan the next day. I wanted to advise that the issues which I have raised were necessary for the progress of the country.
MALFOOZAAT PART 7
