The liberality of Hafiz Rehmut was evinced in num­berless instances. Throughout his dominions he abolished taxes of every denomination, whether on exports or imports, though these imposts had yielded many lacs of rupees annually; nor would he revive this odious demand, even when his finances were at their lowest ebb. In his various wars, the widows of those who fell in action were supported in affluence, and the sons received the pay of their deceased parents, till they were of an age to be enrolled among his troops. During the government of Ullee Mahomed Khan, all the rent-free lands formerly granted to learned and pious men, or to indigent families, had been resumed, and a small annual payment substituted; the whole of these lands were restored by Hafiz, and numberless new pensions were granted; in conferring which obligations, Hafiz would regret his inability to make the amount larger, and by his manner appeared to be rather receiving, than con­ferring a favour.

Hafiz Rehmut was of the sect of the Soonees, as indeed are all the Afghans. During the month of Ram­zân he observed a strict fast, read through the whole of the Koran in private, besides hearing portions of it daily read in public; during the last ten days of the month, all worldly concerns were laid aside, and he sat in the mosque absorbed in prayer and meditation. At the Eed-ool-Zohau, he offered annually for sacrifice two camels, and several thousand sheep and goats; and at the Eed-ool-Fittur many thousand maunds of wheat were distributed to the poor, besides small donations in money. During thirteen days of the Mohurrum, the nôbut was not sounded, and each day bread and shirbet was distributed to every one who attended to receive it. From the 7th to the 10th of the month, all the Syyuds* were assembled, when Hafiz waited on them as a ser­vant, and with his own hands presented their food; after which they were dismissed with suitable presents: the same form was observed with the Sheikhs; after which the lame and the blind, widows, and orphans, were amply supplied from his store-house, and called down blessings on his head. From the 1st to the 12th of the month Rubbee-ool-awul, the poor and needy received a similar daily supply. So strict was Hafiz in his observance of the precepts of the prophet regarding liquors, or intoxicating drugs, that he would not even allow himself the indulgence of eating paun,* or any spices, or of smoking a kullian, nor would he wear silken clothing. It was his daily practice to rise three hours before the sun, and after ablution, to commence his devotions. Kneeling with his face turned towards Mecca, he first read a portion of the Koran, and then some other devotional work, till the day broke, at which time he repaired to the mosque, and continued his devotions till sunrise. At that hour he went to the Deewân-Aum, to give orders respecting the government of the country, and to receive the petitions of all those who had to complain of any grievance; at two hours after sunrise, the third prayers were offered up in the Deewân-Khas, after which the reports received from the several Aumils were read, and the necessary orders were issued. At noon he made his principal meal, then took a short repose; and when three hours of the day remained, he offered up his fourth prayer and returned to business, which occupied him till near sunset, when the fifth act of devotion was observed in the presence of, and in concert with all the holy and learned men of the town, with whom he conversed on religious topics till dark; and this was the time for the sixth prayers. When three hours of the night were passed, he partook of a second meal in a select society, and all poor children were at that time admitted to his house and received a supply of food. At midnight the party broke up, and he retired to rest.

It is not surprising that a ruler who studied so little his own ease, whose whole life was spent in performing his duty to his God and to his fellow creatures, should have been beloved in life, and regretted in death: indeed his fall caused a general mourning throughout Kutheir.