After this (the Sultán) consulted with my ustád, who told me what passed in the conference. The Amír asked about Hasnak and then about the matter of the Khalif, and wanted to know what was his opinion about the religion and belief of this man, and of his receiving a robe from the Egyptians. Bú Nasr stood up and related before him the whole account of Hasnak, his going on pilgrimage to Mecca, his returning viá Medína and Wádia-l Kara on the way to Syria, his receiving the khil'at from the Egyptians and the necessity of the act; his changing his route to Músal and not going back to Baghdád; and the Khalif's thinking that perhaps he had been ordered to do so by the Amír Mahmúd. All this was stated in full detail. The Amír asked how Hasnak was in fault in the matter. Had he come through the desert he would have caused the death of many people. Bú Nasr replied, “It would have been so. But such representations were made to the Khalif as made him very angry and disturbed, so that he called Hasnak a Karmatian. Much correspondence passed about the matter, and the late king being greatly annoyed and vexed, said, one day, ‘Write to this doting old Khalif, that out of regard to the 'Abbásides I have meddled with all the world. I am hunting for the Karmatians, and whenever one is found who is proved to be so, he is impaled. If it were estab­lished that Hasnak is a Karmatian, the commander of the faith­ful would soon learn what had happened to him. But I have brought him up and he stands on an equality with my sons and my brothers. If he is a Karmatian, so am I also.’ (He said this though) it was not becoming in a king. I (Bú Nasr) came into the minister's office and wrote a letter in the style in which servants address their masters. After much consideration it was determined that the robe which Hasnak had received, and the presents which the Egyptians had sent to Amír Mahmúd, should be sent with a messenger to Baghdád to be burnt there. When the messenger returned, the Amír asked in what place the robe and the presents were consumed, because he was sorry that Hasnak had been called a Karmatian by the Khalif. Notwithstanding this, the suspicion and bigotry of the Khalif increased more and more, but secretly not openly, until at length Amír Mahmúd re­ceived the Farmán. I have related the whole of what had passed” (said my ustád). The Amír answered, “Yes, I understand it.” Even after this Bú Sahal did not desist from his object.

On Tuesday, the 7th of Safar, when the Court broke up, the king ordered the Khwája to sit in his Court (táram) because Hasnak was to be brought there, with the judges and assessors,* that a bond in favour of the Amír might be taken from him for all things he had purchased and brought with him. The Khwája obeyed and went into the Court. All the Khwájas, the principal men, and ministers of the State, Khwája Bú-l Kásim Kasír (though he had been dismissed), Bú Suhal Zauzaní, and Bú Suhal Hamadúní came there. The wise Amír also sent there the commander-in-chief of the army, and Nasr Khalaf, the Kázís of Balkh, nobles, learned men, lawyers, just men, religious men, and all who were renowned and famous were present, and took notes. When this assembly was convened, I Bú-l Fazl and other people sat out of the court-hall, in shops, expecting to see Hasnak; and after a while he appeared unshackled. He wore a coat of some blackish colour, a vest, an upper garment, an exceedingly white shirt, a Naishápúr turban, and a new pair of Míkáílí boots on his feet, and his hair was smoothed down and hidden under the turban, except a few locks which were visible. The governor of the prison was with him, and 'Alí Ráíz and many soldiers from every band (dastí), and they took him into the Court. He was there till near the time of mid-day prayer; and then he was brought out and taken again to the prison. He was followed by the Kázís, and the lawyers. I heard two persons con­versing and asking each other what could have brought Khwája Bú Suhal to this act, for it would bring disgrace upon himself. Afterwards, Khwája Ahmad came out with the chief men, and went to his house. Nasr Khalaf was my friend; I asked him what passed there. He said: When Hasnak came in, the Khwája rose up, and when he showed him this respect, all the others, whether they liked it or not, did the same. Bú Suhal Zauzaní could not control his anger, albeit he stood up, though not quite straight, and kept muttering to himself in his rage. Khwája Ahmad said, “In all things there is imperfection; he is greatly fallen”*(?) Although Khwája Amír Hasnak desired to sit before the Khwája, yet he did not allow him. He made me and Khwája Bú-l Kásim Kasír and Bú Nasr Mishkán sit on his right hand; for although Bú-l Kásim Kasír had been dismissed from his office yet his reputation was very great. Bú Suhal sat on the left of the Khwája, and this offended him still more deeply. The great Khwája turned his face towards Hasnak and asked him how he was, and how he passed his time? He replied, “I have reason to be thankful.” The Khwája said, “Do not be broken-hearted. Such accidents often befall mankind; you must submit to whatever his Majesty commands, for while life re­mains in the body, there are a hundred thousand hopes of hap­piness and comfort.”

Bú Suhal now recovered himself, and exclaimed, “Who shall reconcile our lord to this dog of a Karmatian, who must be gibbeted as ordered by the commander of the faithful.” The Khwája looked angrily at Bú Suhal, and Hasnak exclaimed, “Who this dog is I do not know; but all the world knows to what family I belong, and what state, grandeur, and luxury have been mine. I have enjoyed this world, I have directed its affairs, but the end of man is death; and if the destroying angel has now approached me, no one can withstand him—whether the gibbet or any other be the appointed means. I am not greater than Imám Husain 'Alí. The Khwája who tells me this, and has called me a dog* once stood at my door. The charge of being a Karmatian is more applicable to him than to me—for it is well known that I do not understand such things.” Bú Suhal's bile was stirred; he called out and was about to abuse him, but the Khwája restrained him, and said, “Is no respect due to this assembly of the Sultán in which we are sitting? We are called to settle the question, and shall soon finish it. This man has been five or six months in your hands; do what you like.” Bú Suhal was silent, and spoke not a word till the assembly broke up.

Two bonds were written out on behalf of the king, which contained an inventory of all the chattels and estates of Hasnak. The name of each estate was read out to him, and he agreed to sell them of his own pleasure and free will at the prices set upon them, and accept the money. All the people affixed their signa­tures as witnesses. The Chief Judge affixed his seal to them, and so did the other Kázís one after the other in their turns. When this was done, Hasnak was told to retire. He looked at the Khwája, and exclaimed, “May the life of the great Khwája be prolonged! In the time of Sultán Mahmúd and by his instruc­tions I ridiculed the Khwája; it was a fault, but I had no help but to obey. The post of Wazír was given to me, though it was no place for me. Still I formed no design against the Khwája, and I always favoured his people. I committed a fault, con­tinued he, and deserve whatever punishment my Lord may order. But the all-merciful master will not reject me. I am weary of life. Some care ought to be taken of my family and children, and the Khwája must forgive me.” He burst into tears, and all those who were present pitied him. The Khwája's eyes filled with tears, and he said, “You are forgiven, but you must not be so dejected, for happiness is still possible. I have con­sidered and I accept it of the Almighty, that if he is doomed I I will take care of his family.”