Page:Aurangzíb and the Decay of the Mughal Empire.djvu/73

Rh doctrines of the Kanz. Having made his ablutions, he always occupies a great part of his time in adoration of the Deity, and says the usual prayers, first in the masjid [mosque] and then at home, both in congregation and in private, with the most heartfelt devotion. He keeps the appointed fasts on Fridays and other sacred days, and he reads the Friday prayers in the jámi' masjid [congregational mosque] with the common people of the Muhammadan faith. He keeps vigils during the whole of the sacred nights, and with the light of the favour of God illumines the lamps of religion and prosperity. From his great piety, he passes whole nights in the mosque which is in his palace, and keeps company with men of devotion. In privacy he never sits on a throne. He gave away in alms before his accession a portion of his allowance of lawful food and clothing, and now devotes to the same purpose the income of a few villages ... and salt-producing tracts, which are appropriated to his privy purse. During the whole month of Ramazán he keeps fast, says the prayers appointed for that month, and reads the holy Korán in the assembly of religious and learned men, with whom he sits for that purpose during six and sometimes nine hours of the night. During the last ten days of the month he performs worship in the mosque; and, although on account of several obstacles he is unable to proceed on a pilgrimage to Mecca, yet the care which he takes to promote facilities for pilgrims to that holy place may be considered equivalent to the pilgrimage. ...

'He never puts on the clothes prohibited by religion, nor does he ever use vessels of silver or gold. In his sacred court no improper conversation, no word of backbiting or of falsehood is allowed. ... He appears two or three times