The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 514
AN ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE & THE EMPRESS OF INDIA 513 knowledge and has granted me His light, splendour, and luminance. He has disclosed to me the Kingdom of the Heavens and ingrained its love into my heart. He has also shown me the kingdom of the earth and caused my heart loathe it, turning my mind away from it. Therefore, it is now like a corpse to me, or something of even greater stench. I hold the same view regarding the adornment of this world's life, such as wealth and sons. O Queen! In the end of my discourse, I sincerely offer the humble advice to you that Muslims are indeed your special aide and they hold a distinct position in your Empire of which you are well aware, so you should look upon the Muslims with a unique perspective. Take spe- cial care of the Muslims and please them, uniting their hearts in love and bringing many of them close to you. Give preference to them over all other people and choose them exclusively. There are blessings and benefits in following this course. Please them because you have arrived in their territory and take care of them because you have landed in their homeland. God has granted you a land where they have governed for nearly a thousand years. Be grateful to your Lord and be kind to them, for Allah loves those who act compassionately. Sovereignty is for Allah alone, He gives it to whomsoever He wills and takes it away from whomsoever He wills, and prolongs the days of those who remain grateful. O honourable Queen! Certainly, the hearts of Indian Muslims are with you and I do not smell any scent of rebellion in them nor do I see the fire of rancour in them. These are your infantries and cavalries who are ever ready to lay down their lives and to fulfil the conditions of loyalty. For you they endure all the adversities of mountainous peaks and valleys; indeed, they lead the vanguard and defend against the ene- mies, serving as your limbs for the implementation of your verdicts. Even your slightest gesture is their command, submission to you being nothing less than a prize for them. You will never see betrayal nor any excuse from them; rather―O Queen!—they hold a lofty station. They possessed thrones and crowns and used to govern idol