The sultan nodded towards the ulema. Their leader went down on his knees and kissed the ground in front of the throne. ‘Jahan Panah (Refuge of the World),’ he said addressing the sultan, ‘you who are the wisest and the most just of all monarchs do not need such insects as we are to expound the holy law. Your Majesty must know that this man, Nizamuddin, talks of love only to throw dust in the eyes of innocent people.’ He unwrapped a copy of the Quran, touched it to his forehead and read out a passage. The crowd broke into a chorus of applause—Wah! Wah! Subhan Allah! Few of them understood Arabic. Even fewer understood what the words meant when translated into Turki.

The sultan turned to the dervish and asked him about his claiming unity with God. Nizamuddin replied in very poetic language, ‘O Sultan! And O you ulema, learned of the law! And all of you people assembled here! Do you know what it is to love and be loved? Perhaps all you have known and enjoyed is the love of women. We Sufis love God and no one else. When we are possessed by the divine spirit we utter words which to the common man may sound like the assumption of godhood. But these should not be taken seriously. You may have heard of the story of the dove that would not submit to her mate. In his passion the male bird said, “If you do not give in to me, I shall turn the throne of Solomon upside down.” The breeze carried his words to Solomon. He summoned the dove and asked it to explain itself. The dove replied, “O Prophet of Allah! The words of lovers should not be bandied about.” The answer pleased Solomon. We hope our answer will please the Sultan Balban.’

A murmur of Wah! Wah! went round.

The sultan asked the ulema for authority on the subject of music. The ulema opened another book (they had brought many bundles of books with them). Their leader again read out something in Arabic and then translated it into Turki. He looked back at the crowd and a section applauded Wah! Wah!

The sultan again turned to Nizamuddin. The dervish had not brought any books. From memory he quoted a tradition of the Prophet about music and dancing. ‘When Allah’s grace enters one’s person it manifests itself by making that person sing and dance with joy. If this be a manifestation of being possessed by Allah, I say Ameen!

The sultan pondered over the matter for a while. He brushed his beard and examined the hair that came off in his hand. The silence was terrible. At last he cleared his throat and spoke in a clear, loud voice! ‘We dismiss the ulema’s charges against Nizamuddin, dervish of Ghiaspur.’