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AKBAR.
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of Imam Malik, and pointed to a tradition in the book, which Imám had cited as a proof against the legality of Mut'ah marriages.
Another night, Qází Ya'qub, Shaikh Abulfazl, Hájí Ibráhím, and a few others were invited to meet His Majesty in the house near the Anúptaláo tank. Shaikh Abulfazl had been selected as the opponent, and laid before the emperor several traditions regarding Mut'ah marriages, which his father (Shaikh Mubárik) had collected, and the discussion commenced. His Majesty then asked me, what my opinion was on this subject. I said, “The conclusion which must be drawn from so many contradictory traditions and sectarian customs, is this :-Imam Málik and the Shi'ahs are unani. mous in looking upon Mut'ah marriages as legal; Imám Shafi'i and the Great Imám (Hanífah) look upon Muťah marriages as illegal. But, should at any time a Qází of the Maliki sect decide that Mut'ah is legal, it is legal, according to the common belief, even for Shafi'is and Hanafís. Every other opinion on this subject is idle talk. This pleased His Majesty very much.
The emperor then said, I herewith appoint the Máliki Qází Husain 'Arab as the Qází before whom I lay this case concerning my wives, and you, Ya'qub, are from to-day suspended. This was immediately obeyed, and Qází Hasan, on the spot, gave a decree which made Mut'ah marriages legal.
The veteran lawyers, as Makhdúm ul mulk, Qazi Ya'qub, and others, made very long faces at these proceedings.
This was the commencement of their sere and yellow leaf.
The result was that, a few days later, Maulana Jalaluddin of Multán, a profound and learned man, whose grant had been transferred, was ordered from Agrah (to Fathpúr Síkří,) and appointed Qází of the realm. Qází Ya'qub was sent to Gaur as District Qází.
