your kingdom and shield your subjects. Hand that responsibility over to the one upon whom your nobles are unanimous, and beware of dissension, lest you destroy both yourselves and your people.’

They answered, ‘Rather, may Allah favor us by prolonging your span and spare your subjects the loss of your governance.’

He replied, ‘Cease this talk and turn to what I have laid out for you in this charter, for in it lies the stability of your affairs and the soundness of your religion. Death is inescapable.’

Not even a single night had passed before he died.