'Annals of 'Omān' [‎27] (44/112)

Boole Fourth.
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agreement as to the course to be adopted in that matter. Accordingly, a
great number of the elect of the true Faith assembled in the house at
Nezwa, in which Rashid-bin el-Walid used to reside. All of those we have
named as having been present at the election of Rashid-bin el-Walid
attended except Abu-Mes'ud-el-Na'man, who was absent. The President of
the Council was Abu-Mohammed 'Abdullah-bin Mohammed-bin Abul-
Muathir. They unanimously resolved to adopt a policy of neutrality as
between Musa-bin Musa and Rashid-bin ebNadhr, and to hold aloof from
both as regarded the Government, granting at the same time that both
were sincere believers in their religion. We know not of any of them that
he acted wrongfully in either of these courses. The matter, then, was
settled amongst them in this fashion ; although the wording as to details
may be more or less incomplete, still, the general result was as stated. 4
Having agreed on this course, they thereupon proceeded to swear allegiance
to the Imam Rashid-bin el-Walid, binding him to administer the duties
of his office in obedience to God and his Apostle; to govern uprightly and
repress crime ; to prosecute wars in defence of the Faith as a Dafi'i Imam ;
and further to tread in the footsteps of the just Imams, his predecessors,
in imitation of their virtue and uprightness. On such conditions did Abu-
Mohammed-bin Abil-Muathir swear fealty in the house at Nezwa, and
after him, in the same manner, Abu-Mes'ud and the rest of the assembly.
The Imam having accepted their vows, they went forth to the open plain
at Nezwa, where a vast concourse of the people of 'Oman had collected.
They had come not only from Nezwa, but from the various towns of the
East and the West of 'Oman, and the assemblage was composed of persons
of unimpeachable integrity, holding positions of rank and authority. They
all assented to and obeyed the decision of the Council without the slightest
sign of repugnance or disapproval. Then arose Abu-Mohammed 'Abdullah-
bin Mohammed-bin Shikheh, and approaching Rashid hailed him as Imam,
and announced to the people that the Council had elected him, commanding
them to vow their allegiance. This they did openly and willingly without
a dissentient voice. Some of the persons referred to made their vows
separately, and in other cases in parties ; and for some time people kept
arriving for the purpose of making the compact, until the whole kingdom
had declared for the new Imam. Some appeared in person to swear allegiance,
others saluted him as Imam,® whilst others again proved their minds by
exhibiting a ready submission. The Imam had no occasion to use force, as
no secret disaffection existed. He sent his governors and agents to all the
districts and villages, and no one molested them. He performed the Friday
service at Nezwa, and he and his agents collected the sadakat 6 , or poor-rate.
He also reviewed the troops, presenting standards and issuing all necessary
orders. His receipts on account of the revenues of the kingdom were large,