"سجلات تاريخ عُمان" [‎٢‎٨] (١١٢/٤٥)

28
Annals of 1 Oman.
and every district of 'Oman acknowledged his authority as Sultan, 7 and
none rebelled against it in those days. All paid what was his due and
openly acknowledged him as Imam, without the exercise on his part of any
severity, open or secret, or any form of intimidation. On the other hand,
there was no display of weak leniency, nor undue conciliation; nor was it
necessary for him to work on the sordid feelings and hopes of profit of those
who dissemble their fears, and betray others for gain or ambition. He was
gentle to his subjects, and acted in harmony with their opinions, kindly
indulgent to their defects and faults and pleased with their virtues. He
was impartial in his judgment between all classes, whether noble, religious,
poor, or rich. Those at a distance received equal consideration with those
present. All were received with hospitality, and assiduous attention given
to their affairs. He was accustomed also to consult with those below him
in rank and to avail himself of their advice. Thus he continued to take
on himself the burden of the cases of his subjects, sacrificing his own
enjoyments and the society of those he loved for their good; and he ceased
not in the same manner to bear patiently the misfortunes and deprivation
of enjoyment and separation from friends, which his subjects caused him to
suffer. He had to endure slander and injury, 8 calamity, and indignity, and
bore all with patience, trusting to Ood for better times. Many of his
subjects were watching for an opportunity to injure him, and in secret
entertained most evil designs against him. Iniquity appears in the
countenances of the unbelievers, and their breasts hide not hatred and envy." 9
The Evil one had gained the mastery over their minds, and an evil fate
and their own animosities overcame them. Some amongst them, whilst
seeking his ruin, pretended friendship outwardly. If God gave him success,
they feigned to rejoice and congratulate him. If, however, success attended
the enemy, they would abandon him on pretence of inability to assist,
asserting that if they only had the power, they would fight against the
enemies of the Truth. Many proffered aid in words, whilst in secret
abandoning his cause. Others again assisted him from interested motives,
but only nominally and without sincerity. If good befel, they took
advantage of it, but in time of adversity turned their backs. In short, it
is impossible to enumerate the various evil motives by which they were
actuated. Exception may be made in the case of a few persons who had
not power to assist him, who saw they could not mend a hopeless cause by
remaining faithful.
At length his affairs reached such a point that his people opposed and
abandoned him, and the nobles conspired together to enter into intrigues
against his power with the Sultan whom they prepared to support. The
Imam made strong attempts to prevent this, and fierce enmity ensued be
tween him and his subjects, who separated from him at the town of Bahla,