Islam Creator of the Modern Age
3. Muslim Contribution to Science
~ 146 ~
that the King should observe 60 continuous fasts in
expiation. On leaving the palace, he was asked by
one of the ‘Ulama why he had insisted on such a
severe form of punishment when the
shariah
offered
the alternative of feeding 60 poor people in
atonement for one missed fast. Why had he not
instructed the King to feed 60 poor people instead
of requiring him to fast himself?
Angered by this question, Imam Yahya replied,
“For a king to feed 60 poor people is no
punishment.” As we learn from the annals of
Andalusion history, Sultan Abdur Rahman II did
accept the
fatwa
(verdict) of Imam Yahya, and did
observe 60 continuous fasts. He showed no reaction
whatsoever. He did not even dismiss Imam Yahya
from his office.
74
This can be explained in terms of the impact of the
Islamic revolution, which had put an end to the
difference between a subject and a ruler. It had
created such an atmosphere of human equality, that
no one could regard himself as being superior to
others. Not even a king dared to set himself apart
from the commoners or to flout the law.
