was innocent of that as was Yusuf b. Ya'qub innocent from the wolf's
blood". These critics have not realized what al-Mansur had in mind.
His true intention was not to simply gather money abundantly. But, as
he made it clear to his chancellor, the collected funds were needed to
be spent in the State's best interests, as well as for the ultimate welfare
and general good of the people. His argument was that: "Whosoever
has the money, to him is given the power, efficacy and the authority to
govern".28
In this regard, Beruni recalls that after Sultan Mahmud returned
from the subjugation of the city and the surrounding territory of
Khwarazm, he had a consultation with his astrologers. They told him
by predicting that his reign and triumph will continue and extend for
another decade. To that he replied: "My castles and treasures are well
funded with a lot of money, so that if they were to be divided into
these ten years I will still have much money to spend and to spare".
On hearing that, Beruni was bold and courageous enough to advise him
by saying: "Your Majesty should be most thankful in view of what you
have: tremendous wealth besides expanding territories. For this reason
please take heed and beware lest you neglect to guard and carefully
keep the capital, that is, the expenditure that is directed for the welfare
of the state, and the prosperity and happiness of its citizens. That is
the real thing, without which you will have neither the satisfaction nor
the glory".
On another occasion, Beruni patiently and compassionately appealed to Sultan Mahmud's son and successor, Sultan Mas'ud (421—433
A.H.) as well, asking him to be careful and wise, but to no avail. He
continued in his arrogance and haughtiness despite the advice. As a result, he was assassinated by his enemies. Being martyred, he was thus
called in Arabic al-Shahid. His, and his father's abundant accumulated
wealth vanished in a day. Like smoke, all their riches in a trice were
dispersed and blown as before strong winds.
From the above, one realizes that the precious gems that kings and
rulers have and boast about, turn in the long run into a trap for them.
Likewise, beggars who collect the cents, the dirhams and the dinars and
exchange them with precious stones will one day lose them all foolishly.
It will happen like the story of Ahl al-Kahf in the Holy Quran. The
antiquity of the coins they had on them betrayed them.
Finally, Beruni tells of a fictitious episode concerning a tribe in
western North Africa (in al-Maghrib al-Aqsa). Each leader of the tribe
in the province appointed a ruler among the group to be in power for
three months only. At the end of which period he would willingly
resign like the one before him, and give the post to another to take over
for three more months as well, showing his happiness to be relieved of
