tyrants and the powerful. Rather, it was a disdain for fear of anything other than his Maker.

#### Molla Said and Mustafa Pasha

Molla Said and Mustafa Pasha

On approaching Mustafa Pasha's tent, Said learnt that he was elsewhere and took the opportunity to rest. A while later Mustafa Pasha returned to the encampment and entered his tent, whereupon all those present rose to their feet, except Molla Said, who did not so much as stir. This attracted Mustafa Pasha's attention, and he enquired who it was from Fettah Bey, a major in the militia. He informed him that it was the Famous Molla Said. Now, Mustafa Pasha did not care at all for the 'ulema, but he thought it wise to suppress his anger, and asked why he had come there, Molla Said replied as ordered in his dream:

I have come to guide you to the right path. Either you give up your tyranny and start performing the obligatory prayers, or else I shall kill you!

Mustafa Pasha was doubtless taken by surprise with this reply and left the tent to consider the situation. He returned after a while and again asked why he had come. Said repeated what he had said. After further exchanges, Mustafa Pasha thought of a solution; he would set up a contest between Molla Said and "his" religious scholars in Jizre. If Molla Said was victorious, he would do as he said otherwise he would throw him in the river. Said was quite unperturbed. He told Mustafa Pasha:

Just as it is beyond my power to silence all the 'ulema, so also is it beyond your power to throw me into the river. But on my answering them, I want one thing from you, and that is a Mauser rifle. And if you do not stick to your word, I shall kill you with it!

After this exchange had taken place, they mounted their horses and rode down to Jizre from the high grazing grounds, Mustafa Pasha would in no way speak to Molla Said on the way. When they came to the place known as Bani Han on the banks of the Tigris, Said slept, entirely confident about his forthcoming trial. When he awoke, he saw that the scholars of the area had foregathered and were waiting books in hand. After introductions, tea was served. These 'ulema had heard of the Famous Molla Said, and as they prepared their questions in a state of some trepidation, Said drank not only his own tea, but some of their's as well. Mustafa Pasha noticed this and informed the scholars he was of the opinion that they would be defeated.

Molla Said told the Jizre scholars that he had taken a vow and asked no questions of anyone, but that he was ready for theirs. Whereupon they