And since it is
abhorrent of Islam that any image be made in the likeness of
anything that has life, make for me a palace-tomb, gracious as
she was gracious, lovely as she was lovely. Not such as the tombs
of the Kings and the Conquerors, but of a divine sweetness. Make
me a garden on the banks of Jumna, and build it there, where,
sitting in my Pavilion of Marble, I may see it rise."
And Ustad Isa, having heard, said, "Upon my head and eyes!" and
went out from the Presence.
So, musing upon the words of the Padishah, he went to his house
in Agra, and there pondered the matter long and deeply; and for a
whole day and night he refused all food and secluded himself from
the society of all men; for he said:-
"This is a weighty thing, for this Lady (upon whom be peace) must
visibly dwell in her tomb- palace on the shore of the river; and
how shall I, who have never seen her, imagine the grace that was
in her, and restore it to the world? Oh, had I but the memory of
her face! Could I but see it as the Shah-in-Shah sees it,
remembering the past! Prophet of God, intercede for me, that I
may look through his eyes, if but for a moment!"
That night he slept, wearied and weakened with fasting; and
whether it were that the body guarded no longer the gates of the
soul, I cannot say; for, when the body ails, the soul soars free
above its weakness.
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