TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

the opportunities available at the Ministry in the development of paper, writing and printing. On the contrary, he used these opportunities as stepping stones to jump to a life of fame and glory. As a result, he not only ruined his life but the Muslims also lost the precious advantage that could have been achieved through his abilities. When Ibn Muqla reached the position of vizier (or Prime Minister), the ideal thing for him was to use this great opportunity in some constructive enterprise. But he suffered from the same psychological disease which often afflicts those who are brought to a higher position. His artistic and constructive ambitions now turned into political ambitions. Instead of engaging in silent service, he now became the leader of the secret political and military movements. Now he wanted to bring about a revolution in the system of government for his own benefit. He started plotting secretly to dethrone Caliph Al-Qahir and crown Abu Ahmad ibn Muktafi as the Caliph of the Abbasid Empire. There is an Arabic saying that the love of something makes a man blind and deaf. Ibn Muqla suffered from this weakness despite all his intelligence. He could not accurately assess his circumstances and the power of the Caliph in comparison. So the secret was revealed. Ibn Muqla was accused of conspiring with the army chief Monis Khadim to dethrone Al-Qahir. Ibn Muqla’s house was burnt down after the conspiracy was revealed. Abu Ahmad ibn Muktafi was entombed alive. The intelligence of Ibn Muqla came in handy for him. He escaped and then received the ministry again after offering 500,000 dinars to the Caliph. But his political ambitions again created problems for him. Al-Razi deposed him from the ministry and put him under house arrest and cut off his right hand. It was undoubtedly the harshest punishment that could have been given to an artist. This is one of the verses he composed in the prison of the house: There is no enjoyment in life after the right hand is cut off, O my life, when my right hand is separated from me, then you also be separated from me. Ibn Muqla’s extraordinary ability can be gauged from the fact that when his right hand was cut off, he started practising writing with his left hand. Even with his left hand, he would write as well as he would write with his right hand. He attached a pen in his severed hand and wrote with it too. It is said that no one could discern any difference in