The Sultan's authority was not feared, and they had great boldness towards the Sultan. In his presence, they did not fear the Sultan. If he commanded something, they would obey. They would say it in his assembly and attribute the words to their speaker, whether he was lowly or great, without fearing the blame of any blamer. If the Sultan wished to spread a matter or announce a decree, he would order the announcer to proclaim it. The announcer would then proclaim it after sunset and before nightfall, a proclamation heard by the elite and the common people. It so happened that Sultan Abd al-Rahman loved scholars and spent much time with them day and night. He rarely sat in a gathering without a scholar or two present. So the ministers became angry with him and said, "He sits with these people." "But if this Sultan dies, we will have men after him who are not like him." One of the announcers heard this and waited until the Sultan was seated in his court and the ministers were present. The announcer came and said, speaking immediately, words to the effect that "We no longer appoint those who know how to read and write." The Sultan turned to him and asked, "Why is that?" He replied, "Because you leave the ministers and sit with the scholars." The Sultan became angry at this and looked at him with a look of anger. The announcer feared he would be punished, so he said, "What is my fault? I heard these people," pointing to the ministers, "saying that, so I said it." The Sultan turned.