This chapter examines how Islamic theology shaped the imperial contact during the French invasion of Egypt. The existing works often emphasize that the Egyptian ʿulamāʾ resorted to a performed—and thus insincere—obedience to Napoleon Bonaparte, who, in turn, adopted a Muslim persona in order to legitimize his rule. According to this view, the ʿulamāʾ who participated in Bonaparte’s administrative council (or diwān) issued proclamations that reflected Bonaparte’s priorities. This chapter demonstrates that the imperial contact created more than mirroring pantomimes. It shows that the ʿulamāʾ legitimized Bonaparte’s rule through a new interpretation of Islamic texts. Instead of opting for a hollow mimicry of Bonaparte’s Muslim act, the ʿulamāʾ responded to his rule with an earnest theological position that legitimized the rule of a non-Muslim in a predominantly Muslim society.