Said Abú Hássan al-Ziyádi: "I was once in straitened case and so needy that the grocer, the baker and other tradesmen dunned and importuned me; and my misery became extreme, for I knew of no resource nor what to do. Things being in this way there came to me one day certain of my servants and said to me, 'At the door is a pilgrim people, who seeks admission to you.' I said, 'Admit him.' So he came in and behold, he was a Khorasani. We exchanged salutations and he said to me, 'Tell me, are you Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi?'; and I replied, 'Yes, what is your wish?' he said, 'I am a stranger and am minded to make the pilgrimage; but I have with me a great sum of money, which is burdensome to bear: so I wish to deposit these ten thousand dirhams with you whilst I make my pilgrimage and return. If the caravan march back and you see me not, then know that I am dead, in which case the money is a gift from me to you; but if I come back, it shall be mine.' I answered, 'Be it as you will, an thus please Allah Almighty.' So he brought out a leather bag and I said to the servant, 'Fetch the scales;' and when he brought them the man weighed out the money and handed it to me, after which he went his way. Then I called the purveyors and paid them my liabilities"—

When it was the Three Hundred and Fifties night

By the time he returns,

Allah will have relieved me with one or other of the bounties He has by Him.' However, on the very next day, the servant came in to me and said, 'Your friend the Khorasan man is at the door.' 'Admit him,' answered I. So he came in and said to me, 'I had purposed to make the pilgrimage; but news has reached me of the decease of my father, and I have resolved to return; so give me the monies I deposited with you yesterday.' When I heard this, I was troubled and perplexed beyond measure of perplexity known to man and wotted not what reply to make him; for, if I denied it, he would put me on my oath, and I should be disgraced in the world to come; whilst, if I told him that I had spent the money, he would make an outcry and dishonour me before men. So I said to him, 'Allah give you health! This my house is no stronghold nor site of safe custody for this money. When I received your leather bag, I sent it to one with whom it now is; so do you return to us tomorrow and take your money, God willing!'

So he went away and I passed the night in great concern, because of his return to me, sleep visited me not nor could I close my eyes; so I rose and bade the boy saddle me the she mule. Answered he, 'O my lord, it is yet but the first third of the night and indeed we have hardly had time to rest.' I returned to my bed, but sleep was forbidden to me and I eased not to awaken the boy, and he to put me off, till break of day, when he saddled me the mule, and I mounted and rode out, not knowing where to go. I threw the reins on the mule's shoulders and gave myself up to regrets and melancholy thoughts, whilst she fared on with me to the eastward of Baghdad. Presently, as I went along, behold, I saw a number of people approaching me and turned aside into another path to avoid them; but seeing that I wore a turband in preacher fashion, they followed me and hastening up to me said, 'Know you the lodging of Abu Hasan al-Ziyadi?' 'I am he,' answered I; and they rejoined, 'Obey the summons of the Commander of the Faithful.' Then they carried me before al-Maamun, who said to me, 'Who are you?' I said, 'An associate of

Abu Hassan Al-Ziyadi and the Khorasan. 287 the Kazi Abu Yúsuf and a doctor of the law and traditions.' Asked the Caliph, 'By what surname are you known?' and I answered, 'Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi;' whereupon he said, 'Expound to me your case.' So I recounted to him my case and he wept sore and said to me, 'Out on you! The Apostle of Allah (whom Allah bless and assain!) would not let me sleep this night, because of you; for in early darkness he appeared to me and said, 'Succour Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi.' Whereupon I awoke and, knowing you not, went to sleep again; but he came to me a second time and said to me, 'Woe to you! Succour Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi.' I awoke a second time, but knowing you not I went to sleep again; and he came to me a third time and still I knew you not and went to sleep again. Then he came to me once more and said, 'Out on you! Succour Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi!' After that I dared not sleep any more, but watched the rest of the night and aroused my people and sent them on all sides in quest of you.'

Then he gave me one myriad of dirhams, saying, 'This is for the Khorasani,' and other ten thousand, saying, 'Spend freely of this and amend your case therewith, and set yours affairs in order.' Moreover, he presented me with thirty thousand dirhams, saying, 'Furnish your self with this, and when the Procession day is being kept, come you to me, that I may invest you with some office.' So I went forth from him with the money and returned home, where I prayed the dawn prayer; and behold, presently came the Khorasani, so I carried him into the house and brought out to him one myriad of dirhams, saying, 'Here is your money.' he said,'It is not my very money; how comes this?' So I told him the whole story, and he wept and said, 'By God, had you told me the fact at first, I had not pressed you!; and now, By God I will not accept anything of this money"—

When it was the Three Hundred and Fifty first night

"And" (he who tells the said,tale) "Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi did not stop to be Kazi of al-Medinah, the Holy City, till he died in the days of al-Maamun the mercy of Allah be on him!" And among the tales men tell is one of