Al-Mutawakkil was once taking medicine, and folk sent him by way of solace all sorts of presents and rarities and precious things. Amongst others, Al-Fath bin Khakan sent him a virgin slave, high-breasted, the fairest among women of her time, and with her a vase of crystal containing ruddy wine and a goblet of red gold on which were graven in black these couplets:

"Since our Imam came forth from medicine, Which made him health and heartiness rewin There is no healing draught more sovereign Than well boiled wine this golden goblet in: Then let him break the seal for him secured; 'Tis best prescription after medicine."

When the damsel entered, the physician Yohanna was with the Caliph. As he read the couplets, he smiled and said, "By God, O Commander of the Faithful, Fath is better versed than I in the art of healing. So let not the Prince of True Believers gainsay his prescription." Accordingly, the Caliph followed the recipe contained in the poetry and was made whole by the blessing of Allah and won his every wish. And among tales they tell is one of