They tell that Harun al-Rashid was sitting one day to abate grievances, when there came up to him a woman and said, "O Commander of the Faithful, may Allah perfect your purpose and gladden you in whatever He has given you and increase you in elevation! Indeed, you have done justice and wrought equitably." the Caliph to those who were present with him, said, "Know you what this one means by her saying?" and They said, "Of a surety, she means not otherwise than well, O Prince of True Believers." Al-Rashid rejoined: "Nay, in this she purposes only to curse me. As for her saying, 'Allah perfect your purpose,' she has taken it from the saying of the poet,
'When your purpose is effected beginns its decay; when they say 'Your wish is won' feel you sure 'twill pass away.'
As for her saying 'Allah gladden you in whatever He has given you,' she took it from the saying of Almighty Allah, 'Till, whenas they were gladdened in that which they were given, We suddenly laid hold of them and lo, they were in despair!' As for her saying, 'Allah increase you in elevation!' she took it from the saying of the poet:
No flier flies however tall but as he flies shall come to fall.'
And as for her saying, 'Indeed, you have done justice and wrought equitably,' 'tis from the saying of the Almighty, 'If you swerve or lag behind or turn aside, truly, Allah of that which you do is well aware;' and 'As for the swervers they are fuel for Hell.' Then he turned to the woman and
The Ten Wazirs. 37 he asked, "Is it not thus?" Answered she: "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful," and He said, "What prompted you to this?" She said, "You slewest my parents and my kinsfolk and despoiledst their good." Enquired the Caliph, "Whom meanest you?" and she replied, "I am of the house of Barmak." Then he said to her, "As for the dead, they are of those who are past away, and it boots not to speak of them; but, as for that which I took of wealth, it shall directly be restored to you, yea, and more than it." And he was bountiful to her to the uttermost of his bounties.