It is related that Ibn al-Sammák went in one day to Al-Rashid, and the Caliph, being athirst, called for drink. So his cup was brought him, and when he took it, Ibn al-Sammak said to him, "Softly, O Prince of True Believers! If you were denied this draught, with how much would you buy it?" He replied, "With the half of my reign;" and Ibn al-Sammak said, "Drink and Allah make it grateful to you!" Then, when he had drunken; he asked him, "If you were denied the issuing forth of the draught from your body, with what would you buy its issue?" Answered Al-Rashid, "With the whole of my reign;" and Ibn al-Sammak said, "O Commander of the Faithful, truly, a realm that weighs not in the balance against a draught of water or a voiding of urine is not worth the striving for. "And Harun wept.