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the path which is out of the way. This incident pertaining to the letter
occurred among the Arabs, and bahraj means something rejected among them. Some authors have interpreted this to mean that Hajjaj had requested for the inferior kinds of pearls. But can it really mean that Hajjaj had requested for inferior pearls? This is the interpretation made by Abu Muhammad al-Qutaybi. I personally believe that what Hajjaj meant was that the pearls should not be brought along well known routes but along a path not trodden by people so that they would be safe from robbers or poll tax or 'ushr might not have to be paid. This is what the bringer of the pearls exactly did, and the pearls were brought safely and securely. When Qabiha instigated her son, Mu'tazz, to connive at the killing
of his step-brother, Mu'yad, this evil woman sent a rosary to the latter's mother in the month of Ramadan. The price of the rosary was estimated to be 4,000 dinars. She sent the message that she should recite (verses from the Qur'an) while telling the beads. Mu'yad's mother ground rosary in a mortar, packed it in a piece of paper, and, returning it, told the messenger: "Greet my sister and tell her that the fever of the heart is not dispelled through the rosary." Al-Hakam-bi-Allah's ambassador, 'Alawi' Taharti, had the 'Alawid
known as the Amir of Madinah killed. Al-Hakam became fearful lest Amir Yamin al Dawlah (Sultan Mahmud of Ghaznah) should mount an offensive against him. Al-Hakam, in fact, was not quite sane. In a fit of insanity he ground all the jewels belonging to himself and his sister so that Sultan Mahmud would know that he was impoverished and he would not be tempted to launch an attack against him. Al-Kindi has described a rather interesting incident. Harun al-Rashid gave Yahya bin Khalid (Baramaki) a pouch containing jewels for safe keeping. Baramaki returned to his house, placed it down casually and went out. One of the servants who cleaned the floor took it away, Yahya then remembered about the pouch, but could not find it in its original place. He felt very sad. I was sitting by his side when he sent for Abu Ya'qub, the blind soothsayer. When he came, Yahya commanded all those present to be quiet so that the augury might proceed smoothly. When Abu Ya'qub arrived, Yahya bin Khalid asked him: "I wish to enquire something from thee. Tell me what it is." Abu Ya'qub bent his head a little, and replied: "Sire, you have sent for me to enquire about something that has been lost. " Yahya then asked: "Tell me what it is." Abu Ya'qub reflected for a while, and, then striking his hand (upon his thigh triumphantly) said: "It is something costly, arranged fold upon fold, white, red and green, and packed in a pouch." Yahya thereupon said: "Right art thou. Now tell me who has lifted it." Abu Ya'qub said: "it has been |
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