Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/105

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T is related that Muʾâwiyah was one day seated amid his companions, when lo! two caravans from the desert approached. And he said to some of those who were with him, "Observe these people, and bring me word concerning them." So they went, and returned and said, "O Commander of the Faithful! one caravan comes from el-Yémen, and the other from Kuraish." Then he said, "Go again to them, and bid the Kuraish that they come to us. But as for those of el-Yémen, let them remain in their place unless we desire their admittance."

And when the Kuraish entered, Muʾâwiyah saluted them, and went near and asked them, "Do ye know, O people of Kuraish! why I left the people of el-Yémen behind, and caused you to draw near?"