Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/106

Rh They made answer, "No, by Allâh! O Commander of the Faithful!"

He said, "Because they never cease from vainglorious boasting over us, in matters wherein they are incompetent. And to-morrow when they come in, and take their places in the assembly, I desire to rise amongst them as a devotee, and propose to them questions whereby I shall lessen their self-esteem, and lower their dignity. Therefore when they come in and take their seats in the assembly, and ask questions about anything, let no one but me answer them."

Now the chief of the party from el-Yémen was a man called et-Tarammâh-ibn-el-Hákam, el Bâhily. And he went to his friends and said to them, "Do ye know, O people of el-Yémen! why the son of Hind has left you outside, and has ordered the Kuraish into his presence?"

And when they replied that they did not, he