Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/237

208 Now ʾIkrimah-el-Fayyâdh, er-Rabiiy, the Governor of Mesopotamia, had been acquainted with him. And once whilst ʾIkrimah was seated in his council, behold, mention was made of Khuzaimah-ibn-Bishr. And ʾIkrimah-el-Fayyâdh [who was thus named solely on account of his generosity] asked, "How is he getting on?" They replied, "Indeed his condition is desperate. He has locked his door and remains in his house." "But," said ʾIkrimah, "can Khuzaimah-ibn-Bishr find no one to give to him or to recompense him for his benevolence?" They answered, "No one."

And ʾIkrimah made no further remark; but when it was night he took four thousand dinârs and put them into a bag. Then he ordered his steed to be saddled, and went out unknown to his people, and mounted, and took with him one of his slaves to carry the money. And he journeyed until he drew near Khuzaimah's door, when he took the bag from the slave and ordered him to retire to a distance, while he himself advanced towards the door and knocked at it.