Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/37

8 "But," said he, "how is it possible for ʾOmar to know anything of your condition; and you living in such a place as this?"

"The Lord be praised!" she cried. "By Allâh! I could not have supposed that a ruler over men existed, who was in ignorance of anything that occurred between the east and the west of his dominions."

Then ʾOmar wept, and said inwardly, "O ʾOmar! every one is better acquainted with the Divine law than thou, even old women. Alas, O ʾOmar!" Then he said to her, "O handmaid of Allâh! for how much will you sell me the injustice you have received from ʾOmar? For I would redeem him from hell-fire."

"Do not mock me," she cried, "as God may have mercy upon you."