Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/54

Rh with thirst." So ʾOmar ordered some water for him, and so soon as Hurmuzân had the goblet in his hand he asked, "Am I safe until I shall have drank it?" To which ʾOmar replied, "Yes; safety is yours for that time." Then Hurmuzân flung the vessel away from him, and spilt the water, and cried, "Your promise, O Commander of the Faithful!" So ʾOmar said to the executioner, "Leave him, whilst I find out what is to be done with him."

And when the sword was removed from over him, Hurmuzân exclaimed, "I testify that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is the prophet of God!"

Then said ʾOmar, "Verily thou hast professed the best form of Muhammadan faith. What caused thy delay in doing it?"

"I feared," he replied, "that it might be reported I had professed el-Islám through dread of the sword."

"Of a truth, thou art wise in judgment," said ʾOmar, "and art worthy of the dominion thou hadst." And after that time ʾOmar consulted him about the going forth of his armies into Persia, and acted according to his advice.