A man named Ali ibn Abbas was a favorite of the Caliph named Mamun. He said, "One day, while I was sitting with the Caliph in the afternoon, a man with his hands and feet bound was brought before him. The Caliph ordered me to take this man to his house and lock him up and bring him to me tomorrow." His expression clearly showed that he was very angry with that man. I brought him to my house and locked him up very carefully, because if he escaped, I would have to incur the Caliph's wrath.
After some time, I asked him, "Where do you live?" He said, "Damascus is my birthplace: I live in the part of the city where the great mosque is." I said, "May the eyes of the Almighty be upon the city of Damascus, especially the part where you live. A man from that part once sacrificed his life for me."
Hearing this, he expressed his desire to know her personally, and I began to say: Many years ago, when the governor of Damascus was deposed, I went there in the company of the one who assumed his position. The deposed governor attacked us with a large army. I fled in fear of my life and entered the house of a nobleman, and going to the master of the house, I prayed with great fervor, "Please spare my life." Hearing my prayer, the master of the house gave me refuge. I stayed in his house for a month, fearlessly and safely.
One day my host told me that many people were going to Baghdad at this time. You could not find a more convenient time for returning to your homeland. I agreed. I had no money with me, and I was ashamed to tell him that. He understood this by looking at my appearance, but at that time he said nothing and remained silent.
On the day of my departure, I was astonished to see all the arrangements he had made for me. A fine horse was well-equipped, and provisions were placed on the back of one of the horses, and a servant was ready to serve me on the way. When the time for departure arrived, that kind, hospitable, and hospitable man gave me a bag of gold coins and took me to the travelers. He introduced me to those among them with whom he was related. I had received all these benefits in your place of residence. Therefore, of all the places on earth, that place is the most beloved to me.
Having given this instruction, I expressed my regret and said, "It is a matter of regret that I have never received any attention from that kind host. If I have the opportunity to show my gratitude to him in any way, then I will have no grudge at the time of my death." Hearing this, he was overjoyed and said, "Your wish has been fulfilled. This is the person you mentioned. This unfortunate person kept you in his house for a month."
Hearing this, I was startled, and after observing him with special attention for a while, I was able to recognize him; delighted with the gesture, I embraced him with tearful eyes; I untied the iron chains from his hands and feet, and was very anxious to know by what accident he had fallen under the wrath of the Caliph. Then he said, "Some vile people, out of jealousy, have made a hostile accusation against me to the Caliph; for which reason I have been suddenly detained and brought here by his order; I was not allowed to meet my wife, sons, and daughters when I arrived; I think I will be put to death. Therefore, I humbly request you to kindly send this news to my family. Then I will be greatly benefited."
Hearing his plea, I said, "No, no, you need not fear death for a moment: you are free from this moment." Having said this, I gave him a bag of a thousand gold coins as a present and said, "You must depart immediately and join your beloved family and complete your journey. I have no doubt that the Caliph will incur my bitter anger and hatred for leaving you. But if I can save your life, I will not regret it in the least."Hearing my proposal, he said, "I can never agree to what you are saying. I am not so base and selfish that I would now be the cause of the destruction of a life that I saved some time ago, for the sake of saving my own. That will never happen. In order for the Caliph to be angry with me, you should kindly see to it that he makes the appropriate effort; only then will your true gratitude be shown. Even if your effort is not successful, I will not be angry."
The next morning I went to the Caliph. He asked, "Where is that man? Have you brought him?" Saying this, he called the assassin and ordered him to be ready. Then I fell at his feet and said in humble and pitiful tones, "Dharmavatar, I have something to say about that man. If you allow me, I will appear before you in person." As soon as I heard this, his anger flared up. He said with bloodshot eyes, "I swear that if you let him go, you will be put to death at this very moment." Then I said, "If you wish, what doubt do you have that you can put me to death at this very moment?" But, if you kindly listen to the request I am about to make, I will fulfill it.
This is Mayan
Hearing this, the Caliph said in a haughty voice, "Tell me what you mean." Then he did not agree to it at all, because he had given shelter and saved his life in the city of Damascus, and if I wanted to release him now, I would certainly be in danger; I pointed out these two matters in particular and said, "Dharmavatar, a person with such a nature and such an opinion, that is, a person who is so kind, benevolent, just and considerate, is never wicked. The base, envious, evil spirits, out of jealousy, have tried to destroy him by making baseless accusations; or else, I do not feel or believe that he can be tainted with any crime that can lead to death. Do whatever you like in this matter."
Oh, my God, my God.
The Caliph was a great and noble man. He remained silent for a while after hearing all these words; then he said with a pleased voice, "I am greatly pleased to know that he is such a kind and just man." He was spared the death penalty. As he said, his life was saved by you. Now give him this news immediately, and bring him to me."
new
Hearing this, I was overwhelmed with joy and returned home and presented him before the Caliph. The Caliph, upon seeing him, greeted him with friendly, cheerful, and welcoming words and said, "I was not aware of such a person before. Believing the words of evil-minded and wicked people, I was about to put you to death for no reason. Now, having come to know your true identity in this person, I have been greatly loved. I give you permission to depart for your own home." Saying this, the Caliph presented him with a costly garment, ten well-dressed horses, ten mules, and ten camels, and sent him away with a letter of request addressed to the Viceroy of Damascus and a large sum of money as provisions.