Javami' al-ḥikāyāt va lavami' al-rivāyāt - The Jawamiul-Hikayat wa Lawamiur-Riwayat

Compendiums of Reports and Illumination of Narratives

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A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter V: On the History of the Caliphs: A comparative list of the three periods.
      The Orthodox Caliphs (11—40 A. H. = 632—661 A. D.).
f82a f52a 196 Introduction: A discourse on the Caliphate and Imámate.
      Caliphate of Abú Bakr. (11 A. H. = 632 A. D.).
f82b f52b 197 ‘Umar and Abú Bakr at Muḥammad’s death.
” f53a 198 Despatch of ’Usáma b. Zayd against Syria.
f83a ” 199 The rebellion of Ṭalḥa b. Khuwaylid after the death of the Prophet.
” ” 200 Málik killed by Khálid: disagreement of Abú Bakr and ‘Umar.
f84a f53b 201 Campaign against Persia.
f84b f54a 202 Same continued. Conquest of Ubulla. (Imporant details concerning the current events, when the author had begun to write this history under Náṣir’ud-Dín Qabácha, see above, p. 112, n. 4).
f85a ” 203 The Battle of Yarmúk; dismissal of Khálid.
f86a f55a 204 Death of Abú Bakr.
f86b ” 205 Caliphate of ‘Umar. (13 A. H. = 634 A. D.).
” ” 206 Continuation of Persian Campaign.
f87a f55b 207 Abu ‘Ubayda refuses presents offered to him by the Dihqáns.
” ” 208 The Battle of the Bridge.
f88a f56a 209 Continuation of Persian Campaign. The Caliph ‘Umar sends Jarír b. ‘Abdu’llah al-Bajalí for the reinforcement of Muthanná.
” ” 210 S‘ad ibn-i-Abí Waqqáṣ raids the market of Baghdád.
f88b ” 211 The Persian and Arab armies meet at Qádisiyya.
f89a f56b 212 The Arab ambassadors before Yazdigird.
f89b ” 213 The Battle of Qádisiyya.
f90a f57a 214 Khálid’s success against the Byzantines.
f90b ” 215 Further success against the Byzantines: Íliyá taken.
f91a f57b 216 Increasing despair of Yazdigird.
” ” 217 The Arabs divide the spoil at Madá’in (Ctesiphon); account of the spoil.
f92a f58a 218 Assassination of ‘Umar by Abú Lúlú, the Persian slave.
” ” 219 Dying words of the Caliph ‘Umar.
” ” 220 The election of ‘Uthmán to the Caliphate. (23 A. H. = 644 A. D.).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f92b f58a 221 The Caliph ‘Uthmán’s first address to the Muslims.
” f58b 222 Abu’l-‘Ayná’ defends ‘Uthmán before one of the ‘Abbásid Caliphs. (A part of this Anec. is quoted in the Tajáribu’s-Salaf, see Browne [Or. G. 3] f. 34a).
f93a ” 223 Murder of the Caliph ‘Uthmán.
” ” 224 Particulars of the Caliph ‘Uthmán’s life and genealogy.
” ” 225 (a) ‘Alí’s sentiments towards ‘Uthmán. (b) Another anecdote representing the same.
” ” 226 Caliphate of ‘Alí, and his intention to depose Mu‘áwiya. (35 A.H. = 656 A.D.).
f93b f59a 227 Discussion, concerning the internecine wars of the early Companions of the Prophet, at a later period, is both unprofitable and undesirable, as depicted in this anecdote.
” ” 228 Anecdote concerning ‘Alí: Elucidation of a verse about ‘Alí.
” ” 229 The ‘Íd-i-Ghadír.
” ” 230 The Prophet chooses ‘Alí as his adopted brother, while he was inaugurating the ceremony of brotherhood amongst his Compannions in pairs.
f94a ” 231 Reply to a Khárijite who reviled the Caliph ‘Alí.
” f59b 232 A reminiscence of the author when he was preaching at Níshápúr, and a miracle of the Prophet. (Autobiographic details).
f94b ” 233 The Khárijite conspiracy.
” f60a 234 Caliphate of al-Ḥasan, the son of the Caliph ‘Alí. (40 A. H. = 661 A. D.).
      The Umayyad Caliphs (41—132 A. H. = 661—750 A. D.).
f95a ” 235 The Caliphate of Mu‘áwiya b. Abí Sufyán, and a Memoria Technica of the fourteen Umayyad Caliphs by the author.
” ” 236 Anecdote of Hind’s divorce and marriage (and explanation of a line of Firdawsí, not found in A).
f95b f60b 237 How it came about that the sword ever divided the children of ‘Abd-i-Shams and the children of Háshim.
” ” 238 Caliphate of Mu‘áwiya I. (41 A. H. = 661 A. D.).
” ” 239 al-Ḥasan’s speech on his abdication.
” ” 240 Mu‘áwiya’s tribute to ‘Alí’s memory: Mu‘áwiya not to be cursed.
f96a ” 241 Mu‘áwiya and al-Ḥasan.
” ” 242 al-Ḥasan refuses to fight for Mu‘áwiya.
” f61a 243 ‘Adí b. Ḥátim and Mu‘áwiya.
” ” 244 Mu‘áwiya’s dying counsel to his son Yazíd.
f96b ” 245 Mu‘áwiya tests ‘Alí by false reports.
” ” 246 Caliphate of Yazíd I. (60 A. H. = 680 A. D.). (Author as a preacher in Níshápúr).
f97a f61b 247 Origin of Yazíd’s hatred of al-Ḥusayn.
” ” 248 Caliphate of Mu‘áwiya II. (64 A. H. = 683 A. D.). (A part of this anecdote is quoted in the Tajáribu’s Salaf, see Browne [Or. G. 3] f34a).
f97b ” 249 Caliphate of Marwán I (64 A. H. = 683 A. D.).
” f62a 250 Death of Marwán.
” ” 251 Caliphate of ‘Abdu’l-Malik (65 A. H. = 685 A. D.).
” ” 252 ‘Amr b. Sa‘íd, Ibn Zubayr and Ibnu’l-Ḥanafiyya contend for the Caliphate.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f97b f62a 253 Muṣ‘ab b. Zubayr defeated and slain.
” ” 254 Ḥajjáj b. Yúsuf and Músá b. Nuṣayr help ‘Abdu’-Malik.
f98a ” 255 ‘Abdu’llah b. Zubayr, Mukhtár and Ibnu’l-Ḥanafiyya.
f99a f63a 256 ‘Abdu’l-Malik and the Qur’án.
f99b ” 257 ‘Abdu’l-Malik reproached for the blood of the believers shed by him.
” * 258 Caliphate of al-Walíd (86 H. A. = 705 A. D.).
” * 259 al-Walíd refuses to become a miser.
” f63a 260 Caliphate of Sulaymán. (96 H. A. = 715 A. D.).
” f63b 261 Sulaymán’s love for the family of ‘Alí and severity towards Non-Muslims.
f100a ” 262 Caliphate of ‘Umar b. ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz. (99 A. H. = 717 A. D.).
” ” 263 Virtues of ‘Umar II.
” ” 264 Defeat of Turkish invaders during the Caliphate of ‘Umar II.
” ” 265 Caliphate of Yazíd II. (101 A. H. = 720 A. D.).
” ” 266 Kindness shown by Yazíd II to al-Ḥasan’s daughter Fáṭima.
f100b f64a 267 Harshness of Yazíd II towards his brother.
” ” 268 Posthumous proofs of ‘Umar II’s policy: the two locked chambers.
” ” 269 Caliphate of Hishám. (105 A. H. = 724 A. D.).
f101a ” 270 Persecution of Qadarís, the fate of Ghaylán.
” ” 271 Caliphate of Walíd II. (125 A. H. = 743 A. D.).
” f64b 272 Immorality and heresy of Walíd II.
” ” 273 Narrative of Walíd’s concubine who took his place at public prayer.
” ” 274 Murder of Walíd II.
f101b ” 275 Caliphate of Yazíd III. (126 A. H. = 744 A. D.). His Persian mother Máh-Áfaríd, the great-grand-daughter of Yazdigird.
” ” 276 End of Yazíd III’s Caliphate.
” ” 277 Ibráhím Ibnu’l-Walíd, his short reign of 72 days. (126 A. H. = 744 A. D.).
” ” 278 Marwán revolts against Ibráhím.
” f65a 279 Caliphate of Marwán II. (127—132 A. H. = 744—750 A. D.).
” ” 280 Fall of the Umayyads.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      The ‘Abbásid Caliphs (132—623 A. H. = 750—1226 A. D.).
f102a ” 281 The rise of the ‘Abbásids; a Memoria Technica of the 36 ‘Abbásid Caliphs by the author.
” ” 282 Caliphate of as-Saffáḥ. (132 A. H. = 750 A. D.).
f102b f65b 283 Death of Abú Salama-i-Khallál.
” ” 284 Abú Salama’s intrigues against as-Saffáḥ to restore the line of ‘Alí.
f103a ” 285 The defeat of Marwán II, the last of the Umayyad Caliphs.
” ” 286 Abú Salama’s assassination effected by Abú Muslim.
f103b f66a 287 Origin of al-Manṣúr’s distrust of Abú Muslim.
f104a f66b 288 Caliphate of al-Manṣúr; his avarice. (136 A. H. = 754 A. D.).
” ” 289 Abú Muslim entrapped and slain.
f104b ” 290 Death of al-Manṣúr.
” ” 291 Caliphate of al-Mahdí; his prodigality. (158 A. H. = 775 A. D.).
” ” 292 al-Muqanna‘, the Veiled Prophet of Khúrasán. (Súzaní cited).
f105a * 293 Death of al-Mahdí.
” * 294 Caliphate of al-Hádí; ‘Alawí revolts. (169 A. H. = 785 A. D.).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f105a * 295 Loyalty of Yaḥyá b. Khálid, the Barmecide, to Hárúnu ’r-Rashíd.
f105b * 296 A strange coincidence; death of al-Hádí, accession of Hárúnu’r-Rashíd and the birth of his son, the great al-Ma’mún, on the same day.
” * 297 Caliphate of Hárúnu’r-Rashíd. (170 A. H. = 786 A. D.)
” * 298 ‘Abdu’llah b. Málik al-Khuzá‘í renounces his candidate, and goes on pilgrimage; and the birth of al-Amín and al-Ma’mún.
f106a * 299 The pact between al-Amín and al-Ma’mún.
” * 300 Hárún’s provision for his youngest son, Mu’tamin, at the division of the Caliphate.
” * 301 First indications of the resentment of the Caliph Hárún against the Barmecides, at Yaḥyá’s encroachment upon his privacy.
f106b f67a 302 The romance of Ja‘far, the Barmecide, and ‘Abbása. The suspicion of the Caliph Hárún and the destruction of the Barmecides. (The Kitáb-i-Khalqu’l-Insán, as the source).
f107a ” 303 Catastrophe of the Barmecides. (Ta’ríkh-i-Ṭabarí and Maqdisí cited).
f107b f67b 304 The Caliph Hárun’s last journey to Khurásán, and his death.
” ” 305 The rising of Ráfi‘ b. Layth in Khúrásán; ‘Alí b. ‘Ísá and Harthama.
f108a f68a 306 Caliphate of al-Amín. (193 A. H. = 809 A. D.).
” ” 307 al-Amín’s treachery to his brothers.
f108b f68b 308 War between al-Amín and al-Ma’mún, and the death of al-Amín.
f109a f69a 309 Caliphate of al-Ma’mún. (198 A. H. = 813 A. D.).
” ” 310 Ḥasan b. Sahl’s misgovernment in Baghdád.
f109b ” 311 Murder of Fadhl b. Sahl and Imám ‘Alí b. Músá ar-Ridhá’.
f110a f69b 312 Story of Ṭáhir, the ambidexter: disloyalty and death.
f110b f70a 313 Death of al-Ma’mún.
” ” 314 Caliphate of al-Mu‘taṣim. (218 A. H. = 833 A. D.).
” ” 315 The rising of Bábak-i-Khurramí and his death at the hands of Afshín. (The Ta’ríkh-i-Maqdisí or the Kitábu’l-Badw, Vol. VI, pp. 114—6 cited),
f111b f70b 316 Liberality of al-Mu‘taṣim; his death.
” ” 317 Caliphate of al Wáthiq. (227 A. H. = 842 A. D.).
” ” 318 Caliphate of al-Mutawakkil. (232 A. H. = 847 A. D.).
” f71a 319 al-Mutawakkil dishonours the Imám al-Ḥusayn’s grave and honours the Prophet’s spear.
f112a ” 320 al-Mutawakkil’s sons and the partition of the Empire.
” ” 321 Murder of al-Mutawakkil by the Turkish Guard.
” ” 322 Caliphate of al-Muntaṣir. (247 A. H. = 861 A. D.).
” ” 323 Death of al-Muntaṣir.
f112b ” 324 Caliphate of al-Musta‘ín. (248 A. H. = 862 A. D.).
” f71b 325 Deposition of al-Musta‘ín.
” ” 326 Caliphate of al-Mu‘tazz (251 A. H. = 866 A. D.); his murder by the Turks.
f113a ” 327 Caliphate of al-Muhtadí. (255 A. H. = 869 A. D.); also murdered by the Turks.
” ” 328 Caliphate of al-Mu‘tamid. (256 A. H. = 870 A. D.).
” ”   The rise of the Ṣaffárids.
” f72a 329 Caliphate of al-Mu‘tadhid. (279 A. H. = 892 A. D.).
” ” 330 ‘Alí, the Caliph, warns al-Mu‘tadhid in a dream against persecuting his descendants.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f113b f72a 331 Murder of ‘Amr b. Layth the Ṣaffárid.
” ” 332 Caliphate of al-Muktafí. (289 A. H. = 902 A. D.).
” ” 333 Carmathian revolt.
f114a f72b 334 Caliphate of al-Muqtadir (295 A. H. = 908 A. D.).
” ” 335 Muqtadir is deposed and restored: revolt of the Turkish army.
f114b ” 336 Ibn ’l-Mu‘tazz and the Turkish King-makers.
” ” 337 Prediction ot the historian Ṭabarí about the unsettled affairs in the reign of Ibnu’l-Mu‘tazz.
” f73a 338 Murder of al-Muqtadir. The quarrel of al-Amín and al-Ma’mún, a similar historical parallel.
” ” 339 Caliphate of al-Qáhir. (320 A. H. = 932 A. D.).
” ” 340 al-Qáhir’s evil conduct leads to his murder.
f115a ” 341 Caliphate of ar-Rádhí. (322 A. H. = 934 A. D.).
” ” 342 Account of ar-Rádhí’s succession and reign.
” ” 343 Caliphate of al-Muttaqí (329 A. H. = 940 A. D.).
” f73b 344 Caliphate of al-Mustakfí — Rise of the Buwayhids (333 A. H. = 944 A. D.).
f115b ” 345 al-Mustakfí blinded and murdered. (The Ta’ríkh-i-Tájí as the source).
f116a ” 346 Caliphate of al-Muṭí‘. (334 A. H. = 946 A. D.).
” f74a 347 Caliphate of at-Ṭá’i‘. (363 A. H. = 974 A. D.).
” ” 348 Caliphate of al-Qádir. (381 A. H. = 991 A. D.). (‘Unṣurí’s Memoria Technica of the Sámánids is cited).
” ” 349 Rise of the Ghaznawid power.
f116b ” 350 Caliphate of al-Qá’im — Rise of the Saljúq Power. (422 A. H. = 1031 A. D.).
” ” 351 Caliphate of al-Muqtadí. (467 A. H. = 1075 A. D.).
” f74b 352 Caliphate of al-Mustaẓhir. (487 A. H. = 1094 A. D.).
f117a ” 353 Bahrámsháh, the Ghaznawid.
” ” 354 Caliphate of al-Mustarshid. (512 A. H. = 1118 A. D.). (Mu‘izzí’s quatrain in praise of Sanjar at the victory over Qaracha cited).
” ” 355 al-Mustarshid assassinated by the “Khurram-Dínán”.
” ” 356 Caliphate of ar-Ráshid (529 A. H. = 1135 A. D.).
f117b ” 357 Caliphate of al-Muqtafí. (530 A. H. = 1136 A. D.).
” ” 358 Caliphate of al-Mustanjid. (555 A. H. = 1160 A. D.).
” ” 359 Caliphate of al-Mustadhí. (566 A. H. = 1170 A. D.).
” f75a 360 Caliphate of an-Náṣir. (575 A. H. = 1180 A. D.).
f118a f75b 361 Caliphate of aẓ-Ẓáhir. (622 A. H. = 1225 A. D.).
f118b ” 362 Caliphate of al-Mustanṣir. (623 A. H. = 1226 A. D.).
      N.B. i. Contemporary accounts. ii. Connection of the Caliphs with the Indian rulers of the author’s time. iii. Iltutmish, the patron of the author, as the vice-regent of the Caliph. The chapter ends with contemporary accounts and a short eulogy upon the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter VI: On the Excellence of Justice and of Just Kings.
f118b f76a   Introduction: a dissertation on the virtue of justice, with a panegyric on the Wazír. (Anwarí’s satire on poets cited).
f119a   363 How the torments of hell were mitigated to Núshírwán and Ḥátim of Ṭayy.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f119a f76a 364 Bahrám Gúr and hís minister Rást-rawish. (Cf. N. S. N. pp. 19—25). (See above, pp. 76—84).
f119b ” 365 Núshírwán punishes the governor of Ádharbáyján at the complaint of an old woman. (Cf. N. S. N. pp. 28—35).
” ” 366 Story of an Indian Ráy’s justice to the persecuted Muslims of Kunbáyat (Cambay). (Autobiographic: data for the residence of the author, as a judge in that place about 620 A. H.).
f120a f77a 367 The famous story of Qubád and the milk-maid.
f120b ” 368 Ma’mún discovers the grave of Núshírwán and finds his body undecayed.
” f77b 369 The old woman who refused to sell her house, which was situated in the great palace of Núshírwán.
” ” 370 Núshírwán and Mazdak: Núshírwán suppresses the Mazdakites and restores peace to the land.
” ” 371 The Caliph al-Mahdí appears before the judge: his law-abiding character.
f121a ” 372 The king of Kirmán and the treasure-finder.
” ” 373 Story (from Indian sources) of the honest buyer of a house wherein was concealed a treasure.
” f78a 374 Memorable justice of the Indian ruler (probably Jaysingh): The tank of Nuh-Lak in Nahrwála built from the unclaimed money on deposit.
” ” 375 King Hurmuzán and a comparison of the duration of the life of a hawk and a vulture.
f121b ” 376 Warning of the Indian Ráy to the king of Turkistán.
” ” 377 A tyrannical king reproved by a madman.
” f78b 378 How the king of Kirmán lost his three fingers.
f122a ” 379 How the Qayṣar’s life was spared by the Caliph.
” ” 380 The Ráy and his perfidious brother, the governer of Nahrwála, who wanted to poison him.
” ” 381 How al-Mu‘tadhid detected the peculations of a judge and restored the stolen purse. (Cf. N. S. N. pp. 77—80).
f122b f79a 382 How ‘Adhudu’d-Dawla made the Qádhí return the two jars filled with Dínárs, which he was refusing to the owner. (Cf. N. S. N. pp. 69—77).
f123a ” 383 Amír Ismá‘íl b. Aḥmad the Sámánid and the hoax about the treasures of ‘Amr b. Layth. (Cf. N. S. N. pp. 14—17).
” f79b 384 How a courtier’s tyranny results in the death of a Persian king.
” ” 385 The Sultan Maḥmúd punishes publicly a courtier for his tyrannical exactions.
” ” 386 The Caliph ‘Umar, the widow of a warrior and her orphans. (Cf. N. S. N. p. 128).
f123b ” 387 How ‘Umar b. ‘Abdu’l-Azíz was scrupulously honest about public rights, so much so that he closed his nostrils when the musk of the war-spoil was brought to him.
” f80a 388 How Alptigín won Ghazna by an act of justice: the Turkish guards and the poultry.
” ” 389 Muḥammad b. Isḥáq, the ruler of Khúzistán, and his most capable and just Wazír.
f124a ” 390 Núshírwán’s chain and the old ass. (Cf. N. S. N. pp. 36—37).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f124a f80b 391 How Ṭamgháj Khán the Great, the ruler of Samarqand, prevented a rise in the price of meat.
f124b ” 392 The deaf king of Chín orders red clothes to be worn by the oppressed (Cf. N. S. N. p. 10).
” ” 393 Maliksháh the Saljúq and the old woman whose cow was killed by his slaves.
” f81a 394 The Qádhí of Raqqa compels ‘Ísá b. Ja‘far to discharge his liabilities. (The Khalqu’l-Insán, as the source. See above, p. 66).
f125a ” 395 al-Mu‘tadhid abides by the decision of Abú Ḥázim, the judge, about the inheritance of Ṣafi (?), his store-keeper.
” ” 396 How Sultan Sanjar atones for accidentally shooting a child in Ṭálaqán.
f125b f81b 397 How the Ráy of Nahrwála submitted himself to the punishment of being burnt to death by the Brahmins.
” ” 398 The Sultan Maḥmúd kills a miscreant in the dark, lest he might recognise in him his own son.
f126a f82a 399 Story of a tailor who made the Amír pay his debt to the merchant. The significance of his prayer-call at an unusual hour. (Cf. T. F. S. pt. II, pp. 17—19, also N. S. N. pp. 45—54).
f127a f82b 400 Sultan Mu‘izzu‘d-Dín Muḥammad Ghúrí refuses to confiscate the wealth of Awsábhar(?).
      The chapter ends with a eulogy upon the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter VII: On the Virtues and Memorable Traits of the Kings.
f127a f83a 401 Introduction: The ten supreme qualities of the ancient Persian kings observed by Ibnu’l-Muqaffa‘.
f127b ” 402 The qualities which secured promotion in ancient Persia. (The Kitáb-i-Áyín-i-Mulúk as the source. See above, pp. 56, 57).
” ” 403 Kay-Qubád on the splendour of the kings. (Ẓahíru’d-Dín Fáryábí cited).
” f83b 404 Abú Muslim’s advice about the colour of cloth (viz, black) which was recommended by Ardashír to his sons.
f128a ” 405 Abu’l-Qásim Ḥuṣayrí’s advice to Sultan Radhi[yyu’d-Dín Ibráhím, the Ghaznawid,] about administration.
” ” 406 The Sultan Ibráhím Radhi[yyu’d-Dín]’s anxiety for the appointment of the successor of his old chamberlain.
” f84a 407 Sultan Maḥmúd’s policy in punishing a beautiful fugitive Turkish slave.
f128b ” 408 The Caliph al-Mu‘taṣim’s unlucky choice of his favourites.
” ” 409 Sabuktigín’s advice to his son, Maḥmúd, to build the garden of Magnanimity. (Niẓámí-i-‘Arúdhí-i-Samarqandí’s famous lines cited).
f129a f84b 410 ‘Umar II’s conception of leadership.
” ” 411 The Caliph ‘Umar’s kind treatment of his slaves.
” ” 412 ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir adopts the Persian custom of giving justice to all on the day of Nawrúz and Mihrgán.
” ” 413 ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir acknowledges the claims of a noble of Ghazna and appoints him as the Governor of Báward.
f129b f85a 414 Abú Sahl-i-Tustarí’s advice to Ziyád b. Sahl and his benevolent government of Khurásán.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f129b f85a 415 Majdu’l-Malik, the Wazír of the Saljúqs in Níshápúr, usurps an old woman’s house and the Sultan Ibráhím Radhiyyu’d-Dín of Ghazna recompenses her.
” ” 416 Muhallab b. Abí Ṣufra’s happy choice of Málik as an ambassador to the court of Ḥajjáj.
f130a f85b 417 The Caliph al-Manṣúr rewards an Arab for his witty remark.
” ” 418 How Núshírwán, pleased at the witty remark of a trader, permits him free passage.
f130b ” 419 Sabuktigín advises Maḥmúd about the welfare of his people during his absence.
” f86a 420 The great Famine in Iṣṭakhr, and the Kisrá’s generosity that restores peace and plenty.
” ” 421 The two precepts of the governor of Iṣfahán as the key-note of his success.
f131a ” 422 Yaḥyá b. Khálid, the Barmecide’s posthumous generosity as experienced by an ardent lover. (Dihqán ‘Alí Shaṭranjí cited).
” ” 423 Ḥajjáj’s advice to ‘Abíd b. Yazíd al-Muḥáribí, on entrusting him with the governorship of Ahwáz.
” f86b 424 Dá’úd-i-‘Abbás adopts a mild policy and restores his kingdom.
f131b ” 425 Núḥ b. Manṣúr the Sámánid’s justice to the herdsmen saves him from the attack of ‘Amr b. Layth.
” ” 426 The Caliph al-Ma’mún forgives the jeweller who broke a very large and precious ruby.
f132a f87a 427 The Caliph al-Mahdí’s order to exhibit ‘Isábád to friends and foes alike.
” ” 428 The Caliph al-Mahdí’s generosity in buying a slave-girl at the request of an ardent lover.
” ” 429 False charges of a fugitive slave investigated by al-Manṣúr, who finds the Kúfí master innocent.
f132b f87b 430 How Naṣr b. Aḥmad, the Sámánid, cured himself of his hot temper, and became famous for his clemency.
” ” 431 al-Ma’mún and the letter-box: why al-Ma’mún burnt the letters addressed to him by al-Amín’s favourites.
f133a ” 432 How Mu‘áwiya secretly rewards a person from the Ḥijáz.
” ” 433 The Ambassadors from Rúm and Ḥabash at the court of al-Ma’mún.
” f88a 434 al-Ma’mún rewards Ṭáhir b. ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir with the captured treasures of Egypt.
f133b ” 435 Isḥáq-í-Mawṣilí points out to Mu‘taṣim his defective choice of favourites.
” f88b 436 al-Manṣúr advises al-Mahdí to restore the confiscated property of the public.
” ” 437 How al-Mahdí indirectly punishes Abu’l-Ḥasan Muḥammad b. Ṭalḥa al-Báhilí through the governor of Khurásán.
f134a ” 438 The judge, Muḥammad b. ‘Imrán aṭ-Ṭalḥí, summons the Caliph al-Manṣúr to his court.
f134b f89a 439 Ḥamza b. Shaybán’s (?) importunate visits to al-Manṣúr and his simultaneous rewards.
” f89b 440 How al-Manṣúr, the Caliph, detected a profligate thief, and restored the treasure.
f135a ” 441 How ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir punishes his nephew, the Governor of Herát.
” ” 442 Amír Ismá‘íl Sámání pays damages for the trespass committed by his camel.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f135b f90a 443 Shamsu’l-Mulk, the son of Ṭamgháj Khán the Great, punishes Ḥájib Ulugh by billetting a regiment of Turks on him.
      The chapter ends with a eulogy on the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter VIII: On the Witty Sayings of the Kings.
      A short Introduction: Kings’ Words are the Kings of Words.
f135b f90a 444 The saying of the Persian king Húshang: “I am a blessing to the law-abiding and a scourge to the reactionaries.”
f136a ” 445 Ḥajjáj justifies his harsh conduct before the Imám Sha‘bí as needful to the times.
” f90b 446 Afrídún, the great legislator, and one of his sayings; and the five indispensable vocations.
” ” 447 The famous speech of the king Minúchihr on his accession to the throne.
f136b f91a 448 Afrásiyáb’s exhortation: Do or Die.
” ” 449 Kay-Qubád’s method of administration: Classification of officers & offices.
f137a ” 450 Alexander not afraid of the comparatively huge army of Dárá.
” ” 451 Núshírwán’s simile of the world and its inhabitants (Fáryábí cited).
” ” 452 Núshírwán ever conscious of his duty to the Creator.
” ” 453 Núshírwán’s humble prayer to God after his brilliant victory over Mazdak.
” f91b 454 al-Manṣúr’s reply to Abú Bakr Ṣandalí about the grievances of the people.
” ” 455 The Caliph al-Manṣúr prays for the soul of Ibráhím b. Isḥáq ‘Aqílí, his foe.
f137b ” 456 The Caliph Hárún’s wish to bestow some land on Mu‘taṣim and his witty remark to Fadhl b. Rabí‘.
” ” 457 Marwánu’l-Ḥimár refuses to buy the favour of Muḥammad Ibráhím by marriage.
” ” 458 al-Manṣúr’s offer to Ru’ba, the poet, in reward for his poetry: 3,000 Dínárs or three counsels.
” ” 459 The lament of Marwán II after his deposition.
” f92a 460 The causes of the downfall of the Umayyads.
” ” 461 al-Ma’mún tells Ibráhím Nakha‘í the etiquette of drinking.
f138a ” 462 as-Saffáḥ’s proclamation of amnesty to the people of Kúfa.
” ” 463 al-Mu‘taṣim’s warning to ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir after his victory over his rivals.
” ” 464 ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán’s counsel to his sons.
” ” 465 An Arab king deposes some officers but pays their salaries.
” f92b 466 A Persian king’s regard for an old faithful servant.
f138b ” 467 al-Ḥajjáj’s statement about the places in which good and evil are found together.
” ” 468 al-Manṣúr’s immediate reply to the ambassadors from Rúm, about the three defects in the new palace.
” ” 469 Núshírwán’s ideal to be free from sin and danger, expressed in his council with the Ráy of India, the Khán of Turkistán and the Qayṣar of Rúm.
” ” 470 Núshírwán’s opinion of life and death.
” ” 471 Jadhímatu’l-Abrash and the king of Rúm on the accomplishments of their sons.
f139a f93a 472 ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán’s counsel to his sons on the conduct of life.
” ” 473 Ibnu’l-‘Abbás’s admiration for Mu‘áwiya’s ideal of life.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f139a f93a 474 The four superior qualities in Mu‘áwiya which overthrew the Caliph ‘Alí.
” ” 475 Shápúr b. Ardashír’s advice to his son Hurmuz about the art of government.
” ” 476 The four wise precepts of Yazdigird b. Bahrám Gúr highly appreciated in the court of al-Manṣúr. (The Ta’ríkh-i-Mulúk-i-‘Ajam as the source, see above, pp. 55—60).
f139b f93b 477 Parwíz orders the decapitation of a proud Governor.
” ” 478 Parwíz’s counsel to his son about the army.
” ” 479 The extent of Parwíz’s love for Shírín.
” ” 480 The first appearance of the Caliph ‘Uthmán on the pulpit.
” ” 481 ‘Uthmán the Caliph’s piety and generosity in the pre-Islamic days.
” ” 482 The Caliph ‘Uthmán explains the failure of his mild policy to critics. (The Gharíbu’l-Ḥadíth as the source).
      The chapter ends with a short eulogy upon the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter IX: On the Punitive system of the Kings.
f140a f94a 483 A short introduction. ‘Uthmán the Caliph’s warning to the wicked and blessings to the peaceful.
” ” 484 Shápúr b. Ardashír’s advice to his son to beware of revolution and mob-fury.
” ” 485 The Caliph al-Manṣúr rids himself of Abú Muslim, his benefactor, as he was growing dangerous.
f140b ” 486 al-Ḥajjáj selects ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán b. ‘Amr at-Tamímí as his vice-gerent on account of his scrupulousness and justice.
” f94b 487 Núshírwán’s proclamation against crime and murder — branding of criminals —.
” ” 488 A king of Ṭukháristán orders the trial of a favourite courtier for murder, while the opponent excuses him and accepts the blood-price.
” ” 489 Atábak-i-Zangí, a king of Persia, sentences a vagabond of Shíráz to death.
f141a ” 490 A similar instance of Sharaf’s treachery in the time of Sultan Quṭbu’d-Dín Aybak, (related by the author, al-Awfí, himself).
” ” 491 Ḥajjáj’s warning to the people of Kúfa.
” ” 492 The intrigues of the general, Abu’l-‘Abbás, and his assassination in the reign of Ghiyáthu’d-Dín. (Another contemporary incident).
f141b f95a 493 Sultan Maḥmúd severely punishes his chamberlain.
” ” 494 Sultan Maḥmúd’s admonition to his brother Amír Naṣr by ordering the Royal drums to be beaten at his door (retold in pt. IV. ch. ii. Anec. 1802).
” ” 495 Ḥammád attacks Fadhl b. Yaḥyá, the Barmecide, for his impertinence before Hárúnu’r-Rashíd.
” ” 496 Bábak-i-Khurramí brought before Mu‘taṣim and killed at the advice of Afshín.
f142a f95b 497 Ṣadíf’s ode in praise of as-Saffáḥ and the assassination of Sulaymán b. Hishám and his son at the poet’s instigation.
” ” 498 The Caliph al-Hádí kills two women caught committing an unnatural offence.
” ” 499 ‘Adhudu’d-Dawla drowns his favourite slave-girl, since his infatuation for her weaned him away too much from state affairs
f142b f96a 500 Amír Ismá‘íl b. Aḥmad Sámání’s shrewd policy and the capture of Isfíjáb. (The Ta’ríkh-i-Amír Ismá‘íl [wa] Naṣr b. Aḥmad Sámání is indefinitely mentioned as the source) (?).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f143a f96a 501 Abú Muslim’s furious gaze strikes terror in the heart of a criminal.
” ” 502 Terrorism of princes: Mu‘taṣim and Marwán — illustrated from the fable of a hawk and a hen.
” f96b 503 Núshírwán punishes a boon-companion for furthering the interests of a cruel Amír.
” ” 504 Núshírwán throws to the dogs the body of a rebellious governor of Armenia.
” ” 505 al-Manṣúr counts only four great names among the Umayyads and omits that of ‘Umar II.
f143a ” 506 The Caliph Hárún and his last order for the destruction of the Barmecides, — another cause of their downfall connected with their secret protection of Yaḥyá b. ‘Abdu’llah b. al-Ḥusayn al-‘Alawí.
f144a f97a 507 The Caliph ‘Uthmán expounds the art of government.
” ” 508 An instance of Ṭamgháj Khán the Great’s stern justice.
” ” 509 How Ṭamgháj Khán arrested and slew the band of robbers in Samarqand.
f144b f97b 510 al-Manṣúr punishes Rabí‘, the chamberlain, and the wardrobe-keeper for a slight neglect of duty.
” ” 511 as-Saffáḥ dismisses a favourite, and reinstates him after a long time.
” ” 512 ‘Umar II’s views on equity and justice.
” ” 513 Hishám b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik’s punishment of a cruel governor.
f145a ” 514 The three unpardonable acts in the eyes of the Caliph al-Ma’mún.
” f98a 515 ‘Abdu’llah b. Ḥusayn’s mighty stroke in beheading a prisoner of Rúm handed over to him for execution by Sulaymán b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik, the Caliph.
” ” 516 The tyrannical extortions of Muḥammad b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik, and his just doom at the hands of al-Mutawakkil.
” ” 517 al-Mu‘tamid orders on his death-bed the execution of ‘Amr b. Layth.
” ” 518 Confiscation and physical torture as deterrent of crime in the days of the Kisrás.
” ” 519 A general of Hurmuz pays heavy damages to a gardener, lest Núshírwán should come to know of his cruelty.
f145b ” 520 Sultan Maḥmúd inspires awe in the mind of a general and stops blackmail.
” f98b 521 A courtier expires at the summons of Sultan Muḥammad Saljúq.
” ” 522 Sultan Maḥmúd punishes severely and hangs one of his elephant-keepers. (Cf. B. T. M. pp. 557—8) see above, pp. 60—64.
      The chapter ends with a short eulogy on the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter X: Answers to Petitions, and Royal Mandates.
f145b f98b 523 A short introduction. Núshírwán’s order to supply as usual the luxuries supplied to his predecessors, at the petition of the cup-bearer.
” ” 524 Baṭlímús’s reply to the notables of Damascus: the Ṣáḥib Ismá‘íl b. ‘Abbád endorses his view.
f146a ” 525 A clever reply of Kisrá to his sons at their request to be taught statecraft.
” f99a 526 Another benevolent order of Kisrá about the property of an Indian caravan in Persia.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f146a f99a 527 Kisrá stops innovations and issues orders to the governor of Ṭabaristán.
” ” 528 Núshírwán’s two decisions: one against a well-known secretary, another for the patronage and protection of an upstart.
f146b ” 529 Núshírwán as the observer of traditions rather than of intentions.
” ” 530 Alexander’s disparaging remark about the huge army of Dárá.
” ” 531 Ardashír’s clever reply to his courtiers about the fault of one of them.
” f99b 532 Kisrá’s reply to the governor of Rayy, charged with oppression.
” ” 533 Núshírwán hangs a Satrap for disgracing an old noble of his court.
” ” 534 Núshírwán’s administrative genius evinced at the early age of 19.
f147a ” 535 The last advice of Arjásp, the king of Turkistán, to his son.
” ” 536 Famine in Yaman and the Kisrá’s generous offer at the request of Nu‘mán b. Mundhir.
” ” 537 as-Saffáḥ lavishes money on his favourites at his accession.
” ” 538 Hishám b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik’s foresight as shown in his reply to a petition against ‘Ísá b. ‘Adí without reading it.
f147b f100a 539 al-Ma’mún’s order about the wealth left by ‘Amr b. Mas‘ada.
” ” 540 al-Mu‘taṣim’s similar statement about the legacy of a noble.
” ” 541 Shápúr-i-Dhu’l-Aktáf’s answer to the complaint of the people of Iṣṭakhr.
” ” 542 Núshírwán’s intention to hold a council of 100 wise men, opposed by his nobles.
” ” 543 Núshírwán’s 11,000 pensioners and his unpaid army’s demand against them.
” ” 544 Sultan Maḥmúd’s decision in favour of the army against the civilians.
” ” 545 Núshírwán’s advice to one of his silly courtiers.
f148a f100b 546 Kisrá’s advice to the invading army at the death of a rebel Qayṣar of Rúm.
” ” 547 ‘Abdu’llah b. Yaḥyá Kháqán awaits a lucky moment for forwarding public papers to al-Mutawakkil.
” ” 548 Núshírwán’s angel of victory in the garb of an old man clothed in white garments.
f148b ” 549 Sultan Maḥmúd’s reply to the Wazír at his hint about the reward of 100,000 Dínárṣ to the Amír of Jurján.
” f101a 550 Amír Naṣr b. Aḥmad the Sámánid’s impartial decision in an acute contest between two nobles.
” ” 551 Ṭamgháj Khán, the Great, orders the hand of a thief to be cut off.
f149a ” 552 Ṭamgháj Khán Ibráhím ibn al-Ḥusayn ashamed of a peasant whose complaint he did not hear.
” ” 553 Sultan Tukush b. Íl Arslán Khwárazmsháh dismisses Bakhtiyár, the governor of Ṭús (a play on the words Bakhti-yár and Ráyi-gán).
” ” 554 The above Sultan orders the remission of taxes for crosssing the river Ámúy.
” ” 555 The same Sultan orders the remission of taxes at the request of the poets of Bukhárá.
” ” 556 Ṣadr-i-Jahán ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz b. ‘Umar saves the honour of a foreign scholar in Samarqand.
f149b f101b 557 Another instance of his generosity.
” ” 558 Sultan [Sanjar’s] reply to a complaint against one of his officials who had built a palace in Raqqa [or Marw].
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f149b f101b 559 Amír Ismá‘íl the Sámáníd’s advice to the invading army of Khurásán.
” ” 560 A Christian monk lodges his appeal for justice through ash-Sha‘bí in the court of ‘Abdu’l-Malik.
” ” 561 ‘Amr b. Layth reminded by a sage that life consists, not in years, but in fame. (The poets al-Mutanabbí and Saná’í cited).
f150a ” 562 Ruqayya, an ‘Alawí lady-scholar, of Nishápúr, rebuts ‘Amr b. Layth by reciting a counter-verse from the Qur’án.
” f102a 563 The eloquent plea of a blind old man in the court of al-Mutawakkil.
” ” 564 Afrásiyáb’s reply to his rivals, the four sons of Farídún.
      The chapter ends without any eulogy.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter XI: On the Sagacity of eminent persons.
f151b f102a 565 Short Introduction: Choice of Adam at Jibrá’íl’s offer of the three heavenly gifts.
” f102b 566 Yaḥyá b. Khálid the Barmecide charged with misappropriation and peculation, acquitted and rewarded by al-Manṣúr.
f152a ” 567 The conquest of Kúfa by Harthama b. ’A‘yan prophesied by himself.
” ” 568 The clever trick of Aḥmad b. Abí Khálid upon Yaḥyá b. Aktham before al-Ma’mún.
” f103a 569 Ibráhím Mawṣilí’s ingenious device to prevent calamity falling on Fadhl b. Marwán, the minister of Mu‘taṣim.
f152b ” 570 Yaḥyá b. Khálid the Barmecide divines the secret of Hárún ’r-Rashíd.
” ” 571 Ja‘far the Barmecide foretells his own doom and discovers Hárún’s evil intention.
” ” 572 The clairvoyance of the Caliph ‘Umar on the occasion of Naháwand. (Anec. repeated, see above, I. iii. 79).
” ” 573 The Caliph ‘Alí’s lines on his own murderer, ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán b. Muljam.
” f103b 574 The claims of the ‘Abbásids manifested in as-Saffáḥ and al-Manṣúr before their accession.
f153a ” 575 The two alleged reasons for the enmity of Walíd b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik towards ‘Alí b. ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Abbás.
” ” 576 al-Manṣúr selects Baghdád as the site of his capital after an examination of its soil.
” ” 577 ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán’s farewell to his favourite slave-girl and the clever guesses of the poet Kuthayyir.
f153b f104a 578 Muḥammad b. Simá‘a and Imám Sháfi‘í’s right guesses.
” ” 579 Imám Sháfi‘í’s search for knowledge and his experiments ín the science of physiognomy and his correct readings. (The Kitábu’l-Firása is mentioned in this connection, see above, p. 100).
” ” 580 Abu’l-Ḥusayn or Ḥasan Daylamí’s experience with a psycho-analyst of Antioch.
” ” 581 Abú Sa‘íd Kharráz doubts the honesty of a Dervish and is exposed.
” ” 582 Khayr-i-Nassáj and Junayd of Baghdád read one another’s thoughts.
f154a ” 583 Abú Bakr-i-Shiblí burns the robe of ‘Abdu’llah Rází along with his cap, as a punishment and disciplinary measure.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f154a f104b 584 Junayd of Baghdád and Sariyyu’s-Saqaṭí; the former’s first sermon and the conversion of a Christian.
” ” 585 Ibráhím Khawwaṣ points out a Jew in his meeting and thereby converts him.
” ” 586 Physiognomists tell the Caliph Hárún about the true parentage of his supposititious son.
f154b ” 587 The story of the Jinnís and the lad from the Banú Jusham.
” ” 588 The two brothers of Banú Asad, their companion, strange occurrences, and augury.
” f105a 589 The young physiognomist Aflímún (Polemon) reads the true nature of Hippocrates the philosopher, (the Kitáb’ul-Firása is referred to as the first work of its kind, see above p. 100).
f155a f105b 590 ‘Alí b. Jahm, the poet, relates a story before al-Mutawakkil about the communion with spirits and information derived secretly through them.
f155b ” 591 Abú Umámatu’l-Báhilí’s quest for a true religion and his acceptance of Islam at the hands of the Prophet.
f156a f106a 592 ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Abbás realises the truth of the predictions of an old soothsayer.
” ” 593 How the Caliph ‘Uthmán’s aunt predicts his marriage with Ruqayya and his faith in the Prophet.
f156b f106b 594 A skilful lad challenges a party of fowlers, of whom Abu’l-Ḥusayn ‘Arúdhi was one, and catches birds without nets and surprises them.
” ” 595 The prophecy of Abú Ayyúb Sulaymán Wahb about the future greatness of his son, and the downfall of the son of the reigning Wazír Muḥammad b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik.
” ” 596 Another version of the same story.
f157a f107a 597 ‘Abdu’llah b. Ziyád erects an inn at Baṣra called the Dáru’l-Baydhá’, and an Arab makes a prediction.
” ” 598 Mulázim b. Ḥárith Ḥanafí’s story of a young prisoner who takes an omen and is delivered from the prison of Ḥajjáj. (T. F. S. pt. I, p. 127—8).
f157b ” 599 A shrewd guess of ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán about Ibráhím b. ‘Abdu’llah, the governor of Ahwáz.
” ” 600 Aḥmad b. Yazíd the secretary tells a story of Músá b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik’s foreknowledge and the warning gíven by him to one of his governors named Shujá‘.
” ” 601 al-Manṣúr guesses rightly about the buyer of a big fish, that he must be very rich, and thereby finds the man to have been bribed.
” f107b 602 al-Manṣúr detects a miser who concealed his wealth, and posed as a beggar.
f158a ” 603 Three clever men detect a thief of Ahwáz and recover the stolen purse of a trader of Baghdád.
” ” 604 Another story of a boy who traced a blind negro thief.
” ” 605 Hárúnu’r-Rashíd’s letter sent to ‘Amr b. Mas‘ada through his brother Abú ‘Ubáda, the consultations of the two brothers, and Hárún’s foresight in telling them what passed between them.
f158b f108a 606 Yaḥyá b. Khálid, the Barmecide, before his trial predicts the future of the ‘Abbásids, and recommends Aḥmad b. Abí Khálid the Squint to Fadhl b. Sahl: The story of the letter torn in two pieces.
f159a f108b 607 Zubayda’s taunt and Hárúnu’r-Rashíd’s prediction about the future greatness of Ma’mún and his succession.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f159a f109a 608 Muḥammad b. Naṣr’s story of Músá b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik ‘Abbásí’s sagacity.
f159b ” 609 Story of the constant twitching of the eye-lids as indicating good-luck.
” ” 610 Amír Naṣr b. Aḥmad the Sámáníd raises Abú ‘Alí Chagháni to the rank of a governor, and predicts that he will turn a traitor to his sons later on.
” ” 611 Abú Naṣr Mushkání points out to Sultan Maḥmúd why he cannot enjoy the pleasures of his beautiful garden at Balkh.
f160a f109b 612 Sultan Maḥmúd foresees the future of his empire and reads the character of his two sons Mas‘úd and Muḥammad. (Story related by Abú Naṣr Mushkání).
      The chapter ends without any eulogy.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter XII: On sound judgments which enhanced the success of Kings.
      Introduction in which the excellence of mature judgment is shown. (Mutanabbí is cited and the author’s own work, the Kitáb-i-Mádayiḥu’s-Sulṭán, is referred to).
f160a f109b 613 A philosopher’s opinion about the comparative merits of wisdom and bravery.
f160b f110a 614 Abú ‘Abdi’llah advises al-Manṣúr to train al-Hádí his son in his own presence.
” ” 615 Ṭamgháj, the governor of Damascus, detained from the holy pilgrimage.
” ” 616 Shír advises Abu’l-Jaysh Khúmárawayh b. Aḥmad b. Ṭúlún (270—282 A. H. = 883—895 A. D.) not to send his ring as a sign of truce to the defeated Kháqán-i-Muflijí, the ally of Afshín.
” ” 617 The Qayṣar of Rúm abstains from invading the country of ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán while he is engaged in war with Muṣ‘ab.
f161a ” 618 Háshim b. Aḥmad prevails upon Ḥasan b. Ismá‘íl not to cook any dish for the Caliph al-Mutawakkil, lest he might be accused of poisoning.
” f110b 619 The Prophet solves the riddle of the resetting of the Black Stone.
” ” 620 ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir proves loyal to his master the Caliph al-Ma’mún, who appointed him as the Governor of Egypt.
f161b f111a 621 The advice of Abú Manṣúr Ṭalḥa to the Amír Ismá‘íl the Sámánid against his brother Naṣr.
f162a ” 622 How Khwája Aḥmad b. Ḥasan Maymandí was saved from the wrath of Sultan Maḥmúd.
f162b f111b 623 Sulaymán the Prophet refuses the cup of Eternal Life.
” f112a 624 The misfortune of al-Amín due to the lack of experienced counsellors.
f163a ” 625 Diw-i-Gáw-Páy, the king of the giants, and the counsel of his three ministers.
” ” 626 ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán advised to appoint his son to the Department of doles, public grants and war plunder, in order to win popularity.
f163b f112b 627 ‘Alá’u’d-Dawla Mas‘úd the Ghaznawid collects the corrupted Indian coin and issues genuine ones, in order to restore public peace.
” ” 628 The king of Zábulistán decoyed to ruin by a faithful Wazír of his opponent the Rája of Qannúj.
” f113a 629 A hoax played upon Sultan Maḥmúd, during his campaign of Somnath, by the Hindús.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f164a f113a 630 The Amír Ismá‘íl b. Aḥmad the Sámánid burns the letters sent to ‘Amr b. Layth by the traitors in his own camp.
” ” 631 Furú‘án or Furúghán (?), the field-marshal of ‘Amr b. Layth, invades Shakáwand and cheats Kamlú (?), the Rája of India.
” f113b 632 Sabuktagín plays a trick upon Abú ‘Alí Símjúrí and defeats him.
f164b ” 633 ‘Amr b. Layth hangs an old counsellor of the Amír of Sístán lest he might dislodge him one day.
” ” 634 Sultan Maḥmúd’s trick against the fugitive slaves who joined the rebellious party of Khalaf b. Aḥmad of Sístán.
” f114a 635 The story of the two slaves of Alexander, Nadhír the punisher and Bashír the rewarder, as narrated by Qábús b. Washmgír.
f165a ” 636 The reason of Khwája ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd’s imprisonment. (The Kitáb Ganj-i-Khirad of the same person is referred to).
” ” 637 Alexander adopts the institution of Mulúku’ṭ-Ṭawá’if at the advice of Aristotle. (Anec. repeated, see supra Anec. 154).
” ” 638 Dihqán-i-Hishám pretends illness and saves his property from the machinations of ‘Alí b. ‘Ísá Máhán.
” f114b 639 The Sultan Maḥmúd trapped in a covert after his victory at Khwárazm escapes cleverly incognito.
f165b ” 640 Mu‘taṣim sends a poisoned turban to ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir and invites him through a beautiful girl, and Ismá‘íl his counsellor’s warning.
” ” 641 Aḥnaf b. Qays’s desire to cope with ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ in the “Arbitration”, and ‘Alí’s absolute refusal to give him the power of mediation.
f166a f115a 642 Ma‘n b. Zá’ida’s strategem against a governor of Yaman to gain the favour of al-Manṣúr.
” ” 643 Ḥámid-i-‘Abbás imprisoned by Ismá‘íl-i-Bulbul, released at the intercession of an old friend. T. F. S.
” f115b 644 How Aḥmad b. ‘Ísá b. Zayd and Qásim b. ‘Alí, the father of the claimant Muḥammad Abi’l-Qásim, escape from prison. T. F. S.
f166b ” 645 Ma’mún’s preference for his Shí‘a followers from Khurásán, their incapacity, and the appointment of the people of ‘Iráq for the ṣettlement of the revenue. (T. F. S. pt. II, ch. vii, p. 8).
” ” 646 Rupture between Sa‘íd b. Makhlad and the Amír Abú Núḥ at the court of al-Mutawakkil, and their reconciliation through their friends’ diplomacy.
f167a f116a 647 The ruin of Baní Qurayẓa due to the rejection of Ka‘b b. Asad al-Quraẓí’s proposals. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 685—6).
” ” 648 The disagreement of Durayd b. aṣ-Ṣimma of the tribe of Jusham and Málik b. ‘Awf of the tribe of Naṣr, and their defeat and ruin. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 840—6).
f167b ” 649 The Prophet approves the plan of retreating quietly, if the Battle of Badr proved a failure. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 439—40).
” ” 650 Abú Jahl rejects the counsel of ‘Umayr b. Wahb Jumaḥí before the Battle of Badr, and is defeated in the end. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 441—2).
” f116b 651 The Prophet orders a hasty march to Madína, as a counter-stroke to the threat of ‘Abdu’llah b. Ubayy b. Salúl who wanted to create a split between the “Anṣárs” and the “Muhájirs”. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 726—7).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f168a f117a 652 The dissatisfaction of the “Anṣárs” at the Prophet’s lavishing rewards on the new converts of Quraysh after the victory of Mecca, and the Prophet’s soothing appeal. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 880—882, 885—6).
” ” 653 ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ’s slackness and the Caliph ‘Umar’s strong determination to stop heresy at the death of the Prophet.
f168b f117b 654 Khálid b. Walíd’s campaign against the impostor Musaylima.
” ” 655 Nomination of generals by the Caliph ‘Umar and Khálid b. Walíd’s victory over Rúm.
” f118a 656 Khálid b. Walíd captures a band of unbelievers that lived in the midst of a desert.
f169a ” 657 Khálid b. Walíd’s capture of Damascus.
” ” 658 The disaster to the Muslim army under Abú ‘Ubayda ath-Thaqafí in one of his Persian campaigns.
” ” 659 The advance of Qa‘qá‘, and the victory of Jalúlá.
f169b f118b 660 ‘Umar’s determination to fight at Naháwand and strike at the heart of the Persian Empire immediately, against the malicious advice of the Marzubán.
” ” 661 ‘Umar and Aḥnaf’s b. Qays plan to give a deathblow to the remaining power and prestige of Persia.
” ” 662 ‘Alí’s proposal about the arrangement and leadership of the Persian campaign, which was accepted by the Caliph ‘Umar.
” f119a 663 A strategem of Ṭalḥa for the evacuation of a fortress on the occasion of the Battle of Naháwand.
f170a * 664 Aḥnaf follows a suggestion of one of his soldiers and defeats Yazdigird.
” ” 665 Heraclius’s advice to his men on the approach of the Muslim army.
f170b ” 666 The Caliph ‘Uthmán’s consultation regarding the improvement of the Provincial administration and the management of his lieutenants.
” f119b 667 The Caliph ‘Alí’s help to ‘Uthmán in the administration of the Caliphate.
” ” 668 The Caliph ‘Alí’s persistence in deposing Mu‘áwiya against the sound judgment of ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Abbás.
f171a f120a 669 Aḥnaf b. Qays’s promise of support to ‘Alí against ‘Á’ísha.
” ” 670 The intrigues of Mu‘áwiya against Qays b. Sa‘d b. ‘Ubáda, the governor of Egypt, to weaken the power of ‘Alí.
f171b f120b 671 Mu‘áwiya strengthens his own cause under pretence of the avenging the murder of ‘Uthmán the Caliph.
f172a ” 672 Negotiations and promises between Mu‘áwiya and ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ for the purpose of overthrowing ‘Alí.
” f121a 673 ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ’s diplomatic stroke at the close of the Battle of Ṣiffín. “The Word of God as the sole arbitrator”.
f172b ” 674 ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ’s hypocrisy in the “Arbitration”.
f173a f122a 675 How Mu‘izzu’d-Dawla suppressed the revolt of Rúzbihán the Daylamite governor of Ahwáz.
      The chapter ends without any praise or conclusion.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter XIII: On Wiles and Stratagems in Statecraft.
f174a f122b 676 Introduction. The Prophet agrees with the tactics of Nu‘aym b. Mas‘úd ath-Thaqafí against the Jews of Baní Qurayẓa. (Cf. H. S. R. pp. 680—2).
f174b f123a 677 The encounter of the two artful personages — the Artabun or Arṭiyyun of the Byzantines and the Arṭiyyun of the Arabs, i. e., ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ.
” ” 678 ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Ámir besieges Níshápúr, finds it impregnable, but at last forces the enemy to evacuate it by a stratagem. (Cf. the fall of Troy).
” f123b 679 The celebrated revenge of Zabbá against Jadhímatu’l-Abrash (the Kitáb-i-Kalíla wa Dimna is referred to).
f175b f124a 680 The hoax of Majjá‘a b. Murára the Musaylimite against Khálid b. Walíd to save his tribe.
” f124b 681 Tactics of Sa‘d b. Abí Waqqás about reinforcement, and his great victory at Qádisiyya.
f176a ” 682 Trouble in ‘Iráq and Khurásán in the time of the Caliph ‘Uthman, and the artifice of ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Ámir in defeating Qárún.
f176b f125a 683 Imám Ḥasan abdicates the Caliphate and Mu‘áwiya prevails upon Qays and Sa‘d-i-‘Ubáda to acknowledge him as the leader.
” ” 684 The poisoning of Imám Ḥasan at the instigation of Mu‘áwiya.
f177a f125b 685 The suppression of the Khárijites by Muhallab b. Abí Ṣufra.
” ” 686 The advance of Qutayba b. Muslim towards Khurásán and Transoxiana, and the capture of Khwárazm in the days of Ḥajjáj.
” f126a 687 Qutayba and his brother Ṣáliḥ force the surrender of Samarqand.
f177b ” 688 The old woman who duped Hárúnu’r-Rashíd and got a thousand dínárs from him for showing the hidden place of Ibráhím Mahdí, his rival.
” ” 689 A Marzubán saves his life by a clever trick before the Caliph ‘Umar.
” f126b 690 The surrender of a besieged army whose provisions were destroyed by the malicious agency of Alexander.
f178a ” 691 The fable of the powerful serpent and the artful mouse. (Taken from an Indian source).
” ” 692 How Qubád cheated the thieves and recovered his jewellery by threats.
” ” 693 The Rája of Gujrát and Nahrwála called Jaysingh threatens the Rája of India, called Duwarka (?), by exerting magical power.
f178b f127a 694 Harthama’s hoax upon Abu’s-Saráyá about the news of the death of the Caliph.
” f128a 695 How Qábús b. Washmgír, having been murdered by his son, took posthumous vengeance by poisoning him (the story of the Ḥabbu’l-Jimá‘).
f179a ” 696 How Muḥammad b. Abu’l-Qásim b. ‘Alí b. Ḥusayn escaped by the help of a rope from the prison of Mu‘taṣim (T. F. S.)
f179b * 697 The arrest of Abú Muslim and his treacherous assassination. (The Ta’ríkh-i-Khulafá-i-Baní ‘Abbás as the source). See above, p 47.
” f128a 698 Ḥasan-i Zayd ‘Alawí selected as leader in Ṭabaristán and the retreat of the army of Sulaymán b. Muḥammad the governor of Muḥammad b. ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir.
” f128b 699 Ya‘qúb b. Layth’s trick with Runabil (?). The capture of Bust, the murder of Ṣáliḥ b. Nadhr, his master, and the annexation of Sístán.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f180a f129a 700 Qásim the ruler of Herát revolts against Ya‘qúb b. Layth, his suppression at the hands of Jaghlán, and the annexation of Kirmán to Herát.
” ” 701 Ya‘qúb b. Layth’s advance towards Fárs, the capture of Shíráz, imprisonment of Musta‘ín’s generals, ‘Alí b. Ḥusayn and Ṭawq b. Qays, and recognition of their power by the Caliph Muntaṣir and the overthrow of the Ṭáhirids.
f180b ” 702 Balkátigín’s advance upon Ghazna, Abú Isḥáq, the Wazír of the Sámánids, cheated, and Sabuktigín’s skill and bravery displayed.
f182b f129b 703 Afshín excites rebellion through Mankajú; Mu‘taṣim sends Mus‘ab b. Zubayr to suppress the revolt; Afshín’s trial and execution.
” * 704 Sultan Maḥmúd tricks Abu’l-Fadhl a spy of Abú ‘Alí Símjúrí and defeats him.
” f130a 705 ‘Umlúq the tyrant of Yaman, his murder at the hands of Aswad b. Dihqán, and the vengeance taken for him by Khán Tubba‘. — The eyes of Warqá’ of Yamáma.
f182a ” 706 The Emperor of Rúm asks help from the King of Abyssinia against Dhú-Nuwás, who defeats Aryáṭ, the Abyssinian general, by means of a stratagem.
” ” 707 Abraha defeats Dhú-Nuwás and revolts against Najáshí. His solemn vow and its fulfilment.
” ” 708 Nu‘mán captures the fort of Naháwand by a surprise attack, and the great victory of the Muslims over the Persians.
f181b f130b 709 Ṭáhir the Ambidexter defeats ‘Alí b. ‘Ísá Máhán and decoys al-Amín’s army to ruin.
” ” 710 Ya‘qúb b. Layth’s early life as a robber and his voluntary levies.
f181a f131a 711 Another instance of his blackmailing a caravan from Multán.
f181a, f183a ” 712 How Ya‘qúb b. Layth equipped his gang with horses by plundering a caravan from Baṣra and Ahwáz.
” f131b 713 Ya‘qúb b. Layth in the service of Ṣáliḥ b. Nadhr, his treachery towards the sons of Ḥayyán the Khárijite, the ruin of Kuthayyir (b.) Warqá’ and the strengthening of Ya‘qúb b. Layth at the expense of both.
” ” 714 Ya‘qúb b. Layth and Ṣáliḥ b. Nadhr and the defeat of Muḥammad (b.) Ibráhim’s army by a mean trick.
” ” 715 Ya‘qúb b. Layth breaks with his master Ṣáliḥ b. Nadhr, the ruler of Sístán, and creates dissension by embroiling the Sajzís with the Bustís, the two parties of the army of Ṣáliḥ.
f183b f132a 716 The vain attempts of Ṣáliḥ b. Nadhr to recover Sístán from Ya‘qúb b. Layth.
” * 717 Ya‘qúb b. Layth’s ordeal of basking in the sun before setting out for the conquest of Herát in summer. (Anecdote found in pt. II, ch. xvii. 1452).
” * 718 Ya‘qúb b. Layth’s attack on ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán the Khárijite, and the capture of the fort of BḤsang (?) when winter and snow set in.
” * 719 How Ya‘qúb b. Layth deceived the ambassadors of Muḥammad-i-Wáṣil, and ultimately defeated the army of Muḥammad and conquered his territory.
f184a f132a 720 Muḥammad-i-Wáṣil and Abú Ja‘far unite forces against Ya‘qúb b. Layth and invade Dínawar; ‘Iyádh b. ‘Amr the governor of Dínawar betrays them and orders a general massacre.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f184a f132a 721 Ya‘qúb b. Layth captures Kirmán, Fárs, ‘Iráq and Ahwáz; the Caliph Mu‘tamid’s campaign against him, and the flight of Ya‘qúb ending in his death.
f184b f132b 722 Garsíwaz’s jealousy and his treacherous attempts to separate Afrásiyáb and Siyáwush.
” ” 723 Khushnawáz’s trick against Fírúz and the destruction of the army of the latter by pit-falls.
f185a f133a 724 The fable of the Lark and the Elephant.
” ” 725 The treacherous attack of Chengíz Khán on the City of Rayy and the vile massacre of 40,000 Muslims. (Probably the author was in Khurásán at this time).
” ” 726 Sultan Mu‘izzu’d-Dín Muḥammad the Ghúrid’s battle against Kúla at Sarhind, and his device to frighten the elephants of the enemy.
f185b * 727 The above Sultan’s invasion of Khwárazm and his failure. Muḥammad in Khwárazm by a clever trick.
” * 728 The mother of Khwárazmsháh stops the invasion of the Ghúrid, Sultan Mu‘izzu’d-Din Muḥammad, while the King was absent with his army in Khurásán. (Author in Khwárazm).
” f133a 729 The attack of the same Ghúrid Sultan upon Khusraw-Malik, the Ghaznawid, and the annexation of Lahore to the Ghúrid Kingdom.
” f133b 730 Malik Táju’d-Dín Ḥarb of Ghazna invades Sístán and captures the fort by a trick.
” ” 731 A clever trick of a Wazír of an Indian Rája called Fúr by which he destroys the Brahmins who had conspired against his life.
f186a ” 732 Sultan Maḥmúd orders his son Mas‘úd to arrest a band of robbers in the forest of Khabíṣ near Ṭabas from amongst Kúch and Balúcḥ.
f186b f134a 733 How Sultan Mas‘úd destroyed a band of robbers in Kirmán by the device of poisoned apples. (Cf. N. S. N.).
” ” 734 The goldsmith and the carpenter of Ádharbáyján who stole an idol from Constantinople and their disloyalty to each other.
f187a f134b 735 How Maslama b. Abdu’l-Malik forces the evacuation of an impregnable fortress in Rúm.
      The chapter ends with a short eulogy on the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter XIV. On the Able Wazírs and their statesmanship.
f187a f134b 736 Introduction. Adhudu’d-Dawla defeats Shamsu’l-Ma‘álí Qábús b. Washmgír by the help of the minister, the Ṣáḥib Ismá‘íl b. ‘Abbád.
f187b f135a 737 The Ṣáḥib Ismá‘íl b. ‘Abbád propounds four methods of subjugating the enemy before fighting.
” ” 738 The Qayṣar of Rúm releases the prisoners of war of Ruknu’d-Dawla, being afraid of the shrewdness of the Ṣáḥib Ismá‘íl b. ‘Abbád, his veteran counsellor.
” ” 739 Congratulatory letter of Sahl b. Hárún to Ḥasan b. Sahl on his appointment as the Wazír of the Caliph al-Ma’mún after the assassination of his own brother, the late Wazír.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f187b f135a 740 Adhudu’d-Dawla sends a sword to his Wazír Abú ‘Alí Khaṭír as a warning, and the Wazír’s challenge by throwing down his pen in reply.
” ” 741 Shamsu’l-Ma‘álí Qábús b. Washmgír endorses the letter that passed between Fakhru’d-Dawla and the Wazír of Níshápúr with the remark that ‘Pen’ and ‘Sword’ are useless unless guided by sound judgment.
” ” 742 A Persian Wazír changes the issue of a battle by cleverly putting a dot under the word in the order issued by the king for the recall of the army (see Anec. 1152).
” f135b 743 The Caliph Hárún appoints ‘Alí b. ‘Ísá b. Máhán as the governor of Khurásán against the sound advice of Yaḥyá b. Khálid, the Barmecide, and repents for it in the end.
f188a ” 744 An account of the rise of the great Wazír Niẓámu’l-Mulk, who first served under ‘Izzu’d-Dín Qifá‘í (?) or ‘Azízu’d-Dín Fuqqá‘í (?) and was then given the charge of the revenue of Maliksháh the Saljúq.
” ” 745 How the Niẓámu’l-Mulk rewards the blind man by endowing him with an estate, in recompense for the money he had once stolen from the mosque.
” f136a 746 How the Niẓámu’l-Mulk rescues Maliksháh the Saljúq who had accidentally fallen into the clutches of the Qayṣar of Rúm and defeats him and obtains from him cleverly a large piece of land in Constantinople for erecting a convent. (The latter portion of this anecdote is quoted in the Tajáribu’s-Salaf. See Browne, G. or. 3. f138b).
f188b ” 747 How Qásim b. ‘Abdu’llah’s secrets leaked out and how he detected the secret agent and regained the favour of the Caliph al-Mu‘tadhid.
f189a f136b 748 How Músá b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik, the Wazír of al-Mutawakkil, averts disaster by stealing the order of the Caliph from ‘Attáb and pleading guilty.
” f137a 749 How Aḥmad [b.] Abú Khálid warns ‘Amr b. Mas‘ada of the displeasure of the Caliph al-Ma’mún, and explains before the Caliph his own obligations to Aḥmad.
f189b ” 750 A witty remark of an official newly appointed by Sulaymán b. Wahb stops his master from the bad policy of changing officials suddenly.
” ” 751 The Wazír Abu’l-Haṣan ibnu’l-Furát is meant dissuades the Caliphs Muktafí and Muqtadir from granting fertile lands to their favourites, the Amír Waṣíf b. Ṣuwartigín and Mufliḥ.
” f137b 752 Qásim b. ‘Abdu’llah, the Wazír of Mu‘tadhid blackens a yellow spot on his dress, thinking that an ink-stain on the garment of the Wazír was not so bad as on that of any other person.
” ” 753 A Wazír of an Indian Ráy prefers to squint in the presence of the king for twenty years, lest he might be suspected of indecent behaviour on a past occasion.
f190a * 754 A capable Wazír of Núshírwán, when maliciously charged with misgovernment, asks the king for a barren piece of twenty Jaríbs, as pension allowance. The king, finding none, is convinced of the good management of the Wazir and restores him to favour.
” * 755 A wealth-amassing Indian Ráy advised persistently by his able Wazir to muster armies against his enemies. — The demonstration and counter-demonstration of a bowl of honey …. (?) and flies.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f190a * 756 Abu’l-Qásim Isrá’íl advises Abú Ayyúb Sulaymán b. Aḥmad b. Sulaymán al-Múriyání to send Khálid the Barmecide to Khurásán, and thus keep himself safe from the danger of poisoning the Caliph al-Manṣúr’s ears.
f190b * 757 Mu‘áwiya b. ‘Abdu’llah beseeches the Caliph al-Mahdí not to kill ‘Abdu’llah b. Ḥasan the ‘Alawid, and thereby receives blessings from the Caliph ‘Alí in dream.
” f137b 758 The bold reply of Abú Manṣúr Zamání or Rayyání, the Wazír of the Sultan Ṭughril, when asked by the king the cause of delay — Homage to the Lord first, the service of the king next.
f191a ” 759 A contrast of the two Wazir’s, the Khwájá Aḥmad b. Ḥasan Maymandí and the Niẓámu’l-Mulk: the former refuses to present a slave to the Sultan Maḥmúd, whereas the latter enlists two thousand slave-guards in the service of Maliksháh at a slight hint.
” ” 760 The reply of a Wazír of a Persian king about the cause of the popularity of his father’s rule — his sense of opportune action.
” ” 761 Buzurjmihr’s ideal of a Wazír and his qualifications.
” * 762 Fadhl b. Sahl, the Wazír, stops the Caliph al-Ma’mún from playing chess, while urgent state affairs required his attention, which act is first resented by the Caliph, but is ultimately appreciated.
f191b f138a 763 al-Múriyání’s dishonesty about the grant of land to Ṣáliḥ the Miskín, and Khálid the Barmecide’s good opportunity to win the Caliph al-Manṣúr’s favour and overthrow his rival.
” * 764 Ḥasan b. Aḥmad the Wazír of Abu’l-Jaysh Ṭúlún cautiously stops the payment of rewards ordered by the king in drunkenness.
” f138a 765 ‘Alí b. Haytham or Háshim’s (?) observation on the rise and fall and pomp and poverty of Ḥasan b. Sahl the Wazír: at one time a leather bag was all he possessed, and at another a thousand camels were not sufficient for loading his baggage.
f192a ” 766 ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd, the Wazír of Marwán b. Muḥammad — his firm loyalty to his master to the last.
” ” 767 The firm friendship and mutual sacrifice of Ibnu’l-Muqaffa‘ and ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd.
” f138b 768 Abdu’l-Ḥamíd, the Wazír, Ba‘lbakk the cryer of prayer, and Sallám the Ḥádí, the servants of the deposed Marwán brought as captives before the Caliph al-Manṣúr, who orders the assassination of the former and releases the other two.
” ” 769 The disgrace of Fadhl b. Rabí‘ as a warning to the higher officials.
f192b ” 770 Poverty of Khálid the Barmecide in his early days, and Aḥmad b. Abí Khálid al-Aḥwal’s timely help, and Khálid’s advice to his son and how Yaḥyá observed it.
f193a * 771 Ḥasan b. Sahl abides by the slip of his pen in awarding 100,000 Dirhams to a needy water-bearer, lest the correction of it might suggest his weakness.
” f139a 772 Abu’l-Ḥasan ibnu’l-Furát, the Wazír of Muqtadir, forgives Sulaymán b. Makhlad at the invocation of his mother. (T. F. S.).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f193a f139a 773 Rayyán-i-Ṣalt favoured by Fadhl b. Sahl becomes very prosperous. (T.F.S. pt. II. ch. vii, pp. 5—7).
f193b f139b 774 ‘Alí b. ‘Ísá’s period of virtuous prime-ministership, in consequence of which his supplication for water in the desert is granted miraculously.
” * 775 The Niẓámu’l Mulk repeatedly rewards a crook who appears at various times in various dresses, and in the end discloses his own knowledge of him.
” f139b 776 Abú ‘Alí b. Muqla, the Wazír, takes pity on Muḥammad Jár and helps him.
f194a f140a 777 Muslim b. Walíd’s story of Fadhl b. Sahl’s bounty after he became the Wazír of the Caliph al-Ma’mún.
” ” 778 Buzurjmihr blinded in prison, and how he read the puzzling letter of the Qayṣar of Rúm to Núshírwán and his restoration to office.
” * 779 The incarceration of a Wazír and his twenty sons in a well; the Wazír survives and gets into the favour of the Ráy and avenges himself.
f194b f140a 780 Abú Ja‘da, the Wazír of Marwán-i-Ḥimár goes over to the Abbásids, but when Marwán’s head is brought before as-Saffáḥ, recognises it and calls him the late Commander of the Faithful. ‘Abbás b. ‘Alí urges that he should be put to death, but al-Manṣúr saves him, and in return he, when consulted by as-Saffáḥ, speaks in favour of al-Manṣúr’s succession.
f195a f140b 781 The Caliph al-Muntaṣir ashamed of a meagre reward to a poet, and Hishám the Khaṭíb’s experience with Kawthar the factotum, who would not let the Caliph’s son count less than 1000.
” ” 782 Like the Khwája Aḥmad b. Ḥasan Maymandi, the Khwája Abu’l-‘Abbás Isfará’íní refuses to give up a slave, whom the Sultan Maḥmúd wanted at his banquet, and thereby ruins himself.
f195b f141a 783 Yaḥyá b. Khálid the Barmecide used to ascertain the public opinion about the choice of provincial governors.
” ” 784 Yaḥyá the Barmecide’s policy of choosing experienced persons for responsible offices.
” ” 785 The Caliph al-Ma’mún relates an instance of Fadhl b. Sahl’s foolishness before Yaḥyá b. Khálid the Barmecide.
f196a ” 786 Fadhl b. Sahl assumes the appearance of an old man at the remark of the ambassador from Rúm about his youth and experience in state-craft.
” f141b 787 Adhúdu’d-Dawla’s reluctance to pay the yearly tribute to the Sámánid ruler Núḥ b. Manṣúr as contracted in the early days. Abu’l-Ḥasan b. ‘Ísá’s demand and the Ṣáḥib Ismá‘íl b. ‘Abbád’s acquiescence in the established practice prevent a rupture between the Sámánids and the Buwayhids.
      The chapter ends without a eulogy.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter XV: On the advice given by sages and holy men to rulers.
f196b f141b-
f142a		 788 Introduction. Qádhí Sawwár b. ‘Abdullah’s advice to the Caliph Manṣúr about the conduct of affairs.
” f142a 789 ‘Amr b. ‘Abíd (?) tells his experience about the heirs of ‘Umar II, and Hishám the Umayyad.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f196b f142a 790 Shaqíq of Balkh’s advice to Hárúnu’r-Rashíd about the duty of a Caliph.
f197a ” 791 Fudhayl b. ‘Iyadh’s solemn advice to Hárúnu’r-Rashíd.
” f142b 792 Abú Ḥázim’s holy gift to Sulaymán b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik the Caliph, and the birth of ‘Umar II.
” ” 793 The interview of ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán b. Abí Nu‘aym and the Caliph al-Manṣúr.
” ” 794 ‘Amr b. ‘Abíd reminds al-Manṣúr of the story of one loaf and a dish of “Sakbá”.
f197b * 795 Dhu’l Qarnayn’s visit to a land where the people had dug graves and used to eat herbs.
” f142b 796 Sálim Sindí’s advice to ‘Umar b. ‘Abdu’l ‘Azíz — the warning from the fall of Adam.
” ” 797 Ibnu’s-Sammák’s advice to Hárúnu’r-Rashíd.
” ” 798 The interview of the Caliph Hárún and Buhlúl.
” ” 799 Maḥmúd’s visit to the Bímáristán of Ghazna, and a madman’s pithy remark.
” ” 800 Dhu’l-Qarnayn’s interview with Socrates.
f198a f144b 801 Manṣúr-i-‘Ammár saves the Qádhí of Baghdád from perdition by a clever suggestion.
” f143a 802 Muḥammad ibnu’s-Sammák’s remark awakens Hárúnu’r-Rashíd’s conscience.
” ” 803 Hárúnu’r-Rashíd’s visit to ‘Abdu’r-Razzáq Ṣan‘ání, Sufyán b. ‘Utba and Fadhl b. ‘Utba during his pilgrimage, and the latter’s observations to him.
” * 804 Khálíd b. Ṣafwán’s grave advice to the Caliph Hishám b. ‘Abdu’l Malik.
f198b f143a 805 Ibráhim b. Adham’s four instructions to a sinner for his atonement in the form of a story.
” ” 806 Abu’l-‘Abbás the commander-in-chief’s question to Abú ‘Alí Daqqáq.
” f143b 807 The four accursed things that rust the soul, according to the saint Muḥammad Wási‘.
f199a ” 808 The three things forbidden by Luqmán the Philosopher to his son, and how the son tested the wisdom of the prohibition.
” ” 809 A judge’s unjustifiable mourning at the loss of his son, and how a monk’s admonitory question put him right.
” * 810 Shaykh Abú Ḥafṣ-i-Kabír consoled by the touching remarks of a madman and a singer.
” f143b 811 The advice of a sage to a Persian king; (the similes to be noted).
f199b f144a 812 Núshírwán the Just rewards two persons according to the comparative merit of their sayings.
” ” 813 ‘Umar II’s pithy counsel to his lieutenants.
” ” 814 Núshírwán’s dying injunction to Hurmuz about the wording of the inscription on his grave.
” ” 815 Shaqíq of Balkh’s three counsels to a camel-rider, who attempted, and was able, to walk on the water.
” ” 816 Núshírwán’s interview with a secluded monk and his advice to him.
f200a ” 817 Aristotle’s dying advice to his son to acquire the imperishable glory, i. e., Knowledge.
” ” 818 Ḥátim Aṣamm’s ordeal to control the birds on a tree before he is fit to preach.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f200a f144b 819 The admonition of a traveller dervish to a learned divine.
” ” 820 The submission of a proud divine and preacher of ‘Iráq at the warning of Ibráhím b. Adham.
” ” 821 Abú Ḥázim Laffáf’s experience of 60 years and his dying words about the efficacy of trust in God.
f200b f145a 822 Another pithy counsel of a holy man to his disciples.
” ” 823 Manṣúr-i-‘Ammár’s sermon to a king.
” ” 824 A slave-girl reproaches the Caliph Mahdí for his pomp; the Caliph is deeply moved.
” ” 825 The fable of two kinds of disasters; inference therefrom for the Caliph al-Mahdí.
” ” 826 ‘Abdu’llah b. Mubárak gives five reasons for the corruption in Islam.
f201a f145b 827 Wahb b. Munabbih recites to his audience Khidhr’s advice to Moses.
” ” 828 The advice of a Prophet to a Jewish philosopher who had collected and studied many books.
” ” 829 The four renunciations enjoined by Ḥátim-i-Aṣamm to a disciple of his.
” ” 830 Haṣan of Baṣra’s reply to one of the letters of ‘Umar II.
f201b f146a 831 Jealousy of ‘Iṣám-i-Yúsuf the Muftí of Balkh towards Ḥátim-i-Aṣamm.
” ” 832 Shaqíq of Balkh’s advice to an ascetic.
” ” 833 Shaqíq of Balkh’s enumeration of four things which save from perdition.
” ” 834 The clothing of an orphan by Sariyyu’s-Saqaṭí, and Ma‘rúf’s blessings on him.
f202a ” 835 The reception and first sermon of Yaḥyá b. Mu‘ádh Rází in Balkh.
” f146b 836 Ibráhím b. Adham’s advice to a person.
” ” 837 Ibráhím b. Adham’s advice to an elderly man.
      The chapter ends with a short praise of the Wazír.
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
      Part I, Chapter XVI. On pithy and judicious answers given by wise men.
f202a f146b 838 Introduction. The Cailph ‘Umar excuses a sinner, when he reminds him of his neglect of three injunctions.
” ” 839 Happy retorts of a drunkard to the Amír of Balkh.
f202b f147a 840 The retaliation of the Imám Ḥasan against Mu‘áwiya.
” ” 841 Muḥammad ibnu’l-Ḥanafiyya’s reply about the Caliph ‘Alí’s sending him to the field and keeping Ḥasan and Ḥusayn at home.
” ” 842 ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Abbás supports his prediction about the rule of ‘Abdullah b. Muṭí‘ and ‘Abdu’llah b. Ḥanẓala by a clever reply, when challanged by questioners.
” ” 843 Admonishing reply of Muḥammad ibnu’l-Ḥanafiyya to al-Ḥajjáj.
” ” 844 Hishám b. ‘Abdu’l-Malik cooled down by the pointed reply of a convicted servant.
” ” 845 The three occasions upon which the Caliph al-Ma’mún was reduced to silence in spite of his ready wit.
f203a ” 846 ‘Abdu’l-Masiḥ, the archbishop of Ḥíra, gives evasive replies to Khálid b. Walíd while settling peace terms.
” f147b 847 bis Witty remarks of a divine about cheese on and off the table of a Caliph.
” ” 847a The Caliph Mu‘áwiya’s three piquant replies to Iyás, when three of his defects were pointed out to him.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f203a f147b 848 Jaḥáma (?) the Zindíq, when brought before the Caliph Hárún and questioned about his heretical conduct, acquits himself by blaming the Caliph in return.
” ” 849 The conspiracy of Dihqán of Baḥrayn against Mughíra b. Shu‘ba, and the latter’s counterstroke before the Caliph ‘Umar.
f203b ” 850 Brutal rejoinder of a rich pilgrim, a notable of Bukhárá, to a poor pilgrim, who had impudently challanged him. (Cf. Qábús-Náma, Litho. Ṭihrán. P 20/1, Anec. same.)
” * 851 Why Mu‘áfá (?) b. Nu‘aym and Ma‘bad b. Ṭawq were saluted respectively by the Baní ‘Anbar.
” f147b 852 Sátigín, the Turkish guard, defends the Turks from the charge of insolence by asking his critics the fate of the first four Caliphs, when there was no fear of Turks.
” f148a 853 The Qádhí Sharík b. ‘Abdu’llah’s moral courage and bold replies to the Caliph al-Mahdí.
” ” 854 Bárbad the Minstrel in jealousy kills his slave musician, and Parwíz’s order for his execution is averted by a clever reply.
” ” 855 Another witty reply of Bárbad, at which Parwíz releases a condemned courtier and rewards Bárbad. (Cf. N. S. N. p. 118 and also T. F. S. pt. I, ch. IV, pp. 72—3).
f204a ” 856 Murra (?) a friend of al-Ḥajjáj passes a witty remark about the government officials while blaming the scribes.
” ” 857 The wilful silence of Thumáma b. Ashras when the Wazír Fadhl b. Sahl wanted a corroboration of his denunciation of ‘Abdu’llah b. Málik al-Khuzá‘í, and his clever defence.
” f148b 858 ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán appreciates the explanation of Ibn-i-‘Uyayna on his refusal of the offer of Egypt.
” ” 859 Ma‘n b. Zá’ida’s happy replies to the Caliph Hárún’s queries.
” ” 860 ‘Attábí, the poet’s, mixed condolence and congratulation, at the death of al-Hádí and the accession of Hárún to the Caliphate.
” ” 861 ash-Sha‘bí as an ambassador to the court of the Qayṣar of Rúm, and how he removed the unfavourable impression produced by the Qayṣar’s letter on al-Manṣúr (?). (Cf. Ibn Khallikán. Wüst. Biog. no. 316, story ascribed to Sha‘bi and the Caliph ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Marwán).
f204b ” 862 ash-Sha‘bí’s young nephew plays a practical joke on a retainer of an Amír, who took him as a bearer.
” ” 863 Ibn Ḥamdún’s humorous remark about Yúnus (?), a favourite slave of the Caliph al-Mu‘tazz.
” ” 864 Khálid b. Azhar’s puns on his own, his father’s name and the name of his native town, and his witty remark about a line of a poet on the bread of Káshán, his native place, and how the Caliph al-Ma’mún appreciated it and installed him as the governor of Jurján and Ṭabaristán.
” f149a 865 On the Caliph al-Manṣúr expressing resentment at the inefficiency of his own generals, and citing the instance of al-Ḥajjáj among the Umayyads, ‘Abbás the courtier submits that al-Ḥajjáj was almost absolute, and that if the Caliph chose there were to be found many more efficient than he in the Caliph’s army.
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f204b f149a 866 A eunuch obtains his release by sophistry, when brought before the court of the Amír Siddí (or Sindí) for peculation, by saying that just as the people falsely call him Siddí or ‘Black’, so also they have convicted him falsely.
f205a ” 867 Thumáma retorts upon Aḥmad b. Abí Khálid, the sensitive Wazír, by hinting that he was fit for the post of a minister, if offered.
” ” 868 A Rabbi taunts Khálid-i-Qasrí for his disregard of the worshipfulness of Zayd b. ‘Alí the descendant of the Prophet.
” ” 869 Hibatu’llah Ibráhím b. al-Mahdí embarrassed at the witty remark of the young son of al-Ma’mún about his signet-ring.
” ” 870 An Arab among the ‘Helpers’ makes a sarcastic remark on the irritability of Aḥmad b. Abí Khálid.
” * 871 Duwayd of Khurásán impeaches Qásim b. Mujáshi‘ for asking leave from the battle-field; the latter’s reply and Abú Muslim of Marw’s appreciation.
” f149a 872 The Imám Ḥasan abhors war and bloodshed, and refuses to fight for Mu‘áwiya against the rising of Duwaydatu’l-Asadí.
f205b f149b 873 An Arab’s trenchant remark on Mu‘awiya’s miserliness at meals.
” ” 874 The Caliph al-Hádí forgives a condemned secretary who recites apologetic verses proper to the occasion.
” ” 875 The Caliph al-Manṣúr arrests Ja‘far b. Muḥammad b. ‘Alí b. Ḥusayn and forgives him on his describing a certain type of hypocrisy, illustrated by Ibráhím and Muḥammad the sons of ‘Abdu’r-Raḥmán b. al-Ḥusayn.
” ” 876 Ṭurayḥ b. Ismá‘íl ath-Thaqafí the poet’s clever defence before the Caliph al-Manṣúr for having written an ode in honour of the Caliph Walid b. Yazid. (Cf. Ibn Qutayba’s ash-Shu‘ará, p. 427).
” * 877 A drunkard and a Zindíq are brought before the tribunal; the former escapes punishment by a witty remark, while the latter is executed. (T. F. S. pt. I, ch. IV. p. 73).
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f206a * 878 The Caliph al-Hárún excuses Ja‘far b. Muḥammad b. Ash‘ath on account of a witty reply of his.
” * 879 Isḥáq b. Ibráhím al-Mawṣilí liberates a slave on account of a witty remark.
” * 880 The Caliph al-Manṣúr incautiously orders Rayyán to execute Fudhayl b. ‘Imrán al-Kúfí, but when the deed has been perpetrated accuses Rayyán, who saves his own neck by a pointed remark.
” f149b 881 ‘Abdu’llah b. Ṭáhir refuses the bribe offered to him by the rebel ‘Abdu’llah ibnu’r-Ráy of Egypt, and suppresses him, upon which the Caliph al-Ma’mún appoints him governor of Egypt.
” ” 882 The Ṣúfí saint Ma‘rúf of Karkh preaches the gospel of work; the Shaykhu’l-Islám ‘Abdu’llah al-Anṣárí’s couplet is cited in support.
” * 883 Aḥmad b. ‘Umar’s pathetic appeal to the Caliph al-Ma’mún to show mercy in this world, if he expects the same from God in the other.
” f150a 884 A poor old water-carrier explains to the Caliph al-Mu‘taṣim the reason of the long lives of the honest labourers and the short ones of the idle rich. (Kháqáni cited).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f206b * 885 ‘Amr b. Aws of the Baní Azd cajoles Mu‘áwiya by calling him maternal uncle of the Muslims and thereby obtains his own release.
” f150a 886 The sharp retort of the Wazír ‘Abú ‘Alí the Khaṭíb by sending a pen for the sword in retaliation for the threat of Ḥasanawayh the ruler of ‘Iráq.
” ” 887 Witty remarks of an old person about the period of his past life as 4 years only and about planting a nutmeg tree at such a late period in life, and the Caliph Hárún’s appreciation and rewards. (Cf. infra III. iii. Anec. 1561 and also N. S. N. p. 118).
” ” 888 Abu’l-‘Ayná’ justifies his satires by citing two verses from the Qur’án, to the effect that he praised the virtuous and condemned the wicked, upon which the Caliph al-Ma’mún rewards him. (The author’s own quatrain).
” ” 889 ash-Sha‘bí defends his ignorance of a certain legal point, by quoting the famous verse — the reply of the angels to God about names.
” ” 890 ‘Abdu’llah b. Mubárak al-Marwazí rebukes an ‘Alawí drunkard who called him the son of an infidel.
f207a ” 891 ‘Abdu’llah b. ‘Amr ibnu’l-‘Áṣ as-Sahmí points out to Mu‘áwiya the prediction of the Prophet about the murderers of ‘Ammár b. Yásir.
” ” 892 The Qádhí Iyás b. Mu‘áwiya’s piquant reply to a person who wanted to befool him about the legality of date-wine.
” * 893 Iyás b. Mu‘áwiya baffles Ḥakam b. Ayyúb, when the latter wanted to convict him as a Khárijite.
” f150b 894 The Imám Sháfi‘í explains to the Caliph Hárún the utility of gnats in the scheme of universe, by saying that they are meant to humiliate the proud and show the weakness of man. (Anec. repeated; see above I. 1. 21).
” ” 895 The Sultan Bahrámsháh of Ghazna punishes a minstrel whom he happened to see in the morning, but after his victorious return from his Indian campaign, the minstrel remarks that the king’s seeing him had brought ill-luck to him (the minstrel), not to the king’.
” ” 896 The irritating message of the Persian general Suhráb and the reprimand of the Muslim general al-Muthanná.
” ” 897 A preacher gives an equivocal reply to a questioner from amongst his Mázandarání Shí‘a audience about the first lawful successor of the Prophet and obtains a reward from the ruler.
f207b ” 898 Khálid b. Ṣafwán’s pithy description of the court of al-Mahdí.
” * 899 The Caliph al-Mahdí’s happy explanation of the release of the victims of his father’s time.
” f150b 900 The pertinent reply of a plaintiff, who had come from Khurásán to claim redress from the Caliph Hárún against the tyranny of ‘Alí b. ‘Ísá b. Máhán.
” ” 901 A witty pretext of Ibnu’l-Háshimí before his father, in defence of his behaviour while drunk. (Cf. N. S. N. p. 118).
” ” 902 Abu’l-‘Ayná’s humorous replies to the questions of the Wazír al-Muhallabí (?) about his unfortunate experiences in Iṣfahán.
” ” 903 The five precepts of a shepherd which contained the essence of wisdom.
” * 904 Buzurjmihr’s alternative replies as to what is best for man; intellect; failing that, culture; failing that, concealment of one’s defects; failing that, modesty; failing that, silence; failing all, death (Saná’í cited).
 
A. G. Serial. TITLES OF THE ANECDOTES.
f207b f151a 905 The Amír Naṣr b. Aḥmad’s intention to take revenge upon his old harsh teacher and the latter’s judicious replies.
f208a ” 906 A witty reply of a condemned stirrup-holder of the Kisrá.
” * 907 The Kisrá orders the execution of a steward, who had accidentally spoiled his clothes, but on the victim’s pouring the contents of the bowl on the royal head while justifying himself, the King forgives him (T. F. S.).
” f151a 908 The joke of a Persian ruler, Atábak Dakla (?).
” ” 909 Malik Muḥammad, the ruler of Kirmán, discovers the joke played upon him, hinting at his fondness for wine.
” ” 910 The same ruler dismisses a treasurer who told a very lengthy story of his dream, on the ground that he must be in the habit of sleeping too long.
” ” 911 The young Fatḥ b. Kháqán’s brilliant reply to the Caliph al-Mu‘taṣim, when a guest in the palace of his father.
” f151a 912 The Sultan Bahrámsháh of Ghazna’s grudge against the Qádhí Abu’l-Barakát and the latter’s clever defence.
f208b f151b 913 The suggestive present of a mirror by Abú ‘Alí Ayyúb, the Amír of Fárs to the Caliph al-Mu‘tazz.
” ” 914 Abú Dulaf b. Abí Dá’úd’s explanation to his brother, why he took up the profession of a harpist after his past occupation as a warrior.
” ” 915 The Caliph al-Ma’mún asks Ḥasan b. Sahl why one should rely on the wise sayings of the bygone days.
” * 916 Abú Rajá’ Jábir b. Dhaḥḥák gets the better of Aḥmad b. Abí Khálid in a contest in presence of the Caliph al-Ma’mún.
f209a * 917 Abú Ja‘far-i-Gázur, a veteran of the Sámánid army, pleases ‘Abdu’l-Malik b. Núḥ by justifying his nickname.
” * 918 Baṭak (?)’s sarcastic reply to Abú Bakr b. Aḥmad in presence of the Ḥájib Khúmártigín.
” f151b 919 Retorts of an ugly person and a blind man on personal attacks.
” ” 920 al-Ḥajjáj illustrates the destruction of the gate of Jerusalem which the Caliph ‘Abdu’l-Malik had erected, and the preservation of the one that he himself had built, by an apt comparison with the acceptance and rejection of the sacrifices of Hábíl and Qábíl.
      The Chapter ends without any eulogy.
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