Original content

English translation

Hajjaj became separated from his troops in a hunting ground and climbed a hill, where he saw a Bedouin sitting and picking vermin from his cloak while camels grazed around him. When the camels saw Hajjaj, they bolted.

The Bedouin raised his head angrily and said: Who is this that has come out of this desert in shining garments? May the curse of God be upon him. Hajjaj said nothing and came forward, saying: Peace be upon you, O Bedouin. In reply he said: No peace be upon you, nor the mercy of God, nor His blessings. He then asked him for water.

The Bedouin said: Come down and drink water in humiliation and abasement, for by God I am no one's companion or servant. Hajjaj came down, drank water, and then said: O Bedouin, who is the best of people? He said: The Messenger of God — may God bless him and grant him peace — in spite of you.

He asked again: What do you say concerning the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib? He said: From his generosity and nobility his name does not fit in the mouth. Then he asked: What do you say concerning Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan? He said nothing. He said: Answer me, O Bedouin. He said: He is a bad man.

He asked: Why? He said: An error has come forth from him with which, from east to west, the world has been filled. He asked: Which one is that? He said: That he has appointed this corrupt, wicked Hajjaj over the Muslims. Hajjaj said nothing. Suddenly a bird flew up and cried out.

The Bedouin turned to Hajjaj and said: Who are you, O man? He said: What kind of question is this you are asking? He said: This bird has informed me that an army is arriving whose commander is you. While they were in this conversation, his troops arrived and greeted him. When the Bedouin saw this, his color changed.

Hajjaj ordered that they take the Bedouin along. When the next day dawned and a feast was laid out and the people gathered, they called for the Bedouin. When he entered he said: Peace be upon you, O commander, and the mercy of God and His blessings. Hajjaj said: I do not speak as you spoke; and peace be upon you. Then he said: Will you eat food? He said: It is your food; if you permit, I will eat.

He said: I permit you. The Bedouin sat forward, stretched out his hand, and said: In the name of God — God willing, may what comes after this food be good. Hajjaj laughed and said: Do you at all know what passed from this man to me yesterday?

The Bedouin said: May God set the commander aright — the secret that passed between me and you yesterday, do not strive to disclose it today. After that Hajjaj said: O Bedouin, choose one of two things: either stay with me, that I make you one of my intimates, or I will send you to Abd al-Malik Marwan and report to him what you have said about him, so that he may do with you whatever he wishes.

The Bedouin said: There is yet another possibility. He asked: Which one is that? He said: That you let me return safely to my own land, and that neither you see me again nor I you. Hajjaj laughed and ordered that they give him ten thousand dirhams and send him to his land.

A man should, by the gentleness of speech and the beauty of address, bring back the nature of the lords of oppression from their oppression. Every base one who has turned his face from beneficence and generosity, by the enchantment of speech bring him back to generosity.