Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalifahs/Anecdote of the plain-spoken Arab
ANECDOTE OF THE PLAIN-SPOKEN ARAB.
IT is said, that one day el-Hajjâj separated himself from his guards, and falling in with an Arab, asked him, "O chief of the Arabs! what about el-Hajjâj?" To which the man replied, "He is tyrannical and capricious." "Have you complained of him to ʾAbd-el-Málik-ibn-Marwân?" asked el-Hajjâj. "He is more tyrannical and more capricious," replied the Arab. "May the curse of Allâh be upon them both!" Now whilst this was going on, behold, the soldiers rejoined him. Then, the Arab becoming aware that it was el-Hajjâj himself, cried out, "O Prince! divulge the secret which is between me and thee to none save Allâh." Whereupon el-Hajjâj laughed, and on departing gave liberally to him.