son? Quoth he, Yes, and indeed, before I succeeded to this office, he was wont to visit the learned and company with the devout; but, when I became Caliph, he grew estranged from me and withdrew himself apart. [FN#168] Then said I to his mother, Verily this thy son hath cut the world and devoted his life to Almighty Allah, and it may be that hard times shall befal him and he be smitten with trial of evil chance; wherefore do thou given him this ruby, which he may find useful in hour of need. So she gave it him, conjuring him to take it, and he obeyed her bidding. Then he left to us the things of our world and removed himself from us; nor did he cease to be absent from us, till he went to the presence of Allah (to whom be Honour and Glory!), pious and pure. Then said he, Come, show me his grave. So, I travelled with him to Bassorah and showed him his sons grave; and when he saw it, he wept and lamented, till he fell down in a swoon; after which he recovered and asked pardon of the Lord, saying, We are Allahs and unto Him we are returning!; and involved blessings on the dead. Then he asked me to become his companion, but I said to him, O Commander of the Faithful, verily, in thy sons case is for me the most momentous of admonitions! And I recited these couplets,
Tis I am the stranger, visited by none; * I am the stranger though in town my own: Tis I am the stranger! Lacking kith and son, * And friend to whom I mote for aidance run. I house in mosques which are my only home; * My heart there wones and shall for ever wone: Then laud ye Allah, Lord of Worlds, as long * As soul and body dwell in union!
And a famous tale is told of
