ABSTRACT
It is related, O auspicious King, O crown upon my head, that the Khalīfah Hārūn al-Rashīd—whom may Allāh bless!—left his palace in disguise one day, accompanied by his wazīr Jafar, and Masrūr his sword-bearer, to walk about the streets for his diversion. When he came to the stone bridge which spans the Tigris, he saw a very old blind man sitting cross-legged upon the ground and begging alms from the passers-by in the name of Allāh. The Khalīfah paused and placed a gold dīnār in the extended palm, but the beggar strongly seized the royal hand, saying: ‘O generous giver, may Allāh repay your gift with the choicest of His blessings! But before you pass on I beg you to lift your arm and give me a buffet on the lobe of the ear.’ So saying, he let go Hārūn's hand but took care to hold him by the skirts of his long robe until he should comply with this extraordinary request.
