A culprit having been brought before the Khalifa, he
ordered the punishment due to the transgression to be
administered. The prisoner said: "O Commander of the
Faithful, to take vengeance for a crime is justice,
but to pass it over is virtue; and the magnanimity of
the Prince of the Faithful is more exalted, than that
he should disregard what is higher, and descend to
what is lower." The Khalifa, being pleased with his
argument, condoned his transgression.
THE WOMAN WHO WAS ASHAMED TO LOOK AT A MAN WHOM GOD
HAD FORSAKEN
A woman who belonged to the faction which had risen
in arms against Hajaj, having been brought before
him, he spoke to her, but she looked down, and fixing
her eyes upon the ground, neither replied, nor
glanced at him. One who was present said: "O woman,
the Amir is speaking, and thou lookest away?" She
replied: "I am ashamed before God the Most High, to
look on a man, upon whom God the Most High does not
look."