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It is related that Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi said: There was a time when I fell into such desperate straits that the grocer, the baker, and all the other tradesmen pressed me relentlessly for payment. My distress grew unbearable, and I could find no way out. As I sat there, not knowing what to do, a servant of mine came in and said, “There is a pilgrim at the door asking leave to see you.” “Show him in,” I said. In came a man from Khurasan, who greeted me, and I returned his greeting. Then he asked, “Are you Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi?” “Yes,” I replied. “What do you need?” He said, “I am a stranger here, bound for the pilgrimage, and I have a sum of money whose weight has become a burden to me. I wish to leave these ten thousand dirhams with you until I have completed my pilgrimage and returned. If the caravan comes back without me, know that I am dead, and the money is my gift to you. But if I return, it remains mine.” I said, “It shall be as you wish, God Most High willing.” He brought out a leather bag, and I told the servant to fetch a pair of scales. The servant brought them, and the man weighed out the money, handed it over to me, and went on his way. I then summoned the tradesmen and paid my debts. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When the three hundred and fiftieth night had come

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi said: I summoned the tradesmen and paid what I owed them, then spent freely and lived more comfortably, saying to myself, “Before he returns, God will surely grant us something out of His bounty.” But the next day the servant came in and said, “Your friend from Khurasan is at the door.” “Show him in,” I said. He entered and told me, “I had intended to make the pilgrimage, but news has reached me of my father’s death, and I have decided to return home. Give me the money I entrusted to you yesterday.” When I heard these words, I was seized by such anguish as no one had ever known. I was bewildered and could make no reply. If I denied having the money, he would require me to swear an oath, and I would be disgraced in the hereafter; if I told him I had spent it, he would raise an outcry and expose me. So I said, “May God preserve you! This house of mine is neither secure nor a fit place to safeguard such a sum. When I took your bag, I sent it to someone who has it with him now. Come back tomorrow, and you shall have it, God Most High willing.” He went away, and I passed the night distraught at the thought of his return. Sleep would not come to me, nor could I close my eyes. I got up, went to the servant, and said, “Saddle my mule.” He replied, “Master, it is only just dark; the night has scarcely begun.” I returned to bed, but still sleep eluded me. Again and again I woke the servant, and each time he sent me back, until dawn broke. Then he saddled the mule, and I mounted, not knowing where to go. I threw the reins over her neck and sat lost in anxious thought while she made her way toward the eastern side of Baghdad.

As I rode along, I noticed a group of men and turned aside from them, leaving their road for another, but they followed me. When they saw me in my scholar’s mantle, they hurried up and asked, “Do you know the house of Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi?” “I am he,” I replied. They said, “Come at the bidding of the Commander of the Faithful.” I went with them until I was brought before al-Ma’mun, who asked, “Who are you?” I answered, “A follower of Judge Abu Yusuf, one of the jurists and scholars of the traditions.” “By what name are you known?” he asked. “Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi,” I replied. “Tell me your story,” he said. So I told him what had happened, and he wept bitterly and said, “Alas for you! The Messenger of God, God bless him and grant him peace, would not let me sleep tonight on your account. When I fell asleep at the beginning of the night, he said to me, ‘Go to the aid of Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi.’ I awoke, but I did not know who you were. Then I slept again, and he came to me and said, ‘Woe to you! Go to the aid of Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi.’ I awoke, but still I did not know you. Then I slept once more, and he came to me and said, ‘Woe to you! Go to the aid of Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi.’ After that I dared not sleep. I stayed awake all night, roused my men, and sent them searching for you in every direction.” Then he gave me ten thousand dirhams and said, “These are for the man from Khurasan.” He gave me another ten thousand and said, “Use these to live more comfortably and put your affairs in order.” Then he gave me thirty thousand dirhams and said, “Equip yourself with these, and on the day of the procession come to me, so that I may appoint you to an office.” I left with the money and returned home, where I performed the dawn prayer. Just then the man from Khurasan arrived. I brought him into the house, took out a purse of money, and said, “Here is your money.” “These are not the very coins I left with you,” he said. “That is true,” I replied. “How has that come about?” he asked. I told him the whole story, and he wept and said, “By God, had you told me the truth at the outset, I would never have pressed you for it. And now, by God, I will accept nothing.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When the three hundred and fifty-first night had come

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that the man from Khurasan said to al-Ziyadi, “By God, had you told me the truth at the outset, I would never have pressed you for it. And now, by God, I will accept none of this money. You are released from all obligation to me.” Then he left me. I put my affairs in order, and on the day of the procession I went to al-Ma’mun’s gate. I entered and found him seated. When I stood before him, he called me closer, drew a decree from beneath his prayer rug, and said, “This is your appointment as judge of the noble city on the western side, from the Gate of Peace as far as it extends, and I have assigned you such-and-such a sum each month. Fear God, the Almighty and Glorious, and be mindful of the care the Messenger of God, God bless him and grant him peace, has shown you.” The people were astonished at his words and asked me what he meant. I told them the story from beginning to end, and it spread among them. Abu Hassan al-Ziyadi remained judge in the noble city until he died during the reign of al-Ma’mun. May God have mercy on him.