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It is related that, among the caliphs of the Abbasid dynasty, none was more learned in all the sciences than al-Ma’mun. Two days each week he would sit in debate with the scholars, and the jurists and theologians would take their places before him according to their standing and rank. One day, as he sat among them, a stranger entered his assembly wearing threadbare white clothes. He seated himself at the very back, behind the jurists, in an obscure corner. When they began to speak and embarked upon the most difficult questions, they followed their usual custom of passing each question around the assembly, one man after another, so that anyone who had a subtle addition or an unusual insight might offer it. In time the question reached the stranger, and he spoke, giving an answer better than those of all the jurists. The caliph admired his words … But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving off her permitted tale.

When it was the three hundred and eighth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that the caliph al-Ma’mun admired the stranger’s words and ordered that he be moved to a higher place. When the second question reached him, he gave an answer better than his first, and al-Ma’mun ordered that he be raised higher still. When the third question came around, he gave an answer better and more accurate than either of the first two, so al-Ma’mun commanded him to sit close beside him. When the debate was over, water was brought and they washed their hands; then food was served, and they ate. The jurists rose and departed, but al-Ma’mun would not let the stranger leave with them. He drew him near, treated him kindly, and promised him favors and rewards. Then the drinking party was made ready, handsome boon companions arrived, and the wine went round. When the stranger’s turn came, he sprang to his feet and said, “If the Commander of the Faithful permits me, I would say a word.” “Say whatever you wish,” replied the caliph. The man said, “Your exalted wisdom—may God exalt it further—knows that today your servant was among the unknown men in this noble assembly and the lowliest of those seated here. Yet the Commander of the Faithful drew him close and brought him near for the little understanding he displayed, raised him above the rank of others, and brought him to a height to which he had never dared aspire. Now he would part him from that little share of understanding which gave him honor after humiliation and abundance after want. Surely the Commander of the Faithful would never begrudge him the small measure of reason, discernment, and learning he possesses! For if your servant drinks wine, reason will depart from him, ignorance will draw near, and he will be stripped of his good manners. He will return to his former lowly station and become once more contemptible and unknown in the eyes of men. I therefore beseech your exalted wisdom, by your graciousness, generosity, nobility, and goodness of character, not to deprive him of this jewel.” When the caliph al-Ma’mun heard these words, he praised and thanked him, confirmed him in his place of honor, and treated him with respect. He ordered that he be given a hundred thousand dirhams, bestowed a horse upon him, and presented him with splendid clothes. Thereafter, at every assembly, he advanced him and gave him precedence over the jurists, until he surpassed them all in standing and rank. And God knows best.