An Example of Noble Character

yet harsh governor of the Umayyad Caliphate, lived in the same era. Hasan al-Basri’s fearless truth-speaking deeply disturbed Hajjaj, who once resolved to have him killed. He summoned Hasan al-Basri to his court, having already decided that he would not leave alive. Maymun ibn Mehran narrates that when Hasan al-Basri entered the court and stood before Hajjaj, the following conversation took place: “O Hajjaj, how many generations lie between you and Adam?” Hajjaj replied, “Many.” Hasan asked, “And where are they now?” Hajjaj answered, “They are all dead.” With just a few words, Hasan al-Basri reminded Hajjaj of his own mortality—that he too was swiftly approaching the same fate he wished to inflict upon Hasan. Though a tyrant, Hajjaj was so struck by these words that he lowered his head in silence. Hasan al-Basri walked out of the court unharmed. (Hilyat al-Awliya’ by Abu Nu‘aym al-Asfahani, Vol. 4, p. 88) This Bridge or the Next Malik Shah Seljuk, the third ruler of the Seljuk Empire from 1072 to 1092, was once crossing a bridge with his royal entourage when an elderly woman stopped him and called out, “O King, tell me—will justice between you and me be done on this bridge, or on that bridge?” (She was referring to the Bridge over Hell on Judgment Day.)