156 – Al-Hārith ibn Muḥammad al-Tamīmī, transmitting from a Qurayshī shaykh, said: Alexander once passed through a city that had previously been ruled by seven kings, all of whom had perished. He asked, “Does anyone from the line of those kings who ruled this world still remain?” They answered, “Yes—a man who dwells in the graveyard.” So Alexander sent for him and asked, “What moved you to take up residence among the graves?” He replied, “I wanted to separate ⦗139⦘ the bones of the kings from the bones of their slaves, but I found the bones of the kings and those of their slaves exactly the same.”

Alexander said to him, “Would you care to accompany me so that I might, through you, revive the honor of your forefathers—if you have the ambition for it?” The man answered, “My ambition is indeed great, provided the object of my quest lies with you.” Alexander asked, “And what is your quest?” He said, “Life with no death, youth with no old age, wealth with no poverty, and joy unmarred by sorrow.” Alexander replied, “That I cannot give.” The man said, “Then go about your business and leave me to seek it from the One who possesses and controls it.” Alexander remarked, “This is the wisest man I have ever encountered.”