472 — Abd al-Rahmān ibn Abd Allah ibn Qurayb al-Asmaī narrated to me, saying: My paternal uncle narrated to me, saying: A man from Banū Zuhra narrated to us, saying:

A Bedouin entered Hishām ibn Abd al-Malik’s presence amid a throng of people. Hishām was displeased that he had entered without permission. The Bedouin stood and said, “Three years have befallen us: one year consumed the fat, another consumed the flesh, and another stripped the bones of their marrow. You possess surplus wealth. If it belongs to Allah, then distribute it among Allah’s servants; if it belongs to Allah’s servants, why do you withhold it from them? And if it belongs to you, then give it in charity: ‘Indeed, Allah rewards those who give in charity’ [Joseph: 88].”

Hishām asked him, “What do you need?”

He replied, “I have no need.”

Hishām then wrote to his governor in Medina: “Provide for those whom famine has driven into Medina.” The amount disbursed came to one hundred thousand dinars.