until we reach that tree; then, when another tree came into sight, he would say, ‘Proclaim Allah’s greatness until we reach that tree,’ and the like (1).

Al-Bayhaqī narrated (2) that a single fals (small copper coin) slipped from ʿAbd al-Malik’s hand into a foul well, so he hired men for thirteen dinars to bring it up. When he was reproached for the expense, he replied, ‘The Name of Allah—Exalted is He—was engraved upon it.’

More than one authority said (3): Whenever ʿAbd al-Malik sat to judge between the people, swordsmen would stand over his head with drawn blades while he declaimed—others said he would have someone declaim—the following verses:
Whenever passion’s summons presses in,
And the listener gives ear to the speaker,
While minds lock horns in heated debate,
We issue a judgment, just and decisive.
We never turn falsehood into truth,
Nor smear the truth with falsehood (4);
We fear our reason might be scorned,
And so bear the age along with the base (5).

Al-Aʿmash related: Muḥammad ibn al-Zubayr told me that Anas ibn Mālik wrote to ʿAbd al-Malik complaining of al-Ḥajjāj. In his letter he said: ‘If a man had given Jesus shelter for a single night or served him, the Christians would still know him; and were they to learn his whereabouts, their kings would journey to him, he would dwell in their hearts in an exalted station, and they would acknowledge his favor. If a man had served Moses or merely seen him, the Jews would recognize him and would lavish upon him every kindness and love they could. I, however, am the servant of the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—his companion; I saw him, ate with him, entered and left with him, and fought alongside him against his enemies. Yet al-Ḥajjāj has harmed me and done what he has done.’ He continued: The one who was present when ʿAbd al-Malik read the letter told me that the caliph wept and that anger seized him as Allah willed. He thereupon wrote a harsh letter to al-Ḥajjāj (6). When it reached al-Ḥajjāj, he read it, his color changed, and he said to the bearer, ‘Come, let us go to him so that we may placate him.’

Abū Bakr ibn Durayd said: ʿAbd al-Malik wrote to al-Ḥajjāj during the revolt of Ibn al-Ashʿath: ‘When you are most mighty through Allah you are most in need of Him; and when you are most abased before a creature you are most in need of that creature. Therefore, when Allah grants you honor, pardon for His sake, for it is through Him that you are honored and to Him you shall return’ (7).

Someone else related: A man asked ʿAbd al-Malik for a private audience, so the caliph ordered those who were present to withdraw. When the man had prepared to speak—