was fully satisfied, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He said: "Moses, peace be upon him, was among those who were most severe toward him when he passed by him, and yet most benevolent toward him when he returned to him."

13185 - On the authority of Ibn Hashim al-'Abdi, from Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, he said: "There were four kings of the East and the West: two believers and two disbelievers. As for the two disbelievers, they were the Firkhan and Bukhtanassar (Nebuchadnezzar)." Abu Hashim began to recount: "There was a righteous man from the people of Syria who read this verse: 'We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Book...' up to His saying: '...a great highness.' He said: 'O Lord, as for the first [judgment], it has passed me by, so show me the latter.' He came, and while sitting in his place of prayer, he dozed off with his head drooping. It was said: 'The one you asked about is in Babylon; his name is Bukhtanassar.' The man knew that his prayer had been answered, so he took a bag of gold coins and set out until he reached Babylon. He entered upon the Firkhan and said: 'I have brought money; distribute it among the poor.' He ordered it, so it was brought down, and they gathered the poor for him. Then he began giving to them and asking about their names until he finished with those in his presence. It was said to him: 'There are still some left in the rural districts.' So he began sending a young servant until nightfall, when he returned to him and read off their names one by one. He came to the mention of Bukhtanassar and said: 'Stop. What did you say?' He said: 'Bukhtanassar.' He asked: 'And who is this Bukhtanassar?' He replied: 'He is the most destitute among them; he is a cripple. Travelers pass by him, and one of them might throw a piece of bread to him, and he grabs it with his nose.' He said: 'I am taking charge of him; there is no other way.' The other said: 'He is just in his tent talking to himself; let me go and flip it and wash him.' He said: 'Take these gold coins.' So he went to him with the gold coins and gave them to him, then returned to his companion. He came with him and entered the tent, saying: 'What is your name?' He replied: 'Bukhtanassar.' He asked: 'Who named you Bukhtanassar?' He said: 'Who else would name me but my mother!' He asked: 'Do you have anyone?' He said: 'No, by Allah, I am here fearing that the wolves will eat me at night.' He asked: 'Which of the people is the most afflicted?' He said: 'I am.' He said: 'Have you considered if you were to become king one day, would you grant me that you will not disobey me?' He said: 'Yes, master, do not harm me by mocking me.' He said: 'Have you considered if you were to become king, would you grant me that you will not disobey me?' He said: 'As for this, I cannot grant it to you, but I will honor you with an honor I would not grant anyone else.' He said: 'Take these gold coins,' then he left and returned to his land. The other man then stood up on his own two feet, went and bought a donkey and harnesses, and then began..."