But we will not stir hencetill thou bring him to usthat we may take our wreak of him.'As the All-Wise King liveth，'replied Abou Dherr'if the days of grace expire and the young man return notI will fulfil my warranty and surrender myself to the Imam.'By Allah，'rejoined Omar'if the young man tarryI will assuredly execute on Abou Dherr that which is prescribed by the law of Islam！'Thereupon the eyes of the bystanders ran over with tears；those who looked on raised groansand great was the clamour. Then the chiefs of the Companions were instant with the plaintiffs to accept the bloodwit and win the thanks of the folkbut they refused and would nothing but the talion. Howeveras the folk were swaying to and fro and clamorously bemoaning Abou Dherrup came the young Bedouinwith face beaded with sweat and shining like the new moonand standing before the Imamsaluted him right fairly and said to him'I have given the boy in charge to his mother's brothers and have made them acquainted with all that pertains to his affairs and let them into the secret of his good；after which I braved the heats of midday and am come to redeem the promise of a free-born man.'
The folk marvelled at his good faith and loyalty and his intrepid offering himself to death；and one said to him'How noble a youth art thou and how loyal to thy promise and thy duty！'Are ye not certified，'rejoined he'that when death presenteth itself none can escape from it？ And indeed I have kept faiththat it be not said'Loyalty is gone from among men.''By AllahO Commander of the Faithful，'said Abou Dherr'I became warrant for this young manwithout knowing to what tribe he belongednor had I seen him before that day；but when he turned away from all else who were present and singled me outsaying'This man will answer for me and be my surety，'I thought ill to refuse himand humanity forbade to baulk his expectationthere being no harm in compliance with his desire，that it be not said'Benevolence is gone from among men.'