Abdullah ibn Faraj (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he was in need of a handyman for his house whom he could pay daily. So he went to the bazaar and found a pale young boy wearing a woolen shirt tied with a woolen belt and had a big basket and a rope in his hands. Abdullah asked him if he would be willing to work. The boy said yes and asked to be paid one dhirham and one daniq (1/6th of a dirham). The boy also stipulated that he would discontinue work and prepare for prayers when the adhan of Dhuhr was given and likewise at time of Asr. Abdullah agreed and took him to his house where he showed him what he had to do. The boy worked well with his hands and did not speak until the adhan for Dhuhr was given. He reminded Abdullah of the condition. Abdullah told him to leave. The boy went, offered his prayers and came back to work until Asr. The boy went for Asr, came back and worked until the end of the day. The boy left when Abdullah gave him his wages.

After a few days, Abdullah needed some work done again. His wife told him to find the very same boy because he was good and honest. Abdullah went in search of the boy but did not find him. On inquiring, the people told him that he only worked on Saturdays and that he was a loner.

Abdullah waited for Saturday to come and found the boy. The boy agreed to work on the same conditions. At the end of the day's work, Abdullah offered the boy extra wages. The boy was very displeased and left. Abdullah ran after him and begged him to take at least what he had asked for. He did so and left.

Some time later, Abdullah needed to hire the boy again. He waited for Saturday to come and went to the bazaar. He did not find the boy there. Someone told him that the boy spent one daniq every day but had been taken ill. Abdullah found out where he lived and went to visit him. He was staying in the house of an old woman. He found the boy sleeping with his head resting on a brick.

'Do you need anything.' Asked Abdullah.

'Yes,' replied the boy, 'If you accept.'

Abdullah said he would.

'When I die,' the boy continued, 'sell my rope, wash my shirt and belt and then bury me in them. Look inside the pocket of my shirt. There is a ring in it. Wait until the day Harun-al-Rashid (the Khalifah at the time) comes to town. Stand in a place where he can see you and then approach him and show him the ring. But do this after you have buried me.'

Abdullah agreed to do so. When the boy died, Abdullah did as the boy requested. When Harun al Rashid came to town, he went to see him, informed him that he had a trust for him and waved the ring.

Harun summoned Abdullah to his quarters. When Abdullah went, Harun excused everybody from his presence and asked Abdullah who he was and where he got the ring from. Abdullah answered both questions, Harun heard the long story of the boy and wept so much that Abdullah started to feel sorry for him. 'O leader of the believers!' Abdullah addressed the Khalifa. 'Who was this boy to you?'

'He was my son!' The Khalifah exclaimed.

'How did he become like that?'

'He was born before I became entrusted with the Khalifah. He was brought up very well and was well educated in the Qur'an and other sciences. When I assumed the Khalifah, he left and did not care for any of my worldly belongings. He was very found of his mother so I gave her this expensive sapphire ring to give to him. He took the ring very reluctantly. His mother passed away and you are the only person who has informed me of him. You will take me to his grave tonight.'

Abdullah took Harun to his son's grave. Harun wept for a long time and remained there until dawn. Harun asked Abdullah to stay with him a few days so that he could visit the grave at nights. Abdullah did not know that the boy was the son of Harun until Harun himself told him. (Ibid:37)

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