Then said ʾAbd-el-Málik, "Verily el-Hajjâj thought well of thee without thy deserving it." And a moment afterwards he added, "Rise, O Ibrahîm!"
So I, Ibrahîm, rose with a troubled mind and left the council-chamber, and verily the world appeared black in my sight. And the Chamberlain followed me and laid hold of my elbow, and sat down with me in the entrance. Then ʾAbd-el-Málik sent for el-Hajjâj, who went in and remained a long while. And I had no doubt but that they were plotting my death between themselves. Presently the Amîr summoned me. So I got up, and as I went in I met el-Hajjâj coming away, who embraced me and cried, "May Allâh reward thee on my account by reason of this advice! Surely, by Allâh! if I live I will indeed increase thy power." Then he turned from me and went out. And I entered, saying to myself, "He is mocking me, and with good reason." And I stood before ʾAbd-el-Málik, who made me sit in the place I had occupied before, and then said to me:
"Verily I have discovered thy sincerity, and I have deposed him from governing the two holy cities, and have appointed him ruler over ʾIrâk,[1] giving him to
- ↑ * For ʾIrâk, see Prefatory Note, p. 31.
