On the morrowthe folk assembled to see his hand cut offnor was there man or woman in Bassora but came forth to look upon his punishment. Then Khalid mounted in company of the notables of the city and others and summoning the Cadisent for the young man，who camehobbling in his shackles. There none saw him but wept for himand the women lifted up their voices in lamentation. The Cadi bade silence the women and said to the prisoner'These folk avouch that thou didst enter their dwelling and steal their goods： belike thou stolest less than a quarter dinar？'
'Nay，'replied he'I stole more than that.'Peradventure，'rejoined the Cadi'thou art partner with them in some of the goods？'Not so，'replied the young man；'it was all theirs. I had no right in it.'At this Khalid was wroth and rose and smote him on the face with his whipapplying this verse to his own case：
Man wisheth and seeketh his wish to fulfilBut Allah denieth save that which He will.
Then he called for the executionerwho came and taking the prisoner's handset the knife to it and was about to cut it off，whenbeholda damselclad in tattered clothespressed through the crowd of women and cried out and threw herself on the young man. Then she unveiled and showed a face like the moon；whereupon the people raised a mighty clamour and there was like to have been a riot amongst them. But she cried out her loudestsaying，'I conjure theeby AllahO Amirhasten not to cut off this man's handtill thou have read what is in this scroll！'So sayingshe gave him a scrolland he took it and read therein the following verses：