The khalif Ali Ibn Ali Talib was a very just man. Some one having committed a theft was brought before him. "Bring me witnesses," said Ali, "to prove that he purloined the object out of the saddle-bag."
Unmistakable evidence to that effect being given, Ali immediately ordered the fingers of his hand to be cut off.
On this some person said to him: "Commander of the Faithful! why not cut it off by the wrist?"
"God forbid!" exclaimed the khalif; "how could he then lean on his staff? How could he pray? How could he eat?"
In the Life of Ibn Abd Al-Barr, a Traditionist of Cordova, who, "it is stated, died in the year 380 (a.d. 990), but God knows best," a number of good stories are collected. This is one. "It is related that, when Adam was sent out of Paradise and down to earth by Almighty God, the angel Gabriel went to him and said: 'O Adam! God here sends you three qualities, so that you may select one of them for yourself and leave the two others.'
"'What are they?' said Adam.
"Gabriel replied: 'Modesty, Piety, and Intelligence.'
"'I choose Intelligence,' said Adam.
"The angel then told Modesty and Piety to return to Heaven, because Adam had made choice of Intelligence.
"They answered: 'We will not return.'