Take both these slaves.

Take both these slaves.” The man said, “I cannot take away your supports and leave you to go around without help!” `Arabah said, “If you do not take them, I shall free them anyway!” The man took charge of the slaves and `Arabah took support of the wall and moved towards the mosque. When the three persons returned after their errands and assembled near the Ka`bah, they related their individual experiences.

They said that although `Abdullah ibn Ja`far had given the maximum, considering his affluence and status, it was nothing for him. But definitely giving away `Ali’s sword was a big act of generosity. Some people praised Qays that his maid could give all the money that was at home and later on, he freed her for this act of charity!

In the end, all of them agreed about `Arabah that despite he being blind, gave away everything and in charity and in the end even parted with his two slaves who were his support in his blindness. Once Qays fell ill, very few persons came to inquire about his health. It was told him that many of his friends had taken debts from him and were shy to visit because they were unable to clear their dues. Qays said curse on that wealth that makes friends shy away from visiting!

Then he ordered announcement in al-Madinah that the debts of all those who have taken loans from him have been converted into gifts and the agreements have been cancelled. No sooner, the announcement was made; there was a stream of visitors to his house. Ibn `Abd al-Barr writes in Al-Isti`ab that Kathir ibn al-Salt took 30,000 dirhams as loan from Qays.

When he went to return the loan amount, Qays refused to take it back and said that there was some misunderstanding, the amount was not a loan and was a gift! When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) became the caliph, in the month of Safar 36 H, selected Qays for the governorate of Egypt because of his family background, capability and political acumen. And asked him to organize an army and take it with him. He asked him to treat the people kindly.

However, where softness was not effective, strictness was allowed. Since he was permitted to take few persons with him, he selected a team of seven persons and left for Egypt. When he reached Egypt, he went to the Pulpit of the Mosque and gave a sermon: “All praise to Allah who has manifested the Truth! He has crushed the falsehood and demeaned the unkind! O People! We have owed our allegiance to the person who, after our Prophet (a.s), is superior to all persons that we know of!