Long ago in the great city of Basra, there lived a judge known as the Kadi of Basra, a man whose reputation for perfect justice and flawless judgment spread far beyond the city walls. It was said that he had never ruled wrongly in a single case, no matter how complex or deceptive it appeared. Stories of his wisdom reached the ears of the Caliph himself, who grew curious and decided to test this legendary judge with his own eyes. Disguising himself as an ordinary merchant, the Caliph set out quietly for Basra.
Along the road, the Caliph encountered a disabled beggar struggling to walk under the scorching sun. Moved by compassion, he allowed the beggar to ride behind him on his horse into the city. Yet the moment they arrived, the beggar’s gratitude vanished. He loudly accused the merchant of stealing his horse and claimed the animal as his own. The dispute caused a commotion, and soon both men were brought before the Kadi of Basra to seek justice.
Before hearing the case of the horse, the Caliph observed the judge resolve two other difficult disputes, each revealing remarkable insight and practical intelligence. In the first case, a scholar and a farmer argued over the ownership of a female servant. The judge ordered the servant to remain in the palace overnight. The next morning, he asked her to refill his inkwell. She performed the task with ease, precision, and care. From this, the judge concluded she had lived in a household where books and writing tools were common, and ruled that she belonged to the scholar.
In the second case, a carpenter and an oil merchant fought over a bag of coins. The judge placed the coins into a basin of clean water. Soon, a thin layer of oil appeared on the surface. Calmly, the judge ruled in favor of the oil merchant, explaining that coins handled daily by someone dealing in oil would naturally absorb traces of it. These judgments left the disguised Caliph deeply impressed.
At last, the case of the horse was heard. Both the merchant and the beggar spoke confidently, each insisting the horse was rightfully his. The judge listened without interruption, then ordered the horse to be kept in his stable overnight. He instructed both men to return the following morning.
The next day, the judge led each man into the stable separately. When the beggar approached, the horse stepped back and showed no recognition. When the merchant entered, the horse neighed with excitement and gently pressed its head against him. Without hesitation, the judge declared that the horse belonged to the merchant. The beggar was condemned for deceit and ingratitude, crimes considered especially shameful in Basra.
Amazed, the Caliph revealed his true identity and praised the judge’s wisdom. He then asked how the judge had known the horse would reveal the truth. The Kadi bowed respectfully and replied that he had not been watching the horse, but the men. The beggar had shown nervousness and distance, while the merchant displayed calm confidence and natural affection. The horse, he explained, merely responded to the true heart of its owner.
This tale has endured as a powerful lesson across generations. True justice is rooted in careful observation, not appearances. Wisdom comes from understanding human behavior as much as physical evidence. Above all, the story teaches that justice must remain blind to status and wealth, and that betrayal of kindness is among the gravest moral failures.