Noting that the night had barely started, Scheherazade initiated a new story: the Pigeon Council. There it was.
As it was customary every Wednesday evening, the Caliph Harun al-Rashid was receiving all plaintiffs which could not come into an agreement with the help of the district's Cadi.
The weirdest ruling of that night started when the Caliph’s guards brought in two plaintiffs and a man of science, who was carrying a large cage with six white doves.
Ja’far the Vizir introduced the case. He explained that one of the plaintiffs, named Rein, claimed that the man of science should be authorized, in case a warrior declared a charge against him, to remain standing and also to throw at him one of the doves.
The Caliph was very surprised and asked how it could be possible.
The man named Rein bowed, and provided all kind of explanations along with many quotes from the Sunnah. He argued with the finest jurisprudence, and concluded that it proved his case. Many people in the audience made gestures of approval.
Harun al-Rashid nodded and told: “I understand. You are right.”
Then Ja’far objected: “But my Lord, how can you judge without hearing the other plaintiff?”
The Caliph listened to his Vizir and agreed to hear the opposing party.
The contender was Fidelis, a well known Ulama from the great Mosque of Baghdad. He was versed in both Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of Sharia, the Islamic law. He provided enlightened interpretations of several parts of the Hadith, with many references to God’s Will (GW). His knowledge was so admirable that the Caliph could only approve and reply: “Now I see. You are right, of course.”
This is when the Vizir Ja’far showed some signs of desperation. “But… my Lord, this man and that man cannot be both right simultaneously!”
Harun al-Rashid stared at Ja’far. Then he looked silently at each plaintiff, at the man of science and at his six doves. The whole audience was breathlessly waiting for the Caliph’s ultimate judgment.
Finally, the Caliph ruled: “Indeed, Ja’far. I say it solemnly, you too are right.”