It is narrated that Kisra, the leader of the Persians, was in his council and said to his entourage of ministers and dignitaries, "We should form alliances with the Arabs."
All those around him rose in protest and said, "How can we, the Persians, form alliances with barefoot, naked camel herders?"
The Persians had an arrogant attitude, looking down on the Arabs as inferior.
Kisra remained silent and did not argue with them. Kisra was a king, a philosopher, and a physician, often referred to as "Plato II."
One day, while he was in his council, he brought out a box and took from it a necklace unlike any ever seen before, encrusted with rubies, emeralds, and all kinds of jewels. It was said to be worth twenty thousand gold dinars. The eyes of everyone in the council were fixed on the precious necklace, and Kisra said to them, "This necklace will go to the first person who removes his clothes as his mother bore him."
It took only a moment before everyone in the council, including ministers, advisors, and Persian dignitaries, was naked, arguing over who had the right to the precious necklace, each claiming to be the first to have undressed.
The argument concluded, and they chose someone among themselves to receive the precious necklace, which Kisra then awarded.
Some time later, Kisra said to his minister, "I have heard of an Arab blacksmith in Medina; bring him to me."
The Arab blacksmith came, anxious and worried. When he entered the council, which was full as usual, Kisra said to him, "Do not be afraid. I have brought you here for something that will benefit you."
Kisra brought out the same box and took from it a necklace no less beautiful than the first. Those in the council thought Kisra was about to do the same thing again, so they all began to prepare to undress in anticipation of the precious necklace. But Kisra turned to the Arab blacksmith and said, "This necklace, worth twenty thousand dinars, is yours, but on the condition that you remove your clothes as your mother bore you."
The Arab replied, "By God, even if you gave me all of Persia and made me its king, I would not remove my turban."
Everyone in the council was astonished by the Arab blacksmith's response. Kisra turned to his ministers with a look of contempt and disdain, saying, "We Persians possess power and courage, but we lack the honor for which I sought to ally with the Arabs."
Reference:
- Al-‘Iqd al-Farīd by Ibn Abd Rabbih al-Andalusi