Harun al-Rashid notices that Basra has not paid its annual tribute, and sends his friend Abu Ishaq al-Mawsill to investigate. The governor, Abdullah bin Fazil (or Abdallah ibn Fadil) hosts him for three days. One night, Abu Ishaq sees him take a whip, food and water into a room where there are two dogs. He whips them, and then soothes and feeds them. This happens the next night as well.