No good deed goes unpunished...

Explanation: Al-Hajjaj was a deeply ruthless governor of the Ummayad Caliphate, who was widely hated both at the time and by future writers for being immensely repressive (albeit efficient in doing so - hence his continued positions of authority).

Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi was bathing in the Persian Gulf when he nearly drowned. A Bedouin saved him and carried him to the shore.

Al-Hajjaj said to him: “Ask for whatever you wish, and your request will be granted!”

The man replied: “And who are you to grant me any request?”

He said: “I am Al-Hajjaj al-Thaqafi.”

The man responded: “My only request is, I ask you by God, do not tell anyone that I saved you.”