18. Ishaq has said that narrated to me ‘Umar ibn Muslim the following.

“We were in the city of Surra man Ra’a that a man, called Sayf ibn al-Layth, from Egypt came with a complain to al-Muhtadi against Shafi‘ al-Khadim who had usurped his property and expelled him from the city. We gave a hint to write to abu Muhammad and request him to facilitate this affairs. Abu Muhammad wrote back to him, “You will be all right. Your property will given back to you. Do not forward your complains to Sultan. Go and meet the agent (of Shafi‘ al-Khadim) who has your property and frighten him with the power of the Greatest Sultan, Allah, Lord of the worlds.” He met the agent. The agent who had the property with him said, “It was written to me at the time of your leaving Egypt to find you and return your property to you. He returned the property by the order of the judge, ibn abu al-Shawwarib in the presence of witnesses and he did not have to present his complains to al-Muhtadi. He procured his property and nothing was heard about him thereafter. The narrator has said that this is Layth who has said the following also. “When left Egypt one of my sons was ill and my elder son was the executor of my will and the supervisor over my family in case I would die. I wrote to abu Muhammad requesting him to pray my son who was ill. He wrote back to me in reply, “Your son has recovered but your elder son, the executor of your will and the supervisor over your family has died. Pay thanks to Allah, do not be impatient lest your rewards will be withheld.” The news came to me that my son who was ill has recovered and my elder son died on the day I received the reply letter from abu Muhammad .”