4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from abu Ali Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Ibrahim who has said that narrated to me Ahmad ibn al-Harith al-Qazwini who has said the following.

“I was with my father in the city of Surra man Ra‘a. My father was a veterinarian at the animal farm of abu Muhammad . Al-Musta‘in had a mule the like of which in beauty and size has not been seen. No one could touch that mule to ride, saddle or harness. He had called all the trainers and they had faild to ready the mule for riding. Certain people close to him had said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, “Why do you not ask al-Hassan, ibn al-Rida who would either ready it for riding or get killed in which case it will be a great relief for you?” The narrator has said that he sent for abu Muhammad, al-Hassan and my father went with him My father has said, “When abu Muhammad entered the room I was with him. Abu Muhammad looked at the mule that was standing in the compound of the facility. He went towards the mule and placed his hand over the rear of the mule. The narrator has said that I saw the mule perspire so much that it began to flow. Then he went to al-Musta‘in. He offered him greeting of peace and he well come him and asked him to sit just next to him and said, “O abu Muhammad, harness mule (that has become obstinate).” Abu Muhammad said to my father, “Young man harness the mule.” Al-Musta‘in said, “You must harness the mule. The Imam took off his gown and harnessed the mule and returned back to his place. Al-Musta‘in asked him to saddle the mule but he said to my father, “Young man, saddle the mule.” Al-Musta‘in asked him to himself saddle the mule. He stood again, saddled the mule and returned back to his place and said do you want that I ride it also?” He said, “Yes, please do so.” He rode the mule without any resistance. The mule ran in the facility and then he took the mule for a amble which the mule performed in the best way that can be. He came back and dismounted. Al-Musta‘in said to him, “O abu Muhammad, how was the mule?” he said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, I had not seen like it before in beauty and skill. Only Amir al-Mu’minin deserves to have such a mule.” The narrator has said that Al-Musta‘in then said, “O abu Muhammad, Amir al-Mu’minin wants you to ride it” Abu Muhammad then said to my father, “O young man take the mule with you and he lead the mule away.”