6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Bakr al-Hadrami who has said the following.

“I was in the presence of Imam abu Ja‘far and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams said, “Not even one answer, O Ward?” He then said, “Yes, I do know the answer for one of them.” The Imams asked, “What is it then?” He replied, “It is the words of Allah that say, ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know’ who are they?” The Imams replied, “We are the people of Dhikr?” I then said, “Must we then ask you?” The Imams said, “Yes, you must ask us for answers.” I then asked, “Must you then give us answers?” The Imams said, “We may or may not answer.”