7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following:

“We were in Medina after Abu ‘Abdallah left this world. People had gathered around ‘Abdallah ibn Ja’far thinking that he was the in charge of this task (Imamah) after his father. I and Sahib al-Taq went to see him while people were around him because of a hadith that they would narrate from Abu ‘Abdallah that said, “The in charge of the task be will the eldest son if he would not suffer any defects. We went to see and ask him what we used to ask his father. We asked him about Zakat to find out on how much property it becomes due. He said, “It becomes as five on every two hundred.” We asked, “What if it would one hundred?” He said, “It will be two and a half.” We then said, “By Allah, the Murji‘a sect does not say so.” The narrator has said that he raised his hands to the sky and said, “By Allah, I do not know what the Murji‘a group says.”

The narrator has said that we then left his with a feeling of loss and did not know where to go. I and Abu Ja’far al-Ahwal were together. We sat down on an street corner of the city of Medina weeping and confused and did not know where and to who should we go saying to each other, “Where would go now. Should we go the Murji‘a, the Qadria, (belief in predestination), to the Zaydiyya sect, the Mu‘tazila or the Khawarij sect?” At this time I saw a gentleman who I did not know, gesture towards me with his hand. I became afraid and thought he might be a spy of the spies of abu Ja’far al-Mansur. He had his spies in Medina to see who the Shi‘a would follow Abu ‘Abdallah and then they would cut his neck off. I was afraid thinking that he might be one of them. I then said to al-Ahwal, “Get away from here because I am afraid for both of us. He only wants me and not you. Move away from me so as not to get destroyed and become an instrument against yourself.“ He moved a little away and I followed the gentleman. I did so thinking that will not be able to set myself free from him.

I continued following him. I had become certain of dying until we reached the door of Abu al-Hassan . He then left me there and went away. At that time the servant came out of the house and said, “Come inside, may Allah have mercy on you.” I went in and found Abu al-Hassan therein. He began talking to me, “Not to the Murji‘a, or the Qadria, or the Zaydiyya nor to the Mu‘tazila or the Khariji group, but come to me, come to me.” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, has your father left this world?” He said, “Yes, he has passed away. I then asked, “ Did he die a natural death?” He said, “Yes, he did so.” I then ask, “Who will be for us after him?” He said, “If Allah would will to guide you he will do so.” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, ‘Abdallah thinks that he is the one after his father.” He said, “‘Abdallah wants that Allah not be worshipped.” I then said, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, who will be for us after him?” He said, “If Allah would will to guide you he will do so.” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, is that you?” He said, “No, I do not say that to you.” He has said that I then said to myself, “Perhaps I could not ask in the right way.” Then I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, is there any Imam above you?” He said, “No, there is no Imam above me.” He has said that then something struck my mind in away that no one would know except Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. It was a feeling of his greatness and awe greater then what I would feel in the presence of his father. Then I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, may I ask what I used to ask your father?” He said, “Ask, you will have the answers but do not make them public. If you would do so it will be slaughtering.” I asked him and found him to be like an ocean of knowledge there does not dry up.

I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, your Shi‘a, followers and the followers of your father are in loss and false guidance. Thus, can I meet them and call them to you? I will keep it secret.” He said, “If you will find intelligent people, inform them but make him to promise secrecy. If they would make it public it will be slaughter,“ he pointed with his hand to his throat. He has said that I than left him and met Abu Ja’far al-Ahwal. He asked me, “What is behind you.” I said, “It is guidance.” I then informed him of the whole story. We then met al-Fudayl and Abu Basir. They both went to see him, heard his words, asked him and became certain of his Imamate. Thereafter we met people in groups. Whoever would go and see him he would become certain of his Imamate except the tribe of ‘Ammar and his companions. ‘Abdallah was left alone and no one would go to see him except a very few people. When he found out about the conditions he said, “What is the matter with the people?” They told him (‘Abdallah) that Hisham has prevented people from visiting you.” Hisham has said that: "He (‘Abdallah) made many people to ambush and beat me up.”