2. My father, may Allah grant him mercy, said: We were told by Ahmad bin Idrees, that he said: We were told by Muhammed bin Ahmad, that he said: We were told by Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Razi, from Bikr bin Saleh, from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr, from Ibn ‘Uyayna al-Basri, that he said:

I was testifying at the presence of Ibn Abi Layla, and he had judged with regards to a man who had made for some of his relatives benefit from a house and not specified a (particular) time for them, and then the man died and his inheritors were present at Ibn Abi Layla, and his relative to whom he made the house was (also) present. Then Ibn Abi Layla said: I see that I (should) leave it like how its owner left it. Then Muhammed bin Muslim al-Thaqafi said to him: Verily, Ali bin Abi Talib, Allah’s blessings be upon him, indeed, judged in this mosque to the contrary of what you have judged. He said: And how do you know? He said: I heard Abu Ja’far, peace be upon him, say: Ali bin Abi Talib, Allah’s blessings be upon him, judged for the return of the restrained and the fulfilment of inheritance. Then Ibn Abi Layla said: Is it with you in a book? He said: Yes. He said: Then send to him and come to me with it. Then Muhammed bin Muslim said: (On the condition that) You must not look into the Book except in that narration. He said: You may do so. He said: Then he showed him the narration of Abu Ja’far, peace be upon him, in the Book and he retracted his judgement. [1]