Muhammad b. Musa b. al-Mutawakkil narrated to us. He said: `Ali b. al-Husayn al-Sa`d Abadi narrated to us from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Khalid from his father. He said: Abu Ahmad Muhammad b. Ziyad al-Azdi narrated to us. He said:

I heard Malik b. Anas the jurist of Medina say: I would visit al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad , and he would give me a pillow, exalt me, and say: O Malik, surely, I love you. I would become happy with that and praise Allah for it. He was always upon three conditions: either he was fasting, standing in prayer, or remembering Allah. He was from the greatest worshipers and the greatest ascetics who were in awe of Allah. He would speak much, his gatherings were good, and he was of much benefit. Whenever he would say “the Messenger of Allah (s) said”, his colour would change from blue to pale, to the extent that one who knew him would deny him [because of how different he looked]. I performed Hajj with him one year. When I prepared his ride at the Sanctuary, he recited the talbiyya until he lost his voice and almost fell off his ride. So, I said: “Say it, O son of the Messenger of Allah, but not in that way.” So, he said: “O Ibn Abi `Amer! How can I dare say ‘I am at Your service, O Allah, I am at Your service!’ while I fear that He may reply to me with ‘I am not here for you, nor for your pleasure?!’”