Abu’l `Abbas Muhammad b. Ibrahim al-Talaqani narrated to us. He said: Abu Bakr Muhammad b. al-Qasim al-Anbari narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us. He said: Abu Bakr Muhammad b. Abi Ya`qub al-Dinuri narrated to us. He said: Ahmad b. Abi’l Miqdam al-`Ijli narrated to us. He said:

It is reported that a man came to `Ali b. Abi Talib and said: O Amir al-Mu’minin! I need something from you. So, he said: Write it in the ground, for I see a malady in you. So, he wrote in the ground: “I am a needy, poor person.” So, `Ali said: O Qanbar! Clothe him in two garments. So, the man recited: You have clothed me in a garment whose beauty will fade, So, I will clothe you in beautiful praise, Once you are gowned in my garment of beautiful praise, you are gowned in honour, I will not remain in that which you have gowned me in, But praise will enliven the memory of its owner, Just as rain enlivens the plains, but the mountain remains For the rest of time in the place where it began, Every worshiper will reap what he sows. So, `Ali said: Give him one hundred gold coins. So, it was said to him: O Amir al-Mu’minin! You have made him rich. So, he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say: Put people in their proper station. Then, `Ali said: I am astonished at a people who buy slaves with their wealth, but do not buy freemen with their good deeds!