4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from his father from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad from Yazid ibn Hatim who has said the following: “‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan had a spy in al-Madinah who reported to him from time to time about things that happened there. Ali ibn al-Husayn , set free one of his slave-girls and then married with her. The spy reported this to ‘Abd al-Malik who wrote to Ali ibn al-Husayn , in a letter that said, ‘Thereafter, it has been reported to me that you have married one of your slave-girls, when you know very well that among Quraysh there are your match for whose marital relation; one can take pride and privilege and give birth to noble offspring. You have neglected yourself as well as your offspring, and al-Salam (greeting of peace).’ Ali ibn al-Husayn , wrote to him in answer a letter that said, ‘Thereafter, I received your letter in which you have used harsh words against me because of my marriage to my slave-girl and you think that among Quraysh there are women for whose marital relation one can assume pride and privilege because of their giving birth to noble children. (You must take notice) that no one can ever have a glorious position higher than that of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, or any more grace. She was in my possession and went out of my possession when Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, wanted me to set her free for the sake of good rewards from Him. I then returned her according to the Sunnah. Whoever is clean in the religion of Allah, nothing is able to disturb him in any of his affairs. Allah through Islam has removed lowliness, has completed the shortcomings and has taken away the blame. So there is no blame on a Muslim man and the only blame is the blame of ignorance.’ When he read the letter he threw it to his son Sulayman who read it and said, ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn al- Husayn , has strengthened his pride over you.’ ‘Abd al-Malik said, ‘My son do not say that; it is the tongues of banu Hashim that can tear down rocks and scoop the sea. My son, Ali ibn al-Husayn , rises where people go down.’”