8. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Murazim ibn Hakim from ‘Abd al-‘ A’la’ Mawla Ale Sam who has said the following:

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah , ‘People say you have a great wealth . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not affect me badly because ’Amir al-Mu’minin one day passed by different groups of Quraysh with a very old shirt on him and they said, ‘Ali has become very poor and has no assets . 5 ’Amir al-Mu 5 minin heard it. He then commanded the person in charge of charity to keep his share of dates, not to send to anyone but keep them. He (the Imam) then told him to sell to the first persons who wish to buy in exchange for dirham then place the dirhams as dates are placed, then hide them with dates so they are not seen. He then instructed the person in charge, “When I ask you for dates then climb on it, look at the asset and kick it with your foot as if you do not consider dirhams of any value and significance until they are scattered all over the place . 55 He (the Imam) then sent someone to call the people (who had called him very poor and without any assets). He (the Imam) then asked for dates. When he went to bring dates he kicked with his foot and dirhams scattered all over the place. They asked, ‘What is happening, O abu al-Hassan ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘This is the assets of one who has become very poor and has no assets . 5 He (the Imam) then commanded to keep in mind the people to whom I have been sending dates. See how much were sent to each one then send that quantity to each one."