Al-Kāfi 5, record 170 of the digital edition

Translation

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘ Abd al- Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir has said, ‘I did not think Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), might leave behind a successor better than his own-self. Time passed and I one day saw his son, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). I decided to give him certain words of good advice but I, instead, learned a lesson from him.’ His people then asked him, ‘How did he make you learn a lesson?’ He replied, ‘One day I went outside the city of al-Madinah when it was very hot and I met Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.), who was a person of a large body frame and heavy. Two of his black slaves or friends were supporting him. I thought, Allah is free of all defects, here is this old man from Quraysh in this hot time of the day in this condition in search of the worldly gains, thus I must give him certain words of good advice. I went nearer to him and offered him greeting of peace. He responded with somewhat frowning face, and his perspiration drops were falling a great deal. I then said, ‘May Allah keep you well. You are a Shaykh of the Shaykhs of Quraysh. Why should you in such a hot hour of the day in such condition strive for the worldly gains? Suppose if death approached you in this condition what would you do?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If death approaches me in this condition it finds me obeying the commandment of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. It finds me safeguarding my dignity, and my family from people like you and others. I should be afraid if death approaches me when I am in a condition of disobeying Allah.’ I then said, ‘You have spoken the truth. I pray to Allah to keep you well. I wanted to give you good advice; instead I learned a lesson from you.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.