Al-Kāfi 5, record 308 of the digital edition

Translation

4. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq from ‘Abd Allah ibn Hammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah who has said the following: “I had a young friend who worked as clerk for Amawide rulers. He asked me to ask permission for a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I asked for permission and it was granted. He came for the meeting, offered greeting of peace and sat down. He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I worked in the offices of these people (Amawide rules) and I received from their world a large amount of wealth. I did not object to what he demanded.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘If the Amawides did not find people who would work for them as clerks, collect taxes for them, fight for them and join their community, our rights would not have been taken away from us. Had people left them alone with what they have in their hands, they would not find more than what they had.’” He (the narrator) has said, “The young man then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, is there a way for me to safety?’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘If I said, “Yes, there is a way” will you then follow?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I will follow.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Come out of all that you have gained from their offices. Return all the properties of those people whom you can find and give in charity on behalf of those whom you cannot find. I guarantee for you paradise from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’” He (the narrator) has said, “The young man bent down his head for a long time and then said, T have done it, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’” Ibn abu Hamzah has said, “The young man returned with us to al-kufah. He did not leave anything on earth without moving himself away therefrom even clothes that he wore.” He (the narrator) has said “I then assigned a share for him. We bought clothes for him and provided him provisions. After a few months he became ill and we would visit him during his illness. After one day when he was about to die, he opened his eyes and then said to me, ‘O Ali, by Allah, your friend has kept his promise to me.’” He (the narrator) has said, “He died and we took care of his funeral. I then left to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) looked at me and said, ‘O Ali, we by Allah fulfilled our commitment to your friend.’ He (the narrator) has said, T then said, “You have spoken the truth, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. This is what exactly he said at the time of his death.’”

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