Among the transmitted reports related by the Radiant Masters, may their might be glorified—those legacy reports narrated by the people of merit through them in word and transmission—is that which they used to discipline their followers and command their adherents. Their command to those of old, may Allah join us with them, became a path for us to tread and follow, and a boundary we are forbidden to cross or exceed. We ask Allah, the Generous, to grant us success in word and deed in that which pleases Him; indeed, He is the Hearer of prayer, Near and Responsive.
(44) Among such reports is what my master, my lord, and my sheikh Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Baghdadi narrated to me, may Allah be pleased with him and make him content. He said: My sheikh Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Abd Allah al-Maqri al-Basri told me, tracing the hadith back to Abu al-Qasim Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Barqi, who was a trustworthy and pious man who used to attend the assembly of our Master al-Sadiq al-Wa'd, may His might be glorified. He said: I was with my Master one day and did not leave until the people dispersed and no one remained. My Master said to me: "Did you stay behind your companions for a specific need?" I said: "Yes, my Master, so that you might favor me with something of knowledge."
He spoke to me of things, some of which I memorized and some of which I wrote down. I departed, rejoicing in what he had taught me. Then I met a man from my brothers who had been with me in the assembly, and he said to me: "Have you come from our Master?" I said: "Yes." He asked: "What did you benefit?" I was stingy toward him and said: "There was nothing to be gained after your departure." He left me and went on his way.
When I reached my house, I took out the scroll I had written upon, only to find it blank with nothing on it. I tried to recall what I had memorized, but I could not remember a single letter. I acknowledged my sin and confessed my slip, spending the night in a daze. When morning came, I went to my Master. He forestalled me and narrated the hadith to me from beginning to end. I wept.