This is supported by what we have transmitted as a narration from him, that he said one day to his companions: "I have brought you the praise of two men such that, whenever the people of Oneness hear of their praise, they will brand you disbelievers and curse you: they are Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam and al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam — peace be upon them both1." The praise of Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam is the hidden secret, the difficult and arduous, which none can bear except those whom the Masters — exalted be their glory — have favored.
(491) That is their saying — exalted be their glory: "Whoever curses us is not of us."
(492) Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-Rifa’i related in his compilation — may God be pleased with him — from Abu Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Raqqi, who was among the chamberlains of Harun al-Rashid. He said: Harun al-Rashid was sitting one day while our Master Ali ibn Musa — exalted be his glory — was sitting with him. They mentioned the poets, and Harun al-Rashid said: "O Abu Abd Allah, go out to the door and see if you find any of the poets." I went out and saw Abu Nuwas, so I returned to him and informed him. He said: "Bring him in to us." I went to him and said: "Enter." He replied: "Leave me be, for by God, I have composed thirty verses regarding al-Rashid this day, the like of which neither Arab nor non-Arab has praised him with." I said to him: "Enter and recite to him what you said, for it is the day of your wealth and your happiness, and I hope for riches for you therein."
Abu Nuwas said: I entered upon al-Rashid, and when I offered him peace, he said: "Bring your praise, O wicked one!" When I saw our Master al-Rida — exalted be his glory — sitting by his side, I went to mention even a single verse of what I had composed in his praise, but I was unable to do so because of the awe of my Master that overcame me and my fear of God in praising the tyrant in His presence. So I said: "O Commander of the Faithful, [shall I speak] regarding you or regarding the son of your uncle, your companion?" He said: "Rather, regarding the son of my uncle." So I said concerning him: