To some of the Connaissants—may God’s mercy be upon him—who says:

She came with a shimmering [cup] in her palm, a body of light that bequeaths enchantment.

I drank it as a coffee [exhilarant] to elevate me to Ali who elevated the ranks for us.

As if she, when the midday heat takes her, is a vessel of carnelian that you have topped with gold.

Her brilliance is Salsal when she traces her lineage, and her light is from the radiance of ibn Saba.

Chess

(607) al-Thaqafi related from al-Hakam, who said: Ismail ibn Ja’far was seen playing chess. This was mentioned to our Lord al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory—and he said: "A stratagem to be used against the enemies, a help over the creation, and an enmity toward those who oppose you; and it was said: against the dominion of the tyrant."

Interpretation of the Superior Shield (al-Dir‘ al-Fadil)

Its meaning: the manifestation of our Master Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory—in the likeness of the form of the Name. The meaning of "Superior" (al-fadil) is the superiority of His manifestation over the manifestation of the Lord Mim.