[49] Muhammad ibn Aban narrated from Dawud ibn al-Ala, from Ja'far ibn al-Marzuban, from Muhammad ibn Sinan—peace be upon him—that he said: "I went out one year to perform the Hajj and Umrah, and I bought some sheep from the sheep of the Hejaz. Among them was a massive billy-goat (Tays). I said to myself: 'I shall slaughter this goat for myself [as an offering].' I was determined to slaughter it until I prayed the final Isha prayer and returned from the mosque to my mount. I lay down in my place for a slumber, when suddenly a caller (Hatif) hailed me: 'Rise, O Muhammad ibn Sinan! Slaughter the great goat with your own hand, for it is Marwan ibn al-Hakam!'"

He [Ibn Sinan] said: "I woke from my sleep and remained reflecting upon that. The sheep had gathered in a circle, and when I overlooked the flock, I looked at that goat—and behold, he had taken the blade (al-Shafrah) in his mouth, trying to bury it in the soil, but it would not be buried for him. I took it from his mouth. When I finished [the rites] at Muzdalifah, I came to my lodging, threw the pebbles at Jamrat al-Aqaba, and departed from the Mash'ar. I hastened toward him, then I laid him down and slaughtered him with my own hand, just as I had been commanded in my dream. From that day on, I used to go around [searching] for billy-goats, buying them and slaughtering them.