So we greeted him and sat down. He called for the censer and the incense, and he called for a basket in which were new clothes. He took out a robe from the basket and wore it. He applied himself to the incense, fumigated himself, and passed it around to us. Then he said, having turned towards us with his face: "Which day is this?" We said: "It is such-and-such day."

He said: "Is it not the ninth of the month of Rabi' al-Awwal?" We said: "Yes."

He said: "Then why have you neglected it and wasted its right and what you were commanded regarding it?"

I said, and the group said: "And what was commanded in it? And what is its right? For we have no knowledge of it, nor have we heard anything about it from anyone."

He said: "To God we belong! Does the world distract you from gaining understanding in religion, and from your knowledge of what God has made obligatory upon you regarding His recognition, so that it is as if you are not in need of drawing His provision, the abundance of His well-being, the perfection of His blessings, and seeking His pleasure?"