So when tomorrow comes and you rise from your slumber, carry to him five thousand dinars and a hundred Naddahs mixed among the dinars; and a Tukht containing ten garments of the finest of Khorasan, of the most perfect that is in your possession; and a Safaṭ containing ten garments of fine Egyptian fabric that match the Khorasani ones. Answer him regarding his note, and inform him of its arrival to you.'

I said: 'I shall do so, by your right, O my Master.'

He said: 'O Ali ibn Ahmad, if you do [this] and do not fear nor act stingily, God will reward you with multiples of it—and He has indeed done so.'

I said to him a second time: 'I shall do so, by your right, O my Master.'

Then he vanished from me, and that light and radiance vanished. I woke up trembling, and behold, the Muezzin was calling the Fajr prayer. And behold, in my hand was a note. I shouted for someone to bring me a candle. I broke open the note, and behold, it was in your name and your handwriting. A tremendous feeling overcame me because of that.

The breaking of dawn seemed to take forever. When morning came, I hastened to carry to you what he had commanded me. Then I rode to the Diwan, and [there occurred] what I have informed you of.