to him: "This is something you will not find with us. Since you have desired that, I have a brother in lineage with whom you will find all that you seek. If you are one who chooses that and desires it, I shall bring you and him together. However, this desire contradicts the report related from our Master al-Sadiq." He said to him: "And what is the report?"
He said: It is related that a man from the Shi‘a came to al-Sadiq and said to him: "O my Master, it is related from you that you said: eating pomegranate kills desire and cuts off progeny; what is the interpretation of that?" He said: "Contention1 among the believers cuts off progeny, kills desire, and cuts off the human2."
"He said: 'O my brother, if I choose that you fulfill my desire, then send a messenger to your brother.' So he sent to me. When I came to him, the man stood for me and received me with the best reception, but my brother remained in his state and did not move for me. I disapproved of that. When I was settled in sitting, my brother said to me: 'I wish for you to take this man to your place, honor him with the greatest honor, and treat him with the beauty for which I shall thank you. Beware of asking him about anything regarding the matters of religion, and maintain Dissimulation with him.'
I rose, and the man with me, and I was happy with that. When we departed, my brother shouted to the man and said to him: 'Maintain Dissimulation, beware of opposing me, and do not go except for the state I mentioned to you, and for no other.' He said: 'To hear and to obey.'
We walked until we reached the house. Then I summoned my friends and those designated for my companionship. They arrived, and I ordered food to be brought. We ate, washed our hands, and moved to the wine sitting. I ordered the curtains to be set up. He continued to drink until the people departed and no one remained of them but him. At that, I ordered the maidservants to appear before him, out of my