approached the gate, he dismounted and we dismounted. He walked until he reached the gate. When he reached it, he joined the palm of his right hand, closed it, extended his thumb, and placed it upon his forehead. Then he entered the house in which were the "Budūd" (Idols/Manifestations), and we entered with him. We saw therein a great dome with curtains heavy with gold. He ordered the people to raise the curtains, and they were raised. We saw a great idol sitting upon a throne of gold, with a crown upon its head. When the King saw it, he did as he had done when approaching the House of Wisdom; he circumambulated it seven times and spoke words we did not understand.

Then he entered through a door into a large open area, and we entered with him. We were met by two great, high doors of white marble, twenty cubits high and eight cubits wide. On the two doors were two rings with two circles and a locked padlock. When he faced the door, he went barefoot, uncovered his head, and went to the door, placing his cheek against its threshold. He began to weep, with his head toward the heaven, saying: "O Allah, I ask You by Your Most Beautiful Names to make me among the followers (shī‘ah) of this House, and among its adherents and helpers, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful."

Then he sat opposite the door and said to us: "Do as I have done, for you both are specifically meant for this." My Master said to him: "If you reveal to us what you are doing and make us know it, we shall do so." The King said: "If you choose to know that from me, then hear it from me, understand it, and retain it. Even if you traveled to the ends of the earth walking barefoot, you would not reach what I am about to make known to you."

My Master said: "Bestow upon us, O King, what you mentioned." The King said: "Know that I was young of age, and my father had qualified me for the kingship. It is the way of kings that they do not hand over the kingdom to one who has a flaw. When a king wishes to hand over the kingdom to his son, he orders him to bring the elite of his