him, he and those with him. They stood for farewell and bid him farewell.

The boy came to me, held me to his chest, kissed me between the eyes, bid me farewell, and said to me: "O Abu al-Maymun, increase in supplication and be trusting in Allah. Were it not for you, I would not have returned to these lands, nor would I have parted from these Persons you have seen. I have fulfilled a need through you, and you have heard a wonder from me. Preserve what you heard and do not bestow it except upon the one who deserves it. This is my testament to you; accept it. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings."

Then the group rode, the boy rode, and they traveled. No sooner had they turned away from me than I tried to see them, but I saw them no more; my sight could not reach them. Then I dug in this place a grave for Abu al-Tahir. I summoned his children and brothers, and we prayed over him and buried him in this place you see. I built this dome over him and placed this lamp which I light over him, and I vowed not to let it be extinguished, night or day, as long as I remain. Until this limit, it has not been extinguished; this is his shrine (mashhad).

If you choose, O Muhammad, to visit him, then visit him and depart from me. Do not return to me after this time. Trust in what you heard from me, for no one besides you has heard it from me. Do not bestow it except upon yourself or upon one who is to you as yourself."

Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqi said: I rose to the spring and came to the place where the People had stood. I drank water sweeter than honey and more pure than the fragrance of camphor. I wiped my head and hand, circumambulated the grave, visited it, bid it farewell, and left. I did not return to him as he commanded me. I am delighted with what I possess and with what Allah the Exalted favored me with.

Then I performed the Hajj. Ja‘far ibn al-Furat was residing in Mecca; he was a sheikh who had met our Lord Abu Abd Allah Ja‘far ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣādiq, Exalted Glory, and heard reports from him. I