money or from my money?" He said to me: "What is this? Between us, what is 'my money' and 'your money'?" I knew then it was a word of error on my part and I asked for excuse. He did not cease distributing the money to the last of it. When I was alone with him, I would ask him to favor me with something of the landmarks of my religion, but he would distance me and delay me. Yet, not a night passed except he narrated to me fine reports and praiseworthy manners.

He continued this delay until the time of Hajj arrived. I performed the 'Umrah and the Talbiyah and said: "O my master, this is a year that has passed with the promise, and my heart is attached, and I fear that death will overtake me before I attain from you what I desire." He said to me: "Know, may Allah support you, that the state you desire from me and demand of me—I only deferred you from it to this end in the hope that my Sheikh would come, from whom I learned this matter you demand of me. He lives in Kufa, and I thought he would come this year so I could gather you with him and ask him to deliver to you what you desire. Now he has stayed behind from the Hajj, and it is not possible for me to address you except with his permission."

I said to him: "O my master, if you could provide me with a letter to him and explain to him therein the reality of my case, and ask for his care of me until I reach through him what I desire." He said: "With love and honor!" I stayed until I completed the Hajj and the rituals. When the people wanted to return, I sought his permission to travel. He permitted me that, and I traveled on foot until I drew near to Kufa. Night overtook me and I was separated from the people. A group of people came out against us and took what I had of my clothes; I was wounded in my head, but the letter remained safe with me.

When morning came, I entered Kufa and asked for the man's house and was guided to it. When I came to it, I sought his permission, and I was permitted to enter. I entered while in the worst state. I delivered the letter to him; he took it, looked at the address, and threw the letter from his hand. He shouted at me and rebuked me, saying: "This letter is from