brothers. He said: 'Take this pouch to so-and-so'—meaning you—'and if he disassociates (Tabarra’a) himself from Abu al-Khattab, then give it to him. But if he does not, then distribute it among my [other] brothers.'"

So he said to them: "Go forth so distribute it among his brothers.' They took it and departed. When they had left, I turned to him and said: 'O my master, in this city there are eighty men surnamed (known as) Abu al-Khattab; if only you had disassociated yourself from [any] one of them and taken the pouch!' He replied: 'They would not have been satisfied with me except by disassociating from the one they intended.'

He remained but a little while until a group from Sijistan knocked on his door. When they entered to see him, they said: 'A certain man among us in Sijistan has died, and he has no heir other than you. He has left behind wealth and estates. If you choose to travel with us, then come to take your property; and if you choose to sell, then sell, or if you wish to appoint an agent over your property, you may do so. And here are ten thousand dinars to rectify your condition.' They handed him a pouch containing ten thousand dinars and departed.