CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

COLLECTING SCATTERED REPORTS

[190] It is narrated from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from Dawud ibn Kathir al-Raqqi, who said:

I was in Mecca, and my Master, al-Baqir—may His Might be exalted—took my hand at the time of evening prayer. He entered the circumambulation (Tawaf) and performed seven rounds, each round consisting of seven [sets]. He prayed two units (Rak'ahs) between every round, then performed a prostration of gratitude (Sajdat al-Shukr). I prostrated with Him, and He prolonged it. I raised my head while He remained in His state. I prostrated repeatedly, performed Tawaf, and prayed, yet He remained in His state. Then I sat for a long while and a need arose for me, so I marked a sign and went to my residence. I fulfilled my need and returned while He was still prostrating in His state. I performed Tawaf seven times and sat waiting for Him.

When the first light of dawn appeared, He raised His head, offered supplications, and beseeched [the Divine]. Then He stood,