Three men from among the believers came to my Master al-Sadiq—peace be upon him—so he lodged them in a house of his. Their sustenance was sent to them every day: three pomegranates. Whatever they desired of all other foods, they found within those three pomegranates. One of their brothers arrived to visit them, so they lodged him with them in their house, and he stayed for three days, eating with them from what they ate.

When the fourth day came, the brother who had arrived left for a need of his. They then discussed the matter of their brother—that he had been with them for three days, and the Master knew of him yet had not sent sustenance for him. While they were in their conversation, discussing the matter of their brother, the Master appeared among them and said:

"I have known what you are [discussing] concerning your brother. Indeed, your brother performs dissimulation (taqiyyah) in seclusion; therefore, he has no sustenance from me."

They said: "O our Master, shall we tell him that?" He said: "Tell [him]," then he vanished from them.

When their brother arrived, they informed him of what the Master had said.

The man wept and repented; and when it was time for the morning meal, their sustenance came, and his sustenance arrived with them.