The bearer of this letter is one of your brethren.
The bearer of this letter is one of your brethren. Wassalaam. After returning from Hajj, one night I proceeded to the governor’s house and asked the sentry to tell the governor that a person had brought a message from Imam Kadhim (a.s.). As soon as he was informed, the governor rushed out towards the door in sheer delight. He was barefooted and took me into his arms, repeatedly kissing my forehead and inquiring after the Imam’s well being.
Having gone through the Imam’s (a.s.) letter, he gave me half of all the money and clothes he possessed, and as for the things which could not be divided, he gave me the monetary equivalent of half its value, asking me after each distribution: “Have I made you happy?” I would reply, “By God! You have pleased me greatly.” He took out his register and erasing all the debts written across my name, handed me a letter which contained an order, exempting me from all taxes.
I took his leave and said to myself, “This person has been immensely kind to me and there is no way I can repay his munificence. Let me go for Hajj again and pray for him there and also inform the Imam (a.s.) of his generosity and kindness.” That year I started out for Makkah and presenting myself before the Imam (a.s.), informed him of what had transpired.
As I narrated the events, I observed that his face continually brightened up with delight and so I inquired: “Have his deeds pleased you?” He said, “By Allah!
His deeds have truly pleased me and he has (also) pleased God, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and Amirul Mu'mineen (a.s.).”[^7] Imam Ali, the Brother of the Holy Prophet One of the extremely significant steps undertaken by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w), five or eight months after his migration to Madinah, was to establish the bond of brotherhood between the Muhaajir (The Emigrants) and the Ansaar (The Helpers).
Amirul Mu'mineen (a.s.) had stretched himself on the ground, when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) approached him and said: “Arise, O’ Abu Turaab! By God!