Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq turned to the Imam and said.

Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq turned to the Imam and said. “Oh son of God's messenger! The time of leaving is nigh and our sorrow at leaving you, great. May God grant endless praise and blessings to you, your father and your beloved son! May this visit not be my last! As soon as Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq had spoken these words the eyes of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) filled with tears and tear drops dripped from his flower like cheeks.

He then said, “Oh son of Eshaq!" Don't persist on this prayer and wish of yours as when you reach your hometown you shall meet your Creator. Hearing this prediction, Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq fainted and fell on the floor. When he regained conscious, his head was in the Imam's lap. He said to the Imam. “My master! For the sake of God and your honorable ancestor, I beg you! I want a shroud given to me by your own blessed hands!" The esteemed Imam rose and gave him a shroud along with some money.

Then, we rose and made our leave of the Imam's presence. As we approached the town of Halvan, Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq ran a fever and became critically ill with no hope for his recovery. When we reached the city of Halvan, we resided in a house and that night, Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq asked us to leave him alone. Sunrise I awoke from sleep and said, " it is better I visit Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq to see how he is.” When I went to his room I saw Imam Hasan Askari's attendant. In amazement I said.

“What are you doing here?" “You have my deepest sympathy in this tragedy." He replied. “I have washed and shrouded him now you bury him. He continued, "The Imam commanded me to follow you. It was by his order that I washed and shrouded him. He had a high status in the eyes of his leader." I informed our other friends. We buried Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq in that place and returned to our hometown. Along the way I thought to myself. What an eventful journey I had had.

I was in grief over the absent of Ahmad-ibn-Eshaq but as I had met my leader Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) and his son Mahdi (a.s.) I was joyful. Previous…