He did not neglect the smallest impudent act of the...

He did not neglect the smallest impudent act of the opponents against the exalted rank of "Wilayah" and did not leave even the least objections un-replied against "Imamate". He was called "the face of Shi'a" (i.e. Wajh-al-Taefe) in the sense that anyone from among the opponents of the Shi'a who used to confront him either surrendered, converted or became fearful and refused to discuss and argue with him.

Hisham used to say, "I wonder why the opponents of the Shi'a chose the man as caliph whose dismissal came from heaven and dismiss the man whose appointment came from heaven; and quoted the story of the verse Bara'at for justification."[^9] Victorious Champion Hisham, like many others, was fond of virtue and excellence and thirsty for knowledge from the vast ocean of Imam's wisdom (a).

He used to perform Hajj every year and he used to pay a visit to the 6th Imam (a) or his beloved son, the 7th Imam (a) at Mecca or Madina. He benefited greatly from these two honourable personalities and returned very much successful. So it was this very acquired knowledge that gave him strength at the time of debate against his opponents and made him always victorious.

That very year the Imam (a) was at the place of sacrifice and there were groups of learned pupils and famous scholars around him like: Hamran ibn Ain Shaybani. Ghais ibn Maser, Yunus ibn Yaqub and Abu Ja'far Ahwal (Momen Tagh) and a number of other Shi'a brave men who were encircling the Imam (a) like a precious stone around a ring. Hisham, who was still very young, entered Mina and presented himself to Imam al-Sadiq (a). Imam (a) held Hisham extraordinarily dearer to himself than others.

Then because he thought that this excessive honouring might annoy the others present there, Imam al-Sadiq (a) said: "This young man assists and defends our cause with all of his strength (i.e. with his heart, hand and tongue)." Then to prove the special intellectual position of Hisham, Imam al-Sadiq (a) asked him a few questions regarding the Exalted Divine names (of Allah) and the formation of names relating to the creator's attributes.

Hisham replied to them all correctly and very eloquently and clearly. Then Imam al-Sadiq (a) said: "O Hisham, God has bestowed this versatility and farsightedness upon you because you must repel the evil acts of our enemies." Then he prayed to God for him and said: "May God reward you for your knowledge and make your foot firm in the path, of God and our way of guidance.