[^3] Food with Friendship Abd al-Rahman Ibn Hajjaj narrates...

[^3] Food with Friendship Abd al-Rahman Ibn Hajjaj narrates: We were in the house of Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) and were having food with him when some more rice was brought for us. We sought to excuse ourselves from eating more whereupon the Imam (peace be upon him) said: Whoever likes us more shall consume more food with us. Hearing this, we once again sat down and began eating the food. Witnessing this, the Imam (peace be upon him) stated: This is so much better.

He (peace be upon him) then continued: One day, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) was presented with some rice, whereupon he (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) invited Salman, Abu Dharr and Miqdad to join him in eating it. They sought to excuse themselves but he (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) insisted: “Whoever likes us more ought to eat more with us.” Hearing this, all of them ate to their full.

[^4] One Morsel and Selling One’s Faith Fadhl Ibn Rabi’ relates: Once, Sharik Ibn Abdullah Nakhai’ arrived before Mahdi Abbasi, the third Abbasid Caliph, who said to him: You must accept to perform one of these three tasks: Become a judge in the judicial setup, educate my children, or eat my food. Sharik thought that teaching the Caliph’s children was a tough proposition; becoming a judge was tougher; however, eating the Caliph’s food appeared to be simple and so he accepted the third option.

Mahdi instructed the cook to prepare various kinds of delicacies which were then brought before Sharik, who satiated himself with them. The kitchen attendant said to Mahdi: O Caliph! This sheikh, after consuming these delicacies, shall never attain salvation. [^5] Fadhl Ibn Rabi’ states: By God! After consuming that food, not only did Sharik began to increase his association with the Bani Abbas and agree to educate their children, but also consented to become the judge.

Once, Sharik’s pay-slip, which was used to collect his salary from the treasury, was handed over to him. When he approached the treasurer for his pay he insisted that he be paid immediately in cash. Noting his insistence, the treasurer said to him: You have not sold linen or an expensive garment that you insist so vehemently on receiving immediate cash payment. Hearing this, Sharik retorted: By God! I have sold something that is more precious than linen – I have sold my religion!