with our own hands; if we neglect it, it dies. Fearing for me, he fastened an iron shackle to my leg and confined me indoors. I then sent word to the Christians, asking, “Where is the source of the religion I see you practicing?” They replied, “In al-Sham (Greater Syria).” I said, “When people arrive here from there, let me know.” They answered, “We will.”
Some merchants from al-Sham soon came, and they informed me. I slipped the iron from my leg, joined the merchants, and travelled with them until we reached al-Sham. There I asked, “Who is the best person among the followers of this faith?” They said, “The bishop, the head of the church.” So I went to him and said, “I wish to remain with you in your church, to worship Allah there with you, and to learn goodness from you.” He replied, “Stay with me,” and I stayed.
Yet he was a wicked man: he urged the people to give charity, but when they brought it to him he hoarded it and gave nothing to the poor. I came to detest him intensely because of what I saw. Not long afterward he died. When they came to bury him, I said, “This man was evil; he used to command you to give charity while storing it away.” They asked, “What proof do you have?” I said, “I will show you his treasure.” I produced seven large jars filled with gold and silver. When they saw them they said, “By Allah, he will never be buried.” They crucified him and pelted him with stones, then brought another man and installed him in his place.
By Allah, O Ibn ʿAbbās, I have never seen a man—even though he did not perform the five daily prayers—whom I judged better than he: more diligent, more detached from the world, and more tireless night and day. I do not remember ever loving anything before as I loved him. I remained with him until death approached him. I asked, “The decree of Allah that you see has come upon you; what do you instruct me, and to whom do you commend me?” He said, “My son, by Allah, I know of no one except a man in Mosul; go to him—you will find him on the same way as I am.”
When he died, I travelled to Mosul, met the man, and found him just as devoted and ascetic. I told him, “So-and-so commended me to you.” He said, “Stay, my son,” and I stayed with him in the same manner as with his predecessor until death reached him. I then said, “So-and-so commended me to you, and the matter of Allah that you see has come; to whom do you commend me?” He answered, “By Allah, I know of no one except a man in Nisibis.” When we had buried him, I set out