Ṣāliḥ also recounted the episode of his father’s being taken to the military camp, his subsequent return, the search of their houses for an ʿAlawī, and the arrival of Yaʿqūb with the purse (1)—some of its packets contained two-hundred dīnārs apiece. His father wept and said, “I had been kept safe from such money, and now, at the very end of my life, I am afflicted by it. I charge you to distribute it tomorrow.”

When morning came, Ḥasan ibn al-Bazzār approached and said, “Bring me a set of scales, Ṣāliḥ. Send portions to the sons of the Emigrants and the Helpers, and to so-and-so.”

He went on distributing the whole sum, while we ourselves were in straits known only to Allah. A son of mine came and asked for a single dirham; I took out a coin and gave it to him. The postmaster reported: “He has given away everything that same day—even the pouch itself.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Jahm said, “I remarked, ‘O Commander of the Faithful, he has already given it all in charity, and the people know that he accepted it from you. What would Aḥmad do with money, when his fare is but a single loaf?’”

The caliph replied, “You have spoken the truth.”

Ṣāliḥ went on: “My father was then taken out at night, guards accompanying us. At daybreak he asked, ‘Do you have any dirhams with you?’ I answered, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Give them to the guards.’

“Yaʿqūb walked beside him and said, ‘O Abū ʿAbd Allāh, I have heard that Ibn al-Thaljī used to mention you.’ He replied, ‘O Abū Yūsuf, ask Allah for well-being.’

“Then Yaʿqūb said, ‘O Abū ʿAbd Allāh, would you like us to convey a message from you to the Commander of the Faithful?’ He remained silent. Yaʿqūb continued, ‘ʿAbd Allāh ibn Isḥāq has told me that al-Wābiṣī (2) said to him, “I testify that he declared: Aḥmad worships Mānī (3)!”’

He replied, ‘O Abā—’