186 — Muhammad ibn al-Husayn narrated to me: Abd Allah ibn Ziyād al-Suhaymī informed us: One of our shaykhs narrated to us, saying: “When death drew near to Saīd ibn al-Ās, he said, ‘My sons, do not let my brothers lose anything of me among you except the sight of my face. Continue to provide for them as I used to provide for them, treat them as I used to treat them, and do not force them to ask. When a man must ask for something he needs, his frame is shaken, his shoulders tremble, his tongue falters, and the words show on his face. Spare them the burden of asking by giving to them before they ask. Nothing can compensate for the dignity sacrificed by a man who spends the night tossing upon his bed, thinking of someone to whom he might take his need, and then comes to you with it in the morning. I do not regard the fulfillment of his need as compensation for his having humbled himself. So hasten to meet their needs before they forestall you by asking.’”