56 – ʿAbd Allāh narrated to us; Abū al-Walīd Rabāḥ ibn al-Jarrāḥ narrated to us; Abū Ghassān the muʾadhdhin said:

“We set out for the pilgrimage. When we were in Mecca we needed our clothes washed, so we were directed to a righteous Persian who laundered people’s garments and conducted business on behalf of the poor, washing their clothes free of charge. We came to him and he asked, ‘Where are you from?’ We replied, ‘From Mosul.’ He said, ‘Do you know Fath?’ We answered, ‘Yes.’ He asked, ‘What has become of him?’ We said, ‘He has passed away.’ At this he groaned and displayed deep sorrow.

“We said, ‘How do you know him when you are a man from Fars and he lives in Mosul?’ He replied, ‘For several nights I was shown in a dream: “Go to Fath al-Mawsilī, for he is one of the people of Paradise.” So I left Fars until I reached Mosul and asked about him. I was told, “He is on the river-bank.” I went to him and found a man wrapped in his cloak, his fishing hook cast into the water. I greeted him with peace and he returned my greeting. I said, “I have come to visit you.” Thereupon he wound up the hook, stood ⦗27⦘, and we entered the mosque.

“The sun set, the muʾadhdhin gave the call for the Maghrib prayer; we prayed and the people dispersed. Food was brought and we ate. Then the call was given for the ʿIshāʾ prayer; we prayed and the people dispersed. Fath then stood in prayer, while I lay down as though asleep.

“Suddenly a man entered the mosque, offered greetings, performed two rakʿahs beside Fath, and sat down. Fath broke off his prayer, returned the greeting, and questioned him. The man said, ‘When was the last time you saw Abū al-Sarī?’ Fath replied, ‘I have had no contact with him for several days.’ The man said, ‘Come with me to him, for he is ill.’ We left the mosque, and I watched them until they reached the Tigris, walking upon the water. I remained sitting, waiting for their return.

“Toward the end of the night one of them returned—it was Fath. I rose, entered the mosque, and lay down pretending to sleep. When dawn broke and we had prayed the Fajr prayer and the people had dispersed, I approached him and said, ‘Abū Muḥammad, I have fulfilled the purpose of my visit, and I saw the man who came to you last night and what passed between you.’ He tried to evade me, but when he realized I knew the matter, he made me vow that I would tell no one of it so long as I knew him to be alive.

“He said to me, ‘That was al-Khidr, peace be upon him, and Abū al-Sarī is Ḥamzah al-Khawlānī, a righteous man in this village,’ and he pointed toward it. Then he said, ‘Make your way to him; meet him and convey greetings of peace.’ So I came to the bridge, crossed it, and went to Abū al-Sarī and greeted him with peace….”