522 – ʿAbd Allah narrated to us—my father narrated to me—ibn Atash narrated to us—al-Mundhir, from Wahb:

“Iblīs—may Allah curse him—approached a sāʾiḥ (wandering ascetic) intending to tempt him, yet he could gain nothing over him. So he said, ‘I would like to befriend you.’ The ascetic replied, ‘I have no need of your friendship.’ Iblīs persisted, ‘Indeed, you do. Ask me about whatever you wish and I will tell you.’ The ascetic said, ‘Very well—by what means do you lead people astray?’ Iblīs answered, ‘We watch for those who are hasty and quick-tempered; with them we toy just as children play with a ball.’”