Hishām became angry and ordered that al-Farazdaq be imprisoned between Mecca and Medina. [Al-Farazdaq then composed these verses and sent them to him: (1)
“Would you imprison me between Medina and the city
for which the hearts of those who turn to it in devotion yearn? (2)
You toss about a head that was never a chieftain’s head,
and a cross-eyed gaze (3) whose flaws are plain to see.”] (4)
Imam (5) Zayn al-Ābidīn (6) then sent him one thousand dinars, but he returned them, saying, “I said this only out of indignation for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (7), so I will accept no payment for it.” Alī ibn al-Husayn (8) replied, “We are a household (9) to whom nothing that has gone forth from us ever returns.” Al-Farazdaq therefore accepted the money. (10)
(1) (K) reads: “While in prison, al-Farazdaq composed these verses and sent them to him.”
(2) (K) reads *munībuha* (“one who turns to it in devotion”).
(3) (B) reads *hawbāʾ* (“soul”), which is a textual corruption.
(4) The passage enclosed in square brackets is absent from all copies; I have supplied it from (B) and (K).
(5) The title “Imam” is omitted from (S) and (B).
(6) (K), p. 99 of (M), and (W) read: “Zayn al-Ābidīn—peace be upon him.”
(7) (A), (B), (M), (S), and (R) read: “out of indignation for Allah and His Messenger”; (K): “out of love for Allah Most High and His Messenger.”
(8) (N), (R), (S), and (H) read: “Alī ibn al-Husayn—may Allah be pleased with him”; (W) and (K): “Alī ibn al-Husayn—peace be upon him.”
(9) (A) and (B) read: *Ahl al-Bayt* (“the Household”).
(10) (M) and (K) read: “So he accepted it.”