And from him, from Muḥammad b. al-Ḥusayn b. Abī’l-Khaṭṭāb, from Muḥammad b. ʿAbd Allāh b. Zurāra, from ʿĪsā b. ʿAbd Allāh al-Hāshimī, from his father, from his grandfather, from ʿUmar b. Abī Salama, from his mother Umm Salama, who said: “Once, the Apostle of Allāh صلى الله عليه وعلى آله sat ʿAlī عليه السلام down in his house, and called for a sheepskin to be brought, upon which he wrote until he had filled in its margins. He then handed it over to me without anyone else knowing, and told me: “Whoever comes to you with such-and-such a sign, hand it over to him.” Umm Salama continued to narrate: “I remained, while the Apostle of Allāh صلى الله عليه وعلى آله passed on and Abū Bakr afterwards took charge of the people.” ʿUmar b. Abī Salama narrated: “My mother sent me forth, saying: “Go, and observe (for me) what this man does.” So, I came (to the Prophet’s Mosque) and sat with the people. Abū Bakr delivered a sermon and then descended (from the pulpit) and entered his own house. I came (back to my mother’s house) and informed her, so she remained as thus until ʿUmar (b. al-Khaṭṭāb) took charge. She sent me forth and I did as I had done (before), and ʿUmar did as his companion had done (before him). So, I came back to my mother and informed her. She remained, until ʿUthmān took charge and she sent me forth, and I did as I had done before, and he did as his two companions had done before him, so I came back to my mother and informed her. She remained, until ʿAlī took charge and she sent me as an emissary, saying: “Go and observe what this man does,” so I came to the Mosque and sat therein. ʿAlī عليه السلام came in, ascended the pulpit and delivered a sermon. When he had finished his sermon, he descended therefrom and spied me among the people, and said: “Go, and seek permission from your mother for me.” I left (the Mosque) and came to her, informing her and telling her: “He said to me: “Seek permission from your mother for me,” and here he is behind me, wishing to see you.” She said: “I know, by Allāh.” I sought permission for ʿAlī عليه السلام, so he entered and said: “Give me the book which the Apostle of Allāh صلى الله عليه وعلى آله had handed over to you, with such-and-such a sign.” ʿUmar b. Abī Salama continued to narrate: “By Allāh, it is as if I can see my mother, when she went to a large chest that belonged to her, in whose cavity was a small chest also belonging to her, and from whose own cavity she took out a book and handed it over to ʿAlī عليه السلام. My mother then said to me: “O’ son of mine, hold fast to him. For by Allāh, I have not seen after your Prophet any Imam but him.”