The stipulation of Al-Rida’ 'Alayhim al-Salam with Ma’mun

134. A number of our companions, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muammar Bin Khallaad who said: Abu Al-Hassan Al-Ridha عليه الصلاة والسلام said to me: ‘Al-Ma’moun said to me عليه الصلاة والسلام, ‘O Abu Al-Hassan عليه الصلاة والسلام, if you عليه الصلاة والسلام could write to some of the ones who are obedient to you عليه الصلاة والسلام in these areas in which their relationship with us is spoilt’. I عليه الصلاة والسلام said to him: ‘O Chief of believers, if you fulfil (your commitment) to me عليه الصلاة والسلام, I عليه الصلاة والسلام would (fulfil my عليه الصلاة والسلام commitment) to you, but rather, I عليه الصلاة والسلام have entered into this matter in which I عليه الصلاة والسلام have been entered into, I عليه الصلاة والسلام do not issue commands, nor do I عليه الصلاة والسلام prohibit, nor do I عليه الصلاة والسلام appoint anyone, nor do I عليه الصلاة والسلام dismiss anyone, and this matter which I عليه الصلاة والسلام have entered into has not increased anything for me عليه الصلاة والسلام regarding the favours. And I عليه الصلاة والسلام used to be in Al-Medina, and my عليه الصلاة والسلام letter would be established in the east and the west, and I عليه الصلاة والسلام would ride upon my عليه الصلاة والسلام mule and pass by in the markets of Al-Medina, and there would be no one more prestigious than me عليه الصلاة والسلام, and there was none among them who would question me عليه الصلاة والسلام for a need with the possibility of my عليه الصلاة والسلام fulfilling it, except that I عليه الصلاة والسلام would fulfill it for him’. He said, ‘I will fulfill (my commitment) to you عليه الصلاة والسلام’.