"I had been many times to Meccah (Allah increase its honour) and the folk used to follow me for my knowledge of the road and memory of the water stations. One year it happened that I was minded to make the pilgrimage to the Holy House and visit the tomb of His Prophet (on whom be blessing and peace!). I said to myself, 'I well know the way and will fare alone.' So I set out and journeyed until I came to Al-Kadisiyah. And

Abu Al-Hasan and Abu Ja'afar. 295 entering the mosque there, I saw a man suffering from black leprosy seated in the prayer niche. On seeing me, he said, 'O Abu al-Hasan, I crave your company to Meccah.' I said to myself, 'I fled from all my companions, and how shall I company with lepers?' So I said to him, 'I will bear no man company,' and he was silent at my words. The next day I walked on alone until I came to Al-Akabah, where I entered the mosque and found the leper seated in the prayer niche. So I said to myself, 'Glory be to Allah! How has this fellow preceded me here?' But he raised his head to me and said with a smile, 'O Abu al-Hasan, He does for the weak that which surprises the strong!' I passed that night confounded at what I had seen, and as soon as morning dawned I set out again by myself. But when I came to Arafat and entered the mosque, behold, there was the leper seated in the niche! So I threw myself upon him and, kissing his feet, said, 'O my lord, I crave your company.' But he answered, 'This may in no way be.' Then I began weeping and wailing at the loss of his converse, when he said, 'Spare your tears—they will avail you nothing!'" —

When it was the Four Hundred and Eighty second night

And they also tell the tale of