Muhammad b. Ali b. al-Nu’man Mu’min al-Taq

The most beloved persons to me – whether alive or dead – are four: Burayd b. Muawiya al-Ijli, Zurara b. A’yan, Muhammad b. Muslim and Abu Ja’far al-Ahwal. They are the most beloved persons to me – alive or dead.

I was at Abi Abdillah’s عليه السلام place one night when al-Ahwal came in to see him. There overcame him [al-Ahwal] an extreme state of humility and submissiveness [in the presence of the Imam]. Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said to him: what is the matter with you? and he [the Imam] began conversing with him until he [al-Ahwal] returned to normal. Then he [the Imam] said to him: how do you debate with the people [what points do you use]? he [Ismail] said: so he [al-Ahwal] described to him how he argues against the people and I did not memorize that from him, then Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: debate them using such and such [points].