A believer from the elders of Balkh got the good sense
(Taufeeq) to perform Hajj and Ziyarat of Medina for many years;
and every year, when he went there he took gifts and presents for
Imam Sajjad (a.s.), learnt religious laws from him and then returned
to his country.
One year, when he returned, his wife asked: “Does the Imam
not give you anything in return for these gifts you take for him?”
That believer replied: “This honorable person, for whom I take
presents is the owner of the world and the hereafter and whatever is
with the people is also under his discretion. Because the Caliph of
the Lord, the Divine Proof on people and the son of the Prophet is
the leader of everyone.” When the wife heard this, she fell silent.
The following year, that believer made preparations for Hajj
and performed Hajj and Ziyarat of Medina. He came to meet Imam
Zainul Abideen (a.s.) and sought permission to enter. He entered and
kissed the Imam’s hand. Food was laid. Imam commanded him to
eat. After the dinner, pail and jug (Ibreeq) was brought for washing
the hands.
The Balkhi believer wanted to pour water over the hands of the
Imam. His Eminence said: “You are my guest and you want to wash
my hands?” He said: “I wish to serve you.” Imam (a.s.) said:
“Though you like to do this, by Allah, I also wish to show that which
would please you much.”
The Balkhi man poured water on the hands of the Imam till onethird
of the pail was filled. Imam (a.s.) asked: “What do you see in the pail?” He replied: “Water.” His Eminence asked: “There are red
rubies.” When he looked carefully, he saw that water had turned into
red rubies. After that Imam (a.s.) asked him to pour more water. He
poured some more water on the hands of the Imam till two-thirds of
the pail was full. His Eminence asked: “What is there?” He replied:
“Water.” This time, through the intention of the Imam it changed
into green emeralds. Once more Imam (a.s.) said: “Pour water.” He
poured till the whole pail was full. And this time the water changed
into white pearls. The pail was filled with rubies, emeralds and
pearls.
That man was highly amazed and he kissed the hands of the
Imam. His Eminence said: “Take these gems to your wife in return
of the gifts, which you have presented us, and express regret from
our side.”
When Balkhi man returned and brought those jewels for his
wife, she prostrated in thanks and adjured her husband to take her as
well for Hajj the following year. When the Hajj season arrived, the
wife set out with her husband, but fell ill on the way and died near
Medina.
The man from Balkh placed the body of his wife in his tent and
weeping and wailing rushed to Imam Sajjad (a.s.) and narrated the
happenings. His Eminence prayed two units of ritual prayer and
supplicated. Then he said: “Go back to your wife, as Almighty Allah
has returned her to life through His power and wisdom.”
That man hastened to his tent and indeed found her alive and in
health. He asked: “How did Almighty Allah bring you back to life?”
she replied: “The angel of death arrived and captured my soul; but
suddenly a gentleman with the following characteristics came – to
every quality that she mentioned, her husband responded that it is the
quality of my master, Ali bin Husain (a.s.).
The wife continued: “When the angel of death noticed the
master, he kissed the Imam’s feet and said with utmost respect:
“Peace be on you, O Proof of Allah on His earth, peace be on you, O
ornament of the pious (Zainul Abideen),” and received the reply to that.
The Imam (a.s.) told him: “Return the soul of this woman to her
body. She was intending to perform my Ziyarat and I supplicated my
Lord to give her additional good life of thirty years.” The angel of
death said: “O beloved of the Lord, I am obedient to you.” Then he
returned my soul to my body.
After that the Balkhi and his wife set out for Medina. When
they met Imam (a.s.), the wife said: “By God, this is the same
master, who ordered the angel of death to return my soul. This wife
and husband visited the Imam many times after that till they passed
away.
Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 46, p. 47.
Isbaatul Wilayah (Part One) – Ayatullah AliNamazi Shahroodi (r.a.)