Sukayn al-Nakhai

I made the Hajj with Sukayn al-Nakhai who became engrossed in worship [devoted himself to asceticism] and abandoned women, perfume, good clothes, good food, and used not to raise his head to look up at the sky when in the Masjid [out of fear of Allah]. When he (Sukayn) reached Madina [after making the Hajj] he came near to Abu Ishaq (al-Sadiq) عليه السلام and prayed by his side [in the Masjid of the prophet] then he said: may I be made your ransom – I want to ask you a few questions? He عليه السلام said: go [back to Kufa] and write them down then send them to me. So he (Sukayn) later wrote: may I be made your ransom, fear of Allah has entered the heart of a man such that he has abandoned [cohabiting with] women, good food, and he cannot raise his head to look at the sky, as for good clothes – he is doubtful about wearing them. So He عليه السلام wrote: as to your words about leaving women then you are well aware what the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم had of women [multiple wives], and as for your words about leaving good food then know that the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم used to eat meat and honey, and as for your words that fear has entered his heart until he cannot raise his head to the sky then he should increase in the recitation of this verse “the patient, the true ones, the obedient ones, those who spend [in the way of Allah], and those who seek forgiveness by dawn” (3:17).