We gathered with Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, among a group of his most glorious befrienders, and among us was Hamran bin A’yan. Then he went into a discussion, while Hamran was silent. Then Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, said to him: What is it with you, that you do not speak, O Hamran? Then he said: O my Master, I promised myself to not speak in a gathering in which you are. Then Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, said: Indeed, I have given you permission to speak, so speak. Then Hamran said: I testify that there is no god but Allah, Alone, that He has no associate, that He did not take any female companion nor child, (He is) excluded from the two limitations, the limitation of impairment and the limitation of comparison; and that the truth is the belief between the two beliefs, there is no determinism, nor (absolute) empowerment (of creatures); and that Muhammed is His Servant and Messenger, that He sent him with guidance and the Religion of Truth that He might make it prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it; and I testify that Paradise is true, and that the Fire is true, and that the revival after death is true; and I testify that Ali is the Proof of Allah upon His creation, that people are unable to be ignorant of him; and that Hasan is after him, and that Hussain is after him, then Ali bin Hussain, then Muhammed bin Ali, then you, O my master, after them. Then Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, said: The plumb is the plumb of Hamran. Then he said: O Hamran, extend the plumbing line between you and between the world. I said: O my master, and what is the plumbing line? He said: You call it the building line. Hence, whoever opposes you in this matter, he is a heretic. Then Hamran said: And even if he is an Alawite and Fatimid? Then Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, said: And even if he is a Muhammed, an Alawite and a Fatimid.