The Birth of abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far  عليه السلام — report 3

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father all from abu Qatada al-Qummi from Ali ibn Khalid al-Zabali who has said the following “When abu al-Hassan Musa عليه السلام was brought before al-Mahdi the first time he was accommodated in Zabala and I talked to him. He found me depressed and asked, “O abu Khalid, why is it that I see you are depressed?” I said, “How can I be not depressed when you are being take to this transgressor and I do not know wha will happen to you.” He said, “I will be alright. In so and so month and day come to me on one mile’s distance.” I then had no worries but count the months and days pass by until that particular day. I then went up to a mile’s distance and spent the day there until it was almost sun set. Suddenly, Satan caused temptations to my heart and I was afraid to doubt in what he had said. At this point I saw figures coming from the direction of Iraq. I went to meet them and abu al-Hassan عليه السلام was in front of them on a mule. He said, “Is it you O abu Khalid” I said, “Yes, grand son of the Messenger of Allah.” He said, “ Do not doubt; Satan loved that you had doubts.” I then said, “Thanks to Allah Who saved you from them.” He said, “I will have a return to them in which I will not find any safety.”