Knowledge of the fates

Abu Ja’far Ahmad bin Yahya Awdi says: I went to Jame Masjid to pray the Zuhr Prayer. After the prayer I saw that Harb bin Hasan Tahan and a group of our scholars were present there.

I approached them, greeted and sat down near them. Hasan bin Sama-a was also present in that group. We discussed the adversities of Imam Husain (a); after that recalled the tragedy of Zaid, the martyr. A stranger was present there whom none of us recognized. He interrupted our conversation, saying,

“People, an Alawite from holy Medina resides near us in Samarra and he is either a soothsayer or a sorcerer.”

“What is his name?” we asked. “Ali bin Muhammad.”

“What did you see him do?”

We often visit his place in the evening and converse with him. One night we were with him when a commander of army emerged from the Caliph’s palace in full regalia and in addition to the army officers a huge crowd of ordinary people also followed him. When he passed by us, Ali Ibne Muhammad also arose and talked with him for a moment and after he departed, he said,

“He is proud of his luck, but he would be in his grave before the Prayers tomorrow.”

We were extremely bewildered at this and we said, “This is knowledge of the unseen.” Then three of us friends decided that if that commander does not die till the following day and his prediction is proved wrong, we would slay him only.

Then I went home and prayed the Dawn Prayer. Suddenly I heard wails and crying. I emerged from my house to find a lot of soldiers, who were saying: So and so commander had too much of liquor last night and was highly intoxicated when he stumbled and fell breaking his neck.

I attended his funeral and am still amazed at the prediction of Ali bin Muhammad.

Rijaal, Kishi, Pg. 41; Biharul Anwar, Vol. 50, Pg. 186. Miracles of Ahlulbayt (a.s. ) - Vol. 4,Pg.125