[Bilāl al-Khawwāṣ:] I was in the desert of the Israelites when suddenly I found a man walking beside me. I was surprised, but then I was given to realize that he was al- Khaḍir. 16.1

“I ask you by God,” I said. “Who are you?” “Your brother al-Khaḍir.” “I want to ask you something.” “Go ahead.” “What do you think of al-Shāfiʿī?” “He’s one of the Pegs.”105

“What about Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal?” “A truth-teller.”106

“What about Bishr ibn al-Ḥārith?” “He’s the last of his kind.” “So how is it that I’m able to see you?” “Because you were kind to your mother.” [A man of Baghdad:] I was traveling on a ship and we landed on an island. There was an elderly white-haired man sitting there. I greeted him and he asked me where I was from. 16.2

“From Baghdad,” I said.

“When you get there,” he said, “give Ibn Ḥanbal my regards, and tell him, «Have patience! God’s promise is true; let not those who will not be convinced make you discouraged.»”107

Then he disappeared, and we realized that he was al-Khaḍir.