Muntakhab al-tawarikh 139.3

139.3

The conversation turned on the martyrdom of Ja'far, and Mir Sayyid 'Ali said: "It is admissible for martyrs to satisfy their love of pleasure in this world as well (as in the next), as is certain from the following text -which occurs in the glorious word of God ‘ Nay, rather, alive with their Lord they are provided for, rejoicing.’ ” He then said, in this connection, “ There was a newly married youth who met his death by martyrdom in this neighbourhood, and after his death he used to return always on Friday nights, in appearance the same as when he was alive, and pass the night with his wife in conjugal intercourse.” I said, “ They say too that deceased martyrs are capable of begetting children in these circumstances, and it is well known that this is a fact. In the pargana town of Basawar, which was my birthplace, an Afghan named Ishaq suffered martyrdom but used to consort with his newly-married wife after his death, visiting her every Friday night. He ordered her to keep the matter secret, but shortly afterwards, when the woman became pregnant, she was accused of misconducting herself. On being much pressed she revealed the whole matter to her mother-in-law, Ishaq’s mother, and one Friday night showed her the form of her son. The mother cried out, calling her son by name, and tried to embrace him. The shape vanished, and from that day forth Ishaq appeared no more. His mother dug a well and named it after him, and the well exists to this day. How can these things be ?