Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 4.15.3

4.15.3

"As to the singing of the comedians, and the verses of public singers, these people sing nothing but what they have learned from their masters; nor do I choose to interfere in their singing, it being no business of mine. As to your own part, if you know of any verses in praise of the four Lords, do impart them to these people, that they may sing them; and that it may become a practice for them at all times, and in all places. This answer could not satisfy Sheh-abdollah, who strongly suspecting that it could not have come out but from a man inclined to the Shyah sect, went away discontented; and on his next sermon day he reflected on Qhoadja-djafer's words, as favouring of Shyism, and condemned them openly. He added some invidious assertions: "For instance, that Aaly-morteza, "son of Aabu-taalub, was not within the cloak. That it was "improper to call him a Seid; and that the expression of five pure bodies was contrary to the principles of Sunnism; for, "whoever should admit the same would thereby give an implied exclusion to the three other Lords, as not being equally pure." He added several words and expressions, all tending to depreciate the Imamite sect; and he seemed to aim at casting reflections and strictures upon its tenets and practices.