Hadith record

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once, abu Hanifah went to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). On his arrival he said, ‘I saw your son Musa perform Salah (prayer) while people passed by in front of him; but he did not stop them and it is questionable.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked to call Musa. He was called and he asked, ‘Son, abu Hanifah says that you were performing Salah (prayer) and people passed by in front of you, but you did not stop them.’ He replied, ‘Yes, O father, the One for whom I was performing Salah (prayer) was closer to me than people passing by in front of me. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “We are closer to him than the jugular vein.’” (50:16) The narrator has said that he (the Imam) then embraced him and then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep me and my mother in service for your cause, O reservoir of secrets.’ (Imam’s response is to show the significance of Salah (prayer) not to compromising any excellence.)”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.