An incident occurred that is said to have provoked the jealousy of Hisham Ibn Abdul Malik who was heir apparent to his father and arrived in Makka with great pomp and a retinue of servants. But in spite of this, he was not able to reach for the Black Stone in the Ka’aba. In pilgrims garb Hisham was unrecognisable. He sat down on a high place waiting for the crowd to move so that he could also kiss the black stone. While he was waiting he saw an old man arrive and watched the crowd give way for him. He reached the Black stone, kissed it and returned back to his place. Hisham, being the son of the caliph was astonished and enquired in a sarcastic manner about the identity of the person (for he knew who it was). Farazdaq the famous poet was standing right there. He composed an ode in praise of the Imam to introduce him to the Syrians who accompanied Hisham and to challenge Hisham's arrogance:
It is someone whose footsteps are known by every place
And it is he who is known to the Bayt in Mecca
the most frequented sanctuary;
It is he who is the son of the best of all men of God
and it is he who is the most pious and devout,
the purest and most unstained
the chastest and most righteousa symbol [for Islam]
This is Ali [b. al Husayn] whose parent is the Prophet
This is the son of Fatima, if you do not know who he is
Whosoever recognizes his God knows also
the primacy and superiority of this man
Because the religion has reached nations
through his House.
(another partial translation)
This is he whose ability the valley (of Mecca) recognizes, and whom the (Sacred) House recognizes (as do) the sanctuary and the area outside the sanctuary (al-hill).
This is the son of the best of all Allah's servants.
This is the pure pious man, the pure eminent man.
When he comes to touch the corner of the wall of the Kaaba, it almost grasps the palm of his hand.
He takes care to be modest and he is protected
from his error.
He only speaks when he smiles.
None of mankind has within their souls such primacy as he does nor such grace as he does.
Whoever knows Allah, knows His friend (wali).
Religion is from the House of this man.
When Quraysh saw him, their spokesmen told of the outstanding qualities of this man which indicate (his) nobility.
















