Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Muhammad bin Wasi’ says that when I came from Makkah, there was a bridge over a trench on the way. I started walking on that bridge. That bridge took me to Marwan bin Muhallab, who was the governor of Basra. He welcomed me and said, “O Abdullah, do you have any need?” I said, “My need is that I become as the brother of Bani Adi said.” He asked, “Who is the brother of Bani Adi?” So I replied, “Ala bin Yazid.” Ala bin Yazid said that one of his friends was asked to be appointed as an official over some work, so he replied, “Amma ba’d (as for what follows), if you are able to spend the night in such a state that your back is light, your stomach is empty, and your hands are clean from the blood and wealth of Muslims, then if you do this, there is no blame upon you. The blame is only upon those who oppress people and commit excesses in the land.” Marwan said, “You have spoken the truth and given good advice.” Then Marwan asked, “Do you have any need, Abu Abdullah?” So I said, “My need is that you let me return to my family.” He replied, “Why not.”