Safwan bin Jammal has reported that:

[Once, during conversation, a heated argument ensued between Imam as-Sadiq (as) and ‘Abdullah bin Hasan over a matter, such that people gathered around them. Both of them left the place and went away.

On the following day, as I was on my way to work early in the morning, I saw Imam as-Sadiq (as) knocking at the door of ‘Abdullah bin Hasan and asking his maid-servant to call ‘Abdullah. ‘Abdullah came out and was surprised to see the Imam (as). He asked, “O Abu ‘Abdillah! What brought you here so early in the morning?” Imam (as) said, “This morning I read a verse in the Holy Quran, which has made me feel uncomfortable”. ‘Abdullah asked as to which verse was that and the Imam (as) read, “And those who join what Allah has commanded to be joined (relation/kinship), and fear their Lord, and are afraid of an adverse reckoning”. (13:21) ‘Abdullah said, “You have spoken the truth. I behaved as though I had not read this verse”.

Thereafter, they both cried and patched up their differences.] (Al-Kaafi)

In explanation of the above incident, Ayatullah Ali Karimi writes:

The action of Imam as-Sadiq (as) was to caution and guide ‘Abdullah bin Hasan so that he may repent and come back to the right path. The argument, which the Imam (as) had with ‘Abdullah on the previous day was not based on a trivial matter. Rather, it was on the issue of Bay’ah (allegiance), which ‘Abdullah was demanding from the Imam (as) for his misguided son – or somewhat similar.

An Imam (as) is infallible and does NOT violate any Quranic instruction only to repent later. Infact the overall behaviour of Imam as-Sadiq (as) with ‘Abdullah bin Hasan was based on ‘Silatur-Rahim’, for his intention was to do good to ‘Abdullah through guidance…. The saying of Imam (as) that the verse (quoted above) had made him uncomfortable implies that he (as) was uncomfortable with the thought that ‘Abdullah was violating it hence the appropriate response of ‘Abdullah.

In addition, this incident also shows the importance of ‘Silatur-Rahim’ – doing good to the kinship- through guiding them to the right path after they are misled. (Quran-o-‘Itrat)

It is reported that:

[When the death of Imam as-Sadiq (as) drew near, he (as) said in his will,

“Give 70,000 dinars to Hasan bin Ali Aftas”.

Apparently Hasan bin Ali Aftas was a relative but a very staunch enemy of the Imam (as) who had also attempted to murder him. When the Imam (as) was asked, “Why do you gift such an amount to such a person who had even attempted to kill you with sword?” Imam (as) said,

“Woe onto you! Don’t you read the Holy Quran? (Allah says): ,

“And those who join what Allah has commanded to be joined (relation/kinship), and fear their Lord, and are afraid of an adverse reckoning”.” (13:21)] (Quran-o-‘Itrat)