As time passed, Abdul-Malik's power grew, and so did his cruelty and oppression toward Imam Sajjad. He had spies to monitor the Imam’s relations, and all details of his personal and social life. In one incident, he sent a letter to the Imam and threatened him while asking for the sword of the Prophet. The Imam rejected his demand and ended his statement with the following verse from the Holy Quran [31:18], “Verily, God does not love the proud and boastful.” The Imam then asked Abdul-Malik to judge which one of them was more representative of this verse.
In another incident, Abdul-Malik summoned Imam Sajjad and ordered that he be brought to him in Damascus in chains. On the way, the Imam miraculously freed himself and voluntarily presented himself in Abdul-Malik’s palace. The Imam asked Abdul-Malik firmly, “What business do you and I have together?” The Imam left the palace while Abdul-Malik was in great shock and fear.
