A relative of Imam Sajad (peace be upon him) came to him and insulted him. However, Imam Sajad (peace be upon him) did not respond and said nothing to him. When the man left, the Imam (peace be upon him) said to his companions, “You heard what this man said; I would like you to come with me so that you can hear my response to him.”
The Imam’s companions replied, “We will come with you, for we would like to hear your reply and we also want to say something to him in response to his insolence.”
So, Imam (peace be upon him) put on his shoes and set out while reciting the following verse:
“… and those who suppress their anger and pardon others; and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, verse 134)
“… and those who suppress their anger and pardon others; and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, verse134)
Upon hearing this, the companions realized that Imam (peace be upon him) would not say anything to the man.
The Imam (peace be upon him) continued until they reached the door of the man’s house. Then, he called out loudly, “Tell him that Ali ibn Husayn has come.”
The man, who had intended to provoke a confrontation, came out, thinking that the Imam had come to punish him for what he had done.
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) said to him, “My brother, you came to me a moment ago and said such and such; if what you said is true of me, then I seek forgiveness from Allah, and if what you said is not true of me, then may Allah forgive you.”
At that moment, the man kissed the Imam’s forehead and said, “I said something about you that is not true, and I am more deserving of it.”
Source: Irshad, by Sheikh Mufid (may Allah have mercy on him), Vol. 2, p. 145