Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام used to order Muhammad b. Hukaym to sit with the people of Madina in the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه واله and talk to them and debate with them – such that he even debated with them regarding the companion of the grave [i.e. Abu Bakr] – and when he [Muhammad b. Hukaym] used to go to meet him [the Imam] – he [the Imam] would ask: How did you argue with them [which points did you use]? How did they argue with you? and he used to be pleased with that from him.