Husain bin ‘Urwah (rahimahullah) reports:

On one occasion, when Haaroon Rasheed was proceeding for haj, he came to the blessed city of Madinah Munawwarah and sent a purse containing five hundred dinars (gold coins) to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) as a gift.

Thereafter, when Haaroon Rasheed had completed his haj, he returned to Madinah Munawwarah. He then sent a message to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) saying, “Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen would like Imaam Maalik to accompany him to Madinatus Salaam (Damascus).”