Mar Ukba inherited a great deal of money from his parents. He was lewd and sinned with his servants. A beautiful girl, Hannah was married to a certain Joseph. Mar Ukba fell in love with her and became very ill, and could not be cured except by seeing Hannah.
Joseph, reduced to poverty could not pay his debts and was imprisoned. Hannah went to Ukba and without sinning obtained the money for the ransom of her husband, who trusted in her purity. When well again Ukba was seen by the Rosh Yeshiba with a halo round his head and he discovered the reason. The Rosh Yeshiba and Ukba promised each other that he who died first would visit the other.
The Rosh Yeshiba died first, and was struck three times by the Angel of Death. He appeared to Mar Ukba and told him that the latter’s seat was three degrees above him in Paradise and he suggested that he, (Ukba) might go down one step, and the Rosh Yeshiba be raised by one step; thus both would be equal.