Those who narrated from him include Ibn Tahir, Ismaʿil al-Taymi, Abu Nasr al-Ghazi, Abu Saʿd al-Baghdadi, Abu al-Mutahhar al-Saydalani, Qasim; Abu Jaʿfar Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Saydalani; Abu Rashid Muhammad ibn ʿAli ibn al-Baghban (1); al-Hasan ibn al-ʿAbbas al-Rustumi (2); his grandson Masʿud ibn al-Hasan al-Thaqafi; Abu Rushayd ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿUmar al-Isfahani; the ḥadith master Abu Tahir al-Silafi; and others.

Al-Samʿani said: He possessed sound judgment, capability, and nobility. Among the people of his era he had the loftiest isnad, the greatest wealth in property, estates, merchandise, and ready cash. He was open-handed, gave abundant charity, and was ever generous to both visitors and residents, especially to the ḥadith scholars and, in particular, to the descendants of ʿAli, on whom he lavished much.

Toward the end of his life he was removed from the headship of the city and his goods were seized; yet he weighed out one-hundred thousand red dinars without selling any of his holdings and without betraying the slightest humiliation.

He was a man of worldly stature who lived to an advanced age; students from many regions traveled to him, and his auditions were sound. Nevertheless, as I heard from a number of the people of Isfahan, he inclined toward Shiʿism.

Yahya ibn Mandah said: During the time of Abu ʿAbd Allah al-Raʾis no one was more trustworthy in ḥadith, had heard more, or possessed higher chains than he. Even so, it is reported that he leaned toward the Rafidah. He heard Yaʿqub al-Fasawi’s History from Ibn al-Fadl al-Qattan and Yahya ibn Maʿin’s History from Abu ʿAbd al-Rahman al-Sulami.

Al-Silafi remarked: The chief al-Thaqafi was a figure of great stature in the eyes of the people; his gatherings inspired awe and dignity, and he owned considerable wealth and extensive estates.