Ibn Ṭāhir did mention him, but he did not record his lineage with any precision, adding only: “He stood alone in his age, unrivalled in a number of disciplines.”
Al-Silafī, by contrast, devoted a lengthy biographical notice to him and wrote: “In his day he was the pearl that graced its necklace, the radiant blaze among its lights, the master who held meanings in thrall. By Allah, how priceless are the pearls that scatter from his lips when he speaks!
In every subject his expression is so clear that even the dead might almost grasp it for its beauty, while parchment and pen bow in reverence before him.”
Alongside all this there gathered in him an array of commendable traits: ocean-deep learning in lexicography, pre-eminence in grammar, intimate knowledge of hadith transmitters and tribal genealogies, purity of soul, unfailing adherence to the Sacred Law, surpassing humility toward the ascetics, and complete disdain for the people of this world. In the genealogies of the Arabs collectively he was a singular marvel, as though he—
…so heed, O sons of Islam: ahead of you lie battles that will bring the loftiest summits down to the level of hoof-prints.
Is it mere drowsiness you seek beneath the shade of security and delight, a life as soft as the meadow blossom?
How can an eye sleep full and easy while lapses have occurred that have roused every sleeper?
Your brothers in Syria take their midday rest upon the backs of tireless mares—or in the bellies of vultures—
while the Byzantines make them taste humiliation and you drag behind you the train of ease like men bent on peace.
How much blood has been spilled, how many faces—whose beauty once blushed only behind jewelled bracelets—are now hidden in shame!
White swords are crimson at their edges, and dark lances drip from gaping wounds;
between the snatched thrust and the blow is but a moment that turns children grey at the temples.
These are wars: whoever absents himself from their tumult to save his skin will later gnash his teeth in regret.
I see my community not levelling their spears against the enemy, while religion’s pillars are tottering;
they shun the fire of combat for fear of death, yet never count disgrace the inescapable blow.
Shall the proud Arab chiefs accept harm, while foreign champions shut their eyes to abasement?
If they would not defend the faith out of zeal, let them at least guard their women out of honour!
And if, when the battle blazed, they scorned the heavenly reward, could they not be moved by the lure of booty?
By God, if those arrogant noses have submitted to the dust, may they never sneeze except with nostrils cut in utter humiliation!
See the Diwan, 2/156–157.