Ibn al-Najjār said: He was famed for generosity and liberality, for his fondness for scholars and people of religion, and for the way he looked after the poor. Added to that were virtue, nobility, eloquence, lofty aspiration and excellent conduct. His deeds were commendable and his words judicious.

Abū Ṭālib ibn ʿAbd al-Samīʿ reported—on the authority of his father—that al-Mustazhir bi-Allah sought someone who could lead him in prayer, prompt his children in their recitation, and who was also blind. His choice fell upon the judge Abū al-Ḥasan al-Mubārak ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Dawwās, the Qurʾān-reciter of Wāsiṭ before al-Qalānsī. The caliph honoured him greatly; indeed, such was his admiration for him that, when the first night of Ramaḍān arrived and the reciter began the tarāwīḥ, he recited in the two opening rakʿas one verse at a time. When he had concluded the prayer, al-Mustazhir said to him, “Give us more of the recitation.”

So he recited two verses at a time. The caliph again said, “Add more.” He went on in this fashion until he was leading the prayer each night with a whole juzʾ (one-thirtieth of the Qurʾān). On one occasion the reciter became thirsty, whereupon the caliph handed him the pitcher. A servant said, “Pray for the Commander of the Faithful, for he has honoured you by handing it to you himself.” He replied, “May my blindness be well-rewarded!” Then he rose for the prayer and said nothing further.

Al-Silafī said: Abū al-Khaṭṭāb ibn al-Jarrāḥ told me, “I led al-Mustazhir in prayer during Ramaḍān and recited, ‘Indeed, your son has been robbed’ (1) [Yūsuf 81], a variant reading we transmit from al-Kisāʾī. When I finished the prayer he said, ‘That is a fine reading; in it the prophets’ children are cleared of lying.’ I asked, ‘What then of their words: {So the wolf devoured him} and {They came with false blood upon his shirt}?!’ ”

Ibn al-Jawzī said: Muḥammad ibn Shātīl, the reciter, narrated to me; he said: “Abū…"