was listening. When he heard the Qur’an he heaved a sigh, and a few days later he embraced Islam, saying, “The moment I heard you recite, Islam settled in my heart.”

I heard Naṣr ibn Riḍwān, the Qur’an-reciter, say, “I have never seen anyone whose conduct matched that of the ḥāfiẓ; he was occupied in worship and study for every moment of his life.”

His Stand Against Wrongs
He never witnessed a forbidden act without removing it with his hand or denouncing it with his tongue, and the blame of any critic never deterred him for Allah’s sake.

I once saw him pour out some wine; its owner drew his sword, yet he showed no fear, seized the weapon from his hand, and—being physically strong—would often, in Damascus, censure (1) and smash lutes (tanbūrs) and reed-pipes.

My uncle al-Muwaffaq said, “The ḥāfiẓ could not refrain from forbidding evil whenever he saw it. On one occasion we protested against some people, spilled out their wine, and a fight broke out. My uncle Abū ʿUmar heard of it, was upset, and argued with us. When we came to the ḥāfiẓ he reassured us, approved what we had done, and recited, ‘And forbid evil, and bear patiently whatever befalls you’ (2).”

I heard Abū Bakr ibn Aḥmad al-Ṭaḥḥān say, “Some of Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn’s sons had lutes made for them. They were drinking in a garden when the ḥāfiẓ came upon the instruments and smashed them.”

He went on: “The ḥāfiẓ told me, ‘When ʿAbd al-Hādī and I were by the Kāfūr Bath, suddenly a large crowd appeared carrying sticks. I quickened my pace, repeating, “Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Protector.” When I reached the bridge they caught up with my companion, who said, “I have not broken anything of yours; he is the one who smashed them.”

‘Then a horseman came galloping…’”

(1)
(2) Qur’an 31:17