—acknowledged as eloquent by the native speakers of each tongue. He was forbearing, slow to anger, humble, devout, upright, generous in charity, and constant in looking after the poor and the students. He first trained in jurisprudence under the school of Abū Ḥanīfah, then, in advanced age, switched to the Shāfiʿī school. He held the chair of grammar at the Niẓāmiyyah until his death.

I studied with him extensively; he was the first to open my mouth to knowledge, for my mother entrusted me to him when I was ten years old. I would recite to him the Qur’an, jurisprudence, and grammar, and consult books for him day and night; when he walked I would lead him by the hand. He was trustworthy and distinguished. He recited to me some verses he had composed:

O you who are beguiled by the world, awake—
It is a passing state, destined to perish and change.
Strive, then, to attain a kingdom that endures;
What good is there in a bliss that will soon depart?
Had we but reason, we would not laugh for a moment—
Yet reason itself has slipped away from us.

He said: He was born in Jumada al-Akhirah, in the year 34 (1), and died in Shaʿbān (2) of the year 612 AH, at which time I was in Nishapur.

I added: About him al-Muʾayyad ibn al-Takrītī (3) composed the following satire:

Who will convey from me a message to al-Wajīh—
Though letters, I know, are useless to him? (4)
You embraced the school of al-Nuʿmān after that of Ibn Ḥanbal
When provisions became scarce for you.
Nor did you choose the view of al-Shāfiʿī out of devotion;
You merely pursue whatever gain is at hand.
And before long—without doubt—you will move on to Mālik,
So take heed of the words that I say!