—held a banquet and, before his guests arrived, washed his hands. The informant on the scene forwarded a report, whereupon al-Nāṣir wrote (1) in reply: “Bad manners on the host’s part, and idle meddling on the part of the reporting clerk.”

He went on: Al-Nāṣir’s conduct toward his subjects was reprehensible; he was inclined to tyranny and harshness. During his reign Iraq was laid waste, its people were scattered, and he confiscated their properties. His deeds were mutually contradictory, and—unlike his forefathers—he leaned toward Shiʿism (3).

He added: I was informed that a man who considered Yazīd’s caliphate to be valid was summoned so that al-Nāṣir might punish him. The caliph asked, “What is your view of Yazīd’s caliphate?” The man replied, “I hold that a ruler is not deposed merely for committing open sin.” Al-Nāṣir thereupon turned away from him, ordered his release, and shrank from pressing the matter further.

He (4) also related: Ibn al-Jawzī was asked, while the caliph listened, “Who is the best of people after the Messenger of Allah (5) ﷺ?” He answered, “The best after him is the one whose daughter was married to him.” This is an excellent reply, for it fits both Abū Bakr and ʿAlī.

It is further said (6) that a servant named Yumn sent a grievance to al-Nāṣir, and the caliph wrote on it (7): “On whom can Yumn confer a boon? The price of Yumn is one-eighth.” (8)