Among those who narrated from him were al-Dimyāṭī, al-Rukn al-Ṭāwūsī, al-Tāj al-Jaʿbarī—the specialist in the laws of inheritance—al-Badr ibn al-Tūzī, and others.

He studied Shāfiʿī law until he excelled in it, engaged in debate, lectured at the Niẓāmiyyah, and was dispatched more than once as an envoy of the Caliphate. He founded a large madrasa in Damascus and taught hadith there as well as in Aleppo and Egypt.

Al-Dimyāṭī said, “He treated me generously and showed me kindness both on the road and at home. I accompanied him for nine years. He was appointed to the judgeship of Baghdad and died fifteen days later.”

I add: he did not give judgment for more than the time it took to read the deed of investiture, and he accepted the office reluctantly.

Abū Shāmah (1) said: “His condolence gathering was held in Damascus on the eighteenth (2) of Dhuʾl-Ḥijjah. He was a jurist, a scholar, devout, humble, courteous, and affable.”

I further note that it is commonly reported that the ḥadith master Zayn al-Dīn Khālid once joked with him, saying, “Do you remember, when we were at the Niẓāmiyyah, how the jurists used to nickname me Hawlatā and call you al-Daʿshūsh?” He merely smiled. He would ride wearing a simple cloak (tarḥah), greet the common people, and he endowed valuable books to his madrasa.

From Ibn al-Kāzarūnī’s History (3): Najm al-Dīn was summoned to the judgeship in Shawwāl. Though ill, he attended, received the ceremonial robe, and issued rulings, but never sat thereafter. He remained withdrawn for nineteen days and then died. He was a precise, accomplished scholar. After him the office passed to al-Niẓām ʿAbd al-Munʿim al-Bandanījī.