—the very delights enjoyed by kings. Thus his knowledge grew vast and his insight subtle. He possessed an outstanding talent for evaluating transmitters, tracing genealogies, and recording historical reports. Scarcely would one find a book in his collection—whatever the discipline—without evidence that he had read it or studied it. In the margin he would note the author’s lineage, date of birth, and date of death, producing in this way curiosities that are all but unattainable elsewhere.
Among his praiseworthy actions was the severe crackdown he imposed throughout his dominion to eradicate wine, a policy he pursued with utmost rigor.
His brother, the emir ʿAbd Allah known as al-Walad, shared his passion for learning but was killed while their father was still alive.
Al-Mustansir himself was considered trustworthy in everything he transmitted. Ibn al-Abbār mentions him in his History and exclaims: “It is astonishing that Ibn al-Faraḍī and Ibn Bashkuwāl did not record him!”
He was born in 302 AH.
Al-Yasaʿ ibn Ḥazm said: “Al-Ḥakam was a scholar, a prolific transmitter of hadith, intelligent and God-fearing.”
He was visited by Abū ʿAlī al-Qālī, Abū ʿAlī al-Zubaydī, and others.
When the judge Mundhir ibn Saʿīd died, he appointed the jurist Ibn Bashīr to the judiciary, on condition that truth and justice should prevail. A merchant then lodged a complaint, claiming that a young slave-girl of his had gone missing and was being kept in the palace; the case reached al-Ḥakam.
Al-Ḥakam said, “Let us placate this merchant with whatever will satisfy him.” Ibn Bashīr replied, “Your justice will not be complete until you submit yourself to it. The man has made a claim, so the girl must be produced and witnesses must testify in her presence.” Al-Ḥakam therefore brought her forth and rendered the merchant his right.
During al-Ḥakam’s reign the Byzantines schemed to seize certain frontier posts. He strengthened them with money and troops, led a campaign in person, increased the tribute imposed on the Byzantines, and humbled them.