a Barmakid.” Al-Rashid then had Anas ibn Abī Shaykh crucified on the charge of zandaqa, and the man had been a special confidant of the Barmakids (1).

Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī related: “One day Jaʿfar was sitting in private with his boon companions—I was among them—his body fragrant with perfume. ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Ṣāliḥ arrived and entered; Jaʿfar’s face clouded over at the sight of him. ʿAbd al-Malik thereupon called his servant, who stripped him of his black Abbasid garb and cap; then he joined our gathering, where they dressed him in silk and he ate and drank.

“He declared, ‘By Allah, I have never drunk this before today, so keep it secret.’ He proved the finest of drinking companions, and Jaʿfar’s mood lifted. Jaʿfar said to him, ‘State your needs, for I cannot adequately repay what you have just done.’

“He replied, ‘The Commander of the Faithful still harbors resentment against me—have it removed.’

“Jaʿfar answered, ‘The Commander of the Faithful is now pleased with you.’

“He said, ‘I owe four million.’

“Jaʿfar said, ‘Your debt is settled.’

“He continued, ‘I wish to arrange a marriage for my son Ibrāhīm.’

“Jaʿfar said, ‘The Commander of the Faithful has already married him to his daughter al-ʿĀliyah.’

“He added, ‘And I would like him to be appointed over a province.’

“Jaʿfar replied, ‘The Commander of the Faithful has made him governor of Egypt.’

“ʿAbd al-Malik rose and left, while we sat amazed at Jaʿfar’s boldness in offering such great favors without first seeking permission. He then rode to al-Rashid, who confirmed them all (2).”

Ibn Khallikān remarks: “Jaʿfar’s standing with al-Rashid reached the point that the Caliph had a two-collared robe made so that either of them could wear it, and he could not endure being apart from him. Al-Rashid’s sister ʿAbbāsah was the woman dearest to him; whenever she—or Jaʿfar—was absent, he became distressed. He told Jaʿfar, ‘I shall marry her to you merely for the sake of appearances; beware of ever being alone with her,’ and he performed the marriage.

“It is said that she fell in love with him and tried to seduce him, but he refused. When all her stratagems failed, she sent word to Jaʿfar’s mother: ‘Send me to your son as though I were one of your slave-girls, a gift from you to him.’ She refused.

“She replied, ‘If you do not…’”} } } } } } } } } } } } } } } } } }