and others as well, and he was counted among the abdāl (the select “substitutes”).

It was said that his eyesight was taken from him, yet whenever he wished to recite from the muṣḥaf, he would see by Allah’s leave.

Aḥmad ibn Abī al-Ḥawārī related: A group once came to Abū Muʿāwiyah al-Aswad and said, “Pray to Allah for us.” He responded, “O Allah, show mercy to me through them, and do not withhold it from them because of me.”

Aḥmad ibn Fuḍayl al-ʿAkkī recounted: Abū Muʿāwiyah al-Aswad took part in a campaign. The Muslims reached a fortress inside which there was a pagan warrior; every stone or arrow he hurled hit its mark. They complained to Abū Muʿāwiyah, so he recited, “You did not throw when you threw; rather, it was Allah who threw” [al-Anfāl 8:17], and said, “Shield me from him.”

Once he had taken his position, he asked, “By Allah’s leave, where do you want the arrow to land?” They replied, “At the arrow-slits (al-madhākīr).” He said, “O Lord, You have heard what they have asked of me, so grant it to me. In the name of Allah.” He then loosed the arrow at the slit, and the man fell.

Abū Dāwūd said: When ʿAlī ibn al-Fuḍayl died, Abū Muʿāwiyah al-Aswad set out from Tarsus for the pilgrimage in order to offer his condolences to al-Fuḍayl.

Among his aphorisms: “Whoever makes this world his chief concern will find his grief tomorrow prolonged; and whoever fears what lies ahead will find his resolve weakened.” He left behind many exhortations and words of wisdom.

22 – Ibrāhīm al-Mawṣilī Abū Isḥāq ibn Māhān ibn Bahman *
The chief of the singers, Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm ibn Māhān ibn Bahman