He was a man of considerable wealth and worldly means, yet he spent it all in the pursuit of knowledge.

It was said that he refused the stipends of the ruler and that he held a distinguished position in scrupulous piety and devoted worship.

Al-Nasāʾī remarked, “Reliable, trustworthy.”

Al-Ḥārith ibn Miskīn said: “I heard him supplicating, ‘O Allah, keep the world away from me, and keep me away from it.’”

It is reported from Mālik that, when Ibn al-Qāsim was mentioned in his presence, he said, “May Allah preserve him; he is like a pouch filled with musk.”

It is also said that Mālik was asked about him and about Ibn Wahb, and he replied, “Ibn Wahb is a scholar, whereas Ibn al-Qāsim is a jurist.”

Asad ibn al-Furāt related: “Ibn al-Qāsim used to complete two full readings of the Qurʾan every twenty-four hours. When I came to him, he had reduced that by one completion, out of his eagerness to revive knowledge.”

We have been informed that Ibn al-Qāsim said, “I travelled to the Hijaz twelve times, spending one thousand dinars on each journey.”

He also said, “There is no good in keeping close to governors or drawing near to them.”

Aḥmad, the nephew of Ibn Wahb, said: My uncle narrated to us, “I journeyed with Ibn al-Qāsim for more than ten years to study with Mālik. One year I would put the questions to Mālik, and the next year Ibn al-Qāsim would ask.”

Al-Ḥārith ibn Miskīn likewise transmitted from his father, who said: “Ibn al-Qāsim was—”