to spell it out, and that was only because al-Waqidi counted for so little in the estimation of the scholars. They say, moreover, that the material his scribe transmits from him in The Classes is only marginally sounder than what others report on his authority.

Abu Bakr ibn al-Anbari related: “My father narrated to us, Abu ʿIkrimah al-Dabbi narrated to us, and al-ʿAnbari narrated to us, saying:

Al-Waqidi said, ‘I was a grain-dealer in Medina with one hundred thousand dirhams of other people’s money that I invested on their behalf. The money was lost, so I set off for Iraq. I came to Yahya ibn Khalid al-Barmaki in his outer hall, struck up conversation with the servants, and asked them to bring me in to him. They said, “When the food is set before him no one is barred from entering; we will take you in.”

‘They ushered me in and seated me at the table. He asked, “Who are you and what is your story?” I told him. When the meal was cleared away I moved forward to kiss his head, but he recoiled. After I left, a servant caught up with me carrying a thousand dinars, saying, “The vizier conveys his greetings and says: ‘Make use of this and come back to us.’”

‘I returned the next day and he presented me with another thousand dinars, and on the third day with a further thousand. He then said, “The only reason I did not let you kiss my head is that, as yet, nothing of our favor had reached you that would warrant it. Boy! Give him such-and-such a house and two hundred thousand dirhams. Stay close to me and remain in my company.”

‘I replied, “May Allah exalt the vizier. If you would permit me to travel to Medina so that I might repay the people their money and then return?”
He said, “I have granted it,” and ordered that I be outfitted.
So I settled my debts, came back, and have remained under his patronage ever since.’⦗1⦘

Husayn ibn Fahm narrated—from Ahmad ibn Musabbih—that ʿUbayd Allah ibn ʿAbd Allah said:

Al-Waqidi told me: ‘When Harun al-Rashid performed the pilgrimage and reached Medina, Yahya ibn Khalid said to me, “Find me a man who knows the city, its sacred sites, and how…’”