—and he was among those who declared that the Qur’an is created—exalted be its Revealer.
He served as a convivial companion, witty and fond of clever anecdotes, first attached to Hārūn al-Rashīd and later to al-Maʾmūn.
Al-Jāḥiẓ, his own pupil, transmitted material from him.
Ibn Ḥazm states that it is reported of him that he used to say, “The universe, by its very nature, is God’s acting.”
He also maintained: “The blind imitators among the People of the Book and the idol-worshippers will not enter the Fire; rather, they will turn to dust. Anyone who dies a Muslim while persisting in a major sin will abide in the Fire forever, and the children of the believers will likewise become dust and will not enter Paradise.” (1)
I say: May God disgrace such a creed.
Al-Mubarrad relates that Thumāmah said: “I came out to al-Maʾmūn and saw a lunatic who had been bound. He asked me, ‘What is your name?’
‘I am Thumāmah,’ I replied.
He said, ‘The dialectician?’
‘Yes,’ I answered.
He retorted, ‘You have sat on this brick, though its owners did not grant you permission.’
I said, ‘I assumed it was for general use.’
He replied, ‘Perhaps they had another purpose in mind besides putting it at everyone’s disposal. Tell me, when does the sleeper experience the pleasure of sleep? If you say, “Before it,” your answer is absurd, for at that moment he is awake. If you say, “During it,” your answer is invalid, because the sleeper is unconscious. And if you say, “After it,” the state has already passed, and nothing can be experienced after it has ceased to exist.’
Thumāmah said: ‘I had no answer to that.’ (2)
He also said: “I once went to visit a sick man and left my donkey at his door. When I came out, I found a boy riding it. I asked, ‘Why did you mount it without my permission?’
He replied, ‘I was afraid it would run away.’
I said, ‘Had it run away, that would have been easier for me to bear.’
He answered, ‘Then give it to me, count it as though it had run away, and make a profit!’