—Samarra (1). He purchased its site from a group of monks at al-Qatūl (2), grew angry with his vizier al-Faḍl ibn Marwān, seized from him something like ten million dinars, and banished him (3). He then appointed Muḥammad ibn al-Zayyāt as vizier, became keen on acquiring Turkish mamluks, sent agents throughout the provinces to buy them, and arrayed them in silk and gold (4).

In 221 AH a battle took place between the caliphal army and Bābak (5).

That same year Ḥanbal performed the pilgrimage. He said, “I saw the covering of the Kaʿba, and written in its circular medallions were the words: ‘There is nothing like unto Him; He is the All-Subtle, the All-Aware’ (6).” I related this to Abū ʿAbd Allāh, and he said, “May Allah fight the vile man! He tampered with the speech of Allah and altered it”—meaning Ibn Abī Dāwūd.

In 222 AH the decisive engagement took place between Bābak al-Khurramī and al-Afshīn; al-Afshīn crushed him, sacked his camp, and he fled, only to be captured after many twists and turns (7). Bābak had been a formidable champion who terrified Islam and its people and routed armies.