Abū ʿUmar (1) transmitted from Thaʿlab, who said, “We never found the slightest flaw in Ibn al-Sikkīt at all.” (2)

It is also reported that he used to tutor the children alongside his father.

He narrated from al-Aṣmaʿī, Abū ʿUbaydah, and al-Farrāʾ, and his books are both sound and beneficial.

Thaʿlab added, “He had no deep penetration in syntax, and he inclined toward Shiʿism.”

Aḥmad ibn ʿUbayd said, “Yaʿqūb consulted me about entering into close companionship with al-Mutawakkil. I advised him against it, but he construed my words as envy and paid no heed.” (3)

It was also said: “In lexicography he was the ultimate authority, but as for morphology…” Al-Māzinī asked him about the pattern of naktal; he replied, “nafʿal,” and Al-Māzinī rejected it. He then suggested “naftaʿil,” to which Al-Māzinī retorted, “Can a four-letter word have a five-letter pattern?” Yaʿqūb fell silent, whereupon Al-Māzinī explained that its correct pattern is “naftal.”

The minister Ibn al-Zayyāt exclaimed, “You receive two thousand every month (4) and yet you do not know the pattern of naktal?”

When they left, Ibn al-Sikkīt said to Al-Māzinī, “Do you realize what you have done to me?”—so Al-Māzinī offered his apology. (5)