and he was relieved of his post one year before his death.

He wrote a treatise on the grammar of the Kūfan school and was, overall, a cultivated, eloquent, silver-tongued poet.

Ibn al-Anbārī said, “I have never seen anyone wearing a ṭaylasān (scholar’s cloak) more proficient in grammar than he.”

He died in 318 AH.

His father (1) was one of the foremost ḥadith masters; he met Ibn ʿUyaynah and his contemporaries, and the entire family was known for learning and distinction.

His brother, Buhlūl ibn Isḥāq (2), was reliable, a transmitter who narrated from Saʿīd ibn Manṣūr and his cohort.

Abū Bakr al-Khaṭīb (3) said, “Abū Jaʿfar possessed only a single ḥadith from Abū Kuraib, yet he himself was trustworthy.”

Ṭalḥah ibn Muḥammad said, “He was of great stature, widely versed in literature, impeccable in dignity, excellent in eloquence, and well acquainted with the school of the scholars of Iraq—though literary pursuits ultimately dominated his interests. His father owned a large Musnad.” He went on to say:

“Dāwūd ibn al-Haytham ibn Isḥāq was older than his uncle Aḥmad. Aḥmad remained judge of the city from 296 AH onward. He was trustworthy, firmly grounded, precise, and adept in various sciences—including the jurisprudence of Abū Ḥanīfah, although he would at times depart from it. He had perfect command of the language and was notable for his upright conduct.”