Al-Ahwazi (1) even composed a separate fascicle listing the faults of Ibn Abi Bishr, but it is filled with falsehoods. Abu al-Qasim likewise gathered a collection of laudatory reports about him, although some of those too are unreliable.

Abu al-Hasan is also remembered for his celebrated debate with al-Jubbāʾī regarding the latter’s maxim, “Allah is obliged to do what is most beneficial.” Al-Ashʿarī replied, “Rather, He does whatever He wills.” (2) He then challenged him, saying, “What do you say about three little ones: one of them died while the other two grew up—one embraced faith and the other rejected it. What, then, is the reason for the child’s early death?”

Al-Jubbāʾī answered, “Because the Exalted knew that had he reached maturity he would have disbelieved, so taking him early was better for him.”

Al-Ashʿarī retorted, “Yet He allowed one of them to live, and he disbelieved.”

Al-Jubbāʾī replied, “He let him live only in order to offer him the highest ranks.”

Al-Ashʿarī said, “Why, then, did He not let the infant live so that he too could be offered the highest ranks?”

Al-Jubbāʾī snapped, “You have given in to whisperings!”

Al-Ashʿarī responded, “No, by Allah; it is simply that the shaykh’s donkey has come to a halt.”

We have also been informed that Abu al-Hasan later repented. He mounted the pulpit of Basra and proclaimed, “I once maintained that the Quran is created, that Allah cannot be seen with the eyes (3), and that evil is purely my own act and outside the decree. Today I repent and profess as my creed the refutation of the Muʿtazila (4).”

He was known for his wit and frequent humor—so states Ibn Khallikān (5). He authored many works, was satisfied with little, and possessed a share of a village that had been set aside as an endowment by his grandfather.