Those who narrated from him include his son ʿĪsā, Abū al-Qāsim al-Ṭabarānī, Abū al-Ṭāhir al-Dhuhlī, and others.

In truth he was a wealthy man who gave thanks, inwardly grounded in sturdy religion, knowledge, and virtue. He endured trials with great patience, and God’s providential care accompanied him. When consoling the two sons of Judge ʿUmar ibn Abī ʿUmar over their father’s death he said, “A calamity whose reward is guaranteed is better than a blessing for which gratitude can never be adequately repaid.” (1)

May Allah have mercy on him—he was abundant in almsgiving and in prayer, and his gatherings overflowed with scholars. He authored a book on supplication, another entitled “The Meanings of the Qur’an,” for which the Qur’an-reciter Ibn Mujāhid assisted him, and yet another work. His collected correspondence has also been published (2). Eloquence marked him as one of the finest writers of his age.

He first held the vizierate in 301 AH, remaining in office for four years; after his dismissal he was reappointed in 315 AH (3).

Al-Ṣūlī said, “I do not know that the Banū al-ʿAbbās ever had a vizier to equal him in chastity, renunciation, memorization of the Qur’an, and mastery of its meanings. He fasted by day and stood in prayer by night. I never saw anyone more knowledgeable of poetry than he was. He would sit to hear grievances and give people their due, and none had been seen who was more restrained in stomach, tongue, and private parts. When he was deposed a second time, Ibn al-Furāt was not satisfied until he drove him out of Baghdad, so he took up residence near Mecca (4).”

Among the verses he composed about his tribulation are: