The physician said: Abu Tāhir produced the Stone and declared, “This used to be worshipped.”

I answered, “By no means.”

He insisted, “Indeed it was.”

I replied, “You would know best,” and noticed that he had wrapped it in a fine Dabaqī (1) cloth scented with musk.

Later Abu Tāhir fought several battles against the Muslims that sapped his strength; his troops were cut down. He then sued for safe-conduct on the following terms: he would return the Stone, collect one dinar from every pilgrim, and guarantee their protection.

The narrator adds: He subsequently died of smallpox—may Allah not forgive him—in Ramadan of the year 302 AH at Hajr, still a man in his prime. After him, Abu al-Qāsim Saʿīd assumed power.

160 – Muḥammad ibn Rāʾiq, Abū Bakr*

The great amir, Abū Bakr. His father had been among the most eminent and dutiful of al-Muʿtaḍid’s mamluks.

Al-Muqtadir appointed Abū Bakr chief of police in Baghdad, where he proved gallant, high-minded, and bold. He was then made governor of Wāsiṭ and Basra. The amir Bujkam came to him, entered his service, and his position steadily rose. Al-Rāḍī billah later made him Commander of Commanders in 324 AH (2); he advanced to the forefront, and the affairs of the realm were placed in his hands. He descended with the caliph to Wāsiṭ (3) and equipped Bujkam