Al-ʿAlāʾ ibn Ziyād (1) of Basra was one of the city’s devout worshippers. He was intensely God-fearing and scrupulous, kept to his house in seclusion, and avoided socializing with people. He wept so much that he eventually lost his sight. He had many virtues and died in Basra this year.

I say: Most of al-ʿAlāʾ’s weeping began after a man from Syria saw a dream for him in which he was counted among the people of Paradise. Al-ʿAlāʾ said to that man, “My brother, may Allah reward you for the vision you saw on my behalf; but your vision has left me unable to find rest, day or night.” From then on he would let days pass without eating, wept until he nearly perished, and prayed without pause.

His brother finally went to al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī and pleaded, “Save my brother—he is killing himself. He fasts without breaking the fast, stands in prayer without sleeping, and weeps night and day because of a dream someone had that he is among the people of Paradise.” Al-Ḥasan came and knocked at the door, but al-ʿAlāʾ would not open. Al-Ḥasan called out, “Open up; it is I, al-Ḥasan.” When al-ʿAlāʾ recognized his voice he opened the door. Al-Ḥasan said, “My brother, Paradise—what is Paradise to the believer? The believer has with Allah something even better than Paradise. Will you destroy yourself?” He kept speaking to him until al-ʿAlāʾ ate, drank, and slightly reduced his exertions.

Ibn Abī al-Dunyā relates that someone came upon al-ʿAlāʾ while he was standing in prayer, seized him by the forelock, and said, “Young man, rise and remember Allah, and He will remember you.” The few hairs that were grasped remained standing upright until he died.

It has also been said that each day there was raised up for him to Allah of righteous deeds an amount equal to the deeds of a great many people, as one of his companions saw in a dream.

Al-ʿAlāʾ used to say, “We are a people who have cast ourselves into the Fire; if Allah wills to bring us out, He will bring us out.” He also said, “There was a man who showed off with his worship: he would tuck up his garments and raise his voice when he recited, never passing anyone without insulting him. Then Allah granted him sincerity and certitude; he lowered his voice and made his righteousness private between himself and Allah, and thereafter he would not pass anyone without praying good for him.”

Suraqah ibn Murādis (2), of the Azd, was an accomplished poet. He lampooned al-Ḥajjāj, who banished him to Syria, and there he died.

Al-Nābighah al-Jaʿdī (3), the poet.