ʿAbd al-Razzāq related: “I heard al-Thawrī say, ‘Never have I entrusted anything to my heart only for it to betray me. Indeed, when I pass by a weaver who is singing, I cover my ears for fear that I might commit his words to memory.’
He also said: ‘To leave behind ten thousand dinars for which Allah will call me to account is dearer to me than to find myself reliant on people.’
Muhammad ibn Saʿd (1) stated: “Everyone agrees that he died in Basra in 161 AH, at the age of sixty-four.”
Someone later saw him in a dream, soaring in Paradise from one palm to another, from tree to tree, while reciting, “Praise be to Allah who fulfilled for us His promise” (Q 39:74).
He likewise remarked: “When a man is raised to leadership too quickly, it harms a great deal of knowledge.” (2)
Among those who also died that year was Abū Dulāmah (3)—Zand ibn al-Jawn—the ribald poet and noted wit. Originally from Kufa, he settled in Baghdad and won the favor of the caliph al-Manṣūr because he amused him, recited poetry to him, and composed panegyrics in his honor. He once attended the funeral of al-Manṣūr’s wife—his cousin Ḥamādah bint ʿĪsā. The caliph was deeply grieved, and when the soil had been leveled over her grave, with Abū Dulāmah standing nearby, al-Manṣūr asked, “Woe to you, Abū Dulāmah! What have you prepared for this day?” He replied, “The Commander of the Faithful’s cousin.” Al-Manṣūr laughed until he reclined on his back, then said, “Woe to you—you have shamed us!”
On another occasion Abū Dulāmah entered upon al-Mahdī to congratulate him on his safe return from a journey and recited:
“I swore that if I saw you safe and sound
in Iraq’s towns, enjoying your prosperity,
You would indeed invoke blessings on Prophet Muhammad,
and you would surely fill my lap with dirhams.” (4)
Al-Mahdī replied, “As for the first—yes, we shall send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him; as for the second—no.” Abū Dulāmah protested, “O Commander of the Faithful, they are two parts of one statement—do not separate them.” The caliph therefore ordered that his lap be filled with silver coins, then said to him, “Stand up.” He answered, “If I do, my shirt will tear.” So the money was gathered into its bags, after which he rose, hoisted them, and went on his way.