And he was also well known for his fondness of keeping and racing pigeons. A party of traditionists once visited him, among them Ghayāth ibn Ibrāhīm. Ghayāth related to him the ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah: “There is to be no wagering (sabq) except on a camel’s hoof (khuff), a bow-shot (naṣl), or a horse’s hoof (ḥāfir),” then he added to the report, “or a wing.” Al-Mahdī ordered that 10,000 dirhams be given to him. When Ghayāth had gone he said, “By Allah, I know that Ghayāth has lied against the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” He then commanded that the pigeons be slaughtered and thereafter never mentioned Ghayāth again.
Al-Wāqidī said: “I came in to al-Mahdī one day and recited a number of reports; he had them written down from me. Then he rose, entered the apartments of his wives, and returned filled with anger. I asked, ‘What troubles you, Commander of the Believers?’ He replied, ‘I went in to al-Khayzurān; she stood up, tore my robe and said, “I have seen no good from you!” By Allah, O Wāqidī, I bought her from a slave-dealer, yet she has attained with me the rank she now enjoys, and I have taken the people’s pledge that her two sons shall be Commanders of the Believers after me.’ I said, ‘Commander of the Believers, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“They overpower the noble, and the ignoble overpower them.” (1)
He also said,
“The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.” (2)
A woman was created from a curved rib: if you try to straighten it, you break it.’ I spoke further to him on this theme with whatever words came to mind, whereupon he ordered that I be given 2,000 dinars. When I reached my house, a messenger from al-Khayzurān caught up with me carrying 1,990 dinars and some other garments; she sent to thank me and to praise my courtesy.
It is also reported that al-Mahdī had declared the blood of a man from Kūfah lawful and promised 100,000 to whoever brought him in. The man nevertheless entered Baghdad in disguise. Another man recognized him, seized the front of his garment and cried, “This is the fugitive wanted by the Commander of the Believers!” The wanted man tried to escape but could not. While the two of them were struggling and a crowd had gathered, a commander passed by in his procession—he was Maʿn ibn Zāʾidah. The wanted man called out, “O Abū al-Walīd, I am a frightened man seeking protection!” Maʿn said to the captor, “Woe to you! What business have you with him?” He replied, “This is the man the Commander of the Believers wants; he has promised 100,000 to whoever brings him.” Maʿn said, “Do you not know that I have granted him safety? Release him.” He then ordered one of his attendants to dismount, mounted the man on the horse, and took him to his own house.
The captor went to the caliph’s gate and reported what had happened. The news reached al-Mahdī, who sent for Maʿn. Maʿn entered, gave salām, but the caliph did not return it and said, “O Maʿn, has your authority reached the point that you grant protection against me?” Maʿn replied, “Yes.” The caliph said, “And you answer, ‘Yes’? I have put to death, during your very reign, four thousand worshipers, and yet a single man may not be denied my claim?” Al-Mahdī lowered his head, then raised it and said, “We, too, ratify the safety you have granted, O Maʿn.” Maʿn said, “Commander of the Believers, the man is poor; bestow something on him.” So he ordered that the man be given 30,000. Maʿn said, “His crime is serious, and the grants of the caliphs…"