As for his liberality and munificence, his largesse and bounty, they are too celebrated to require mention. He was likewise counted among the eloquent, renowned for polished speech and consummate rhetoric.

Ibn ʿAsākir (1) reports that Muḥadhdhab, the chamberlain of al-ʿAbbās ibn Muḥammad, master of Qaṭīʿat al-ʿAbbās and al-ʿAbbāsa, once fell into straitened circumstances. Heavy debts burdened him, and his creditors pressed him relentlessly. In his possession was a casket of jewels that had cost him one million dirhams. He brought it to Jaʿfar, set it before him, told him the price he had paid, explained the creditors’ unceasing demands, and added that nothing now remained to him but that casket.

Jaʿfar said, “I have bought it from you for one million.” He thereupon handed over the money and took the casket; this was at night. He ordered that the gold be carried to the man’s house and kept him in pleasant conversation for the rest of the evening. When the man returned home, he found that the casket had already preceded him to his dwelling.

Muḥadhdhab continues: “The next morning I went to Jaʿfar to thank him and found him with his brother al-Faḍl at the gate of al-Rashīd, seeking permission to enter. Jaʿfar said to me, ‘I have mentioned your case to al-Faḍl, and he has granted you another one million. I expect it has already reached your house. I shall also speak to the Commander of the Faithful on your behalf.’ When he entered, he told the Caliph of my condition and the debts that had overwhelmed me, whereupon the Caliph ordered me three hundred thousand dinars.”

On another night, while Jaʿfar was enjoying an evening gathering with some companions, a beetle landed on a man’s garment. Jaʿfar brushed it off, saying, “People say that whoever is visited by a beetle is being given good news of wealth that will come to him.” He therefore ordered one thousand dinars for the man. The beetle returned and settled on him again, so Jaʿfar ordered another thousand dinars for him.

He once accompanied al-Rashīd on pilgrimage. When they reached Medina he said to one of his attendants, “Find me a slave-girl to purchase—one outstanding in beauty, singing, and wit.” The man searched and located a girl who met the description. Her owner demanded a large sum, stipulating that Jaʿfar must see her first. Jaʿfar went to the owner’s house; when he saw her he was delighted, and when she sang for him he admired her even more. As the bargaining went on, Jaʿfar said, “We have brought the money with us; if the price pleases you, well and good—otherwise we will add to it.”

Her owner said to her, “I once lived in comfort, and with me you enjoyed the greatest happiness, but my circumstances have grown straitened. I have decided to sell you to this prince so that you may be with him as you were with me.” The girl replied, “By Allah, my master, if I possessed you as you possess me I would not sell you for the whole world and all it contains. What of the promise you gave me never to sell me and never to live off my price?”

The owner then said to Jaʿfar and his companions, “Bear witness that I have set her free for the sake of Allah and that I have married her.” When he said that, Jaʿfar rose, and so did his companions. They ordered the porter to carry the money, but Jaʿfar said, “By Allah, it shall not follow me.” He told the man, “I have made that money yours; spend it on your family.” Then he departed, leaving him with it.

Yet, in comparison with his brother al-Faḍl, people still called him the less generous of the two, though al-Faḍl owned greater wealth than he. Ibn ʿAsākir also relates from