and astonishing anecdotes whose full narration would be lengthy. One curious example is that, on a certain day, he sang for Yaḥyā ibn Khālid ibn Barmak, who thereupon signed an order for one million; his son Jaʿfar signed for the same amount, and al-Faḍl likewise—this in a much-recounted story.

Among the other distinguished figures who died in this same year were:
Surayj ibn Yūnus (1);
Shaybān ibn Farrūkh (2);
ʿUbayd Allah ibn ʿUmar al-Qawārīrī (3);
and Abū Bakr ibn Abī Shaybah (4), one of the luminaries and leading imams of Islam, author of al-Muṣannaf—a compilation unmatched before him or after him.

[Then the year 236 AH began]

In that year al-Mutawakkil ordered that the grave of al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī be demolished, together with the surrounding houses and dwellings. A proclamation was made among the people: “Whoever is found here after three days will be taken to the dungeon (al-Maṭbaq).” Consequently no one remained in the area, and the site was turned into farmland, ploughed and put to use.

That same year, the pilgrimage was led on behalf of the people by Muḥammad al-Muntaṣir (5) ibn al-Mutawakkil.

Also in this year Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Muṣʿab passed away; his nephew Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm bore his name. This Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm had been among the great commanders.