the prince al-Nasir li-Din Allah, Abu Ahmad al-Muwaffaq, or against anyone at all, let him come forward.”

He governed the people with praiseworthy conduct and showed a severity the like of which had not been witnessed.

[That year the pilgrimage was led by Harun ibn Muhammad al-Hashimi] (1).

Among the notable figures who died in that same year were:

Ibrahim ibn Ishaq ibn Abi al-Anbas (2), Abu Ishaq al-Kufi, who became judge of Baghdad after Ibn Samaʿah. He heard hadith from Yaʿla (3) ibn ʿUbayd and others, and Ibn Abi al-Dunya and many others transmitted from him. He died at the age of ninety-three; he was trustworthy, upright, devout, and righteous.

Ahmad ibn ʿIsa (4), Abu Saʿid al-Kharraz, one of the celebrated Sufis renowned for worship, spiritual striving, piety, and vigilance. He authored works on these subjects and was distinguished by miraculous gifts, spiritual states, and patience in hardship and privation.

He narrated from Ibrahim ibn Bashshar, the companion of Ibrahim ibn Adham, and from others; and ʿAli ibn Muhammad al-Misri and a number of others narrated from him.

Among his excellent sayings—may Allah have mercy on him—are:

“When the eyes of the fearful weep, they correspond with Allah by means of their tears.” (5)

“Well-being conceals both the righteous and the wicked; but when affliction arrives, true men become manifest.” (6)

“Any inward state that is contradicted by the outward is false.” (7)

“To busy oneself with a moment that has passed is to waste a second moment.” (8)

“The sins of those brought near are the good deeds of the righteous.” (9)