He had at first lived in great comfort, but then (1) became an ascetic devoted to worship, able to pass several days without eating (2) anything. He used to say, “My longing for Allah (3) has distracted me from food and drink.” He would also remark, “I shall not die as others do, of ailments and disease; rather it will be a summons and a response—I shall be called, and I shall answer.” Things occurred exactly as he predicted: while he was sitting with a group of people, he suddenly exclaimed, “Labbayk—at Your service!” and fell dead on the spot.

• Muḥammad ibn Hārūn al-Ruwayānī, author of the Musnad (4).
• Ibn Dharīḥ (5) al-ʿUkbarī.
• al-Haytham ibn Khalaf (6).

Then the year 308 AH began.

That year prices in Baghdad soared, and the commoners rioted. They marched to the residence of Ḥāmid ibn al-ʿAbbās, who had farmed (7) the villages on behalf of the caliph, an arrangement that had driven prices upward. On that Friday they even rushed the khuṭbah-preacher, prevented him from delivering the sermon, smashed the pulpits and the police platforms (8), and burned many bridges. The caliph ordered the troops to fight the populace and then annulled the tax-farming contract that Ḥāmid ibn al-ʿAbbās had undertaken. Prices immediately fell, and each kurr (9) of grain sold for five dinars less; the people were satisfied and the turmoil subsided.

In Tammūz of that year an extremely severe cold spell struck, forcing people down from their rooftops and compelling them to wrap themselves in blankets and heavy garments. During the winter there was a tremendous snowfall (10) and such intense cold that some date palms were damaged.

That year the pilgrimage was led on behalf of the people by Aḥmad ibn al-ʿAbbās, the brother of Umm Mūsā al-Qahramāna.