reason would withdraw from him, ignorance would draw near, his decorum would be stripped away, and he would sink back to that former station, once more contemptible in people’s eyes. If, then, the exalted judgment of my lord—the Commander of the Faithful—should see fit not to rob this servant of that small measure of intellect which, by his grace, bounty, generosity, lordship, and noble qualities, raised me from humiliation to honor and from scarcity to plenty, let him do so as an act of beneficence and favor."
When al-Maʾmun heard these words, he praised and thanked the man, seated him in a place of honor, and showered him with favors. He ordered that one hundred thousand dirhams be given to him, mounted him on a horse, and presented him with elegant garments. In every subsequent session he elevated him above the jurists until he surpassed them all in rank and stature.
We have cited this anecdote only to illustrate the virtue of intellect: it elevates its possessor to a lofty degree and an exalted rank, whereas ignorance drags its possessor down from his station and lowers him from the heights he once held.
Another anecdote: It is related that on a certain day a man came to the gate of the Caliph al-Mansur and said, “O chamberlain, inform the Commander of the Faithful that a man of learning named ʿĀṣim stands at the door. He says that in former days he enjoyed the companionship of the Commander of the Faithful for a year and more in Syria, engaged in teaching and study. He has now arrived to greet him and renew that bond with the Imam.”
When the chamberlain recognized him, he admitted him. But when the man entered and offered his greeting, his arrival weighed heavily on the heart of Abū al-Wanīq (al-Mansur) because of his clumsy speech and poor manners. Nevertheless, the caliph seated him and asked, “For what need have you come?” He replied, “Simply to see the Commander of the Faithful on the strength of that old companionship.” Al-Mansur therefore ordered that one thousand dirhams be given to him, which the man accepted and departed.
A year later he returned. A son of al-Mansur had died and the caliph was seated receiving condolences. The man entered, greeted him, and prayed for him. The caliph asked, “For what have you come?” He said, “I am the same man who was with you in Syria; I have come to condole with you for your bereavement and fulfill the duty of sympathy.” So al-Mansur ordered that five hundred dirhams be given to him, and he took them.
Another year passed and he came yet again, but he could find no pretext for entry. He simply mingled with the people and offered the salutation. The caliph asked, “For what reason have you come?” He replied, “I am that same man who was with you in Syria for teaching and study, copying the writings of the righteous and listening to hadiths. I also wrote with you the supplication of need (duʿāʾ al-ḥāja); whoever recites it for a need, Allah fulfills his request. That prayer has now been lost, O Mansur—do not trouble yourself searching for it, for it is no…"