ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en-gb"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 5.0"> <meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <title>Al Nadim - The Fihrist - 3.2</title> <style> <!-- p.MsoPlainText {margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Courier New"; margin-left:0mm; margin-right:0mm; margin-top:0mm} --> </style> </head> <body> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="left"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-weight: 700"> <font size="4">The Fihrist of al-Nad+m</font><font size="3">, A Tenth-century survey of Muslim culture</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="left"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><b>Bayard Dodge</b></font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="center"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">In the name of Allh, the Merciful, the Compassionate, for nought befalls me apart from Allh</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="center"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="center"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-weight: 700"> <font size="4">The Second Section of the Third Chapter</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="center"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" align="center"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <i>comprising accounts of the kings, secretaries, preachers, letter writers, tax administrators, and public recorders,</i> <a href="#1.">[1]</a> <i>with the names of their books.</i></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <ul> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a1" style="text-decoration: none"><i>Account of Ibrahim ibn al-Mahdi</i></a></font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <a href="#a2" style="text-decoration: none"><i><font size="3">Al-</font></i><font size="3"><i>Mamun</i></font></a></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> <a href="#a3" style="text-decoration: none">Ibn al-Mutazz</a></font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <a href="#a4" style="text-decoration: none"><i><font size="3">Abu Dulaf&nbsp;</font></i></a></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a5" style="text-decoration: none"><i>Al-Fath ibn Khaqan&nbsp;</i></a></font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a6" style="text-decoration: none; font-style: italic">The Family of Tahir</a><i>&nbsp; </i></font><i><font size="3">(</font></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> Allah ibn Tahir, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Mansur</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Talhah ibn Tahir ibn al-Husayn,&nbsp;</font></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Ubayd</font></span></i><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i> Allah ibn Abd Allah ibn Tahir)</i> </span></font></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <a href="#a7" style="text-decoration: none; font-style: italic">The Secretaries and the Sons of Their Kind</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic">&nbsp; </span></font> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"> <font size="3">(</font></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> al-Hamid ibn Yahya, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Ghaylan</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> Abu Marwan, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Salim, Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> al-Wahhab ibn Ali, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Khalid</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Rabiah al-Ifriqi, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Yahya</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> and Muhammad, the Two Sons of Ziyad, Harithis, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Jabal</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Yazid, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Umarah</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Hamzah, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Muhammad</font></span></i><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"> ibn Hujr ibn Sulayman, </span></font> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3">Account of Abd Allah ibn al-Muqaffa, </font></i><font size="3"><i>Account of Aban al-Lahiqi, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Qudamah</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> ibn Yazid, Al-Harir ibn al-Sarih, Account of Ali ibn Ubaydah al-Rayhani, Account of Sahl ibn Harun, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Said</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Huraym al-Katib, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Salm, Ali</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Daud, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Muhammad</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3"> ibn al-Layth al-Khatib, Al-Attabi, Al-Utbi</font></i></span><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic">)</span></font></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> <a href="#a8" style="text-decoration: none">The Names of Writers of Correspondence Whose Epistles Were Collected as Anthologies</a></font></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&nbsp; </font><i><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">(..., </font> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Ibrahim</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> ibn al-Abbas ibn Muhammad ibn Sul, Al-Hasan ibn Wahb ibn Said ibn Amr ibn Husayn ibn Qays ibn Qanan ibn Matta, Ibn Abd al-Malik al-Zayyat Was Muhammad ibn Abd al-Mahk ibn Aban al-Zayyat, Al-Qasim ibn Yusuf, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Amr</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Masadah ibn Said ibn ---, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Said</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3"> ibn Wahb, Al-Harrani, Abu Ali al-Basir, Al-Yusufi, </font></i><font size="3"> <i>The Banu al-Mudabbir, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Harun</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Malik al-Zayyat, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Said</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Humayd, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Ibrahim</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Ismail ibn Daud, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Said</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Humayd ibn al-Bakhtakan, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Hamd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3"> ibn Mihran, Ibn Yazdad, </font></i></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Muhammad </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i>ibn Mukram, Abu Salih Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Yazdad ibn Suwayd, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Maymun</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Ibrahim, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Musa</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> ibn Abd al-Malik, Ibn Sad al-Qutrabbulli, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Nattahah</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Ismail ibn al-Khasib al-Anbari, Ibn Fud#ayl al-Katib, Abu al-Ayna Muhammad ibn al-Qasim ibn Khillad)</i></font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a9" style="text-decoration: none; font-style: italic">In the handwriting of ibn Muqlah</a>&nbsp; </font><i><font size="3">(Names of the Preachers (Orators)&nbsp;  &nbsp; </font></i></span><i> <font face="Times New Roman" size="3">T</font><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">he Names of Those Who Were Eloquent&nbsp; </span></font></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"> <font size="3"> &nbsp; Ten Masters of Literary Style&nbsp;  &nbsp; Recent Masters of Literary Style&nbsp;  &nbsp; Books Mentioned Together because of Their Excellence&nbsp;  &nbsp; Various Subjects about Which Things Were Written&nbsp;  &nbsp; Also What Occurs in Action) </font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <a href="#a10" style="text-decoration: none"> <i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <font size="3">Ghassan</font></span></i><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"> ibn Abd al-Hamid&nbsp; </span></font> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"> <font size="3"> </font></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3">&nbsp; </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Muhammad</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Abd Allah ibn Harb&nbsp;  &nbsp; </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Bakr</font></span><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> ibn Surad&nbsp;  &nbsp; Abu al-Wizir Umar ibn Mutarraf&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Fadl ibn Marwan ibn Masarjis, the Christian&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Jahshiyari</span></font></i></a></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman" lang="en-us"><font size="3"><i> <a href="#a11" style="text-decoration: none">A Group</a></i>&nbsp; </font><i> <font size="3">(</font></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Shaylamah&nbsp;  &nbsp; </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3">Ibn Abi Asbagh</font></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;  &nbsp; </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3">Ibn Abi al-Sarj </font></i></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> &nbsp; &nbsp; Ishaq</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Salamah</font></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;  &nbsp; Musa</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Isa al-Kisrawi&nbsp; </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">  &nbsp; Yazdijird</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Mihindadh al-Kisrawi)</font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a12" style="text-decoration: none; font-style: italic">Another Group</a>&nbsp; </font><i><font size="3">(</font></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Daud</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn al-Jarrah</font></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;  &nbsp; Muhammad</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Daud ibn al-Jarrah&nbsp; </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">  &nbsp; Ali</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Isa ibn Daud ibn al-Jarrah&nbsp; </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">  &nbsp; </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i>Abu al-Qasim Isa ibn Ali&nbsp; </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">  &nbsp; </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i>Abu al-Qasim Abd Allah ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Daud ibn al-Jarrah&nbsp;  &nbsp; </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> al-Rahman ibn Isa&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn al-Aramram Abu al-Qasim Abd Allah&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Mutawwaq Ali ibn al-Fath&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn al-Harun&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-</i></font><i><font size="3">Marthadi)</font></i></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> <a href="#a13" style="text-decoration: none">Mention of the Family of Thawabah ibn Yunus&nbsp;  &nbsp; Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Thawabah&nbsp;  &nbsp; Abu al-Husayn ibn Thawabah&nbsp;  &nbsp; Qudamah ibn Jafar&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn Hammadah&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Kalwadhani</a>&nbsp; <a href="#a13" style="text-decoration: none"> &nbsp; Abu al-Husayn Ishaq ibn Surayj, the Christian Secretary&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibrahim ibn Isa, the Christian&nbsp;  &nbsp; Abu Said Wahb ibn Ibrahim ibn Tazadh&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn Nasr&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn al-Bazyar&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn Zanji</a></font></span></li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <a href="#a14" style="text-decoration: none"><font size="3"><i>Al-Marzubani</i></font></a></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <a href="#a15" style="text-decoration: none"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3">Ibn al-Tustari&nbsp; </font> </i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"> <font size="3"> </font></span><i><font size="3"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp; Ibn Hajib al-Numan&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Sabi Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn Hilal ibn Ibrahim ibn Harun&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Muhallabi Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Muhammad&nbsp;  &nbsp; Ibn al-Amid&nbsp;  &nbsp; Al-Sahib Abu al-Qasim ibn Abbad</span></font></i></a></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a16" style="text-decoration: none; font-style: italic">Another Group</a>&nbsp; </font><i><font size="3">(</font></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Hafsuwayh, </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i>Ibn Abd al-Karim, Ibn al-</i></font><i><font size="3">Mashitah, Ibn Bashshar, </font></i></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Abd </font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> <font size="3"><i>Allah ibn Hamrnad ibn Marwan, Another Secretary, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Khiyar, Ibn Surayj)</i></font></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a href="#a17" style="text-decoration: none; font-style: italic">Another Group</a>&nbsp; </font><i><font size="3">(</font></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Bah, </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3">Abu Muslim, </font></i><font size="3"><i>Ibn Tabataba al-Alawi, Al-</i></font><i><font size="3">Diymarti, Ibn Abi al-Awadhil, </font></i><font size="3"><i>Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Isbahani al-Diymarti, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><i><font size="3"> al-Rahman ibn Isa al-Hamadhani, Ibn Abdakan, Ibn Abi al-Baghl, </font></i></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Muhammad</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i> ibn al-Qasim al-Karkhi, Al-Bahath an Miyas, Abu Said Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad al-Isbahani, Al-Abhari al-Isbahani, Al-</i></font><i><font size="3">Jayhani, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, </font></i><font size="3"><i>Al-Bushi, </i></font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Hamzah</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn al-Hasan, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Hukmwayh</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-style:italic"><font size="3"> ibn Abdus, </font></span><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Samakah, Kushajim, Khushkananjah, </font></span></i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"><i>Abu al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Ali, Ibn Kathir al-Ahwazi, Abu Namlah al-Numayli)</i></font></span></p> </li> </ul> <p class="MsoPlainText"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a1">A</a>ccount of <i>Ibrh+m</i> ibn al-Mahd+</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">Ibrh+m ibn al-Mahd+ ibn al-Mans#kr ibn Muh#ammad ibn  Al+ ibn  Abd Allh ibn  Abbs ibn  Abd al-Mut#t#alib was the first genius among the Bank al- Abbs and the children of the caliphs to become prominent. He wrote correspondence and poetry, also composing books. His mother, <i>Shiklah</i>, originated from T#abar+stn and was said to have been the daughter of the king of T#abar+stn.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">He was a Negro, blackest <a href="#2.">[2]</a> of blacks, with a large body and lofty character. Never before him was there seen a more eloquent stylist or greater poet among the sons of the caliphs. He also had a talent for singing, in which he surpassed everyone else, so that Ish#q [al-<i>Maws#il+</i>] and Ibrh+m [al-<i>Maiws#il+</i>] after him used to learn from him and summon before him the singers, to be judged for their performances. <a href="#3.">[3]</a> His birth was -----------. Among his books there were:</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="1.">1.</a></b>  Public recorders is omitted by the Beatty MS. In Arabic the phrase is <i> as#h#b al-daww+n</i>, which might refer to members of government offices, councils, or tribunals.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="2.">2.</a></b> The Beatty MS gives <i>h#anik</i>, which must be an error, meant to be <i>h#lik</i> ( very black ).</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="3.">3.</a></b> Ibrh+m ibn al-Mahd+ was a contemporary of Ish#q, the younger Maws#il+, and was about 25 years old when Ibrh+m, the elder Maws#il+, died. Perhaps the text means to indicate that while Ibrh+m ibn al-Mahd+ was teaching the younger Maws#il+, the father also learned what he could from him.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">254</font><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">The Training of <i>Ibrh+m</i>; Cooked Food; Perfume (Al-T#+b) (<i>or</i> Pleasant [Al-T#ayyib]); Singing. <a href="#4.">[4]</a></font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a2">A</a>l-</font><i><font size="3">Ma mkn</font></i></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was  Abd Allh ibn Hrkn ibn al-Mahd+ ibn al-Mans#kr ibn Muh#ammad ibn  Al+ ibn  Abd Allh ibn al- Abbs ibn  Abd al-Mut#t#alib, the greatest authority among the caliphs <a href="#5.">[5]</a> for the law and theology. He [also] was as good as <a href="#6.">[6]</a> his brother Muh#ammad ibn Zubaydah [al-<i>Am+n</i>] in eloquence of literary style. We are too rich in famed traditions concerning him to go into detail when mentioning him. Among his books there were:</span></font><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Answers to the Questions of the King of the Burghar <a href="#7.">[7]</a> Addressed to Him [al-Ma mkn] about Islm and the Unity (Theology); his epistle, Proofs of the Virtues of the Caliphs, since the Time of the Prophet, May Allh Bless Him and Give Him Peace; his epistle, Signs of Prophethood. <a href="#8.">[8]</a></font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a3">I</a>bn al-Mu tazz</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was <i> Abd</i> Allh ibn al-Mu tazz ibn al-Mutawakkil ibn al-Mu tas#im ibn al-Rash+d ibn al-Mahd+, one of the men of letters and poets of his period. He emulated the Arabian stylists, learning from them. He met grammarians and historical traditionalists. He heard much and was prolific in making quotations. His life also is too well known to require details. He wrote many books, among which there were:</span></font><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Al-Bad+ (The Discoverer) [also, a kind of rhetoric]; Flowers and Gardens; Beasts of Prey and Hunting; Plagiarisms; Poems of the Kings; Literary Pursuits; Adornments (Distinguishing Features) of Historical Traditions; Correspondence of the Brothers about Poetry (in Poetry); <a href="#9.">[9]</a> Generations (Categories) of Poets; The Collection, about singing; his poem in the rajaz meter about the evil of drinking in the morning.</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="4.">4.</a></b> Omitted in the Beatty MS. The Ibrh+m referred to in the first title was probably al-Maws#il+, but it might also have been Ibrh+m ibn al-Mahd+.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="5.">5.</a></b> The Beatty MS has  jurists, which may be more correct than Flügel s word,  caliphs. </font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="6.">6.</a></b>  As good as (<i>dkn</i>) can also have the meaning  worse than. </font></span> </p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="7.">7.</a></b> The Burghar were probably the Bulgarians; see Mas kd+, II, 14; Yqkt, <i>Geog.</i>, I, 568.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="8.">8.</a></b> Omitted in the Beatty MS. An epistle might be a letter or essay.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="9.">9.</a></b> This title and the three which follow are not in the Beatty MS.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">255</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a4">A</a>bk </font><i><font size="3">Dulaf</font></i><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">Abk Dulaf al-Qsim ibn  *s ibn Ma qil ibn Idr+s al- Ijl+ was a lord and emir <a href="#10.">[10]</a> of his people, one of the illustrious men of letters and brilliant poets, who also composed songs. His life is famous. Among his books there were:&nbsp;</span></font></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Falcons and Hunting; Purity of Soul (Al-Nazh) (<i>or</i> Amusements [Al-Nuzah]); Weapons; <a href="#11.">[11]</a> Policies of the Kings.</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a5">A</a>l-<i>Fath#</i> ibn Khqn&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was al-Fath# ibn Khqn ibn Ah#mad, the most extremely brilliant, intelligent, and cultured person among the sons of the kings. [The Caliph] Al-<i>Mutawakkil</i> adopted him as a brother, preferring him to all of his children and relatives. He had a library which <i> Al+</i> ibn Yah#y the astrologer collected for him and which was as great in quantity and quality as any other ever seen. The masters of literary style among the Arabians and the scholars of al-Kkfah and al-Bas#rah used to frequent his house.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Abk <i> Hiffn</i> said:&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">I have never seen or heard of anyone who loved books and studies more than three men: al-Jh#iz#, al-<i>Fath#</i> ibn Khqn, and <i>Isma +l</i> ibn Ish#q, the judge. Whenever a book came into the hand of al-Jh#iz# he read through it, wherever he happened to be. He even used to rent the shops of <i>al-warrqkn</i>, remaining in them for study. As for al-Fath# ibn Khqn, he used to attend the audiences of al-Mutawakkil, but if for any reason he wished to leave the audience, he used to take out a book from his sleeve or shoe and read it away from the audience of al-Mutawakkil, so that this became a habit, even in the latrine. <a href="#12.">[12]</a> Then with regards to Ism +l ibn Ish#q, I never visited him without seeing him looking into a book, or rummaging through books, or dusting them.</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;Al-Fath# died during the evening when al-Mutawakkil was assassinated, being killed with swords along with him. Among his books there were:</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="10.">10.</a></b> He was a man of noble lineage, a general, and a governor.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="11.">11.</a></b> This title and the one which follows are not in the Beatty MS.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="12.">12.</a></b> The Beatty MS has <i>min majlis</i> ( from the audience ), whereas the Flügel text has <i>f+ majlis</i> ( in the audience ), so that the true meaning of this passage is not clear.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">256</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">The Garden, which was attributed to him, though the man who really wrote it for him was a person known as <i>Muh#ammad</i> ibn  Abd Rabbih, with the nickname of  Mule s Head ; &nbsp;The Hunt and the Prey, The Disagreement of Kings; <a href="#13.">[13]</a> The Garden and the Flowers.</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a6">T</a>he Family of T#hir</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Allh ibn T#ahir</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was a poet, writer of epistles, and master of literary style, as was his father, <i>T#hir</i> ibn al-H#usayn, also. Both of them were authors of collections of letters. The correspondence of T#hir ibn al-H#usayn with al-Ma mkn, at the time of his [T#hir s] entry into Baghdd, is famous and of an excellent quality. <a href="#14.">[14]</a></span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Mans#kr</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> ibn T#alh#ah ibn T#hir ibn al-H#usayn&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">[His uncle] <i> Abd</i> Allh ibn T#hir called him the savant of the T#hir family, admiring him for all his wonderful traits. He was the governor of Marw (Merv), mul, Zamm, and Khwrizm. <a href="#15.">[15]</a> He also wrote some famous books on philosophy, among which there was <i>The Agreeable in Music</i>, after reading which al-<i>Kind+</i> said,  It is as agreeable as its author named it. There were also among his books:</span></font><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Manifest (Al-Ibnah), about the actions of the heavens; Existence; his epistle, Numbers and the Reckoned; Guidance and Deduction.</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Ubayd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Allh ibn  Abd Allh ibn T#ahir&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was a poet, writer of epistles, and governor, who succeeded <i>Muh#ammad</i> ibn  Abd Allh ibn T#hir <a href="#16.">[16]</a> as chief of the guard at</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="13.">13.</a></b> This title and the one following are not in the Beatty MS.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="14.">14.</a></b> When the Caliph Hrkn al-Rash+d died, his son al-Am+n became his successor. But the younger brother al-Ma mkn sent his general, who was T#hir ibn al-H#usayn, with an army from Khursn to seize Baghdd. After 14 months, T#hir ibn al- H#usayn entered Baghdd and al-Ma mkn became caliph, A.D. 813. See Mas kd+, VI, 436-87.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="15.">15.</a></b> For these districts, see Yqkt, <i>Geog.</i>, I, 68; II, 480 946; IV, 507. The Flügel edition omits Zamm.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="16.">16.</a></b> The translation follows Flügel. The Beatty MS has Muh#ammad ibn T#hir ibn  Abd Allh ibn T#hir. In the sentence which follows, <i>sayyid</i> refers to his position as chief of the Kud Tribe; see Khallikn, II, 79-80; Durayd,<i> Geneal.</i>, p. 244;  T#hirids, <i>Enc. Islam</i>, IV, 614.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">257</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Baghdd. He was also a chief (<i>sayyid</i>), with whom ended the supremacy of his family, for he was the last of them to die as a chief. Among his books there were:</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">The Guide, about the selection of poetry; his epistle about the policies of the kings; his missives to <i> Abd</i> Allh ibn al-Mu tazz; Elegance and Eloquence [of literary style].</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> <a name="a7">T</a>he Secretaries and the Sons of Their Kind</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">Naming of the secretaries who wrote missives and of each one of them who compiled a book as an anthology of his epistles. <a href="#17.">[17]</a></span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> al-H#am+d ibn Yah#y</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was the secretary of [the Caliph] <i>Marwn</i> ibn Muh#ammad, but before that he was an instructor of boys, moving about among the towns. The writers of correspondence learned from him, adhering to his method. It was he who facilitated the use of literary style for correspondence. He was unique in his time, one of the people of Syria from the city of --------. There is a collection of about a thousand leaves from his epistles.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Ghayln</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Abk Marwn</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">His name was ---------. I deal with him in the discourse about the theologians in the passage about al-Murji ah. <a href="#18.">[18]</a> There is a collection of about two thousand leaves of his epistles.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Slim</font></span></i></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was surnamed Abk al- Al and was the secretary of [the Caliph] <i>Hishm</i> ibn  Abd al-Malik. He was related to <i> Abd</i> al-H#am+d by marriage and was also one of the masters of literary style and</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="17.">17.</a></b> The word <i>ktib</i> (pl. <i>kuttb</i>) is usually translated  scribe, but here evidently refers to a government secretary. The secretary was as a rule trained in the use of flowery language in a government department. The viziers were often chosen from among the secretaries. See Flügel, in <i>ZDMG,</i> XIII (1859), 587;  Ktib, <i>Enc. Islam</i>, II, 819; also Grunebaum, <i>Islam: Essays</i>, p. 69. Qalqashnd+, <i>S#ubh# al-A sh</i>, Part I, deals with the technical knowledge required by a secretary. Part II deals with the rhetoric and literary perfection required, and the other parts give examples of letters. See also Rif +, <i> As#r al-Ma mkn</i>. For a good description of the government departments in which the secretaries worked, and for the development of prose, see Mez, <i>Renaissance of Islam</i>, pp. 76-81, 242-54.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="18.">18.</a></b> Ghayln does not seem to be mentioned again in connection with al-Murji ah.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">258</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> eloquence. He made a translation from the <i>Epistle of Aristotle to Alexander</i>, or else it was translated for him and he made corrections. <a href="#19.">[19]</a> There is a collection of about one hundred leaves of his epistles.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Abd</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> al-Wahhb ibn  Al+</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He served as secretary to <i>Bill</i> ibn Ab+ Burdah ibn Ab+ Mks al-Ash ari and was one of the masters of eloquence and style, though his correspondence was not extensive.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Khlid</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> ibn Rab+ ah al-Ifr+q+</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was a writer of official letters, who had an eloquent literary style, and was connected with both dynasties [Umayyad and  Abbsid]. His collection of epistles was about two hundred leaves in length.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Yah#y</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> and <i>Muh#ammad</i>, the Two Sons of Ziyd, [Who Were Called] H#rith+s</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">They were descendants of al-<i>H#rith</i> ibn Ka b. Both of them were poets, writers of official letters, and masters of eloquent literary style. The epistles of both of them are in collections.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Jabal</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> ibn Yaz+d</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was the secretary of <i> Umarah</i> ibn H#amzah and he translated some of the works of eloquent and skilled writers.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="en-us"><font size="3"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</span></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Umarah</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> ibn H#amzah</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was the secretary of [the Caliph] Abk Ja far al-<i>Mans#kr</i> and also his protégé. He was proud, vain, generous, eloquent, and a master of literary style, though blind in one eye. Abk Ja far [al-<i>Mans#kr</i>] and al-<i>Mahd+</i> advanced him, overlooking his character, because of his excellence, his eloquent literary style, and his obligation to duty. Thus he administered important affairs for both of them. There is a collection of his correspondence, which includes the epistle on the army (<i>al-kham+s</i>) drawn up for the Bank al- Abbs [the  Abbsids].</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="19.">19.</a></b> <i> The Epistle of Aristotle</i> evidently refers to either an entire composition ascribed to Aristotle and entitled <i>Rhetoric of Alexander</i>, or else to the dedicatory epistle to Alexander the Great at the beginning of this composition; sce  Aristotle, <i> Enc. Brit.</i>, II, 515.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">259</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> Muh#ammad</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> ibn H#ujr ibn Sulaymn</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">H#ujr was one of the people of H#arrn. He [Muh#ammad] was a master of literary style. He wrote to the governors of Armenia and Syria in a personal way. <a href="#20.">[20]</a> He also wrote well-known books.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">He was the secretary of al-<i> Abbs</i> ibn Muh#ammad ibn  Al+ ibn  Abd Allh, and was a master of eloquent literary style and a writer of official correspondence. He came from al-Anbr, and his letters form a collection. <a href="#21.">[21]</a></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Account of  Abd Allh ibn al-</font><i><font size="3">Muqaffa </font></i></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">His name in Persian was Ruzbah, <a href="#22.">[22]</a> but he was called  Abd Allh ibn al-Muqaffa , though before he became a Muslim he was nicknamed Abk  Amr. When he embraced Islm he was surnamed Abk Muh#ammad. Al-Muqaffa ibn Mubrak was shriveled (<i>muqaffa </i>) because al-<i>H#ajjj</i> ibn Yksuf dealt him such a hard blow that his hand shriveled up. This was at al-Bas#rah, [and was brought about] because of the properties which he took from the belongings of the sultan. <a href="#23.">[23]</a></span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">His origin was from H#awz, <a href="#24.">[24]</a> a city of the regions of Persia. At first he was secretary to <i>Da kd</i> ibn  Umar ibn Hubayrah, later serving  *s ibn  Al+ at Karmn. He was most accomplished as a master of literary style and eloquence, as well as being an author, poet, and stylist. It was he who composed the conditions addressed to [the Caliph] al-<i>Mans#kr</i> on behalf of <i> Abd</i> Allh ibn  Al+, making them so harsh and aggressive that Abk Ja far [al-Mans#kr] did not forget them. So when <i>Sufyn</i> ibn Mu wiyah killed him by burning him in a fire, al-Mans#kr approved the action, not demanding revenge or blood compensation.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="20.">20.</a></b> This probably means either that he carried on a personal correspondence with these governors, independently of the govemment secretariat, or else that he served in a personal capacity as the secretary of these governors.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="21.">21.</a></b> Flügel ascribes this last paragraph to an unnamed person. The Beatty MS, followed here, includes it with the account of Muh#ammad ibn H#ujr. T#abar+, <i>Annales</i>, Part III, pp. 125, 280, mentions that al- Abbs ibn Muh#ammad was in Armenia and Syria.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="22.">22.</a></b> This seems to be from the Persian, <i>roz bih</i> ( happy days ).</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="23.">23.</a></b> These accounts of al-Muqaffa and his son should be compared with the interesting article in Khallikn, I, 431.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="24.">24.</a></b> For this city, see Yqkt, <i>Geog.</i>, II, 359.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;<img border="0" src="line_down.gif" width="596" height="18"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">260</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">He was one of those who translated from the Persian tongue into Arabic, as he was skilled and eloquent in both languages. He translated a number of Persian books, among which there were:&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">Book of Kings (Khudy Nmah), about biography; <a href="#25.">[25]</a> Ay+n Nmah, about al-ay+n (ordinances, customs); <a href="#26.">[2</a></span><a href="#26."><span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">6</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">]</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"> Kal+lah wa-Dimnah; <i>Mazdak</i>; <a href="#27.">[27]</a> The Crown, about the life of <i>Ankshirwn</i> [Chosroes I]; the large book, Literary Pursuits; <a href="#28.">[28]</a> the small book, Literary Pursuits; Al-Yat+mah, about the epistles; <a href="#29.">[29]</a> his epistles; Compendium of  Kal+lah wa-Dimnah ; his epistles about al-S#ah#bah. <a href="#30.">[30]</a></span></font></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Account of <i>Abn</i> al-Lh#iq+</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was Abn ibn  Abd al-H#am+d ibn Lh#iq ibn  Ufayr al-Raqsh+, who along with a group of his people wrote poetry. He himself had a special position in the group, because he translated prose books into poetic couplets (<i>muzdawaj</i>). Among the books which he translated there were:</span></font><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Kal+lah wa-Dimnah; The Biography of <i>Ardash+r</i>; The Biography of <i>Ankshirwn</i>; Bilawhar wa-Bkdsf; <a href="#31.">[31]</a> Epistles; <a href="#32.">[32]</a> Clemency of India (H#ilm al-Hind) (<i>or</i> Dream of India [H#ulm al-Hind]).</font></span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3">Qudmah</font></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="3"> ibn Yaz+d</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <font size="3"> <span lang="bg" style="font-family: Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman">He was the secretary of <i> Abd</i> al-Malik ibn S#ilih#, an eloquent writer and a master of literary style. He served  Abd al-Malik until the time of [Hrkn] al-<i>Rash+d</i>, when he was killed by the blow of an ax which struck his neck. Among his books there was <i>Epistles</i>.</span></font></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><b> <a name="25.">25.</a></b> See H#ajj+ Khal+fah, Part IV, p. 13; Browne, <i>Literary History of Persia</i>, I, 107, 123.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText">