Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī

Al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad al-Hāshimī narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Manṣūrī narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn ʿUbayda narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Shujāʿ narrated to us, saying: I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn Dāwūd, when Isḥāq asked him about Abū Ḥanīfa’s companions, say: ‘Abū Yūsuf, Zufar, ʿĀfiya al-Awdī, Asad ibn ʿAmr, ʿAlī ibn Mushir, Yaḥyā ibn Abī Zāʾida, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī.’ Then ʿAbd Allāh said: ‘If Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī were weighed against the people of the earth, he would outweigh them in virtue and righteousness.’

Al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad al-Hāshimī narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Manṣūrī narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn ʿUbayda narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Shujāʿ narrated to us, saying: I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn Dāwūd, when Isḥāq asked him about Abū Ḥanīfa’s companions, say: ‘Abū Yūsuf, Zufar, ʿĀfiya al-Awdī, Asad ibn ʿAmr, ʿAlī ibn Mushir, Yaḥyā ibn Abī Zāʾida, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī.’ Then ʿAbd Allāh said: ‘If Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī were weighed against the people of the earth, he would outweigh them in virtue and righteousness.’

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: ʿAlī ibn ʿAmr al-Ḥarīrī related to us: Ibn Kaʾs related to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī Aḥmad related to us: Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq al-Bakkāʾī related to us: Al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba al-Shaybānī related to us: No one in Abū Ḥanīfa’s circle had a louder voice than Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He then embraced asceticism, withdrew from them, and turned to worship.

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: ʿAlī ibn ʿAmr al-Ḥarīrī related to us: Ibn Kaʾs related to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī Aḥmad related to us: Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq al-Bakkāʾī related to us: Al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba al-Shaybānī related to us: No one in Abū Ḥanīfa’s circle had a louder voice than Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He then embraced asceticism, withdrew from them, and turned to worship.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis related to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ related to us: Muḥammad, the nephew of ʿĀfiya ibn Yazīd, related to us: My uncle sent money with me to deliver to people who would distribute it, naming Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī among them. I came to Dāwūd and knocked at his door. He came behind the door. I said, “Would you come out so I can speak to you?” He said, “They used to dislike excessive speech.” I said, “My uncle sent me to you, sends greetings, and says: distribute this money to whomever you see fit; you have discretion over it as over your own money.” He said, “Return it to your uncle, and tell him to return it to whoever sent it to him, to fear God, and not involve himself in what does not concern him.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis related to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ related to us: Muḥammad, the nephew of ʿĀfiya ibn Yazīd, related to us: My uncle sent money with me to deliver to people who would distribute it, naming Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī among them. I came to Dāwūd and knocked at his door. He came behind the door. I said, “Would you come out so I can speak to you?” He said, “They used to dislike excessive speech.” I said, “My uncle sent me to you, sends greetings, and says: distribute this money to whomever you see fit; you have discretion over it as over your own money.” He said, “Return it to your uncle, and tell him to return it to whoever sent it to him, to fear God, and not involve himself in what does not concern him.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Mulayḥ ibn Wakīʿ related to us: My father related to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa say: My father sent me to Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī with money, saying, “Tell him to use it to support himself through his days. If he has no need of it, let him distribute it to whomever he wishes.” I heard Dāwūd say to himself, “You wanted roasted walnuts; I said yes and made them your relish. Then tonight you asked for dates with them. By God, you shall never taste dates until I meet God.” I told him what I had brought, and he said, “Abū Ḥanīfa’s property is something I approve of. If I were to accept anything from anyone, I would accept it. God knows how frequently I pray for Abū Ḥanīfa in my prayers: I learned from him and was educated through him.” He took none of the money.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Mulayḥ ibn Wakīʿ related to us: My father related to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa say: My father sent me to Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī with money, saying, “Tell him to use it to support himself through his days. If he has no need of it, let him distribute it to whomever he wishes.” I heard Dāwūd say to himself, “You wanted roasted walnuts; I said yes and made them your relish. Then tonight you asked for dates with them. By God, you shall never taste dates until I meet God.” I told him what I had brought, and he said, “The property of Abū Ḥanīfa—may God be pleased with him—is something I approve of. If I were to accept anything from anyone, I would accept it. God knows how frequently I pray for Abū Ḥanīfa in my prayers: I learned from him and was educated through him.” He took none of the money.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the witness informed us: Makram related to us: Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Qurashī related to us: Shihāb ibn ʿAbbād related to us: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muṣʿab related to me: I saw the vertebrae of Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī’s back, like a sack of walnuts with the walnuts showing through the sack.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the witness informed us: Makram related to us: Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Qurashī related to us: Shihāb ibn ʿAbbād related to us: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muṣʿab related to me: I saw the vertebrae of Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī’s back, like a sack of walnuts with the walnuts showing through the sack.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: I was informed from Abū ʿAbd Allāh Aḥmad ibn Muʾammal: Ibn Shujāʿ related to us: I heard Shuʿayb ibn Ḥarb say: I entered upon Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī on a hot evening. He was in a room as hot as a bathhouse. It contained a brick and a water jar—I think he said buried. When the heat troubled us, we said, “Would you go out into the courtyard?” He said, “This is my portion; I seek reward for bearing it.” After a short time he told us to go out. We went to the courtyard and sat. He then said, “‘For them are iron maces’ [Qurʾan 22:21]. Whenever one of them wants to come out, the angel strikes him with the mace until it penetrates his liver or belly, then pus is poured over him.” He fainted before completing the phrase. He said this three times; then we left him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: I was informed from Abū ʿAbd Allāh Aḥmad ibn Muʾammal: Ibn Shujāʿ related to us: I heard Shuʿayb ibn Ḥarb say: I entered upon Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī on a hot evening. He was in a room as hot as a bathhouse. It contained a brick and a water jar—I think he said buried. When the heat troubled us, we said, “Would you go out into the courtyard?” He said, “This is a mistake; I do not seek reward for it.” After a short time he told us to go out. We went to the courtyard and sat. He then said, “‘For them are iron maces’ [Qurʾan 22:21]. Whenever one of them wants to come out, the angel strikes him with the mace until it penetrates his liver or belly, then pus is poured over him.” He fainted before completing the phrase. He said this three times; then we left him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya related to us: Mulayḥ ibn Wakīʿ related to us: My father related to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa say: News reached me of Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī’s extreme straits. I visited and asked him about it. As Ḥammād was about to leave, Dāwūd began weeping. Ḥammād took four hundred dirhams from his own money and told him, “It is Abū Ḥanīfa’s inheritance.” He said, “Give it here,” took it, then said, “I have accepted it, but I prefer to live in the dignity of contentment. This is the money of a man whom I put behind none in scrupulousness and asceticism. Were I to accept anything from anyone, I would accept this, in honor of the dead and acknowledgment of the living.” [The acceptance and conditional wording are both retained as transmitted.]

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya related to us: Mulayḥ ibn Wakīʿ related to us: My father related to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa say: News reached me of Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī’s extreme straits. I visited and asked him about it. As Ḥammād was about to leave, Dāwūd began weeping. Ḥammād took four hundred dirhams from his own money and told him, “It is Abū Ḥanīfa’s inheritance.” He said, “Give it here,” took it, then said, “I have accepted it, but I prefer to live in the dignity of contentment. This is the money of a man whom I put behind none in scrupulousness and asceticism. Were I to accept anything from anyone, I would accept this, in honor of the dead and acknowledgment of the living.” [The acceptance and conditional wording are both retained as transmitted.]

ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: I heard Hilāl ibn Yaḥyā say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī came to Basra, they said, “Abū Ḥanīfa’s companion,” and gathered around him. Among the questions they asked about Abū Ḥanīfa’s opinions was, “Tell us about Abū Ḥanīfa’s statement concerning the measure of a dirham.” He said, “Praise be to God: Abū Ḥanīfa did not say anything without my seeing it spread through the cities. He intended the size of the buttocks, using a euphemism and representing its measure.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: I heard Hilāl ibn Yaḥyā say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī came to Basra, they said, “Abū Ḥanīfa’s companion,” and gathered around him. Among the questions they asked about Abū Ḥanīfa’s opinions was, “Tell us about Abū Ḥanīfa’s statement concerning the measure of a dirham.” He said, “Praise be to God: Abū Ḥanīfa did not say anything without my seeing it spread through the cities. He intended the size of the buttocks, using a euphemism and representing its measure.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related to us: Abū Aḥmad ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Khurāsānī related to me: Muḥammad ibn ʿUthmān related to us: Ḥusayn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Ḥafṣ ibn Ghiyāth related to us: We attended a funeral, and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī attended with us. After the prayer over the deceased, when he was taken to be lowered into the grave, he was pulled and his shrouds appeared. Dāwūd cried out and fell unconscious.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related to us: Abū Aḥmad ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Khurāsānī related to me: Muḥammad ibn ʿUthmān related to us: Ḥusayn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Ḥafṣ ibn Ghiyāth related to us: We attended a funeral, and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī attended with us. After the prayer over the deceased, when he was taken to be lowered into the grave, he was pulled and his shrouds appeared. Dāwūd cried out and fell unconscious.

Judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Asadī informed us: The jurist Abū Bakr al-Dāmghānī related to us: Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Jaʿfar ibn Aʿyan related to us: ʿAlī ibn Ḥarb related to us: I heard Ibn Bishr al-ʿAbdī say: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī came to us in Kufa from the Sawād wearing a yellow coat. We laughed at him, but he did not die before becoming our foremost man.

Judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Asadī informed us: The jurist Abū Bakr al-Dāmghānī related to us: Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Jaʿfar ibn Aʿyan related to us: ʿAlī ibn Ḥarb related to us: I heard Ibn Bishr al-ʿAbdī say: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī came to us in Kufa from the Sawād wearing a yellow coat. We laughed at him, but he did not die before becoming our foremost man.

Judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Abū Bakr informed us: Al-Ṭaḥāwī related to us: Ibn Abī ʿImrān related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Ṭabarī related to us: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī related to us, from Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan: I used to visit Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī as a boy and ask him questions. If I asked what he thought I needed, he answered; if I asked about these legal questions of ours, he smiled, showing me that he understood and knew them, without answering. Then he would say, “We have something to attend to; will you give leave?” and get up. I heard that he used to ask about me, and was told, “This is a boy of the Banū Shaybān, of their clients.” He would say, “He will attain a place in learning,” describing a great rank.

Judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Abū Bakr informed us: Al-Ṭaḥāwī related to us: Ibn Abī ʿImrān related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Ṭabarī related to us: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī related to us, from Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan: I used to visit Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī as a boy and ask him questions. If I asked what he thought I needed, he answered; if I asked about these legal questions of ours, he smiled, showing me that he understood and knew them, without answering. Then he would say, “We have something to attend to; will you give leave?” and get up. I heard that he used to ask about me, and was told, “This is a boy of the Banū Shaybān, of their clients.” He would say, “He will attain a place in learning,” describing a great rank.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Abū Aḥmad al-Khurāsānī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān related to me: Ḥumayd the cupper related to us: I cupped Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, and he gave me a dinar. I cupped Misʿar, and he gave me a loaf.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Abū Aḥmad al-Khurāsānī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān related to me: Ḥumayd the cupper related to us: I cupped Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, and he gave me a dinar. I cupped Misʿar, and he gave me a loaf.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muʿādh ibn al-Muthannā informed us: Al-Akhnasī related to us: Al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba related to us: Sixty loaves would be baked for Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, which he hung on a cord. Every evening he broke his fast with two loaves, salt, and water. One evening his food was brought, and he kept looking at it. A female client watching him got up and brought some dates. He broke his fast, then rose and prayed until morning, and began another fast. When the time for breaking it arrived, he took the two loaves and looked at them. Al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba said: A neighbor of his related to me: I heard him reproach himself, saying, “You wanted dates last night, and I fed you. You want dates tonight: Dāwūd shall never taste dates as long as he remains in this world.” He never tasted them until he died.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muʿādh ibn al-Muthannā informed us: Al-Akhnasī related to us: Al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba related to us: Sixty loaves would be baked for Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, which he hung on a cord. Every evening he broke his fast with two loaves, salt, and water. One evening his food was brought, and he kept looking at it. A female client watching him got up and brought some dates. He broke his fast, then rose and prayed until morning, and began another fast. When the time for breaking it arrived, he took the two loaves and looked at them. Al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba said: A neighbor of his related to me: I heard him reproach himself, saying, “You wanted dates last night, and I fed you. You want dates tonight: Dāwūd shall never taste dates as long as he remains in this world.” He never tasted them until he died.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn al-Ḍabbī, God have mercy on him, informed us: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Bahlūl al-Azdī related to me, saying, “This is my grandfather Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa’s book.” I read in it: Al-Ḥasan ibn Thābit related to me: I heard ʿUmar ibn Dharr say: Had Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī been among the Companions, he would have excelled them.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn al-Ḍabbī, God have mercy on him, informed us: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Bahlūl al-Azdī related to me, saying, “This is my grandfather Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa’s book.” I read in it: Al-Ḥasan ibn Thābit related to me: I heard ʿUmar ibn Dharr say: Had Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī been among the Companions, he would have excelled them.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad informed us: Qāsim ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk related to us: Muʿāwiya ibn Sufyān al-Māzinī related to us, from Dithār: My father Muḥārib ibn Dithār related to me: Had Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī been among the past nations, God would have related his story to us.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad informed us: Qāsim ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk related to us: Muʿāwiya ibn Sufyān al-Māzinī related to us, from Dithār: My father Muḥārib ibn Dithār related to me: Had Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī been among the past nations, God would have related his story to us.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Bahlūl related to me, saying, “This is my grandfather Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād’s book.” I read in it: Al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn related to me: Zufar ibn al-Hudhayl informed me: One day Dāwūd discussed a question with me. I gave an opinion, and he said, “You are wrong.” I explained it until he retracted and felt ashamed, then recited Ibn Shubruma’s verse:

“His foot almost slipped from a lofty height, / had Nūḥ ibn Darrāj not caught it.” He then said, “Abū al-Hudhayl, love of boasting has ruined me.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Bahlūl related to me, saying, “This is my grandfather Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād’s book.” I read in it: Al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn related to me: Zufar ibn al-Hudhayl informed me: One day Dāwūd discussed a question with me. I gave an opinion, and he said, “You are wrong.” I explained it until he retracted and felt ashamed, then recited Ibn Shubruma’s verse: “His foot almost slipped from a lofty height, / had Nūḥ ibn Darrāj not caught it.” He then said, “Abū al-Hudhayl, love of boasting has ruined me.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad informed us: Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Kindī related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ḥammād Abū Ḥakīma related to us: Muḥammad ibn Barrād related to me: I heard al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī withdrew, I visited him and said, “Abū Sulaymān, you have left your brothers and the company of those who discuss learning with you.” He remained silent for a long time, then said, “God have mercy on you: I saw heedless hearts, tongues in agreement, intentions at odds, desires followed, and this world preferred. In withdrawing, I found greater safety.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad informed us: Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Kindī related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ḥammād Abū Ḥakīma related to us: Muḥammad ibn Barrād related to me: I heard al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī withdrew, I visited him and said, “Abū Sulaymān, you have left your brothers and the company of those who discuss learning with you.” He remained silent for a long time, then said, “God have mercy on you: I saw heedless hearts, tongues in agreement, intentions at odds, desires followed, and this world preferred. In withdrawing, I found greater safety.”

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḍabbī related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī related to us: Ibrāhīm ibn al-Walīd ibn Ḥammād related to us: My father related to me: I heard Nawfal ibn Muṭahhar transmit from Ḥabbān ibn ʿAlī: Al-Ḥasan ibn Qaḥṭaba needed to ask Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī a question but stood in awe of visiting him alone. He told a leading elder of Ṭayyiʾ, “I need to meet Dāwūd; come with me.” They visited, entered, greeted him, and received his greeting. When he recognized Ibn Qaḥṭaba, he withdrew and would not look at them. Al-Ḥasan began by asking his question; he neither answered nor spoke. He repeated it, and Dāwūd turned his face away. Seeing this, Ibn Qaḥṭaba left, while the elder remained and said, “Abū Sulaymān, a kinsman comes asking you a question about his religion, and you do not answer?” He looked at him disapprovingly and said, “‘When the trumpet is blown, no ties of kinship will exist between them that day, nor will they question one another’ [Qurʾan 23:101].” The elder hurriedly rose, found Ibn Qaḥṭaba waiting, and told him. Ibn Qaḥṭaba said, “How little people matter to Dāwūd! Blessed is he,” then left.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḍabbī related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī related to us: Ibrāhīm ibn al-Walīd ibn Ḥammād related to us: My father related to me: I heard Nawfal ibn Muṭahhar transmit from Ḥabbān ibn ʿAlī: Al-Ḥasan ibn Qaḥṭaba needed to ask Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī a question but stood in awe of visiting him alone. He told a leading elder of Ṭayyiʾ, “I need to meet Dāwūd; come with me.” They visited, entered, greeted him, and received his greeting. When he recognized Ibn Qaḥṭaba, he withdrew and would not look at them. Al-Ḥasan began by asking his question; he neither answered nor spoke. He repeated it, and Dāwūd turned his face away. Seeing this, Ibn Qaḥṭaba left, while the elder remained and said, “Abū Sulaymān, a kinsman comes asking you a question about his religion, and you do not answer?” He looked at him disapprovingly and said, “‘When the trumpet is blown, no ties of kinship will exist between them that day, nor will they question one another’ [Qurʾan 23:101].” The elder hurriedly rose, found Ibn Qaḥṭaba waiting, and told him. Ibn Qaḥṭaba said, “How little people matter to Dāwūd! Blessed is he,” then left.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram related to us: Al-Ḥaḍramī related to us: Abū al-Muhannā al-Ṭāʾī related to us: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī passed through Zuqāq ʿAmr and saw fresh dates laid out. His soul desired them, so he approached the seller and asked, “Will you extend me one dirham’s credit?” He said, “Bring the dirham.” He replied, “I will give it tomorrow.” He said, “Go about your business.” A man who knew Dāwūd saw him, approached the seller, and gave him a purse containing one hundred dirhams, saying, “Go: if he takes a dirham’s worth from you, this is yours.” He caught up with Dāwūd, who told him, “Go back; we have no need of it. We only wanted to test this soul.” When he caught up with him, he was saying, “He would not grant me one dirham’s credit in this world, yet you desire Paradise!”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram related to us: Al-Ḥaḍramī related to us: Abū al-Muhannā al-Ṭāʾī related to us: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī passed through Zuqāq ʿAmr and saw fresh dates laid out. His soul desired them, so he approached the seller and asked, “Will you extend me one dirham’s credit?” He said, “Bring the dirham.” He replied, “I will give it tomorrow.” He said, “Go about your business.” A man who knew Dāwūd saw him, approached the seller, and gave him a purse containing one hundred dirhams, saying, “Go: if he takes a dirham’s worth from you, this is yours.” He caught up with Dāwūd, who told him, “Go back; we have no need of it. We only wanted to test this soul.” When he caught up with him, he was saying, “He would not grant me one dirham’s credit in this world, yet you desire Paradise!”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related to us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Yaḥyā al-Ḥimmānī related to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī recited the Qurʾan, it was as though he heard God’s answer.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Yaḥyā al-Ḥimmānī related to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī recited the Qurʾan, it was as though he heard God’s answer.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā related to us: My father related to us: Saʿīd ibn Abī al-Hayfāʾ related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz al-Taymī related to me: I asked Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, “Abū Sulaymān, how can I gain mastery over myself?” He said, “By sternly restraining it from what it loves, removing it from what does not concern it, and making it do what it must.” I asked, “Abū Sulaymān, how does one achieve that?” He said, “By cutting it off from seeing people: that is the first door to strength in this. When it no longer sees them, it is free of their concerns.” I said, “Abū Sulaymān, it demands them of me frequently.” He replied, “Abū Muḥammad, restrain it, restrain it; otherwise it will take you to the watering place and never bring you back.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā related to us: My father related to us: Saʿīd ibn Abī al-Hayfāʾ related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz al-Taymī related to me: I asked Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, “Abū Sulaymān, how can I gain mastery over myself?” He said, “By sternly restraining it from what it loves, removing it from what does not concern it, and making it do what it must.” I asked, “Abū Sulaymān, how does one achieve that?” He said, “By cutting it off from seeing people: that is the first door to strength in this. When it no longer sees them, it is free of their concerns.” I said, “Abū Sulaymān, it demands them of me frequently.” He replied, “Abū Muḥammad, restrain it, restrain it; otherwise it will take you to the watering place and never bring you back.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Qutayba related to us: Nuʿaym ibn Yaʿqūb related to us: I heard Sufyān ibn ʿUyayna say: I sometimes visited Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. When I came, I could see how burdensome my presence was to him, and saw him fidgeting. One day he told me, “Sufyān, have you nothing to occupy you? Sufyān, visit me less.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd al-Hamdānī informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Qutayba related to us: Nuʿaym ibn Yaʿqūb related to us: I heard Sufyān ibn ʿUyayna say: I sometimes visited Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. When I came, I could see how burdensome my presence was to him, and saw him fidgeting. One day he told me, “Sufyān, have you nothing to occupy you? Sufyān, visit me less.”

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḍabbī related to us: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Hamdānī informed us: Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyyā ibn Shaybān related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Māhān related to us: I heard Ḥafṣ ibn Ghiyāth say: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī sat with us at Abū Ḥanīfa’s gatherings until he excelled in legal reasoning. Then he rejected that and hadith, of which he had acquired much, and devoted himself to worship and keeping away from people.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḍabbī related to us: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Hamdānī informed us: Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyyā ibn Shaybān related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Māhān related to us: I heard Ḥafṣ ibn Ghiyāth say: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī sat with us at Abū Ḥanīfa’s gatherings until he excelled in legal reasoning. Then he rejected that and hadith, of which he had acquired much, and devoted himself to worship and keeping away from people.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: ʿAbd al-Ṣamad ibn ʿUbayd Allāh related to us, from al-Faḍl ibn Yūsuf: Muḥammad ibn ʿImrān al-Rabaʿī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Suwayd al-Ṭāʾī related to me: I saw Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī going morning and evening to Abū Ḥanīfa, then saw that he had withdrawn and left people. I saw Abū Ḥanīfa come to visit him more than once.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: ʿAbd al-Ṣamad ibn ʿUbayd Allāh related to us, from al-Faḍl ibn Yūsuf: Muḥammad ibn ʿImrān al-Rabaʿī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Suwayd al-Ṭāʾī related to me: I saw Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī going morning and evening to Abū Ḥanīfa, then saw that he had withdrawn and left people. I saw Abū Ḥanīfa come to visit him more than once.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd related to us: Dāwūd ibn Yaḥyā related to us: Mūsā ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Kindī related to me: Muḥammad ibn Bishr related to us, from Bakr ibn Muḥammad the worshipper: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī told me, “Flee people as you flee a lion.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd related to us: Dāwūd ibn Yaḥyā related to us: Mūsā ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Kindī related to me: Muḥammad ibn Bishr related to us, from Bakr ibn Muḥammad the worshipper: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī told me, “Flee people as you flee a lion.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān related to us: Al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān related to me: Ayyūb ibn Maʿbad related to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa say: One day I was with Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī as he reflected. He reflected for a long time, and I could see a change in him. Then he said, “Will you be saved? Do you know by what you will be saved? If only I knew, after what, and upon what, I shall arrive!” Then he fell unconscious, and I saw that the ground had bloodied his face. I stayed a long time speaking to him, but he did not speak to me. I sat until prayer time arrived, despaired of his speaking to me, and left. The next day I visited and asked someone who used to enter his house when he had prayed. He said, “He stirred at the end of the afternoon prayer’s time. I told him, ‘Prayer!’ He rose, alarmed, like a battered, bewildered man, and prayed noon and afternoon. Then he sat, placed his hand on his cheek, and stared. I left, then returned near sunset, and he remained in that condition. That was the last I saw of him.” I asked, “Do you think I can enter?” He replied, “I shall check for you; I have not seen him today.” He then came out to me and said, “He has turned his face to the wall. I greeted him, and he answered without turning his face.” I departed.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān related to us: Al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān related to me: Ayyūb ibn Maʿbad related to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa say: One day I was with Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī as he reflected. He reflected for a long time, and I could see a change in him. Then he said, “Will you be saved? Do you know by what you will be saved? If only I knew, after what, and upon what, I shall arrive!” Then he fell unconscious, and I saw that the ground had bloodied his face. I stayed a long time speaking to him, but he did not speak to me. I sat until prayer time arrived, despaired of his speaking to me, and left. The next day I visited and asked someone who used to enter his house when he had prayed. He said, “He stirred at the end of the afternoon prayer’s time. I told him, ‘Prayer!’ He rose, alarmed, like a battered, bewildered man, and prayed noon and afternoon. Then he sat, placed his hand on his cheek, and stared. I left, then returned near sunset, and he remained in that condition. That was the last I saw of him.” I asked, “Do you think I can enter?” He replied, “I shall check for you; I have not seen him today.” He then came out to me and said, “He has turned his face to the wall. I greeted him, and he answered without turning his face.” I departed.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the accredited witness informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Al-Ḥimmānī related to us: Ibn al-Mubārak related to us: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī died, people spoke much about him, and he deserved every beautiful praise. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī stood at his grave and said, “Dāwūd, people have said much about you: may God not leave you to your own deeds.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the accredited witness informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Al-Ḥimmānī related to us: Ibn al-Mubārak related to us: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī died, people spoke much about him, and he deserved every beautiful praise. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī stood at his grave and said, “Dāwūd, people have said much about you: may God not leave you to your own deeds.”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd related to us: Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyyā related to me: Sahl ibn ʿĀmir related to us: I visited Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī and stood at the door, saying, “Peace be upon you.” He returned the greeting and fell silent. I asked, “May I enter?” He said, “Enter.” I entered, sat, and remained silent, and he said nothing to me. When someone entered and asked him something, he answered; if the visitor remained silent, he would not begin speaking until the visitor left.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd related to us: Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyyā related to me: Sahl ibn ʿĀmir related to us: I visited Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī and stood at the door, saying, “Peace be upon you.” He returned the greeting and fell silent. I asked, “May I enter?” He said, “Enter.” I entered, sat, and remained silent, and he said nothing to me. When someone entered and asked him something, he answered; if the visitor remained silent, he would not begin speaking until the visitor left.

ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī informed us, saying: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us, saying: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī related to us, saying: Nujayḥ related to us, saying: Ibn Karāma related to us, saying: We were with Wakīʿ one day when a man said Abū Ḥanīfa made a mistake.” Wakīʿ said: “Could Abū Ḥanīfa make a mistake when he had with him the likes of Abū Yūsuf and Zufar in their analogical reasoning, the likes of Yaḥyā ibn Abī Zāʾida, Ḥafṣ ibn Ghiyāth, Ḥibbān, and Mandal in their memorization of hadith, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn in his knowledge of language and Arabic, and al-Fuḍayl ibn ʿIyāḍ and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī in their renunciation and scrupulousness? Someone whose companions were these people would not err, because if he erred they would correct him.”

ʿAbbās ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī informed us, saying: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us, saying: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī related to us, saying: Nujayḥ related to us, saying: Ibn Karāma related to us, saying: We were with Wakīʿ one day when a man said Abū Ḥanīfa made a mistake.” Wakīʿ said: “Could Abū Ḥanīfa make a mistake when he had with him the likes of Abū Yūsuf and Zufar in their analogical reasoning, the likes of Yaḥyā ibn Abī Zāʾida, Ḥafṣ ibn Ghiyāth, Ḥibbān, and Mandal in their memorization of hadith, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn in his knowledge of language and Arabic, and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī and al-Fuḍayl ibn ʿIyāḍ in their renunciation and scrupulousness? Someone whose companions were these people would not err, because if he erred they would correct him.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Mulayḥ and Sufyān, Wakīʿ’s sons, narrated to us from Wakīʿ, who said: We were with Abū Ḥanīfa when a woman came and said: My brother died leaving six hundred dinars, and they gave me only one dinar. He asked: Who divided your inheritance? She said: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He said: That is your entitlement. Did your brother leave two daughters? She said: Yes. And a mother? Yes. And a wife? Yes. And twelve brothers and one sister? Yes. He said: The daughters have two-thirds, four hundred; the mother has one-sixth, one hundred; the wife has seventy-five. Twenty-five remain for the siblings: twenty-four, two dinars for each brother, and one dinar for you.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Mulayḥ and Sufyān, Wakīʿ’s sons, narrated to us from Wakīʿ, who said: We were with Abū Ḥanīfa when a woman came and said: My brother died leaving six hundred dinars, and they gave me only one dinar. He asked: Who divided your inheritance? She said: Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He said: That is your entitlement. Did your brother leave two daughters? She said: Yes. And a mother? Yes. And a wife? Yes. And twelve brothers and one sister? Yes. He said: The daughters have two-thirds, four hundred; the mother has one-sixth, one hundred; the wife has seventy-five. Twenty-five remain for the siblings: twenty-four, two dinars for each brother, and one dinar for you.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Ibn Samāʿa related to us: I heard Abū Yūsuf say: Abū Ḥanīfa completed the Qurʾān once every day and night. In Ramadan, together with the night and day of the Festival of Breaking the Fast, he completed it sixty-two times. He was generous with money, patient in teaching knowledge, strongly enduring whatever befell him in that pursuit, and slow to anger. Our companions said that he prayed the morning prayer with the purification of the beginning of the night. I witnessed that for twenty years. Those who accompanied him before us said he did so for forty years. Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī also did that, enduring poverty as well.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Ibn Samāʿa related to us: I heard Abū Yūsuf say: Abū Ḥanīfa completed the Qurʾān once every day and night. In Ramadan, together with the night and day of the Festival of Breaking the Fast, he completed it sixty-two times. He was generous with money, patient in teaching knowledge, strongly enduring whatever befell him in that pursuit, and slow to anger. Our companions said that he prayed the morning prayer with the purification of the beginning of the night. I witnessed that for twenty years. Those who accompanied him before us said he did so for forty years. Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī also did that, enduring poverty as well.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: al-Ḥimmānī related: Ibn al-Mubārak related: Abū Ḥanīfa was mentioned before Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He said: “He is a star guiding the night traveller and knowledge accepted by believers’ hearts. Every knowledge outside his knowledge is an affliction for its bearer. By God, he possesses knowledge of lawful and unlawful and salvation from the Almighty’s punishment, together with inward scrupulousness and constant service.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: al-Ḥimmānī related: Ibn al-Mubārak related: Abū Ḥanīfa was mentioned before Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He said: “He is a star guiding the night traveller and knowledge accepted by believers’ hearts. Every knowledge outside his knowledge is an affliction for its bearer. By God, he possesses knowledge of lawful and unlawful and salvation from the Almighty’s punishment, together with inward scrupulousness and constant service.”

Abū al-Ḥasan al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Miskī related to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī related to us: Ibrāhīm ibn Isḥāq related to us: ʿAlī ibn Mudrik related to us, from al-Ḥasan ibn Ziyād: Zufar and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī were closely bound as brothers. As for Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, he abandoned jurisprudence and turned to worship. Zufar, however, combined jurisprudence with worship.

Abū al-Ḥasan al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Miskī related to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī related to us: Ibrāhīm ibn Isḥāq related to us: ʿAlī ibn Mudrik related to us, from al-Ḥasan ibn Ziyād: Zufar and Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī were closely bound as brothers. As for Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, he abandoned jurisprudence and turned to worship. Zufar, however, combined jurisprudence with worship.

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: ʿAlī ibn ʿAmr al-Ḥarīrī related to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī related to us: Judge Abū Khāzim related to us: Bakr al-ʿAmmī related to us, from Hilāl ibn Yaḥyā: Zufar followed Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, such that if Dāwūd sat on a rubbish heap, Zufar came and sat with him on it. Zufar came to Basra only to visit Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī; God have mercy on both.

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: ʿAlī ibn ʿAmr al-Ḥarīrī related to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī related to us: Judge Abū Khāzim related to us: Bakr al-ʿAmmī related to us, from Hilāl ibn Yaḥyā: Zufar followed Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī, such that if Dāwūd sat on a rubbish heap, Zufar came and sat with him on it. Zufar came to Basra only to visit Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī; God have mercy on both.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: The people’s mufti in Kufa was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. Ḥammād had a son called Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. When Ḥammād died, they agreed that Ismāʿīl should sit to teach them and patiently attend to them. But they found that poetry, evening conversation, and accounts of bygone people predominated in his interests. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, one of Ḥammād’s companions, Abū Burda, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and a group of Ḥammād’s companions spoke; Abū Ḥuṣayn and Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit said: This silk merchant has good knowledge, though he is young; have him sit to teach. They did so. He was wealthy, generous, and intelligent. He sat and patiently devoted himself to them, generously supported them and gave them gifts. Judges and governors honored him, and his standing rose. The senior generation attended him; after them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī, and al-Walīd ibn Abān. Those who opposed him and criticized him were Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and a group who disagreed with him and sought to discredit him. His standing continued to rise and his companions multiplied until his circle was the largest in the mosque and the most ample in answering questions. He was patient with them, generously provided for every needy person among them, and gave gifts to every prosperous person. People’s attention turned toward him until governors, judges, and nobles honored him. He met extraordinary expenses, everyone praised him, and he accomplished things that defeated the Arabs. His broad knowledge enabled him, and destiny favored him; those who envied him multiplied. He used to say: A judge is like a swimmer in the sea: how long can he swim, and whom can he satisfy, even if he is learned?

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: The people’s mufti in Kufa was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. Ḥammād had a son called Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. When Ḥammād died, they agreed that Ismāʿīl should sit to teach them and patiently attend to them. But they found that poetry, evening conversation, and accounts of bygone people predominated in his interests. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, one of Ḥammād’s companions, Abū Burda, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and a group of Ḥammād’s companions spoke; Abū Ḥuṣayn and Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit said: This silk merchant has good knowledge, though he is young; have him sit to teach. They did so. He was wealthy, generous, and intelligent. He sat and patiently devoted himself to them, generously supported them and gave them gifts. Judges and governors honored him, and his standing rose. The senior generation attended him; after them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī, and al-Walīd ibn Abān. Those who opposed him and criticized him were Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and a group who disagreed with him and sought to discredit him. His standing continued to rise and his companions multiplied until his circle was the largest in the mosque and the most ample in answering questions. He was patient with them, provided abundantly for every needy person among them, and gave gifts to every prosperous person. People’s attention turned toward him until governors, judges, and nobles honored him. He met extraordinary expenses, everyone praised him, and he accomplished things that defeated the Arabs. His broad knowledge enabled him, and destiny favored him; those who envied him multiplied. He used to say: A judge is like a swimmer in the sea: how long can he swim, and whom can he satisfy, even if he is learned?

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the witness informed us: Makram narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Bishr ibn al-Walīd narrated to us: I heard Abū Yūsuf say: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: When Abū al-ʿAbbās arrived in Kufa, he summoned the scholars and gathered them. He said: This authority has passed to your Prophet’s household. God has brought you bounty and the establishment of justice. You scholars are the most entitled to help with it. You may have whatever gifts, honors, and hospitality you wish from God’s wealth. Pledge allegiance, a pledge that provides your imam with a binding claim upon you and gives you security at your resurrection. Do not meet God without an imam and thus be among those with no justification. Do not say: We fear the Commander of the Faithful too much to speak the truth. The people looked toward Abū Ḥanīfa. He said: If you want me to speak for myself and you, remain silent. They said: We want that. He said: Praise be to God who has brought justice to the Prophet’s kin—God bless him and grant him peace—removed the oppression of tyrants from us, and freed our tongues to speak truth. We have pledged allegiance to you according to God’s command, and fidelity to you according to God’s covenant, until the rising of the Hour. May God never deprive this authority of those related to His Prophet. Abū al-ʿAbbās answered him graciously, and said: Someone like you should speak for the scholars. They chose you well, and you conveyed the message well. When they left, they asked him: What did you mean by ‘until the rising of the hour’? The hour has already elapsed! He said: If you contrive against me, I will contrive for myself and leave you to the ordeal. They remained silent and knew that what he had done was right. [The account plays on sāʿa, meaning both ‘hour’ and the final Hour.]

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the witness informed us: Makram narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Bishr ibn al-Walīd narrated to us: I heard Abū Yūsuf say: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: When Abū al-ʿAbbās arrived in Kufa, he summoned the scholars and gathered them. He said: This authority has passed to your Prophet’s household. God has brought you bounty and the establishment of justice. You scholars are the most entitled to help with it. You may have whatever gifts, honors, and hospitality you wish from God’s wealth. Pledge allegiance, a pledge that provides your imam with a binding claim upon you and gives you security at your resurrection. Do not meet God without an imam and thus be among those with no justification. Do not say: We fear the Commander of the Faithful too much to speak the truth. The people looked toward Abū Ḥanīfa. He said: If you want me to speak for myself and you, remain silent. They said: We want that. He said: Praise be to God who has brought justice to the Prophet’s kin—God bless him and grant him peace—put an end to the oppression of tyrants against us, and freed our tongues to speak truth. We have pledged allegiance to you according to the command of God, exalted is He, and fidelity to you according to your covenant, until the rising of the Hour. May God never deprive this authority of those related to His Prophet—God bless him and grant him peace. Abū al-ʿAbbās answered him graciously, and said: Someone like you should speak for the scholars. They chose you well, and you conveyed the message well. When they left, they asked him: What did you mean by ‘until the rising of the hour’? The hour has already elapsed! He said: If you contrive against me, I will contrive for myself and leave you to the ordeal. They remained silent and knew that what he had done was right. [The account plays on sāʿa, meaning both ‘hour’ and the final Hour.]

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Saʿīd related to us: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAbd al-Karīm related to us, from Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa: A female client served Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī and told him, “If only I made you something rich.” He said, “I would like that.” She cooked fat and brought it. He asked, “How are the orphans of such-and-such family?” She replied, “As before.” He said, “Take it to them.” She said, “May I be your ransom: you have not eaten a relish for so long.” He said, “If they eat it, it is stored up for us with God; if I eat it, it ends up in the privy.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Saʿīd related to us: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAbd al-Karīm related to us, from Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfa: A female client served Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī and told him, “If only I made you something rich.” He said, “I would like that.” She cooked fat and brought it. He asked, “How are the orphans of such-and-such family?” She replied, “As before.” He said, “Take it to them.” She said, “May I be your ransom: you have not eaten a relish for so long.” He said, “If they eat it, it is stored up for us with God; if I eat it, it ends up in the privy.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram related to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī ibn Shabīb related to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī al-Ḥawārī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṭāʾī related to us, from Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī: Whenever God Most High takes a servant from the humiliation of disobedience to the dignity of piety, He makes him wealthy without money, honored without a clan, and comforted without a companion.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾan reciter informed us: Makram related to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī ibn Shabīb related to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī al-Ḥawārī related to us: Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṭāʾī related to us, from Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī: Whenever God Most High takes a servant from the humiliation of disobedience to the dignity of piety, He makes him wealthy without money, honored without a clan, and comforted without a companion.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān informed us: Al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muḥammad al-Azdī related to us: My father related to us: Bakr the worshipper related to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: Leave this world before it leaves you. Take warning from it before others take warning from you. Appreciate its days before it condemns you. Build it through building your hereafter, and lay it waste through setting your religion right. Take provisions from it for the day of your death.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān informed us: Al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muḥammad al-Azdī related to us: My father related to us: Bakr the worshipper related to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: Leave this world before it leaves you. Take warning from it before others take warning from you. Appreciate its days before it condemns you. Build it through building your hereafter, and lay it waste through setting your religion right. Take provisions from it for the day of your death.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥasan related to us: Ḥusayn ibn Ayyūb related to us: ʿAṭiyya ibn Yaḥyā, Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī’s neighbor, related to us: I used to hear Dāwūd say, “How many eyes stay awake for my provision!”

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥasan related to us: Ḥusayn ibn Ayyūb related to us: ʿAṭiyya ibn Yaḥyā, Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī’s neighbor, related to us: I used to hear Dāwūd say, “How many eyes stay awake for my provision!”

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḍabbī related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Saʿīd al-Kindī related to us: Yaʿlā ibn al-Minhāl related to me: I heard al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba say: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: How many rejoice over something in which their destruction lies, and how many dislike something in which the well-being of their religion and worldly life lies! The best choice is hidden from us; there is only submission, acceptance, humility, and supplication.

Judge Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḍabbī related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Saʿīd al-Kindī related to us: Yaʿlā ibn al-Minhāl related to me: I heard al-Walīd ibn ʿUqba say: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: How many rejoice over something in which their destruction lies, and how many dislike something in which the well-being of their religion and worldly life lies! The best choice is hidden from us; there is only submission, acceptance, humility, and supplication.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd related to us: Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṭalḥī related to us: ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Abān al-Qurashī related to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: God, conceal our faults, calm our fears, protect us from those who strive against us, and do not give our enemy cause to gloat over us. Protect us from every terror ahead until You bring us to the mercy befitting You. Amen, amen, amen—three times.

Al-Ḥusayn ibn Hārūn ibn Muḥammad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd related to us: Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṭalḥī related to us: ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Abān al-Qurashī related to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: God, conceal our faults, calm our fears, protect us from the designs of those who strive against us, and do not give our enemy cause to gloat over us. Protect us from every terror ahead until You bring us to the mercy befitting You. Amen, amen, amen—three times.