al-Mubarrad

Muhammad ibn Yazid al-Mubarrad, the grammarian. ¹

Al-Mas'udi asked him which was the better poet, Abu Tammam or al-Buhturi. He mentioned to Abu Tammam subtle inventions and charming meanings, and some verses better than the best of al-Buhturi. He judged that al-Buhturi's poetry was more evenly sound, because Abu Tammam would bring out a rare verse and follow it with a weak one. ¹

Al-Mas'udi relates that al-Mutawakkil sent him to the governor of Basra in a dispute between him and al-Fath ibn Khaqan over the interpretation of a verse. He passed by the monastery of Heraclius and saw a madman, and he recited to him from his poetry. When a young man with him said to him that they had died, the madman fell dead, and al-Mubarrad washed him, shrouded him and prayed over him. ²

• The page rests on al-Mas'udi's "Muruj" alone, and the data record neither his birth nor his death.