His biography is discussed from four aspects:
- His extreme devotion for Ahle Bayt (a.s.).
- His poetic expertise and his books.
- His narration of traditions and those, who have quoted from him.
- His attitude to Caliphs; his interesting and eloquent statements; and his final
years and passing away
As for the first aspect
The first part is so clear that there is no need for explanation. He was heard
saying that since fifty years, he was carrying his crucifix on his shoulders, but no
one was crucifying him. Muhammad bin Malik Ziyat was told that he has written
a satire on him. He replied: “He is carrying his crucifix and boldly roaming about
since thirty years1 that someone may impale him.”
All this malice and jealousy was there, because he did not refrain from
lampooning enemies of Aale Muhammad (a.s.). He also did not have any
supporter. His poems were famous among all. At last they caused his death. Most
of his satire was directed to the enemies of family of Prophet and usurpers of
their rights. They deemed that Mastership (Wilayat) can be sincere only when one
declared immunity from enemies. Like God and Prophet declared immunity from
polytheists. Almighty Allah has not bestowed two hearts in any one chest.
But often writers of biography, inimical to Ahle Bayt (a.s.) regarded it to be
the unforgivable crime of Dibil as is their conduct with Shia most of the time. He
was all the time roaming about in the deserts in fear of the rulers and animosity of
people.
In spite of all this, he recited Qasidas to the travelers and gatherings were
embellished with his presence; which was a source of pleasure for friends and
anger for the enemies. It was an impetus for malice towards him and finally
culminated in his killing.
What is mostly written in condemnation of Dibil is that he used satire too
much. Indeed, he composed satire only about those inimical to Holy Progeny and
through this sought proximity to God and basically this act is a source of
proximity to God. And pure Mastership (Wilayat) is only possible when one
declares immunity from opponents as God and His Prophet declared immunity from polytheists:
مَا جَعَلَ اللهُ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ قَلْبَيْنِ فِي جَوْفِهِ
“Allah has not made for any man two hearts within him.”2
His literary expertise
Then what is more clear evidence than his famous couplets, which are
intoned by everyone, found in numerous books and are source for piety and
religiosity. When one hears his easy couplets one thinks that he can also compose
couplets like him, but after diving into that deep sea he feels utterly helpless.
Composing such couplets is beyond ones capacity and one cannot even compose
something resembling it.
Muhammad bin Qasim bin Mahruya says:
“I heard from my father that: Poetry ended with Dibil.”3
Traditions narrated by him
Ibne Shahr Ashob in Maalim,4 has regarded him among companions of
Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) and Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and Najjashi in his Fehrist5
has narrated from his nephew that he saw Moosa bin Ja’far and met Abu Hasan
Reza (a.s.) and lived till the time of Imam Muhammad bin Ali Jawad (a.s.) and
met him as well.
Himyari in Dalail and Thiqatul Islam, Kulaini in Usul Kafi6 have narrated
that he met Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and His Eminence (a.s.) awarded gifts to him;
but he did not praise Almighty Allah; so the Imam asked:
“Why didn’t you praise Allah, the Mighty and High?”
Then he came to Imam Jawad (a.s.) and His Eminence (a.s.) bestowed him
with gifts and Dibil said: “Praise be to Allah.”
So Imam (a.s.) said: “You have become well mannered.”
Dibil has narrated from some people and some people have narrated from him.7
His conduct with Caliphs and ministers
This is a the broadest aspect of the life of Dibil. Regarding this books of
history contain extensive incidents from his life.
Birth and death
He was born in 148 A.H. and when he was an extremely old man, he was unjustly martyred in the year 246 A.H. He was ninety-seven years and some
months old at that time.