'Abd al-Malik ibn Aban, known as Ibn al-Ziyat, was a distinguished man of letters

The Shaykh : 'Abd al-Malik ibn Aban, known as Ibn al-Ziyat, was a distinguished man of letters, a poet of fine verse, and skilled in eloquent correspondence and rhetoric. He attached himself to al-Mu'tasim bi-Allah, who favored him, raised his status, and appointed him to the ministry. Al-Wathiq and al-Mutawakkil did the same, until al-Mutawakkil seized him and killed him. He held the views of the Mu'tazilah, and he was the one who went to great lengths in beating Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him), urging al-Mu'tasim to do so. There was intense enmity between him and Ahmad ibn Abi Dawud, the judge, so Ibn Abi Dawud incited al-Mutawakkil against him, until al-Mutawakkil seized him and crucified him on the treasury. The point is: Muhammad had made an iron furnace with nails on the inside to torture those in his custody who were being pursued. Al-Mutawakkil put him in it and tortured him until he died.

The questioner: Allahu Akbar.

The Shaykh : Meaning the truth of the proverb: "Whoever digs a pit for his brother will fall into it."

The questioner : He fell into it, Allahu Akbar!