Wasif al-Khadim

Wasif al-Khadim, a commander who rose up on the Syrian frontier, as al-Mas'udi reports ².

al-Mu'tadid hastened his march from Baghdad concealing news of him, until he crossed the Euphrates. He sent the commanders in pursuit of him. Wasif fought them at the Darb al-Jubb until his companions abandoned him, and he was captured in the year 288 AH ².

al-Mu'tadid wished to keep him alive for his valour, then said that his nature would not accept that anyone should be over him. When he was asked about his desire, he asked for basil to smell and books of the lives of the past kings. He died at the beginning of the year 289 AH, and was crucified on the bridge. al-Mas'udi reports that the common people took him down years later, then threw him into the Tigris ³.