He used to write letters to Caliph al-Qādir in Baṭīḥa. He served as a scribe.
Then he was appointed by Caliph al-Qādir as the scribe of the ḫarāj (land tax) and postal bureau. He had memorized the Qurʾān very beautifully. His voice and recitation were pleasant, and his companionship in gatherings was delightful. He spoke with elegant meanings. He laughed a lot and joked.
One day, together with Sharīf Riḍā, Sharīf Murtaḍā, and other notables, he went to welcome one of the rulers. While on the way, some thieves appeared before them and threw burning rags at them, shouting: "O husbands of whores!" Upon this, al-Laysī said: "These people have probably appeared before us because of the spies' informing." The others asked: "How do you know this?" He replied: "Otherwise, how would they know that we are the husbands of whores?!"