In this year, heavy rains fell on the eastern side of Baghdad. Meanwhile, large hailstones also fell.
Ibn al-Jawzī said: “One of these hailstones was estimated to weigh 150 rīṭl (a unit of weight) and created a pit approximately one ziraʿ (a cubit) deep where it fell.”
In this year, a letter from Maḥmūd b. Sabuktakin arrived in Baghdad. In his letter, he reported that he had killed many of the Batīnī (esoteric sect) and Rafīḍī (Shiʿite) groups in Rayy, had hanged many in a dreadful manner, plundered the property of Rūstanī b. ʿAlī al-Daylamī, the leader of the Batīnīs and Rafīḍīs, and seized about one million dinars of his money. Rūstem had about fifty wives, all free women. From them, thirty-three children, both male and female, were born. According to the Batīnīs, it was permissible to marry more than four women.
In the month of Rajab of this year, many stars fell, emitting much light and causing great noise.
In this year, theft and plundering incidents increased in Baghdad. The security authorities were powerless against these events. They could not resist those who committed these acts.
On the eighteenth of Rajab, Monday, the water of the Tigris receded greatly. Only a small amount of water remained in the riverbed. The mills could no longer grind grain.
On this day, the qāḍīs (judges) and ʿulamāʾ (scholars) gathered in the caliphate palace. They were read a book compiled by Qādir Billāh. This book contained admonitions, sermons, detailed explanations of the madhhabs of the people of Basra, and refutations against the people of bidʿa (innovation). Also, the book described the impiety of those who claimed that the Qurʾān was created, and the characteristics of the debates between Bishr al-Marrīsī and ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz b. Yaḥyā al-Qattanī. In the conclusion, admonitions were again given, good deeds were enjoined, and evil was forbidden. Written statements were taken from the listeners confirming their agreement with what they had heard.
At the beginning of the month of Dhū al-Qaʿda, again on a Monday, scholars and qāḍīs gathered. They were read a lengthy text. In this text, the sunnah was praised, refutations against the people of bidʿa were presented, and again the debate between Bishr al-Marrīsī and ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz b. Yaḥyā al-Qattanī was conveyed. Good deeds were enjoined, evil was forbidden, and the virtues of the ṣaḥāba (the Companions) were mentioned, highlighting the superiority of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq and ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb. The session ended only after the ʿishāʾ prayer. Written statements were taken from the listeners confirming their agreement with what they had heard. The Shiʿite preachers were dismissed. Sunni preachers were appointed to the positions. Praise and thanks be to Allah for this and other good deeds.
A sedition occurred in the Berasā Mosque. The congregation beat the Sunni preacher with bricks, breaking his nose and dislocating his shoulder. The caliph supported the Ahl al-Sunnah (people of the sunnah), humiliated and disgraced the Shiʿites. Eventually, the Shiʿites came and apologized for what had happened, stating that only the rabble had committed these acts.
In this year, no one from Iraq or Khurāsān was able to go on pilgrimage.