Because his eyes were bulging, the sect called the Jahiliyya, meaning "those with bulging eyes," was attributed to him. He was also called Hadakī.
He was a person of vulture-like appearance and unsound creed, to whom various bidʿa (innovations in religion) and ḍalāla (misguidance) were ascribed. His iman (faith) was very weak. In fact, proverbs were coined about him.
He possessed a brilliant intellect and outstanding qualities, having mastered many sciences and written numerous books containing well-organized information, attesting to the soundness of his mind and intellectual capacity. Among his most valuable works are "Kitāb al-Ḥayawān" and "Kitāb al-Bayān waʾl-Tabyīn."
Ibn Khallikān said: "These two works are his finest." After saying this, Ibn Khallikān recounted his biography at length, with stories he transmitted from him. He reported that in his later years, al-Jāḥiẓ became paralyzed and quoted him as saying: "My left side is paralyzed. Even if they were to cut my left side with scissors, I would not feel it. My right side, however, is now about to decay; even if a fly lands on it, it causes me pain. There are stones inside me. Ninety-six years have passed over me. This is a very severe illness." After saying this, he recited the following poem:
"Do you hope to be as vigorous in old age as you were in your youthful days?!
Your nafs (the lower self) has lied to you. A worn-out and decayed garment is not like a new one."
In this year, famous figures such as ʿAbd Allāh b. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Abū Muḥammad al-Dārimī, ʿAbd Allāh b. Hāshim al-Tūsī, the caliph Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Muʿtazz b. al-Mutawakkil, and Muḥammad b. ʿAbd al-Raḥīm, known by the nickname Saʿīqa, passed away.
They died.