Abū Muslim al-Iṣfahānī (or Iṣbahānī), Muḥammad b. Baḥr al-Muʿtazilī (254–322/868–934), was a scribe, grammarian, man of letters, theologian and exegete, and a prominent figure in the ʿAbbāsid administration. Very little is known about Abū Muslim's life, particularly the first half of it. A few scattered historical reports indicate that he was probably born in Iṣfahān, where he began his studies, and that he travelled to Baghdad to further his education. Altho…