He was in contact with all those who developed opinions and...

He was in contact with all those who developed opinions and were theologians of Muslim and non-Muslim sects; he argued with them, discussed with them, and moreover, befriended them, to the point where he set an example with his friendship and friendliness towards whoever befriended him, even if their views were opposed to his. This aspect of the character of Hisham is of vital importance in understanding his personality.

One of the people he befriended, and for whom his friendship set an example, was ‘Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Fazari al-Kufi, the Ibadi theologian.

He and his followers were of the Khariji sect, which came closest to the Ahlu’s- Sunnah.[^5] The Ibadiyyah were a Khariji sect who took their teachings from them.[^6] He was one of the greatest Khariji theolo- gians and writers; they cite his books as: Kitabu’t-Tawhid, Kitab ‘ala 'l-Mu‘tazilah, and Kitabu 'r-radd ‘ala 'r-Rafidah.[^7] ‘Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Ibadi was one of the best friends of Hisham ibn al-Hakam, and was a business partner with him.[^8]Al-Jahiz makes them out to have been the best of opponents, between whom there was no severity, no harshness, and no enmity .

. . and they ended up as companions after associating and sharing company . . . They were improved in their adversity by what came of their cooperation in all their trading.[^9] ‘Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Ibadi was in Kufah, where his com- panions debated with him and learned from him. He was a cobbler in partnership with Hisham ibn al-Hakam, who was his senior . . . and his Rafidi companions debated with him and learned from him.

Both of them were in the same shop, as we say of opposition in schools of at-Tasharri [the belief of ash- Shurat, i.e. the Khawarij] and ar-Rafd.

There never passed between them any abuse or offense, as knowledge, the judge- ment of reason, the requirements of the religious law, and the rules of debate and procedure require.[^10] This special characteristic of Hisham induced most of those who differed with him in belief to associate with him immediately, since those connected with him were not exposed to dangers, nor did they fear any discourtesy or betrayal from him, or any infringement of companionable behaviour or the proprities of debate.