Jasib (died 861) was an Arab youth who worked as part of Dervis' network of thieves in Anbar during the 9th century.
Biography[]
A young orphan from Baghdad, Jasib survived on the street by picking pockets of the citizens before being recruited by Dervis, during which he befriended Basim, Dervis' oldest and most skilled thief. Besides his thieving occupation, Jasib also had a talent as a budding craftsman,[1] creating a number of inventions such as a slingshot to help him get away from sticky situations.[2] While in Dervis' group, Jasib came to admire Basim's skills, and was eager to show him his latest creations.[1]
In 861, while fishing at the nearby harbor with other street urchins, Jasib caught sight of the Caliphate guards carrying a black chest to the Winter Palace. Later, when Basim returned from helping Dervis recover a shipping ledger for the Hidden Ones, Jasib tried to sneak up upon him to steal his valuables, though Basim was able to dodge. When Basim learned Jasib had been at the harbor earlier, he asked about the chest and was directed to the palace. Thanking Jasib for his information, Basim tossed a dirham to him.[2]
That night, Basim attempted to sneak into the palace to recover the chest's contents, hoping the Hidden Ones would notice his act and accept him. However, he accidentally murdered the caliph Al-Mutawakkil, which led his son Abu 'Abdallah to send guards after him. Basim's actions implicated Jasib and the rest of Dervis' network. As retribution, Jasib and the people living in Dervis' quarters were executed, with their bodies hanged on wooden poles for display. The next morning, Basim arrived too late and regretfully discovered the bodies of Jasib and the deceased.[2]
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