Malik ibn Dinar was the son of a Persian slave from Sijistan (or Kabul) and became a disciple of HASAN AL-BASRI  [d.110 H] alayhir al rahman. He is mentioned as a reliable traditionist, transmitting from such early authorities as Anas ibn Malik and Ibn Sirrin. He was a noted early calligrapher of the Qur'an al karim, he died 130 H (748 CE).

Malik ibn Dinar was given his name after the following incident;

When Malik was born his father was a slave; yet though he was a slave's son, he was free from bondage to both worlds. Some say that Malik ibn Dinar once embarked in a ship. When the ship was far out to sea the mariners demanded, "Produce your fare!" "I do not have it," he answered.

Habib ibn Mohammad al-'Ajami al-Basri, was a Persian [ajami] who settled at Basra. He was a noted traditionist who transmitted from AL-HASAN AL BASRI, Ibn Sirrin, and other authorities. His conversion from a life of ease and self-indulgence was brought about by al-Hasan's eloquence; he was a frequent attendant at his lectures, and became one of his closest associates.

Following from Kashf- al-Mahjub "Unveiling of the Enshrouded" by 'ALI UTHMAN AL-HUJWIRI (Data Sahib) [Source: Kashf al-Mahjub]

His [al-Ajami] conversion (tawbat) was begun by Hasan of Basra. At first he was a usurer and committed all sorts of wickedness, but GOD gave him a sincere repentance, and he learned from Hasan something of the theory and practice of religion. His native tongue was Persian ('ajami) and he could not speak Arabic correctly.

 Al-Hasan ibn Abi ‘l Hasan al-Basri was born at Medina in 21 (642), the son of a slave captured in Maisan who afterwards became a client of the Prophet Mohammad’s secretary Zaid ibn Thabet. Brought up in Basra, he met many Companions of the Prophet including, it is said, seventy of those who fought at the Battle of Badr. He grew up to become one of the most prominent figures of his generation, being famous for his uncompromising piety and outspoken condemnation of worldliness in high places.