so a crowd of them went up to the Citadel, while another multitude stayed below it—⦗1⦘ their clamour was intense—until the sultan said, “What is the matter with these people?” He was told, “They have all come because of Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Ibn Taymiyyah; they are complaining about him, claiming that he insults their shaykhs and diminishes their standing among the populace.” They sought relief ⦗2⦘ against him, stirred up a tumult, appealed to the emirs concerning his case, and left no means untried.

Some people would come to the Shaykh and say, “The masses have mustered a great host against you.” He would reply, “Allah is sufficient for us, and what an excellent Guardian.”

It was then ordered that a formal hearing ⦗3⦘ be convened for him in the Dār al-ʿAdl. The hearing was held on Tuesday, during the first ten days of Shawwal in the year 707 AH. In that session there appeared of the Shaykh’s knowledge, courage, strength of heart, sincerity of reliance on Allah, and clarity of argument—what defies description. It was a memorable day and a momentous gathering.

One of the leading opponents asked him, “From where did you get all this?” The Shaykh replied, “From where you know nothing!”

Someone who attended that session related that when the people dispersed, the Shaykh stood up