and seven hundred AH, the authorities searched for Shaykh Taqi al-Din’s two brothers. Zayn al-Din was found in the company of a number of people, and arrest orders were issued against all of them, whereas Sharaf al-Din could not be located. The group was then released, all except Zayn al-Din, who was taken to the very place where the Shaykh himself was being held—the qaʿat al-tarsīm (Arraignment Hall) in Cairo. He remained there until he was set free on the fifth of Ṣafar in the year nine and seven hundred AH (709 AH).

He (1) continues: On the last night of that same month of Ṣafar—which was the night preceding Friday—Shaykh Taqi al-Din departed from Cairo for Alexandria under the escort of a senior emir, and none of his companions was allowed (2) to accompany him. The news (3) reached Damascus ten days later, causing deep anguish among his followers and admirers; hearts grew constricted, and prayers on his behalf multiplied.

We were informed that he entered Alexandria on a Sunday: he was brought in (4) through Bāb al-Khawkha to the Sultan’s residence and was transferred that night to a tower on the eastern side of the city.

Later reports (5) told us that a group of his disciples traveled to join him; people gained access to him, read to him, and engaged (6) in scholarly discussion with him. The quarters in which he was held were spacious and accommodating.