Then al-Nāṣiḥ gathered the Banawiyya (1) and others and declared, “If they will not let us lead the prayer with their consent, we shall lead it without their consent.”

When word of this reached the judge—himself the chief instigator of the turmoil—he gave them permission, and the Ḥanafīs protected their prayer enclosure (maqsura) with troops. The ḥāfiẓ, distressed, departed for Baʿlabakk and stayed there for a time. Its people said to him, “If you wish, we will go with you to Damascus and harm those who harmed you.” He replied, “No.”

He then set out for Egypt but remained in Nablus for a while teaching hadith. I was in Egypt when a young man arrived from Damascus bearing legal questions for the ruler of Egypt, al-Malik al-ʿAzīz, together with letters alleging that the Hanbalīs professed various reprehensible doctrines.

Al-Malik al-ʿAzīz—he was out hunting at the time—said, “When we return we shall expel from our lands anyone who holds this doctrine.” Yet it so happened that his horse bolted, reared, and threw him; he fell, and his chest was crushed. So told me our shaykh Yūsuf ibn al-Tufayl, who washed his body. His young son was then installed in his place.

Al-Afḍal soon came from Ṣarkhad, seized Egypt, mustered an army, and marched on Damascus. On the road he encountered the ḥāfiẓ ʿAbd al-Ghanī, treated him with great honor, and sent instructions recommending him in Egypt. Thus the ḥāfiẓ was received there with respect and remained, dictating hadith in several venues, even though many opponents were present.

Al-Afḍal laid a fierce siege to Damascus and then returned to Egypt. His uncle al-ʿĀdil pursued him, took possession of Egypt, and settled there. The ḥāfiẓ’s adversaries multiplied, so he was summoned; al-ʿĀdil honored him. Al-ʿĀdil later traveled to Damascus, leaving the ḥāfiẓ in Egypt, where people continued to assail him until al-Malik al-Kāmil resolved to expel him (2) and confined him in a house for a week.

I heard Abū Mūsā relate that he heard his father say, “I never found rest in Egypt like I did during those nights.”

He went on: “There was a woman in a house next to that one, and I heard her weeping and saying:
‘By the secret You placed in Moses’ heart till he grew strong…’”