In 407 AH the Dome of the Rock collapsed (1).

In that same year Ibn Subuktikin took possession of Khwarazm (2).

During that year as well, the Druzi heretic was executed for claiming divinity for al-Ḥākim (3).

In 409 AH Sultan Maḥmūd captured two cities in India, and a series of astonishing battles and campaigns ensued (4).

In Shawwāl of 411 AH al-Ḥākim disappeared. People of every stripe—virtuous and wicked alike—had been living in dire straits under him (5). They would slip him sealed notes filled with abuse and curses, for he used to roam Cairo on a riding beast, affecting asceticism.

On one occasion they fashioned the figure of a woman out of paper (6), shod in slippers and wrapped in a waist-cloth, with a scroll in her hand. He took it, opened the scroll, and found shocking words inside. Thinking it was a real woman, he rushed toward her, only to discover it was a dummy. He then summoned the district chiefs and military commanders and ordered them to march on Miṣr, plunder it, and burn it. They set out, but the inhabitants fought back and defended themselves. Fire and warfare between the townspeople and the slave-troops raged for three days, while he rode about on his donkey watching the blaze and the tumult, pitying the people and saying, “May Allah curse the one who ordered this.”

On the third day the dignitaries and elders came to him, raised copies of the Quran, and wept. His Turkish soldiers felt compassion for them, joined their side, and fought alongside them.

He declared, “I did not grant those others permission; I have given you permission to strike them.”

At the same time he secretly sent word to the slaves: “Carry on,” and supplied them with weapons. He grasped