by Ibn al-Athir (1) in his record of the events of that year, when the Franks advanced toward Syria.

The Crusaders continued their assaults on Syria and Egypt—now victorious, now defeated—for nearly two centuries, until they were expelled once and for all in 690 AH by al-Malik al-Ashraf Khalil ibn al-Mansur Qalawun (2).

Ibn Kathir states:

“In that very year Acre was conquered, together with the rest of the coastal towns that had long been in Frankish hands; not a single stone of them remained.” (3)

Al-Bazzar has related evidence of the Shaykh’s—may Allah have mercy on him—participation in the capture of Acre, saying:

“They reported that during the conquest of Acre they witnessed from him feats of bravery that defy description. They said: ‘Indeed, it was by his action, counsel, and sound judgment that the Muslims were able to take the city.’” (4)

While the Muslims were occupied with fighting the Crusaders, they were suddenly confronted by the menace of the Tatars, who, under their leader Genghis Khan, swept through the Muslim lands. A harsh people, they shed blood indiscriminately, plundered wealth, and devastated cities until Baghdad, the seat of the caliphate, fell to them in 656 AH. They reduced that flourishing metropolis to ruins, setting its houses ablaze and killing thousands.