Damascus. He then moved to a spot near the Eastern Gate, stormed it by force, and entered the city through that gate (1) after a siege of ten days. His entry took place on Sunday, the tenth of Ṣafar of that year. Mujīr al-Dīn withdrew into the citadel, whereupon he was persuaded to come down and was compensated with the city of Ḥoms. Nūr al-Dīn entered the citadel, and—praise be to Allah—his hand was now firmly upon Damascus. He proclaimed throughout the city safety and glad tidings (2), abolished the customs dues (3), and the decrees to that effect (4) were read aloud from the minbar (5). The people rejoiced (6) and multiplied their prayers for him. The Frankish kings wrote to congratulate him on Damascus, courting his favor and submitting to him.

Among the notable figures who died [that year] (7):
• The chief Muʾayyad al-Dawla ʿAlī ibn al-Ṣūfī (8), vizier of Damascus under Mujīr al-Dīn Ābiq. He had risen against the ruler more than once, his influence becoming formidable (9), after which reconciliation would follow, as mentioned earlier.
• ʿAṭāʾ the Eunuch (10), one of the amirs of Damascus. During the days (11) of the aforementioned Mujīr al-Dīn Ābiq he usurped control of affairs and at times served as deputy in Baalbek (12). He was a harsh and oppressive tyrant. The Mosque of ʿAṭāʾ outside the Eastern Gate is attributed to him—Allah (13) knows best.

[Then came the year 550 AH]
In that year the caliph al-Muqtafī li-Amr Allāh (14) set out in magnificent array toward Daqūqāʾ (15), laid siege to it, whereupon its inhabitants came out to him.