Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah - Ibn Kathir - (14/341)

Al-Bidayah wa an-NihayahIbn Kathir

lay grass that had already turned into brittle stubble, and this proved an evil omen for them. The Sultan therefore ordered the nuffāta (naphtha-throwers); they hurled (1) naphtha and flames blazed beneath the horses’ hooves. The heat of the sun, the heat of thirst, the heat of the fire rising from under their feet, the heat of the weapons, and the scorching volleys (2) of arrows loosed from unyielding bows all converged upon them. The champions then met in single combat amid the vortex of war. Next the Sultan called for the takbir and for a resolute charge; they surged forward, and victory came from Allah—exalted is He—so Allah granted them [the backs of the impious unbelievers] (3). Thirty thousand of them were slain [that day, and thirty thousand were taken captive] (4) from among their boldest knights and horsemen. Included among the prisoners (5) were all of their kings except the Count of Tripoli, for he had fled at the very outset of the battle.

The Sultan also seized from them their greatest cross—the one they claim bore the Crucified—which they had sheathed in gold and encrusted with pearls and precious gems. It was a day of crushing hardship for the unbelievers; never had such a day been heard of for the glory of Islam and its people, or for the rout and humiliation (6) of falsehood. It is related that a certain peasant was seen (7) leading a little more than thirty Frankish captives whom he had tied together with a tent-rope; he even sold one of them for a pair of sandals (8) that he then put (9) on his feet. Deeds occurred whose like had never been heard, nor had eyes ever witnessed—[save in the days of the Companions and the Followers] (10). So praise belongs to Allah always and forever—abundant, wholesome, and blessed praise.

When this tremendous engagement had run its course and this all-embracing, weighty blessing had been completed, [and the war had laid down its burdens] (11), the Sultan ordered a magnificent pavilion to be erected. He seated himself therein upon the throne of the realm, with couches arranged to his right and to his left, and the prisoners were brought forward, swaying in their chains. He then ordered the throats (12) of a number of the leading Templars and Hospitallers (13) to be struck before him, one by one, [and he spared none of those whose names the people were wont to recall] (14).

(1) In edition T reads: “that they cast him into oil; they threw him in and it burst into flames.” (2) In edition T reads: “the shooting of arrows.” (3) In edition T reads: “their shoulders.” (4) Absent in edition B. (5) Reads: “man asara” (“whoever captured”). (6) In edition T reads: “and his family.” (7) Absent in edition T. (8) In edition B reads: “sandal.” (9) In edition T reads: “to wear it.” (10) Reported by T alone. (11) Reported by T alone. (12) In edition T reads: “So he ordered the severing of necks.” (13) In edition T reads “ad-dāwiyya wa-l-asārā” (a scribal corruption). (14) In edition T reads: “and he left none of those of whom people spoke ill.”

حشيش قد صار هشيمًا، وكان ذلك عليهم مشؤومًا، فأمر السلطان النفّاطة، فرمَو (١) بالنفط، فتأجج تحت سنابك خيولهم نارًا، فاجتمع عليهم حرّ الشمس وحرّ العطش، وحرّ النار من تحت أرجلهم، وحرّ السلاح، وحرّ رشق (٢) السهام عن القسيِّ القاسية، وتبارز الشجعان في حومة الوغى، ثم أمر السلطان بالتكبير والحملة الصادقة، فحملوا فكان النصر من اللّه – Exalté soit-Il – ، فمنحهم اللّه [أكتاف الكفرة الفجرة] (٣) ، فقتل منهم ثلاثون ألفًا [في ذلك اليوم وأُسر ثلاثون] (٤) ألفًا من شجعانهم وفرسانهم. وكان في جملة الأسارى (٥) جميع ملوكهم سوى قومص طرابلس، فإِنه انهزم في أول المعركة. واستلبهم السلطان صليبهم الأعظم عندهم، وهو الذي يزعمون أنه صلب عليه المصلوب وقد غلفوه بالذهب واللآلئ والجواهر النفيسة. وكان يومًا على الكافرين عسيرًا، ولم يُسمع بمثل هذا اليوم في عزِّ الإسلام وأهله، ودفع الباطل وذُلِّه (٦) ، حتى أنه ذكر أن بعض الفلاحين رآه بعضهم، وهو (٧) يقود نيّفًا وثلاثين أسيرًا من الفرنج، وفد ربطهم بطُنُب خيمة، وباع بعضهم أسيرًا بمداس (٨) لبسها (٩) في رجله. وجرت أمور لم يُسمع بمثلها، ولا وقعت العيون على شكلها، [إِلا في زمن الصحابة والتابعين] (١٠) ، فلله الحمد دائمًا وأبدًا حمدًا كثيرًا طيبًا مباركًا. ولما تمت هذه الوقعة العظيمة، والنعمة العميمة الجسيمة، [ووضعت الحرب أوزارها] (١١) ، أمر السلطان بضرب مخيم عظيم، وجلس فيه على سرير المملكة، وعن يمينه أسرّة وعن يساره مثلها، وجيء بالأسارى تتهادى في قيودها، فضرب أعناق (١٢) جماعة من مقدمي الداوية والاسبتاريه (١٣) بين يديه صبرًا [ولم يترك منهم من كان يذكر الناس عنه ذِكرًا] (١٤) .

(١) ط: أن يرموه بالنفط فرموه فتأجج نارًا. (٢) ط: رشق النبال. (٣) ط: أكتافهم. (٤) ليس في ب. (٥) من أسر. (٦) ط: وأهله. (٧) ليس في ط. (٨) ب: بنعل. (٩) ط: ليلبسها. (١٠) عن ط وحدها. (١١) عن ط وحدها. (١٢) ط: فأمر بضرب أعناق. (١٣) ط: الداوية والأسارى. تصحيف. (١٤) ط: ولم يترك أحدًا ممن كان يذكر الناس عنه شرًا.