He was one of Asad al-Dīn Shīrkūh’s companions: he accompanied him to Egypt and won his favour. Thereafter he remained constantly at Sultan Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn’s side until he died (1) while riding in the Sultan’s train at Manzil al-Kharrūba (2) near Acre. His body was then conveyed to the Holy City of Jerusalem, where he was laid to rest—may Allah have mercy on him (3). He had studied jurisprudence under Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim Ibn al-Bazrī al-Jazarī (4), and the jurist ʿĪsā was counted among the learned, the noble, and the foremost commanders—may Allah Most High show him mercy.

Al-Mubārak ibn al-Mubārak al-Karkhī (5) was the lecturer at the Niẓāmiyya. He studied law with Ibn al-Khall (6) and enjoyed high esteem (7) with both the caliph and the common people. His superb calligraphy was proverbial. I have already (8) mentioned him in the Tabaqāt; may Allah Most High have mercy on him (9).

Then came the year 586 AH. It opened while the Sultan was besieging the fortress of Acre, and reinforcements for the Franks were reaching them (10) from the sea at every turn [and every moment] (11). Indeed, the Frankish women (12) themselves set out with the intent to fight, and some of them (13) came with the aim of providing relief to the bachelors (14) far from home, [so that they might find rest, service, and the fulfilment of desire] (15). A vessel arrived carrying three hundred women.