Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah - Ibn Kathir - (15/19)

Al-Bidayah wa an-NihayahIbn Kathir

He was an exceptionally handsome young man, but one of their mamluks (1) (2) murdered him; the killer was then put to death as well, and the city, left without a ruler, was seized by al-Awhad ibn al-ʿĀdil, as we have stated.

Also in this year: Khwarazm-Shah Muḥammad ibn Tekish conquered the territories beyond the Oxus after prolonged wars. During one engagement a remarkable incident occurred. The Muslims were routed from around the sultan, the Khwarazm-Shah, and only a small band of his companions remained with him. The unbelievers, mistaking them for others, inadvertently (3) killed some of them and captured many. The sultan, Khwarazm-Shah, was (4) among those taken prisoner (5); he was seized by a man who did not realize he was the king, and with him they also captured an amir named Masʿūd (6).

When this happened and the Muslim forces withdrew to their base, they discovered that the sultan was missing. Confusion spread among them, disagreements arose, and all of Khurasan was thrown into turmoil. Some people supposed (7) that the sultan had been killed.

As for the sultan and that amir, the latter said to the sultan, “In my opinion the prudent course (8) in our present situation is for you to forgo (9) the royal title and present yourself as my servant (10).” The sultan accepted his advice and at once began serving (11) the amir: he dressed him, brought him water, cooked his food, and set it before him (12), leaving no effort unspent in his service.

Their captor noticed this and asked, “I see this man waiting on you; who are you?” He replied, “I am the amir Masʿūd, and this is my servant.” The man said, “By Allah, if the commanders learned that I had captured an amir (and let him go), I would release you.” Masʿūd answered, “My only fear is for my family—they will think I have been killed (13) and will begin mourning. If you will ransom me for a sum of money and send someone to collect it from them, you will have done a good deed.” “Agreed,” the captor said, and appointed one of his comrades. The amir Masʿūd then said, “My household (14) do not know this man. If you permit, let my servant (15) go with him to give them the good news that I am alive, for they recognize him, and let him instruct them….”

(1) In the printed edition: “he killed him.” (2) It is called al-hazardīnārī. See Al-Nujūm, vol. 6, p. 188; supplement to al-Rawdatayn, p. 60. (3) In the printed edition, “kuffār” is a misprint. (4) Printed edition reads: “wa-kāna.” (5) The word does not appear in manuscript B; in A it reads: “asara.” (6) In manuscripts A and B: Ibn Masʿūd. (7) Printed edition reads: “he swore.” (8) Printed edition reads: “The prince said to the sultan: ‘What is the benefit?’” (9) Found only in the printed edition. (10) In manuscripts A and B: “ghulāman,” which contradicts the grammatical context. (11) In manuscripts A and B: “he serves him.” (12) In manuscripts A and B: “and he places the food between his hands.” (13) In manuscripts A and B: “accepted.” (14) In manuscripts A and N: “then Ibn Masʿūd said: ‘Verily, they…’” (15) Printed edition reads: “My servant did this to bring them good tidings.”

وكان شابًا جميل الصورة جدًا، فقتله (١) بعض مماليكهم (٢) ثم قُتل القاتل أيضًا، فخلا البلد عن ملك فأخذها الأوحد بن العادل، كما ذكرنا. وفيها: ملك خوارزم شاه محمد بن تكش بلاد ما وراء النهر بعد حروب طويلة. اتفق له في بعض المواقف أمر عجيب، وهو أن المسلمين انهزموا عن [السلطان] خوارزم شاه [في بعض المواقف] وبقي معه عصابة قليلة من أصحابه، فقتل منهم الكفار من الخطأ (٣) من قتلوا، وأسروا خلقًا منهم، فكان (٤) السلطان خوارزم شاه في جملة من أسروا (٥) ، أسره رجلٌ وهو لا يشعر به ولا يدري أنه الملك، وأسر معه أميرًا يقال له مسعود (٦) ، فلما وقع ذلك وتراجعت العساكر الإسلامية إِلى مقرّها فقدوا من بينهم السلطان فاختبطوا فيما بينهم واختلفوا اختلافًا كثيرًا وانزعجت خراسان بكمالها، ومن الناس من ظن (٧) أن السلطان قد قُتل، وأما ما كان من أمر السلطان وذاك الأمير (فإِن) الأمير قال للسلطان: أنا أرى من المصلحة (٨) أن تترك اسم (٩) الملك عنك في هذه الحالة، وتظهر أنك غلام (١٠) لي، فقبل منه ما قال وأشار به، ثم جعل الملك يخدم (١١) ذلك الأمير يلبسه ثيابه ويسقيه الماء ويصنع له الطعام ويضعه بين يديه (١٢) ، ولا يألو جهدًا في خدمته، فقال الذي أسرهما: إِني أرى هذا يخدمك فمن أنت؟ فقال: أنا مسعود الأمير، وهذا غلامي، فقال: واللّه لو علم الأمراء أني قد أسرت أميرًا (وأطلقته) لأطلقتك، فقال له: إِني إِنما أخشى على أهلي، فإنَّهم يظنون أني قد قُتلت (١٣) ويقيمون المأتم، فإن رأيتَ أن تفاديني على مالٍ وترسل مَنْ يقبضه منهم فعلت خيرًا، فقال: نعم، فعيَّنَ رجلًا من أصحابه فقال له الأمير مسعود: إِن أهلي (١٤) لا يعرفون هذا ولكن إِن رأيت أن أرسل معه غلامي (١٥) ليبشِّرهم بحياتي فإِنهم يعرفونه، ويأمرهم

(١) ط: قتله. (٢) اسمه الهزارديناري. النجوم (٦/ ١٨٨) وذيل الروضتين (٦٠). (٣) ط: كفار من الخطأ. (٤) ط: وكان. (٥) ليست اللفظة في ب، وهي في أ: أسر. (٦) أ، ب: ابن مسعود. (٧) ط: حلف. (٨) ط: فقال الأمير للسلطان: من المصلحة. (٩) عن ط وحدها. (١٠) أ، ب: غلامًا، وهو مخالف للسياق النحوي. (١١) أ، ب: يخدمه. (١٢) أ، ب: ويضع الطعام بين يديه. (١٣) أ، ب: قبلت. (١٤) أ، ن: فقال ابن مسعود إِنهم. (١٥) ط: غلامي هذا فعلت ليبشرهم.