He was one of the foremost emirs and the most highly favored by al-Malik al-Ẓāhir; the sultan would scarcely depart from his counsel. It was he who recommended appointing, for each school of law, a fully independent qāḍī. Modest in demeanor, he never wore anything unlawful; he was generous, dignified, a revered leader in the state. During the siege of Ṣafad he was wounded and remained ill from that injury until he died on the eve of ʿArafah. He was buried in the Nāṣirī ribāṭ at the foot of Mount Qāsiyūn, under the jurisdiction of Damascus (1). May Allah have mercy on him.

Hulagu (2) Khan, son of Tuluy Khan (3) son of Genghis Khan, was the Tatar sovereign, himself the son of a Tatar sovereign. He was the father of their later kings, although common folk pronounce his name “Hulāwun,” in the manner of “Qalāwun.” Hulagu was a ruthless, profligate, stubborn unbeliever—may Allah curse him. He slew Muslims east and west in numbers known only to the One who created them, and Allah will requite him with the worst punishment. He subscribed to no religion. His wife, Z̧afar Khātūn, had embraced Christianity and (4) showed preference to Christians over all other people. He affected a fondness for the rational sciences, yet understood none of them, and members of her circle—offspring of the philosophers—enjoyed (5) influence and standing with him. His sole ambition was to manage his realm and annex territories bit by bit, until Allah annihilated him this year—though some say in 663 AH. He was buried in the city of Talā (6); may Allah not show him mercy (7). The throne then passed to his son Abagha Khan (8), one of ten (9) brothers. Allah, exalted is He, knows best; He is sufficient for us and the best Guardian.

[Then the year 665 AH began.]
On Sunday, the second of Muḥarram, the sultan al-Malik al-Ẓāhir departed from Damascus for the Egyptian lands, and I traveled in his company.