the iron collars from their necks, and that whoever diverged from the Qur’an and the Sunnah would have his neck struck. The Shaykh then composed a separate treatise on the Ahmadiyya order, setting forth their states, paths, and imaginings, and indicating—by reference to Scripture—what in their way is acceptable and what must be rejected. Through him Allah caused the Sunnah to triumph and quenched their innovation; to Allah belong praise and favor.
In the middle ten days of this month robes of investiture were conferred upon Jalal al-Din ibn Maʿbad, ʿIzz al-Din Khattab (1), and Sayf al-Din Baktamur (2), the mamluk of Baktash al-Husami, granting them military command. They donned the robes, mounted in procession, and Mount al-Jurd, Kisrawan, and the Beqāʿ were placed under their authority.
On Thursday, the third of Rajab, the people went out to the flatland of al-Mizza to perform the istisqāʾ (prayer for rain). A pulpit was erected there, and the deputy of the sultanate came out together with all the judges, scholars, and poor folk. The scene was awe-inspiring, and the sermon was magnificent and eloquent; yet, although they sought rain, no rain fell that day (3).
(4) On Monday, the eighth of Rajab, the judges and scholars—including Shaykh Taqi al-Din Ibn Taymiyya—attended upon the deputy of the sultanate in the Citadel, and Shaykh Taqi al-Din’s ʿAqīda al-Wāsiṭiyya was read aloud. [Discussion arose over several of its passages] (5), and other points were deferred to a second session.
They reconvened on Friday after the prayer, the twelfth of the aforesaid month. Shaykh Safi al-Din al-Hindi (6) was present and exchanged many words with Shaykh Taqi al-Din—[but his bucket had struck the sea] (7). They then agreed that Shaykh Kamal al-Din ibn al-Zamalkani (8) should examine him rigorously, without concession. The two debated accordingly, and the people praised the virtues of Shaykh Kamal al-Din ibn al-Zamalkani, his sharp mind, and the excellence of his argument, for he [stood his ground against Ibn Taymiyya, conversed with him, and the matter concluded with acceptance of the creed] (9). The Shaykh then returned home honored and venerated. I was informed that the common folk carried candles for him from the palace gate to the Qassāʿin quarter, according to their usual practice on such occasions.