To resume: a few nights later the Christians turned to the western side of the Great Mosque and set fire to the entire qaysariyya (commercial arcade) with all its arches and equipment—indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Sparks flew to the surrounding houses, dwellings, and colleges, and one side of the Amīniyyah madrasah, which adjoins the arcade, was burned. Their only aim was for the flames to reach the Muslims’ sanctuary, but Allah thwarted their design. The deputy of the sultanate and the emirs arrived and placed themselves between the blaze and the mosque; may Allah reward them well.
When the deputy was convinced that the Christians were responsible, he ordered the arrest of their leaders. About sixty men were seized; they were subjected to confiscation of property, beatings, punishments, and various exemplary penalties. More than ten of them were then crucified on the backs of camels, paraded through the provinces, and they expired one after another. Finally they were burned until they became ashes—may Allah curse them. End (1). And Allah knows best.
Reason for the arrest of Tankiz (2)
On Tuesday, the twenty-fourth of Dhu al-Ḥijjah, Emir Tashtamur (3) hurried in from Safad and entered the Citadel of Damascus in full armor. The deputy of the sultanate left his palace in haste for Dār al-Saʿādah, while the troops gathered at Bāb al-Naṣr. Tankiz had intended to put on his armor and fight (4), but they dissuaded him, saying, “The prudent course is to present yourself to the Sultan in obedience.” He therefore went out unarmed. Once outside the city, al-Fakhri (5) and others surrounded him, seized him, and took him toward al-Kiswah. When they reached the Yalbūghā Dome they dismounted, shackled him, and removed his eunuchs from the palace. He was then placed on the postal relay in irons and sent to the Sultan. When he arrived (6), the Sultan ordered that he be taken to Alexandria. Questioned about his hidden deposits, he admitted part of them, and after further punishment confessed the rest. He was then executed and buried in Alexandria (7), after which his body was moved to his mausoleum in Damascus (8) (may Allah have mercy on him). He was over sixty, a just and imposing man, chaste in person and property; during his administration people enjoyed the lowest prices, perfect security, and upright conduct. May Allah have mercy on him and water his grave with His mercy.
He left many endowments: a hospital in Safad; congregational mosques in Nablus, Ajloun, and Damascus; hadith colleges in Jerusalem and Damascus; a madrasah and a khānqāh in Jerusalem; and a ribāṭ and a market endowed for al-Masjid al-Aqṣā. He also opened a window in the Mosque. End. Allah the Exalted knows best.