of the shameless excesses with women that were being reported about them, and because people had begun invoking prayers against them after the prescribed prayers, stating their names openly—meaning the names of their emirs and their followers.
The Citadel’s governor, Emir Sayf al-Din Iyaji, continually calmed the people’s hearts, strengthened their resolve, and gave them glad tidings that the victorious armies had already marched out of Egypt with the sultan toward the land of Gaza, where the Damascene host was stationed, so that all might arrive in his service and before his very eyes. The drums of celebration would beat, the populace would rejoice—then the news would fall silent, the reports would fade, and the people would grow anxious once more. Day after day, hour after hour, the troops paraded out in splendid dress, full of promises and fine outward show.
Then the sultan—may Allah support him—arrived. From the moment carpets were spread for him at the Mosque of al-Dhibbān all the way into the Victorious Citadel, the emirs walked on foot before him. He wore a costly red cloak and rode a well-bred, well-trained horse that paced straight along the course without veering. Handsome in appearance, pleasing to behold, the aura of royalty and command surrounded him. Above his head was borne the imperial parasol (jatr), carried by one of the senior emirs. Everyone who saw him lifted their voices in earnest supplication, while the women ululated; the people rejoiced exceedingly. It was a memorable, praiseworthy day—may Allah make it a blessing for the Muslims.
He took up residence in the Victorious Citadel, accompanied by the caliph al-Muʿtaḍid, Abu’l-Fath Abu Bakr (1) ibn al-Mustakfī bi-Llāh Abu’l-Rabīʿ Sulaymān ibn al-Ḥākim bi-Amrillāh Abu’l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad. The caliph had been riding at the sultan’s left side and lodged in the Dimāghiyyah Madrasa (2).
[Then] (3) later that same day, the emirs (4) set out with the deputy of Syria, headed by Ṭāz and Shaykhūn, in pursuit of Baybughā and those with him among the rebellious trouble-makers.
On Friday, the second of the month, the sultan—may Allah aid him—came to the Umayyad Mosque and performed the Friday prayer in the spot where the sultan’s deputies customarily pray. Supplications and expressions of affection for him abounded as he went and returned; may Allah accept it from him. He did the same on the following Friday, the ninth of the month.
On Saturday, the tenth, we (5) met with the caliph al-Muʿtaḍid bi-Llāh Abu’l-Fath Abu Bakr ibn al-Mustakfī bi-Llāh Abu’l-Rabīʿ Sulaymān ibn al-Ḥākim bi-Amrillāh Abu’l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad, greeted him, and found him residing in the Dimāghiyyah Madrasa just inside Bab al-Faraj. I then recited to him a portion containing what Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal transmitted from Muḥammad ibn Idrīs al-Shāfiʿī in his Musnad, through Shaykh ʿIzz al-Dīn ibn al-Ḍiyāʾ al-Ḥamawī, who had heard it from Ibn al-Bukhārī and Zaynab bint Makkī,