“Indeed, those upon whom the decree of your Lord has been confirmed will never believe
96. Even if every sign were to come to them, until they behold the painful punishment.” (Yūnus 10:96-97)

[Moses also supplicated against Pharaoh, saying: “And harden their hearts so they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.” 88. He (Allah) said, “Your supplication has been answered, so remain steadfast.”] (Yūnus 10:88-89) (1)

On another day he appeared again, still obstinately clinging to his error, so he was flogged with whips. He then professed repentance and was returned to prison in chains. On a third occasion he was brought forth, outwardly proclaiming repentance, a public crier announced his case throughout the city, and he was thereupon released (2).

On the night of Tuesday the fourteenth, the moon rose totally eclipsed, though hidden by clouds. When it became visible at the time of ‘Ishā’ and had begun to clear, the khaṭīb performed the eclipse prayer before the ‘Ishā’ prayer, reciting Sūrat al-‘Ankabūt in the first rak‘ah and Sūrat Yā-Sīn in the second. He then mounted the pulpit, delivered a sermon, and descended after the ‘Ishā’ prayer.

Letters arrived from the pilgrims reporting low prices and complete security. Meanwhile the rise of the river had continued from the beginning of Dhū l-Ḥijjah—and even before—up to these days at the end of the month, with conditions unchanged. The elder shaykhs testified that nothing like this had ever been witnessed. The cause, they said, was a torrent that had poured from certain mountains into the river’s course.

The royal mahmal entered Damascus on Tuesday, 21 Muḥarram, before noon. The amīr al-ḥajj Jarktamur al-Mardānī (3), who had been residing in Mecca—may Allah exalt and safeguard it from the rabble—was arrested. When the expeditionary force returned with the pilgrims to Damascus in the company of Ibn Qarāsunqur (4), he was shackled the very hour he arrived and dispatched post-haste to Egypt. We were informed that Emir Sand, the ruler of Mecca, had deceived the Sultan’s troops who had marched with Ibn Qarāsunqur, fell upon them, killed some of their retainers, and seized their horses, so that they sped back to Egypt stripped of everything. Truly, we belong to Allah and to Him we return.

At the beginning of Shawwāl it became widely known and repeatedly confirmed that devastation had struck Egypt because of the many swamps formed by the Nile’s overflow—contrary to custom. News reached us that more than two thousand inhabitants were dying each day. Sickness was rampant, prices soared because few were able to work, and sugar, water (5), and fruit became exceedingly dear. The Sultan withdrew to the outskirts of the city and experienced great distress, but was later cured—praise be to Allah (6).

On the third of Rabī‘ al-Ākhir, Ibn al-Jajjāf arrived from Egypt as the envoy of the ruler of Iraq to seek the Sultan’s daughter in marriage.