A quarrel erupted between Shaykh ʿImād al-Dīn ibn al-Sarrāj, the public reader of al-Bukhārī at the Mihrab al-Ṣaḥābah, and Shaykh Badr al-Dīn, son of Shaykh Jamāl al-Dīn al-Shurayshī. The two hurled insults at one another before all present over the word “yabtaz” (to store up); one manuscript, however, read “yatīr.” Ibn al-Sarrāj reported from al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Mizzī that the correct form is “yabtaz,” taken from the Arab expression ʿazza bazz (1), and in this he was right. His opponent insinuated that al-Mizzī was mistaken, whereupon the other championed al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Mizzī and prevailed over him in argument. Then the latter’s father, Shaykh Jamāl al-Dīn mentioned above, rose and uncovered his head in Sufi fashion, yet Ibn al-Sarrāj paid him no heed. They all pressed their case before the Shāfiʿī judge, who likewise upheld al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Mizzī. Various incidents followed; although they reconciled more than once, those men resolved to draw up a formal record against Ibn al-Sarrāj. In the end, however, the matter died away.
Deaths multiplied during the month of Ramaḍān; the tally neared one hundred, sometimes exceeded it, and sometimes fell below—that was more common. A number of our companions and acquaintances passed away; indeed, We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.
Locusts swarmed through the orchards, the calamity grew severe, and they consumed vast amounts of grain, fruit, and vegetables. Prices soared while produce became scarce; the value of goods rose so that date molasses sold for more than two hundred per qintar, and rice for even more. The opening of Bab Kaysān was completed, and they named it “the Southern Gate.” A bridge was laid from it to the main roadway, more than ten cubits wide by the carpenters’ measure, so that a parapet could be built on either side. Pedestrians and riders alike began to cross; it turned out exceedingly handsome. People now took the route through the Jewish quarters; their clandestine dealings were exposed, and the populace felt safe from their deceit, trickery, stratagems, and malice. The people rejoiced over this blessed gate.
Shawwāl dawned while the locusts had already ravaged much of the countryside, devouring vegetables and trees and plunging the people of Syria into hardship. Prices continued to rise; the plague endured, and wailing and weeping were widespread. We lost many companions and friends—so-and-so died. During this period the mortality waned and the daily toll dropped to around fifty; in the month of Dhū al-Qaʿdah it diminished further, praise be to Allah, the number falling to about twenty.
On its fourth day an elephant and a giraffe were brought to Damascus from Cairo. They were housed in the Green Parade Ground near the Ablaq Palace, and people went out, as usual, to gaze at them.
On Friday the ninth, the funeral prayer was performed for Shaykh Jamāl al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Ṣamad (2) ibn Khalīl al-Baghdādī, known as Ibn al-Khuḍarī, the hadith scholar and preacher of Baghdad. He was one of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah—may Allah have mercy on him. And Allah knows best.