Part 15

It had also come to my attention the impression and praise of the Shaykh Abul-'Abbas al-Maqdisi, for the fine behaviour and enthusiasm of the King and the good manner of his clergy. We are indeed a benevolent people, and wish that Allaah may grant you the best reward of this life and the next. And since one of the greatest worships was the advice to fellow humans, as it was the occupation of the prophets, then there is nothing greater than the advice of men to their duties towards Allaah as the Meeting and Reckoning are absolute certainties. Allaah says: "Thus [on Judgement Day] We shall most certainly call to account all those unto whom a [divine] message was sent, and We shall most certainly call to account the message bearers". (7:6) This life is but a lowly pursuit of leadership and wealth and its reality is worthless. This pursuit of leadership will eventually lead one to the fate of the Pharaoh whom Allaah had drowned in the water out of vengeance. Similarly, the blind pursuit of wealth shall lead one on a fate akin to that of Korah. Allaah had caused the earth to engulf him, and that he is being punished in it until the Day of Reckoning as a result of the harm he instigated against the prophet of Allaah, Moosa. When viewing the commandments of the Messiah, the prophets before him and those after, one sees common themes running throughout. These themes are the insistence on the worship of Allaah, preparation for the Day of Judgement, and distancing oneself from excessive enjoyment of this life. Therefore I saw that there is nothing more urgent or better than to present to the King the call to the worship that pleases Allaah; and, in reminding him about areas of knowledge and religion without indulging in details, as they are those matters which are the branches of the fundamentals. You [referring to the King] know that the religion of Allaah cannot be derived from one's desires or from the tradition of fathers and community. Instead, the wise should exercise his reason regarding what the prophets came with and what the distinguished people had agreed on. Even if that wise human was not able to publicly proclaim his conversion to the correct belief and fine action, he should persevere and Allaah will reward him accordingly. It was always my habit to write to the leaders whom I felt possessed a genuine desire for knowledge and good work. I have even considered travelling to Cyprus, as I like to treat the ruler in accordance with the degree of his submission to Allaah's commandments. When the leader of the Tatars, Qazan came with his followers to Damascus, he claimed a false conversion to Islaam. Yet his behaviour and that of his subordinates were a testimony to their abandonment of Allaah's commands. I have met them all in one famous gathering, the news of which became widespread. On that occasion we humiliated him. Amongst his courtiers was the Christian chief of the castle of Sees27. This chief was never respected or honoured in the company of Qazan, but rather treated as an ignorant minor. Furthermore, others of the circle of Qazan knew that man's bad intentions and how we tried to commit you deceivingly into a war with the Tatars. Nevertheless, our position had never changed towards the Christians. I have always called for treating them with justice and defending them when attacked. It is also common knowledge the content of my correspondence with the Tatars and my request for the release of prisoners of war. Yet their rulers agreed to release Muslim prisoners only and retain the Christians prisoners from Jerusalem. I had refused such a reply and insisted on the release of all prisoners of war including Jews and Christians, whom are of the people of our dhimmah 28. This demand was granted to me, and this is our good work and reward is sought solely from Allaah. 27 "Sees" was a city north of Antakia and Tarsoos, ruled by the Christians since the 4th Century AH 28 "Mubahalah" refers to a concept of trial through prayer It is common knowledge to all that even those prisoners that we have under our hands are in fact treated justly and mercifully. This was indeed one of the recommendations of the Seal of Prophets during his last days on this earth: "Take good care of your prayers and those under your domain". Allaah, the Exalted in Might, said "And who give food - however great be their own want of it - unto the needy and the orphan and the captive". (76:8) The Tatars as I have mentioned, had proclaimed their conversion to this religion, yet we never concur with their hypocrisy or stayed silent when viewing their mistakes. Instead we made it very clear to them our objection to their transgressions and deviations from Islaam, that obliges waging jihaad against them. When the army returned to Egypt and received the news about the immorality and anti-religious activities of this cursed group (Tatar Army), they came out, all these armies of Allaah, and their size was great and whose numbers filled the valleys. This great force that came prepared with eemaan, sincerity and arms, was fortified by the angels through whom Allaah still aids his truthful nation.