The Nāṣirī Generations 109: IV. MALIK ASAD-UD-DIN, SON OF SHADI, IN MISR.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 109
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IV. MALIK ASAD-UD-DIN, SON OF SHADI, IN MISR.
109.1
Trustworthy persons have related after this manner: that a body of Maghrabi 'Alawis laid claim to the Khilafat, and brought an army from Maghrab into Misr, and wrested it out of the hands of the governors and nobles of the 'Abbasi Khalifahs. The chief of them was named Al-Muntasir; and some theologians regard them as Karamitahs. The territory of Misr had continued in the possession of his descendants up to the period that an army of Afranj set out towards Misr, and plundered and sacked the country. The 'Alawis of Misr had not the power to resist them, nor to drive out that host of infidels; so they solicited aid from Sultan Nur-ud-Din of Sham. He nominated Malik Asad-ud-Din, son of Shadi, to proceed into Misr, and expel the Afranj infidels from that country. Malik Asad-ud-Din preferred a request to the Sultan that he would appoint Salah-ud-Din, Yusuf, his nephew, to accompany him on the expedition. This was granted; and Malik Asad-ud-Din, along with Salah-ud-Din, set out from Sham towards Misr. When they reached the frontier of that country, the infidel Afranj, having gained information of the arrival of the troops of Sham, reined in the bridle of their audacity, and they halted in that part of the country which they had then reached.
109.2
The troops of Sham entered the territory of Misr, and acquired predominance over it; and, as they possessed great power and magnificence, the 'Alawis of Misr became timid of them, and repented of ever having sought their assistance, as they were not sufficiently strong to hinder them [the Shamis] from the usurpation of power and authority over the country. The Sayyid, who filled the masnad of the Khilafat in Misr, had a Wazir, who bore the name of Sha-ur, and he summoned him privily, and commanded that he should write a letter, secretly, to the infidel Farangs, and tell them "neither we nor our troops will render any help to the Shamis, and we will not send them sufficient succour. It behoveth you to advance upon them: put forth your strength, and drive them out of this country, and all the spoil taken from them shall be yours.” In short, the Misris sought, by such like treachery, to betray the army of Sham into the hands of the troops of the infidels of Rum and the Farangs. In accordance with the solicitation contained in the letter referred to, the Farang infidels advanced upon the forces of Sham to give them battle, and drive them out of Misr. The army of the infidel Farangs amounted to 80,000 men, and that of Sham numbered 700 horse.
109.3
When the two armies came into contact with each other and the conflict and struggle began, the troops of Sham, on account of the smallness of their numbers, were unable to withstand their opponents ; and, as a matter of necessity, they were discomfited, and fled, fighting, from the gate of Misr until they reached a place which is called Talbis. This place had a fortified wall all round it, and a citadel ; and, in it, they sought shelter, and they shut themselves up within the walls. The troops of the infidel Farangs completely surrounded it, pitched their camp, and commenced their preparations for taking the place.
109.4
When the Shami forces perceived the extreme danger they were in, and that they were completely invested, besides the treachery of the ’Alawis of Misr, they all, of one accord, deliberated together, and discussed a plan of escape. Malik Asad-ud-Din and Salah-ud-Din told them, saying : “The plan of saving yourselves consists in staking your lives ; in victory or death.” They all, accordingly, agreed together ; and, placing their hands within the open grasp of confidence, and with full trust in the Most High and Holy God, they, having quite resigned themselves to sacrifice sweet life if necessary, suddenly and unawares, issued from the place and commenced fighting the infidels, as by orthodox law prescribed : and heavenly succour came to their aid ; and, according to the promise of Him who promised victory to the true believers, He sent succour, and the army of the infidels was put to the rout, and the defenders of the truth gained the victory; and from that place to the gate of Miṣr, and in the vicinity, and in the parts round about, they made heaps of the slain. Praise be unto God ! May victory ever be theirs !
109.5
The troops of Islam having gained such a victory, at once appeared before the gate of Misr. The Wazir of Misr, who was named Sha-ur, performed the ceremonies of going to receive them ; but, as soon as the sight of that victorious Sultan Salah-ud-Din, fell upon him, he, in the presence of Malik Asad-ud-Din, with his own august hand, struck off with his sword the wretched head from that accursed one's body. The whole of the people of Misr and the forces of Sham agreed together, with one accord, to raise Malik Asad-ud-Din to the sovereignty ; and he became sovereign of Misr accordingly, and obtained the throne of that country. The ’Alawis of Misr, without molestation or impediment, were placed in seclusion, and the Khutbah was read for them in the same manner as before. The news of this success was despatched to Sham ; and the territory of Misr, together with its coasts and confines, was taken possession of by Malik Asad-ud-Din, who resided there for a considerable time ; and he died.