Assuming that Ibn al-Nu‘man’s translation was accurate, ‘Abd al-Rahman had not expected to hear such a statement from Timur. Seizing the opportunity he asked Ibn al-Nu‘man to express his own criticism of the way the army had behaved in ways contrary to the laws of Islam and the spirit of Islamic conquests. However, the translator refused to translate any critical remarks for fear of the consequences. At this point a young boy of Arab appearance was brought in; he had a pale face and inscrutable gaze. The Great Khan muttered something about him, and Ibn al-Nu‘man hastened to translate: “since I have taken up residence in this palace, this boy has kept pestering me. He claims to be the ‘Abbasi caliph of this era and demands that the caliphal throne in Baghdad be legally restored to him. I’ve consulted a few judges on the matter, and they’ve all dismissed the claim. But then I told myself I wouldn’t make up my mind until I’d consulted the great historian, someone who’s well acquainted with dynastic trees and other aspects of the case. So, Ibn Khaldun, I’m giving you a very important commission. It’s a singular honor, something to make you forget all about the ravages that Damascus has suffered. Should I reinstall this young man who has come begging to me on his throne or not? This is a major issue, and I’m entrusting the decision on the matter to you. I will then carry out your decision.”
It took ‘Abd al-Rahman no time at all to determine that the issue was actually trivial. “I’ve written a great deal on the caliphate, O Great Khan,” he replied. “Since the very beginnings of the Umawi caliphate some five centuries ago, I’ve come to regard it as an old, worm-eaten tree, retaining a mere smattering of its blessed aura, or else as an aged woman whose features evoke distant memories of a beauty long past and a vigor that exists no more. Today, more than in any previous era, the caliphate is a form with no meaning, a shape with no structure. Sultans make use of its legitimizing effects and adopt it as a kind of symbol and ensign. The ruler in this particular era who has latched on to it in the personage of the would-be caliph, al-Wathiq bi-Llah, is the Mamluk sultan Faraj. The institution resides in Cairo because it was transferred there from Baghdad by the founder of the Bahri Mamluk dynasty, Rukn al-Din Baybars, in about 660. The story of that particular sultan is very well-known. That is the extent of my knowledge about the current state of the caliphate. Above every knowledgable person is the All-Knowing.
Timur let out a terrifying laugh, then belched and spat in the face of the young boy kneeling in front of him. He started tweaking his ears and cuffing him on the neck.
“You fraud!” he yelled via his translator. “Did you hear the great scholar’s verdict? Out of my sight with you, and forget about the caliphate! Make sure you never come back to me again with your requests for protection and thrones. Be gone. I don’t like people pestering me. So, Ibn Khaldun, do you think I’ve done enough in response to your verdict? So help me, if you’d asked me to kill the boy, I would have done it. Is there any other favor I can do for you?”
‘Abd al-Rahman’s response was full of nostalgia and sadness. “In this land I am a stranger twofold. First, from the Maghrib which is my homeland and birthplace; second, from Egypt where my family lives. While I thrive in the shadow of your presence, I beg you to consider what grieves me in my exile.”
“Say what you would like, and I will do it.”
“My exiled situation has made me forget what I want. Perhaps you — and may God support you — may know what it is that I wish.”
“Now that you have given me your verdict on the caliphate, how can I refuse you permission to return to your family? Since I’m in a good mood, ask me for any other desires you have.”
“That you release Burhan al-Din ibn Muflih — may God grant you a good reward. Also that you give scribes and craftsmen in Damascus a safe-conduct document so that their lives and wages can be preserved.”
“Your recalcitrant colleague will not be released until I leave this city. The document you can have.”
‘Abd al-Rahman expressed his profuse thanks to the khan and pronounced a number of prayers for his well being.
“They tell me,” said the khan as ‘Abd al-Rahman was about to leave, “that you ride a grey mule with a fine build. Will you sell it to me?”
“You want to buy it from me? Heaven forbid! If I had a whole stable full of fine mules and gave that to you, it would not be adequate compensation for your generosity and kindness toward me. Please accept the mule as a gift. Now I ask permission to leave so I can give the people of Damascus the good news about the safe-conduct document.”
‘Abd al-Rahman went to Shah Malik’s quarters and collected the document with Timur’s seal on it. He then went over to the horse pen by the palace gate but found no trace of his mule. He then understood that the walls of this place had ears and consigned the entire matter to God.
On Friday, the twenty-first of Rajab in the same year, ‘Abd al-Rahman woke up early, intending to leave for Egypt as soon as possible before the khan changed his mind. He was still worried by the fact that he had received no news from Umm al-Batul and wanted to find out why. He collected his things together, then went to visit some judges and scribes. He handed over the khan’s safe-conduct document, bade them all a fond farewell, then headed for al-Ablaq Palace on foot followed by his servant. Timur was seated in the sitting room surrounded by his two sons and retainers. The distinguished visitor hurried over to him. Timur whispered something in his ear that he didn’t understand, so he asked the translator to help.
“It’s obviously a woman who is responsible for your desire to leave us and go away. O Ibn Khaldun, how well I understand you and forgive you. I too have my wife in Samarqand, and we love each other. Her image is constantly with me. Neither campaigns, nor harems, nor all the women in the world can make me forget her. You and I are both almost seventy years old, and yet we both have room in our hearts for one woman above all others. Praise be to the ever-renewing Creator! Go then and take the quickest route to your destination. Here is a letter with my seal. You can use it to travel throughout my dominions. Should you one day find yourself with nowhere to go and wish to live under my protection, you can use it to come to my capital city. Here is my son. Shah Rukh. He is traveling to Shaqhab to find some spring pasturage for my animals. If you wish, you may travel safely with him. Whenever you meet sultans and amirs, tell them about me. And pray to your Lord for me that he may accord me the keys of this world and bliss in the next.”
‘Abd al-Rahman now exchanged an embrace with Timur, but said nothing more for fear of prolonging the meeting or venturing some unwise comments. He asked the khan’s permission to head for Safad as the closest seaport, and it was granted.