761/1359) is another historian of the period who repeatedly...

761/1359) is another historian of the period who repeatedly hurls insults at Ibn 'Alqami in a rather elaborate account of the fall of Baghdad. However, he does not make even the slightest mention of the Khwajah. [^49] Ibn al-Kazeruni (611-697/1214-1297), who lived at the time of the events, mentions nothing in his book about the Khwajah. [^50] Likewise, al-'Atabaki (d. 874/1469) [^51] and al-Suyuti (d. 911/1505) do not refer to the Khwajah.

[^52] The above-mentioned writers, mast of whom are famous historians of the 7th/13th and 8th/14th centuries, despite their sensitivity concerning the Mongols and the downfall of the caliphate - especially with the particular bias of some of them like Ibn al-Wardi and al-Dhahabi - do not mention anything about the Khwajah. Had there been anything at all to say in this context, they would have emphasized it, especially in view of their unfavourable opinion of the Shiah.

The fact that they did not mention anything about the Khwajah cannot be viewed as irrelevant to the non-existence of any role of the Khwajah in this important episode. Furthermore, it may also indicate that before and during the fall of Baghdad, the Khwajah did not have the personal influence with Hulagu Khan as he did have after the event. (b) Books Which Mention the Khwajah's Role: Above we have cited the remarks of Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, al-Subki, Khwand Mir, and al-Subki.

It is necessary to point out the following in their regard: An examination of the original sources concerning the fall of Baghdad revealed that despite the anti shii bias of some and the general hostility towards the Mongols, none of the historians mentions anything about the Khwajah's role. This itself is the best indicator of the baselessness of the allegations of Ibn Taymiyyah, his likes and followers.

The sectarian bias of Ibn Taymiyyah and his pupil Ibn Qayyim as well as others like al-Subki and Ibn al Imad al-Hanbali who followed suit with them, to the extent that even their expressions are altogether similar - precludes any acceptance of their criticism of Khwajah Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.

Ibn Taymiyyah, in many of his works, takes an antagonistic attitude toward the Shiah and makes many baseless accusations against them, which mainly reflect his confusion between the Ghulat and the Imami Shiis. The charge levelled by him against the Khwajah in his book al-Radd 'ala al-Nusayriyyah, against the Ghali sect, bears this out.