The trial of Ibn al-Khatib - With an appendix containing the letter from al-Bunnahi to Lisan al-Din Ibn al-Khatib

The trial of Ibn al-Khatib has left its mark on history because of the personality of the accused. Most scholars in the past have thought that his accusation and subsequent trial on religious grounds were no more than excuses intended to bring about his death, as a trial for high treason would, for various reasons, not have been possible. For this he had to be accused of crimes against religion as this was the only sure way of mounting a case against him. The accusations analysed here are taken from a variety of sources including "Al-Marqaba al-ulya" and the works of al-Maqqari, some of which have not been translated before. We notice procedural irregularities in the course of the trial, but in Granada and in Fez the focus is on the zindiq who is finally condemned to death.