In 1157 , Shaizar was destroyed by an earthquake , killing almost all of Usama 's relatives . They were there for the circumcision of the son of his cousin Muhammad , who had recently succeeded Sultan as emir . The only survivor was Muhammad 's wife . Usama had remained in Damascus , and after the destruction of his homeland he remained there in semi-retirement . He went on pilgrimage to Mecca in 1160 , then went on campaign against the crusaders with Nur ad-Din in 1162 , and was at the Battle of Harim in 1164 . That year , Usama left Nur ad-Din 's service and went north to the court of Kara Arslan , the Artuqid emir of Hisn Kayfa
earthquake
1157 Hama earthquake
Usama ibn Munqidh