This study aims to critically examine the traditional biographical narratives of Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728/1328) by assuming they are not merely neutral texts providing information, but rather discourses shaped by specific historical, sectarian, and ideological needs. At least four different works written over a period of approximately 121 years have been evaluated for this purpose. These include el-ʿUḳūdu’d-Durriyye by Shams al-Din Ibn Abd al-Hadi (d. 744/1343) from Damascus, and el-Bidâye ve’n-Nihâye by his student Ibn Kathir (d. 774/1373), also from Damascus. The study also draws upon the works of their Damascene contemporary al-Dhahabi (d. 748/1348) and the Cairene scholar Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (d. 852/1449). All of these texts were written in Arabic. This approach is essential because, while the texts contain firsthand information, they also adopt a hagiographical (a genre of biography that glorifies religious figures) style, which reflects the authors’ admiration for their subject. The study argues that these narratives about Ibn Taymiyyah’s life construct him as a defender of a specific sect, a hero, and a figure of struggle. By highlighting the relationship between these narratives and the political and sectarian dynamics of the period, the study suggests that these texts functioned as ideological tools rather than just biographical accounts. Key events in Ibn Taymiyyah’s life—such as his extraordinary scholarly abilities from a young age, his political leadership during the Mongol invasions, and his repeated imprisonments due to his juristic opinions—are evaluated within the context of the narratives’ rhetorical structure and strategies for producing legitimacy. The imprisonment process in Cairo, in particular, turned him into a symbol of resistance for his followers. The relatively lenient conditions of his imprisonment indicate that the Mamluk administration pursued a policy of controlled isolation rather than outright punishment. Ibn Taymiyyah’s death and funeral vividly demonstrate his immense influence on the public. Narratives of extraordinarily high funeral attendance and people venerating objects associated with him present a significant irony, as these practices are precisely what Ibn Taymiyyah spent his life opposing. This situation provides crucial clues about how his teachings were interpreted by the public and how biographical texts were shaped by historical and ideological processes. In this context, the study aims to show how the established images of Ibn Taymiyyah’s personality responded to the socio-political needs of the era. In conclusion, this study moves beyond a traditional understanding of biography, emphasizing that Ibn Taymiyyah’s intellectual identity and historical role must be understood from a deeper perspective that considers the power relationships and ideological processes behind the texts.