SALAHUDDIN AYYUBI
INTRODUCTION OF SALAHUDDIN AYYUBI
Salahuddin Ayyubi, commonly known in the Western world as Saladin, was a prominent Muslim military leader and statesman during the 12th century. Born in Tikrit, Iraq, in 1137, Salahuddin rose to prominence as a military commander and became the Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He is perhaps best known for his role in the conflict known as the Third Crusade.
Salahuddin Ayyubi’s most significant military achievement occurred in 1187 when he successfully recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders. The city had been under Christian control for nearly 100 years, and its recapture by Salahuddin marked a turning point in the Crusades. Despite being a formidable military leader, Salahuddin was admired for his chivalry and magnanimity. It is said that after the fall of Jerusalem, he treated the defeated Christian inhabitants with respect and ensured their safe passage.
Salahuddin Ayyubi’s leadership extended beyond the battlefield. As a ruler, he established a just and stable government, earning a reputation for fairness and tolerance. His governance focused on promoting unity among the diverse Muslim factions in the region.
Salahuddin’s life and achievements have become the subject of numerous historical accounts, poems, and legends, highlighting his role as a symbol of resistance and unity in the face of external threats. His legacy is particularly celebrated in the Muslim world for his military prowess, statesmanship, and adherence to chivalrous conduct. Salahuddin Ayyubi died in 1193, leaving a lasting impact on the history and culture of the Middle East.
SALAHUDDIN AYYUBI’S EARLY LIFE
Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi was born in the year 532 AH/1137 CE in Tekrit on the West Bank of the Tigris between Mosul and Baghdad, loved dearly by his father, Ayyub. His family was of Kurdish background and ancestry. His father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub, was banished from Tikrit and in 1139, he and his brother Asad al-Din Shirkuh, moved to Mosul. He later joined the service of Imad ad-Din Zangi who made him commander of his fortress in Baalbek. After the death of Zangi in 1146, his son, Nur ad-Din, became the regent of Aleppo and the leader of the Zengids. Saladin was born in Tikrit in modern-day Iraq. His personal name was “Yusuf”; “Salah ad-Din” is a laqab, an honorific epithet, meaning “Righteousness of the Faith.” His family was most likely of Kurdish ancestry, and had originated from the village of Ajdanakan near the city of Dvin in central Armenia. The Rawadiya tribe he hailed from had been partially assimilated into the Arabic-speaking world by this time. In 1132, the defeated army of Imad ad-Din Zengi, the ruler of Mosul, found their retreat blocked by the Tigris River opposite the fortress of Tikrit, where Saladin’s father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub served as the warden. Ayyub provided ferries for the army and gave them refuge in Tikrit. Mujahed al-Din Bihruz, a former Greek slave who had been appointed as the military governor of northern Mesopotamia for his service to the Seljuks, reprimanded Ayyub for giving Zengi refuge and in 1137 banished Ayyub from Tikrit after his brother Asad al-Din Shirkuh killed a friend of Bihruz. According to Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, Saladin was born on the same night that his family left Tikrit. In 1139, Ayyub and his family moved to Mosul, where Imad ad-Din Zengi acknowledged his debt and appointed Ayyub commander of his fortress in Baalbek. After the death of Zengi in 1146, his son, Nur ad-Din, became the regent of Aleppo and the leader of the Zengids.
Saladin, who now lived in Damascus, was reported to have a particular fondness for the city, but information on his early childhood is scarce. About education, Saladin wrote “children are brought up in the way in which their elders were brought up.” According to his biographers, Anne-Marie Eddé and al-Wahrani, Saladin was able to answer questions on Euclid, the Almagest, arithmetic, and law, but this was an academic ideal and it was study of the Qur’an and the “sciences of religion” that linked him to his contemporaries. Several sources claim that during his studies he was more interested in religion than joining the military. Another factor which may have affected his interest in religion was that, during the First Crusade, Jerusalem was taken by the Christians. In addition to Islam, Saladin had a knowledge of the genealogies, biographies, and histories of the Arabs, as well as the bloodlines of Arabian horses. More significantly, he knew the Hamasah of Abu Tammam by heart. He spoke Kurdish and Arabic.
SALAHUDDIN AYYUBI’S RISE IN THE RANK
He joined the military as a young man and was ably trained by his uncle Asad-al-Din Shirkoh, a commander of the Zengid Dynasty. Saladin’s impressive performance in his early battles enabled him to take on leading responsibilities during military campaigns.General elections.
His rise from a soldier to the King of Egypt and Syria was the result of both cleverly executed tactics and advantageous circumstances. He held key posts in Egypt, enabling him to consolidate power and overthrow the Fatimids. Syria, at the time, was ruled by the Zengids; when the Zengid ruler unexpectedly died, leaving an underage successor, the road was eventually cleared for Saladin to capture Syria. In year 1169, al-Adid the last Caliph of Egypt appointed Salahuddin as his sub-ordinate. After two years on September 13, 1171 when al -Adid gets died, Sultan Noor ad-din Zangi appointed Salahuddin as the Governor of Egypt. Soon after becoming Governor Salahuddin coped the revolt of 50,000 black African Soldiers who were escorted by King Naji (controller of Fatimid Army). King Naji was send in captivation by Ayyubi who latter died in jail. On same time, Salahuddin also defeated King of Jerusalem when he attempted to attack Greece. In year 1174, Salahuddin appointed Turan- Shah for conquering Yemen and saving Ayyubid Dynasty. Same year in May 1174 Noor ad-din Zangi
was given poison. Noor ad- Din Zangi could not fulfill his aspiration ‘whitewash Jerusalem from crusaders’. After the death of Zangi the power was shifted to his 11 years old son al-Salih Ismail al Malik on prejudiced basis, which created very difficult situation for Salahuddin. During his reign, Saladin built many schools, hospitals, and institutions in his quest for intellectual and civic achievements. He was also determined to bring justice, peace, and prosperity to those within his domain.
SULTAN OF EGYPT
According to Imad ad-Din, Nur ad-Din wrote to Saladin in June 1171, telling him to reestablish the Abbasid caliphate in Egypt, which Saladin coordinated two months later after additional.
encouragement by Najm ad-Din al-Khabushani, the Shafi’i faqih, who vehemently opposed Shia rule in the country. Several Egyptian emirs were thus killed, but al-Adid was told that they were killed for rebelling against him. He then fell ill, or was poisoned according to one account. While ill, he asked Saladin to pay him a visit to request that he take care of his young children, but Saladin refused, fearing treachery against the Abbasids, and is said to have regretted his action after realizing what al-Adid had wanted.[38] He died on 13 September, and five days later, the Abbasid khutba was pronounced in Cairo and al-Fustat, proclaiming al-Mustadi as caliph.On 25 September, Saladin left Cairo to take part in a joint attack on Kerak and Montreal, the desert castles of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with Nur ad- Din who would attack from Syria. Prior to arriving at Montreal, Saladin however withdrew back to Cairo as he received the reports that in his absence the Crusader leaders had increased their support to the traitors inside Egypt to attack Saladin from within and lessen his power especially the Fatimid who started plotting to restore their past glory. Because of this, Nur ad-Din went on alone.
During the summer of 1173, a Nubian army along with a contingent of Armenian refugees were reported on the Egyptian border, preparing for a siege against Aswan. The emir of the city had requested Saladin’s assistance and was given reinforcements under Turan-Shah, Saladin’s brother. Consequently, the Nubians departed; but returned in 1173 and were again driven off. This time, Egyptian forces advanced from Aswan and captured the Nubian town of Ibrim. Saladin sent a gift to Nur ad-Din, who had been his friend and teacher, 60,000 dinars, “wonderful manufactured goods”, some jewels, and an elephant. While transporting these goods to Damascus, Saladin took the opportunity to ravage the Crusader countryside. He did not press an attack against the desert castles, but attempted to drive out the Muslim Bedouins who lived in Crusader territory with the aim of depriving the Franks of guides. On 31 July 1173, Saladin’s father Ayyub was wounded in a horse-riding accident, ultimately causing his death on 9 August. In 1174, Saladin sent Turan-Shah to conquer Yemen to allocate it and its port Aden to the territories of the Ayyubid Dynasty.
THE WARS AGAINST CRUSADERS
Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi, the hero of hundreds of battles, was the person who for twenty years braved the storm of the Crusaders and ultimately pushed back the combined forces of Europe which had come to swarm the Holy Land. The world has hardly witnessed a more chivalrous and humane conqueror. The Crusades represent the maddest and the longest war in the history of mankind, in which the storm of savage fanaticism of the Christian West burst in all its fury over western Asia.
Christianity hurled itself against Muslims in expedition after expedition for nearly three centuries, until failure brought lassitude, and superstition itself was undermined by its own labor. Europe was drained off men and money, and threatened with social bankruptcy, if not with annihilation. Millions perished in battle, hunger or disease and every atrocity imagination can conceive disgraced the warrior of the Cross’. The Christian West was excited to a mad religious frenzy by Peter the Hermit, and his followers to liberate the Holy Land from the hands of the Muslims. ‘Every means’, says Hallam ‘was used to excite an epidemical frenzy’. During the time that a Crusader bore the Cross, he was under the protection of the Church and exempted from all taxes as well as frees to commit all sins.
On September 29, Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi crossed the Jordan River to intercepted Crusader reinforcements from Karak and Shaubak along the Nablus road and took a number of prisoners. Meanwhile, the main Crusader force under Guy of Lusignan moved from Sepphoris to al-Fula. Salahuddin sent out 500 skirmishers to harass their forces and he himself marched to Ain Jalut. When the Crusader force reckoned to be the largest the kingdom ever produced from its own resources, but still outmatched by the Muslims advanced, the Ayyubids unexpectedly moved down the stream of Ain Jalut. After a few Ayyubid raids including attacks on Zir’in, Forbelet, and Mount Tabor- However, Raynald of Châtillon, harassed Muslim trading and pilgrimage routes with a fleet on the Red Sea, a water route that Salahuddin needed to keep open. In response, Salahuddin built a fleet of 30 galleys to attack Beirut in 1182. Raynald threatened to attack the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and responded by looting a caravan of pilgrims on the Hajj in 1185.
CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM
In July 1187 Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi captured most of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. On July 4, 1187, at the Battle of Hattin, he faced the combined forces of Guy of Lusignan, King Consort of Jerusalem and Raymond III of Tripoli. In this battle alone the Crusader army was largely annihilated by the motivated army of Salahuddin. It was a major disaster for the Crusaders and a turning point in the history of the Crusades. Salahuddin captured Raynald de Châtillon and was personally responsible for his execution in retaliation for his attacking Muslim caravans.
Although one would expect Saladin to be hated among the Crusader nations, he became one of the most esteemed Muslim figures of the medieval Islamic world because of the generosity he displayed towards the Christians despite the brutality Muslims had endured at the hands of the Crusaders. When the Christians had overtaken Jerusalem during the very first Crusade, they carried out mass atrocities and killings, creating a bloodbath in which the Muslim residents were the most prominent targets, as graphically documented in the PBS series Islam: Empire of Faith. In the words of the chronicler of Crusades, Raymond of Agiles, the massacre was so extensive that the Crusaders “rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins.”
When Saladin retook Jerusalem, the Christians waited for a similar onslaught. However, Salahuddin not only spared the Christians but treated them honorably, allowing those who wished to leave to do so in peace, and for those who wished to stay to do so in harmony. Truly, he was a living example of the tolerant, progressive, and inclusive faith which was so dear to his heart. By showing restraint and peaceful treatment, Salahuddin was upholding the central tenets of Islam such as freedom of religion and protection of non-Muslims.
MANNERISM & LEGACY OF SULTAN SALAHUDDIN AYYUBI
Salah-ud-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub known as Saladin in the Western World, this great Muslim sultan is widely revered as the ideal of a warrior who is fierce in battle and generous to his enemies.
Saladin used to perform the five obligatory prayers on time, along with the supererogatory prayers. He never prayed except in congregation, and he never delayed a prayer. He used to always have an imam with him, but if the imam was not present, he would pray behind any pious scholar who might be sitting with him. He never quit a prayer except when he slipped into a come for three days before his death.
He would spend most of his money on Sadqa (optional charity), and he never possessed enough wealth that would have required him to pay Zakat (obligatory alms). Although he always wanted to perform Hajj, he was occupied in jihad, so he did not have enough money to perform Hajj, and he died without performing it. He never spoke badly about anyone and never allowed anyone to do so in his presence. He never uttered a rude word and never used his pen to humiliate a Muslim.
THE CHIVALRY OF SALLADIN
His chivalrous conduct toward King Richard I, and the mutual respect which ensued despite their warring roles, won him further accolades in quarters that could not bring themselves to despise him. “When Richard falls sick at the siege of Acre in 1192, Saladin not only sends his personal physician Maimonides over to treat him, he sends ice to help him fight the fevers and certain healing fruits. When Richard’s horse is killed during battle, and the English king finds himself on foot facing the entire Muslim army, the Muslims let him walk by their entire phalanx without attacking. Later, Saladin sends him two fresh mounts so he will not be at a disadvantage,” wrote Michael Hamilton Morgan in Lost History. According to the French historian, Rene Grousset, “It is equally true that [Saladin’s] generosity, his piety, devoid of fanaticism, that flower of liberality and courtesy, which had been the model of our old chroniclers, won him no less popularity in Frankish Syria than in the lands of Islam.”
DEATH
Salahuddin Ayyubi died in 1193 AD at the age of 56. Although he was at the helm of a vast empire stretching from Egypt to Syria, he himself owned very little. At the time of his death, his property and assets included a horse and money which was not sufficient even to bury him. He had devoted his entire life to the service of Islam and his subjects, avoiding the pomp and splendor which often distract rulers. Indeed, he was the epitome of a true hero and a devoted Muslim.
FAMOUS SPEECH AFTER VICTORY
“We hope in Allah Most High, to whom be Praise, who leads the hearts of Muslims to calm what torments them and ruins their prosperity. Where is the sense of honour of the Muslims? The pride of the Believers? The zeal of the Faithful? We shall never cease to be amazed at how the disbelievers for their part have shown trusts, and it is the Muslims who have been lacking in zeal. Not one of them has responded to the call. Not one intervenes to straighten what is distorted,- but observe how far the Franks have gone. What unity they have achieved. What aims they pursue. What help they have given. What
sums of money they have borrowed and spent. What wealth they have collected and distributed and divided amongst them.
There is not a king left in their lands or islands, or a rich man who has not competed with his neighbours to produce more support and rival his peers in strenuous military efforts. In defence of their religion they consider it a small thing to spend life and soul,- and they have kept their infidel brothers supplied with arms and champions of war,- and all they have done and all their generosity has been done purely out of zeal for him they worship in jealous defence of their faith. The Muslims on the other hand are weakened and demoralise & they have become negligent and lazy, the victims of unproductive stupification and completely lacking in enthusiasm.
If, Allah forbid, Islam should draw reign, obscure her splendour, blunt her sword, there would be no one, east or west, far or near who would blaze the zealfor Allah’s religion, or choose to come to the aid of Truth against Falsehood. This is the moment to cast off laziness, to summon from far and near all those men who have blood in their veins; but we are confident (He speaks about himself and the small party of believers who began with him and then became a large party); but we are confident, thanks to Allah – A lhamdulillah – in the help that will come from Him in sincerity of purpose and deepest devotion. Insha-Allah the disbelievers shall perish and the Faithful shall have a sure deliverance.
CONCLUSION
Salahuddin Ayyubi, widely known as Saladin, stands as a towering figure in history, renowned for his exceptional leadership, military prowess, and principled governance. Born in 1137 in Tikrit, Iraq, Saladin emerged as a key figure during the tumultuous times of the Crusades. His most notable achievement was the recapture of Jerusalem in 1187, a momentous event that shifted the dynamics of the Crusades.
Beyond his military successes, Saladin was admired for his chivalry and magnanimity. The respectful treatment of defeated Christian inhabitants following the fall of Jerusalem demonstrated his commitment to justice and tolerance. As the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, he established a just and stable government, fostering unity among the diverse Muslim factions.
