Known in the West as Saladin Al Ayoubi,
Salah-adeen Yusif ibn Ayoubi ibn Marwan was born in the year 1137 in
the region of Iraq. Famous in the Western history books for his
challenge against Richard the Lion heart, he is very seldom portrayed
in his true light.
He was a man of good build, with a bright face, sharp eyes and a
dark thick beard. He was known for his courage, strength of Iman and
love of reading the Holy Qur’an. He was also famous for his eloquent
speech and the kindness and mercy he had for his people. Although tough
with the non believers he respected their creeds and allowed them to
worship without facing any harm. Many of them holding good positions
during his era.
Salah El Deen died and was, buried in Damascus on the 4th February
1197, leaving behind nothing more than 47 silver pieces and one gold
coin.
During Salah El Deen‘s lifetime the Muslims suffered being disunited and subject to humiliation from anti-Muslim powers.
In the coming line we will shed light on how Salah El Deen set about
liberating Palestine from the Christian crusaders after he had united
the Muslim Nation under his leadership.
In 1169 Salah El Deen took rule of Egypt, and started to make a lot
of changes to improve its situation and uniting the State. After
establishing his army in Egypt he proceeded to unite the various
smaller Arab States that had become semi-independent states. In
particular he annexed these States surrounding Palestine. Salah El Deen
considered it first necessary to unite Muslims before he facing the
Christian kingdoms in the Holy lands.
In 1187 the Christian King of Karak, who was called Arnat, launched
an attack against a number of pilgrims travelling to make the hajj. The
attackers, showing no mercy, plundered, tortured men, humiliated women.
Whilst killing the pilgrims Arnat said: “Go tell Mohammad and ask him
if he can save you.” This event ended a period of temporary peace that
had ensued between Salah El Deen and the Christians who were occupying
Palestine. Salah El Deen who was always keen on setting free Al-Quds
(Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, was now given the opportunity to face
the Christians.
When the news of this event reached Salah El Deen tried to overcome
his outrage and sent a polite message to King Arnat. In the letter he
asked him to respect the peace agreement, to free all the hostages and
to return whatever he had stolen. But the King refused Salah El Deen‘s
request, leaving him no other choice but to teach him a good lesson.
After preparing his army in Damascus, in March 1187. Salah El Deen
proceeded to Karak. After seizing Karak Salah El Deen’s next step was
to move north towards Tabarieh to assess the reaction of the Christian
armies.
The Christian army collected at Nazarate under the leadership of the
King of Jerusalem. The battle commenced in May 1187 and ended in
complete defeat for the Christians. The Christian army, now
strengthened with reinforcements – including Richard, known as the Lion
heart – were bent on seeking revenge. It appeared as if the whole
Christian army collected at Safarid.
Salah El Deen, however, was always one step ahead of them. He
decided to avoid Safarid and attack Tabarieh first. Salah El Deen’s
plan was to push the Christian to leave their positions in Safarid so
that they would be tired and exhausted by the difficult journey. In
July 1187 Salah El Deen destroyed Tabarieh.
Forced into leaving their positions Salah El Deen’s plan proved its
success. The Christians wore bulky armour and heavy weapons, the
intense heat and shortage of water combined with the difficult terrain,
weakened the Christian soldiers. And what was awaiting them? Courageous
Muslim fighters were awaiting them, willing to sacrifice their life for
the sake of Allah.
On the 4th July 1187, the Muslim army had surrounded the Christians
and when the heat was unbearable and the fighting reached its climax,
Salah El Deen ordered his soldiers to set fire to the grass and shrubs
surrounding the enemy’s army. Their suffering complete, Salah El Deen
inflicted on them a resounding defeat.
After this defeat the Christians amassed a strength of 50,000
fighters to do battle at Hiteen. The Christians lead by the Kings of
Jerusalem, Karak and Tripoli were again defeated. Many of their princes
and knights were taken as prisoners. It was Allah’s will that Salah El
Deen should meet face to face with King Arnat of Karak, the butcher of
innocent pilgrims. Before killing him with his own hands Salah El Deen
told him he was killing him for defaming the honor and dignity of
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and for murdering innocent Muslims.
From Hiteen Salah El Deen opened the Castle at Tabarieh. He then
moved on to Akka and on a Friday he opened it peacefully. After
performing the first Friday prayer he left the city to his son
Al-Abdal. Salah El Deen then went to north to Sida and Beirut. All this
occurred in one month.
At the outset Salah El Deen ‘s aim was setting free Al-Quds, the
eradication of the Christian Kingdom and the uniting of the Muslim
Ummah. With Jerusalem his target he moved to Askalan. This enabled him
to cut off Jerusalem from the Mediterranean sea and by so doing
isolating Jerusalem. He accomplished this on the 5th September 1187.
Before moving on Jerusalem he arranged with the well known Egyptian
sailor, Hussain Uddeen El Hajeb, to move the Egyptian navy close to
Palestine so as to prevent the Christian navy from approaching the
coastline.
On the 19th September 1187 Salah-a-deen approached Jerusalem and
proceeded to lay siege on the City. He bombarded the City with fire and
projectiles until the Christians surrendered. The Muslim army led by
Salah El Deen entered the City peacefully on Friday the 2nd October
1187. He put the Islamic flag and took down the large cross from the
Dome of the Rock.
Salah El Deen expressed in the most practical way the kindness, and
mercy of Islam when, at the peak of his victory and power he gave
freedom for all inhabitants of Jerusalem to leave the City unharmed.
When the Crusaders defeated Jerusalem in 1099 the streets of the City
flowed with the blood of 70,000 slaughtered Muslims.
After Jerusalem, Salah El Deen opened negotiated with the Christians
to leave the Islamic lands. The last stronghold of the Christians,
Akka, was removed by the hand of Salah El Deen’s successor Zahir Babers.
Indeed Salah El Deen was both a kind merciful man and a great warrior.
