Nearly 835 years ago today, the holy land of Jerusalem, which remains the center of religious history even today, was freed from crusaders by the legendary warrior Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi. Remembered as one of the greatest warriors around the world, Salahuddin Ayyubi’s momentous achievements and accomplishments are recorded in the accounts of history.
Background-
Salahuddin Ayyubi was born as Yusuf ibn Ayyub in the family of Kurdish ancestry in Tikrit, Iraq in 1137AD. He was born at a time when the Islamic world was tumultuous. During that period, Islamic kingdoms experienced the incompetency of the Abbassid Caliphate, the downfall of Seljuks in the east and that of the Fatimide Dynasty in the west.
Almost all the important coastal cities located along the east of the Mediterranean sea were under the control of the Crusaders. The holy land of Jerusalem was already under the dominance of foreign power.
Salahuddin Ayyubi’s rise from a warrior to the Sultan of Egypt and Syria was the culmination of his genius strategies backed with favourable circumstances. During his reign, Salahuddin Ayyubi established many schools, hospitals and similar institutions due to his inclination towards intellectual achievement.
Conquest of Jerusalem-
The Crusades are recorded as one of the most horrible and fierce wars which were executed by Christian powers who planned to overthrow the rulers of Asia.
During the first Crusades, when Christians conquered Jerusalem, the invaders carried out mass killings, with Muslims being the primary target. The massacre was described as so extensive and brutal that it left the Crusaders’ legs bloodied as they passed through the areas.
After a long struggle to regain Jerusalem, Salahuddin captured the land on 2nd October, 1187 AD. Before the conquest of Jerusalem, Salahuddin had already consolidated his control over other Crusade cities.
He desired a peaceful conquest of the holy land, but the residents of the city rejected all offers. Salahuddin’s grip on the kingdom was strengthened after the battle of Hattin, in which he confronted Guy of Lusignan, King Consort of Jerusalem, and Raymond III of Tripoli and nearly destroyed their army.
Unable to take the city peacefully, Salahuddin Ayyubi conquered the land with a siege that lasted from 20th September to 2nd October, 1187 AD. During that time, Balian of Ibelin was the leader of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
When the Crusaders failed to defend Jerusalem, the people living in the holy land were waiting for a bloody onslaught, similar to the one the Crusaders inflicted on the Muslim population. However, Salahuddin Ayyubi spared the Christian residents and allowed them to live in the land with dignity.
His peaceful treatment was the fundamental concept of Islam for the Rulers of Muslim world- that of non-violent conquest and freedom of religion for non-believers.
Although, many might wonder that Salahuddin Ayyubi was despised in the nations of the Crusaders, nevertheless, he was one of the most respected and influential muslim figure of the medieval Islamic era.
His treatment of the Christians living in Jerusalem during the time of his conquest is an open testimony of his progressive and tolerant temperament.
Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi succumbed to death in 1193 AD at the age of 56. At the time of his death, he was the owner of a vast kingdom stretching from Egypt to Syria, however, he devoted his entire life for the service of Islam. He kept himself busy in his duties and obligations, avoiding splendor and extravaganzas which often distract people with great fame. Truly, he was the true face of Islamic rulers who walked on the path of devotion, faith, tolerance and non-violence.
