The Conquest of Jerusalem by Salahuddin Ayubi

By: Umer ShakeelGrade 6 New York

Salahuddin Ayubi, popularly known in the West as Saladin, was born in 1137 AD in Tekrit, Iraq. He was brought up by his father, Ameer Najmuddin who was ruler of Tekrit and his uncle, Asad-ud-din Shirkhu, who was a commander of the Zengid dynasty. Salahuddin studied the Quran along with astronomy, law and mathematics. He loved pece and never enjoyed battles, but everything changed when he was ordered to go to Egypt with his uncle to fight the Franks and Batnids. After his uncle’s death, he became commander and vizier of Egypt. He never lived in the palace but in a small house near the mosque. He had great love for Islam and as the commander of Egypt; he tried to drive out the Crusaders so he maintained a strong army and established peace throughout the country. The other ministers became jealous of him and planned many conspiracies against him but all of them failed. When the Fatimid caliph al-Aziz died, Salahuddin became Sultan of Egypt.

The Crusaders were unhappy with Salahuddin’s increasing success and power. They all united and The Battle of Hittin took place. The Muslims won under Salahuddin’s leadership. He treated the thousands of prisoners with tolerance. In 1187, Salahuddin conquered Jerusalem. Thousands of prisoners were arrested, but after their families appealed he released them. Many Crusaders were ransomed. Salahuddin paid for many of them and provided them with transport etc. He gave free

pardon to all citizens. On Friday 27 Rajab, Salahuddin entered Jerusalem. They went straight to the mosque and cleaned it. Then, for the first time in more than 80 years, Jerusalem heard Azan from AL-Aqsa Mosque.

Salahuddin died in the year 1193 AD. His tomb is located next to the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, Syria.

A quote from Salahuddin:

“We hope in Allah the most high. To whom is Praise. Who leads the hearts of the Muslims to calm what torments them and ruins their prosperity.

Where is the sense of honor of the Muslims? The pride of the Believers? The zeal of the Faithful?

This is the moment to cast off all laziness, to summon from far and near all those men who have blood in their veins; but we are confident in the help that will come from Him and entrust ourselves to Him in sincerity of purpose and deepest devetion.

Insha’Allah the disbelievers shall perish and the Faithful have a sure deliverance.