The Conqueror of Jerusalem: Saladin

The glorious Sultan of the East, Saladin (Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub), was born in 1138 in the district of Tikrit in Iraq. His childhood was spent in the cities of Damascus and Baalbek under the command of his father, Imad ad-Din Zengi. After receiving a good military education, Saladin participated in military campaigns against the Fatimids in Egypt led by his uncle, Asad al-Din Shirkuh, between 1164 and 1169. During his rule, Saladin won the great love and admiration of the people of Egypt, who had been poorly governed, tortured, and forced into Shia beliefs during the Fatimid era. In 1173, as the first step toward this goal, he intensified his campaigns in Yemen and the Hijaz. In this campaign, he achieved significant gains and became the sole ruler of the region. Completing the southern front of the campaign towards Jerusalem, Saladin took Aleppo in 1183, accomplishing his second objective. This way, the Crusaders were besieged from the North, South, East, and West. After completing the preparation process necessary for the capture of Jerusalem, Saladin moved into action. In July 1187, he defeated the Crusader army, which was far superior in numbers, in the Battle of Hattin. In the Battle of Hattin, the majority of the Crusader army had either been killed or captured. There was no military unit in Jerusalem capable of resisting the Muslim army. The city, which was besieged on September 20th, was captured on October 2nd, the anniversary of the night of Isra and Mi'raj. This also meant the end of the 88-year-long Crusader oppression. After the conquest of Jerusalem, another army of oppression led by Germans, French, and English arrived in Palestine. Although they took Acre, they could not overcome Saladin's will and eventually returned to Europe. On March 4, 1193, exactly 831 years ago today, the victorious commander, the Conqueror of Jerusalem, Saladin, passed away, leaving behind a nation that held its honor high.