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 education, Saladin took a keen interest in mathematics and the arts. At one point in his life, he also had an interest in philosophy, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), and history.
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 this period, he distinguished himself with his successes, foresight, and military genius. In 1169, he became the deputy of Nur ad-Din Zengi and began to govern Egypt.
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.
Within two years, he captured the entirety of Egypt, erasing the Fatimids from the pages of history and causing their bad memories to fade away in the region. Following this, he embarked on a powerful preparation process, as Saladin's greatest goal was to conquer Jerusalem.
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.
The victorious commander Saladin began to be known as "Haddimu'l Harameyn," meaning "the Servant of the Two Holy Places," starting from the year 1173.
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.
However, the recapture of Jerusalem, which had been lost after the time of Caliph Umar (RA), would occur four years later. During this period, Saladin acted patiently, preparing for war and getting to know his enemy better.
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.
After thousands of prisoners were taken in this battle, Saladin and the Muslim army moved towards Jerusalem, the first qibla of Muslims.
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.
Saladin, who said, "I will either die for this cause or take the city from the Crusaders," marched towards Jerusalem with the prayers of all Muslims. The siege lasted for 12 days.
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.
The Crusaders, who forcibly held onto the city and Palestine, oppressing for nearly a century, had also sealed their fate by behaving intolerantly towards other religions.
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.
Saladin quickly revitalized the city and the region after years of oppression, ushering in a period of renewed strength and vitality for Muslims.
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.
Saladin, who ended the 88-year-long captivity, conquered Jerusalem, and won the hearts of Muslims, remains one of the finest examples of determination, goals, and hard work for Muslim generations.
