The Biography of Sultan Salah ad-Din Ayyubi ‘May Allah Have Mercy on Him’ (Part 9)
Declaration of Islamic Ethics
Salah ad-Din demonstrated such exceptional capacity, breadth of heart, and Islamic morals during this time that even Christian historians praised him. He showed remarkable compassion and diligence when Jerusalem was captured by the Muslims. The soldiers and officers under his command secured the streets and alleys of the city, effectively preventing any form of oppression or aggression. As a result, none of the Christian civilians were harmed.
Sultan Salah al-Din appointed guards for each road connecting the city to other areas and entrusted one of his most trusted commanders with the protection of Bab Dawood. He ordered that any inhabitant of the city who was able to pay their ransom be allowed to leave. He then recounted the release of one million slaves facilitated by his brother Sultan al-Adil and through “Vipalyian.”
At this moment, Salah ad-Din declared: “My brother has performed a charitable act on his behalf; now it’s my turn.” He commanded his army to announce throughout the city that every adult, elderly person, and householder lacking the ransom money would be set free and allowed to go wherever they wished.
Many individuals exited the city through Bab al-Baghrar. From sunrise to sunset, people left the city one by one. This act of charity was Salah ad-Din’s gift to countless impoverished and destitute individuals. Thus, he displayed his kindness toward the conquered city and its defeated inhabitants.
However, when reflecting on Sultan Salah al-Din’s benevolence, it is impossible not to remember the cruel actions of the crusaders during their occupation of Jerusalem in 1099. The crusaders were notorious for their brutality as they rampaged through the streets of Gud Jeri, Tankir, and Jerusalem, looting from the wounded and dead. They inflicted painful tortures on many defenseless Muslims, even burning some alive. Muslims seeking refuge on the roofs and minarets of Jerusalem were shot with arrows. This massacre left an enduring stain on the reputation of the Christian world, particularly since this was the area where Jesus preached mercy and compassion, stating that “Blessed are those who show mercy to others, for they shall receive mercy.”
The Christians transformed this pure and holy site into a slaughterhouse, completely disregarding this teaching. The contrast between the cruel behavior displayed by the crusaders and the merciful response of Sultan Salah al-Din is astounding and thought-provoking.
Mercy is the most esteemed attribute of Allah Almighty, the cornerstone of justice. While justice can sometimes take a life based on merit, mercy has the power to preserve it. If Sultan Salah al-Din’s significant achievement during the liberation of Jerusalem were the only one known to the world, it would suffice to illustrate that, in his time and throughout history, Sultan Salah al-Din was among the most courageous, tolerant, and honorable figures, embodying a unique personality.
The Storm of the Crusaders
Following the conquest of Jerusalem and the humiliating defeat of the crusaders at Hattin, European anger towards Muslims intensified. This anger led to a massive united assault on the small region of Syria, composed of all the select military leaders, renowned kings, experienced commanders, Kaiser Frederick, and Richard the Lionheart, among others. The kings of England, France, Sicily, Asturias, Scandinavia, and Finland launched their armored armies against the Islamic world. In this significant confrontation, Sultan Salah ad-Din stood resolutely against them, aided by some relatives and allies defending on behalf of the Islamic world.
