Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
The Biography of Sultan Salah al-Din Ayyubi ‘May Allah Have Mercy on Him’ (Part 13)
The Moral Virtues of Sultan Salah al-Din
In addition to his worship and righteous deeds, the Sultan was adorned with qualities exemplary of great rulers, including justice, forgiveness, patience, fortitude, generosity, kindness, honor, perseverance, courage, wisdom, bravery, and diligence. Qazi Ibn Shaddad wrote that twice a week (on Mondays and Thursdays), the Sultan held public meetings. On these days, people, including jurists, judges, scholars, plaintiffs—both big and small, rich and poor, old and young, commoners and not—were allowed to meet with him. This schedule remained unchanged regardless of whether he was traveling or residing in one place. He would review files daily, conducting thorough investigations before signing them. Notably, he never turned away any beggar or needy person empty-handed, and despite his many responsibilities, he was always engaged in Zikr (remembrance of Allah (s.w.t)) and recitation.
When someone approached him with a complaint, he would personally stand up to listen and address their concerns. His dedication to justice was evident when a common man complained about his brother; the Sultan immediately summoned the brother to investigate the case. Even when someone complained about the Sultan himself, and it was later proven that the complaint was unfounded, Sultan Salah al-Din did not dismiss the complainant but instead embraced and rewarded him.
The Sultan exhibited remarkable tolerance and forbearance. The historian Ibn Khalakan noted that he readily forgave the mistakes and faults of his servants and allies. Occasionally, situations arose that caused him pain; however, he maintained a demeanor that suggested such matters did not affect him. For instance, when he asked for water and none was brought, he expressed, “My friends, I am dying of thirst,” and soon after, they did bring water. Despite the delay, he made no protest.
On another occasion, after recovering from a severe illness, he requested a cold bath. When a servant mistakenly poured cold water on him instead of warm, he became upset due to his weakened state but merely remarked, “If you want to kill me, just tell me,” rather than express his frustration or anger. Qazi Ibn Shaddad highlighted numerous instances of the Sultan’s forgiveness toward army commanders and court servants. His generosity extended to the point where he sometimes granted conquered provinces to others. For instance, he conquered a city called “Amad,” which he awarded to a commander named Ibn Qara Arslan. He was even known to sell his furniture to provide rewards and pardons to delegations. On one occasion, when praising generosity, he remarked that some people equate cash with dust, indicating his selfless nature without directly mentioning himself.
The kindness and chivalry of Sultan Salah al-Din Ayyubi were so profound that anyone who visited him would leave with something in hand, regardless of their background, even if they were an infidel. The governor of Sidon came to pay his respects to the Sultan. Despite being his enemy, the Sultan treated him with honor, shared his table, and invited him to Islam, which exemplifies the compassion he displayed. It was this quality of humanity that led King Richard, his adversary, to send him ice and fruit during his illness.
Sultan Salah al-Din was a noble, soft-hearted, compassionate, and benevolent man who could not tolerate injustice against anyone and could not bear witness to the suffering of the poor and oppressed. Ibn Shaddad recounts an incident in which an elderly Christian woman came to him, crying and wailing. When the Sultan inquired about her distress, she explained that her daughter had been kidnapped by bandits, causing her sleepless nights filled with sorrow. She had been directed to the Sultan as a compassionate figure who could help her retrieve her daughter. Deeply moved by her plight, the Sultan’s eyes filled with tears. He promptly ordered someone to the market to ensure that whoever had purchased the girl would be compensated so that she could be returned. It wasn’t long before the girl was brought back, and the elderly woman prostrated before the Sultan in gratitude before joyfully taking her daughter home.
Qazi Ibn Shaddad also noted that when the Sultan encountered orphans, he would speak to them kindly and compassionately, offering them something to uplift their spirits. If he found someone weak or in distress, he was greatly affected and would go out of his way to help them.
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