Salah-al-Din Early Life, Before he was the
Liberator of Jerusalem
Salah-al-Din, also known as Saladin in the West, is known mainly for his battles and leadership during and after the third Crusade. We never discuss much about his early life and what shaped this man into what he was....
A timeline of Saladin's Early Life:
1138: Born in Tikrit in Iraq as the son of the Kurdish chief Najm ad-Din Ayyub.
1152: Starts to work in the service of the Syrian ruler, Nur al-Din. 1164: He starts to show his military abilities in three campaigns against the Crusaders who were established in Palestine. 1169: Serves as second to the commander in chief of the Syrian army, his uncle Shirkuh. 1171: Saladin suppresses the Fatimid rulers of Egypt in 1171, whereupon he unites Egypt with the Abbasid Caliphate. 1174: Nur al-Din. dies, and Saladin uses the opportunity to extend his power base, conquering Damascus. |
1175: The Syrian Assassin leader Rashideddin's men make two attempts on the life of Saladin. The second time, the Assassin came so close that wounds were inflicted upon Saladin. 1176: Saladin besieges the fortress of Masyaf, the stronghold of Rashideddin. After some weeks, Saladin suddenly withdraws, and leaves the Assassins in peace for the rest of his life. It is believed that he was exposed to a threat of having his entire family murdered. 1183: Conquers the important north-Syrian city of Aleppo. 1186: Conquers Mosul in northern Iraq. |
The Decisive Battle of Hettin:
In return for an attack made by the Crusaders of the Kerak on Muslim pilgrims in 1187, Saladin moved his army to northern Palestine and defeated the much larger Crusader army in the decisive battle of Hettin (July 4, 1187).
When Saladin captured a city or enemy forces he did not do what the Crusaders had been doing to his people by slaughtering them. Do not get me wrong, Saladin and his forces had their share of barbaric acts but they were nothing like the Crusaders, and lets face it the Crusaders had it coming to them....
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew, 5:44.
"If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also." Luke, 6:29.
In return for an attack made by the Crusaders of the Kerak on Muslim pilgrims in 1187, Saladin moved his army to northern Palestine and defeated the much larger Crusader army in the decisive battle of Hettin (July 4, 1187).
When Saladin captured a city or enemy forces he did not do what the Crusaders had been doing to his people by slaughtering them. Do not get me wrong, Saladin and his forces had their share of barbaric acts but they were nothing like the Crusaders, and lets face it the Crusaders had it coming to them....
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew, 5:44.
"If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also." Luke, 6:29.