Saladin was a prominent figure in the medieval history. He was the most famous of the Muslim military heroes in the world. “His achievements were not limited to the military sphere alone, but achieved across the political, diplomatic and administrative arenas. ”(Bosworth Clifford 2). The explanation of his youth and background, how he became such a heroic leader, and his achievements during his reign will portray his years of successful conquer ship. Saladin was born in Tikrit (present Iraq) in the year of 1138. His father, Najmuddin, was a Kurdish from Azerbaijan. On the night of his birth, his father, Najmudin, decided to move to Aleppo and worked for Imaddin Zangi, the powerful Turkish governor in northern Syria. ”(Paul E. Walker 1). ”Growing up in Baalbek and Damascus, Saladin had a knowledgeable youth, with a greater taste for religious studies than military training. ”(A. Hutchinson 1). In addition to Islam, Saladin had knowledge of the genealogies, biographies, and histories of the Arabs, as well as the bloodlines of Arabian horses. Overall, his youth inspired him to respect the study of democracy towards religion which would help him throughout his prideful conquer ship against the crusades.
He received a taste of military life under the guided eyes of his uncle Asaddin, an important military commander, and the academic and religious elements from his father. “Following the tradition in those days, Saladin was trained to be expert horse rider and handled various weapons of combat, such as the sword in and archery. ”(Paul E. Walker 1). He trained extremely hard with his uncle and soon became an expert in militarism and religious factors. “Egypt became the stepping stone for Saladin’s ambition to recapture Jerusalem. ”(A. Hutchinson 1). This opportunity came when he was part of the triumphant army sent to Egypt by the Emir of Damascus to face the attack of the Crusaders. ”(A. Hutchinson 1). Upon the death of the vizier (high-ranking minister) and his uncle (army commander Asaddin), he was appointed as the new Vizier of Egypt, keeping alliance to the Emir in Damascus. When the Emir in Damascus died, Saladin took over the leadership of the great Muslim army and proceeded in his plan to unite the fractional Muslims states with single minded intention to stage a holy war.
The great conqueror Saladin achieved a union in humanity and proceeded to end holy battles between the two religions in the Middle East. “The Battle of Hattin was the main battle against the Christian army in the holy land which would allow Saladin to attempt to unite all Muslim and Christian people in peace. ”(A. Hutchinson 2). Eventually, the losses were so great in the ranks of the Crusaders in this single battle that the Muslims were able to overrun over nearly the entire Kingdom of Jerusalem. One by one their stronghold fell under the power of Saladin within three months. Finally, the main achievement was the total capture and ending of the 88-year occupation by the Franks in Jerusalem (1187). ”(Paul E. Walker 1). Although the Crusaders were brutal and ruthless, Saladin’s morality gave the surrendered army a chance to leave the Kingdom of Jerusalem in peace. “By 1189, the Crusaders occupied only three cities in the entire Middle East, all because of Saladin’s immense freedom powers. ”(Paul E. Walker 1). Saladin’s every act was inspired by an intense and complete approach to the idea of the holy war, taking the example from the struggle of the prophet and the companions. He opened colleges, mosques, and even Churches which created a system to support the quest of knowledge. ”(A. Hutchinson 2). “He invited scholars and specially made them to write informative works both in religious topics as well as academics’ interest. ”(A. Hutchinson 2). Through religious principle, which was a genuine part of his own way of life, he tried to re-create in his own realm some of the same passion and enthusiasm that had proved so valuable to the first generations of Muslims when, five centuries before, they had conquered half of the world.
