The Great Sultan Salahuddin Al-Ayubi RA

Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūbi (c. 1138 – March 4, 1193), better known in the Western world as Saladin, was a Kurdish Muslim, who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and founded the Ayyubid dynasty. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, and Yemen.

Under his personal leadership, his forces defeated the Crusaders at the Battle of Hittin, leading the way to his re-capture of Palestine, which had been seized from the Fatimid Egyptians by the Crusaders 88 years earlier. Though the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem would continue to exist for a period, its defeat at Hattin marked a turning point in its conflict with the Muslims and Arabs. As such, Saladin is a prominent figure in Kurdish, Arab, and Muslim culture. Saladin was a strict adherent of Islam  His chivalrous behavior was noted by Christian chroniclers, especially in the accounts of the Seige of Kerak, and despite being the nemesis of the Crusaders, he won the respect of many of them, including Richard the Lionheart; rather than becoming a hated figure in Europe, he became a celebrated example of the principles of chivalry.

He RA was the one who brought Jerusalem again under the Muslim Rule. According to the historians this was the dialogue that took place between Salahuddin RA and Balian of Ibelin:

Saladin: Will you yield the city?

Balian of Ibelin: Before I lose it, I will burn it to the ground. Your holy places, ours. Every last thing in Jerusalem that drives men mad.

Saladin: I wonder if it would not be better if you did. You will destroy it?

Balian of Ibelin: Every stone. And every Christian knight you kill will take 10 Saracens with him. You will destroy your army here and never raise another. I swear to God that to take this city will be the end of you.

[thinks]

Saladin: Your city is full of women and children. If my army will die, so will your city.

Balian of Ibelin: You offer terms. I ask none.

Saladin: I will give every soul safe conduct to Christian lands. Every soul --the women, the children, the old, and all your knights and soldiers, and your queen. Your king, such as he is, I leave to you, and what God will make of him. No one will be harmed. I swear to God.

Balian of Ibelin: The Christians butchered every Muslim within the walls when they took this city.

Saladin: I AM NOT THOSE MEN. I AM SALAHUDDIN. SALAHUDDIN.

[thinks]

Balian of Ibelin: Then under these terms, I surrender Jerusalem.

Saladin: As-Salāmu `Alaykum.

Balian of Ibelin: And peace be with you.

[walks away]

Balian of Ibelin: What is Jerusalem worth?

Saladin: Nothing.

[walks away]

Saladin: Everything!

[smile to each other]

Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi RA died a natural death and is buried in Damascus, Syria. May His soul rest in Peace.

In 1917 the Balfour Declaration was signed and after that French General Henri Gouraud entered the city of Damascus in July 1920 and kicking Saladin's tomb, Gouraud exclaimed, "Awake Saladin, we have returned. My presence here consecrates the victory of the Cross over the Crescent."

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