Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi

Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi. Who was Salah Ad-Din-Al-Ayyub Saladin? Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyub also known as Saladin, lived in the 12th Century and was one of the most prominent Muslim figures in History. He rose from Sunni Kurdish origins in Syria and was born in Tikrit in Iraq which was then called Mesopotamia. Saladin constructed his reputation as a Military leader under the Shia Fatimid Caliphate which built Cairo, but he eventually took power for himself by establishing the Ayyubid Dynasty in 1171AD, therefore becoming the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, because of his solid Islamic foundations he defended Egypt and the Levant from the invasion from the Crusader. At the beginning of his Military Life he joined his Uncle Asad al-Din Shirkuh a Military Commander under the Command of Amir Al Din Zang. He studies the Quran, along with Astronomy, Mathmatics and Law. Being proficient in taking on leading responsabilities in Military Campaigns reason being because of his remarkable performance during Battles. His very clever and tactical capabilities led him to remove himself from being a Soldier to becoming the King of Egypt and and Syria, this qualified him to overthrow the Fatimid and keep control in Egypt. Salah Ad-din being born into a Sunni Military Family was raised in the Muslim Community as an inferior to the Mesopotamian Military Leader Nural-Din. Salah Ad-Din became leader of the Military Forces in 1169 after taking part in three Campaigns Into Egypt throughout the reign of the Shi’ite Fatimid Dynasty. Once he had becaome the consultant to the Shi’ite Caliph in Cairo he carried on proving his power by abolishing the Fatimid’s sub-sahara Infantry Slave Forces. By recognizing the Sunni Caliphate in Baghdad in 1171 Salah Ad-Din was able to finish the Fatimid Caliphate. What is Salah Ad-Din most famous for.? During the third Crusade Saladin’s recognition in the West grew from his leadership of the Muslim Armies against Richard I of England. Instead of becoming hated in Europe Saladin became respected by Richard I and most of Crusaders because of his honourable behaviour. Below are a few examples of what he was famous for. • Fighting and winning the Battle of Hattin • Earning respect of Christians for liberating Jerusalem and allowing the freedom to worship. • United many Countries including Egypt, and Levant, also led Jihad against the Crusaders achieving many victories. • He benefited from the wealth of Egypt as first financial support in the conquest of Syria then used the wealth of Syria to conquer Northern Mesopotamia using it to conquer the Crusade States. • Took back control of Jerusalem , credited with establishing Ayyubid State in Egypt and the fall of Fatimid State after taking the Ministery in Cairo. How did Salah Ad-Din contribute to the Arab and Islamic History? Saladin has become an image of defiance in the West in Arab and Islamic History, especially after the rise of Arab Mationalism in the 20th Century. In the centre of the Egyptian Flag you can see Saladin’s Eagle as a crest. Saladin’s legacy can still be seen in Cairo, example his construction of Cairo’s Citadel which is named after him, and extended walls of the City, but were not finished until after his death.