The Story of Saladin
The Story of Saladin
“Victory is changing the hearts of your opponents by gentleness and kindness.” (Saladin, a Benevolent Man, Web.)That was a quote once said by Saladin, sultan of Egypt, during a battle in the Third Crusade. The Crusades were a series of “holy wars” between the Christians and the Muslims to capture Jerusalem, the most holy city for both of the religions. The majority of the world now views Saladin as an evil villain who stole Jerusalem and crushed the helpless Christians victims; however, he was not only one of the most brilliant-minded military leaders in history, but also a charitable and merciful man.
Saladin was raised in an Islamic family, where nobility, forgiveness, and leniency were all significant factors. From a young age, he was influenced into loving knowledge, being selfless, and devoting to Allah, God of Islam. As an adult in the time of war, his actions reflected his Islamic faith. At the Battle of Hattin, when Saladin successfully conquered Jerusalem, thousands of Christian habitants’ lives laid within his complete control and mercy. Despite the fact that during the First Crusade, Christians viciously massacred every Muslim within the walls of Jerusalem until they “rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins” (Raymond of Agiles), Saladin unexpectedly showed them kindness. Not only did he order his soldiers to not kill, damage, or rob anyone or anything, he also allowed the people to leave peacefully if they wished. When the Christians attempted to recapture Jerusalem, Saladin’s army greatly outnumbered the Crusaders’, and for that reason, he would have easily won, however, he took a diplomatic approach. To prevent further bloodbath for both parties, Saladin initiated a peace treaty with the Crusaders, permitted them 40 days to depart in harmony, and allowed them to visit whenever they wished to pay respects to their God (Saladin: Respected by Muslims and Christians, Web.)
Despite having a high position and supreme power,
“Victory is changing the hearts of your opponents by gentleness and kindness.” (Saladin, a Benevolent Man, Web.)That was a quote once said by Saladin, sultan of Egypt, during a battle in the Third Crusade. The Crusades were a series of “holy wars” between the Christians and the Muslims to capture Jerusalem, the most holy city for both of the religions. The majority of the world now views Saladin as an evil villain who stole Jerusalem and crushed the helpless Christians victims; however, he was not only one of the most brilliant-minded military leaders in history, but also a charitable and merciful man.
Saladin was raised in an Islamic family, where nobility, forgiveness, and leniency were all significant factors. From a young age, he was influenced into loving knowledge, being selfless, and devoting to Allah, God of Islam. As an adult in the time of war, his actions reflected his Islamic faith. At the Battle of Hattin, when Saladin successfully conquered Jerusalem, thousands of Christian habitants’ lives laid within his complete control and mercy. Despite the fact that during the First Crusade, Christians viciously massacred every Muslim within the walls of Jerusalem until they “rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins” (Raymond of Agiles), Saladin unexpectedly showed them kindness. Not only did he order his soldiers to not kill, damage, or rob anyone or anything, he also allowed the people to leave peacefully if they wished. When the Christians attempted to recapture Jerusalem, Saladin’s army greatly outnumbered the Crusaders’, and for that reason, he would have easily won, however, he took a diplomatic approach. To prevent further bloodbath for both parties, Saladin initiated a peace treaty with the Crusaders, permitted them 40 days to depart in harmony, and allowed them to visit whenever they wished to pay respects to their God (Saladin: Respected by Muslims and Christians, Web.)
Despite having a high position and supreme power,