Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi, widely known as Saladin, was the visionary founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty. He is celebrated globally as the leader who unified the Muslim world and successfully recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187. His life remains a symbol of justice, military brilliance, and chivalry.
Salahuddin Ayubi: Essential Facts
- Full Name: Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub.
- Birth Year: 1137 / 1138 CE (532 AH).
- Birthplace: Tikrit, Modern-day Iraq.
- Death Date: March 4, 1193 CE.
- Death Place: Damascus, Syria.
- Dynasty: Ayyubid Dynasty.
- Ethnicity: Kurdish.
- Burial Place: Mausoleum of Saladin, Umayyad Mosque, Damascus.
Birth, Parentage, and Ancestry
Salahuddin was born into a noble Kurdish family. His father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub, was the warden of the Tikrit fortress. On the night of Salahuddin’s birth, the family moved to Mosul, later serving the Zenghid rulers in Damascus and Baalbek. His mother belonged to a prominent Kurdish noble family, providing him with a high-status upbringing focused on both military and administrative leadership.
Education and Spiritual Growth
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Salahuddin was a scholar before he was a soldier.
- Religious Studies: He was deeply educated in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), theology, and the Quran.
- Academic Interests: He possessed a vast knowledge of Arabic poetry, genealogy, and history.
- Inspiration: He was profoundly influenced by Nur ad-Din Zangi, whose dream of a unified Muslim front against the Crusaders became Salahuddin’s life mission.
Building the Ayyubid Empire
Salahuddin rose to power through a mix of military skill and political patience:
- Egypt (1169): He rose to the rank of Vizier of Egypt after serving under his uncle, Shirkuh.
- Ending the Fatimid Caliphate (1171): He abolished the Fatimid rule in Egypt, bringing the region back to Sunni authority under the Abbasid Caliphate.
- Unification: Over the following decade, he unified Egypt, Syria, Upper Mesopotamia (Iraq), Hejaz, and Yemen to form the Ayyubid Empire.
Major Battles and Military Success
Salahuddin’s military career was defined by his struggle against the Crusader States and Western European Kings.
The Battle of Hattin (1187)
This was his most significant victory. He outmaneuvered the Crusader army, led by Guy of Lusignan, by cutting off their access to the Sea of Galilee. This defeat destroyed the primary military force of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The Recapture of Jerusalem (1187)
Following the victory at Hattin, Salahuddin liberated Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule. He is famous for his mercy; he allowed Christian inhabitants to leave the city safely, preventing the bloodshed that often followed medieval conquests.
The Third Crusade
He successfully defended his empire against the combined forces of King Richard the Lionheart (England) and King Philip II (France). Despite intense fighting, the war ended with a peace treaty that left Jerusalem in Muslim hands.
Life Achievements and Construction
- The Cairo Citadel: He commissioned this massive fortification to defend Egypt, which remained the seat of government for centuries.
- Public Institutions: He founded numerous Madrasas (universities) and the Bimaristan al-Nasiri (a state-of-the-art hospital in Cairo).
- Religious Restoration: He oversaw the restoration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, personally participating in the cleaning of the holy sites.
Death and Humble Legacy
Salahuddin passed away in Damascus in 1193 at the age of 55. Despite being the ruler of a vast empire, he died with almost no personal wealth. He had given away his entire fortune to the poor and to fund his defense of the land. His treasury contained only one piece of gold and forty-seven pieces of silver at the time of his funeral.
Salahuddin Ayubi FAQs
Which area did Salahuddin Ayubi belong to?
He was of Kurdish descent, born in Tikrit (Iraq), raised in Syria, and established his base of power in Egypt.
Who was Salahuddin Ayubi’s father?
His father was Najm ad-Din Ayyub, a powerful and respected Kurdish political and military leader.
What empire did Salahuddin Ayubi defeat?
He primarily defeated the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem and successfully resisted the forces of the Angevin Empire (England) during the Third Crusade.
What was Salahuddin Ayubi’s most famous achievement?
His most famous achievement was the liberation of Jerusalem in 1187 and his victory at the Battle of Hattin.