Saladin

Synopsis

Over 800 years since his death, Saladin's fame as the Muslim liberator of Jerusalem, the great foe of Richard the Lionheart and the paragon of justice and nobility remains as powerful as it was during his lifetime.

In this new edition, the author A. R. Azzam traces the historical rise of the great Kurdish general and the dramatic events that led to his famous victory at the battle of Hattin. The author also examines how Saladin became a legend in his own lifetime and how and why the legend has continued to endure so powerfully to the present age. But in Saladin: The Triumph of Sunni Revival, the author goes beyond the myth and argues that the legend of Saladin's chivalry has neglected his inner spiritual life and beliefs and the vital role he played in upholding religious orthodoxy. Thus, Saladin: The Triumph of Sunni Revival is not just the study of the man but also the study of the historical age in which he lived and of the profound intellectual forces that influenced his thoughts and actions so deeply. It is a study of the power of an idea and how this idea, the Sunni Revival, began to take root and flourish in the century before Saladin was born and spread rapidly across the Muslim world-from Baghdad to Damascus, from Damascus to Cairo and ultimately and triumphantly, thanks to Saladin, from Cairo to Jerusalem.

This book starts in Baghdad with the disintegration of the Abbasid caliphate, and introduces great figures such as Nizam ul-Mulk and al-Ghazali. And although this may appear to have little relevance in a biography of Saladin, A. R. Azzam argues that Saladin was in reality a child of the Sunni Revival and that it was the ideals of this Revival which more than anything affected his beliefs and actions and constitute the foundations of the greatness of his political and spiritual vision.

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Lion Cub

* Introduction to young Saladin as a curious and ambitious boy.
* His early military training and fascination with warfare.
* He witnesses the siege of Baalbek and develops an admiration for Nur al-Din, the Muslim ruler.

Example: "Saladin was eager to learn the art of war, and he often watched the soldiers practice their maneuvers. He was particularly fascinated by the siege of Baalbek, where Nur al-Din's forces captured the city after a long and bloody battle. Saladin was inspired by Nur al-Din's leadership and vowed to become a great warrior like him."

Chapter 2: The Rise of Nur al-Din

* Nur al-Din's military campaigns against the Crusaders and his efforts to unify the Muslim world.
* Saladin's role as a close advisor and general to Nur al-Din.
* He learns the importance of strategy, diplomacy, and justice from Nur al-Din.

Example: "Under Nur al-Din's tutelage, Saladin quickly rose through the ranks. He proved to be a skilled warrior and a wise advisor. Nur al-Din trusted Saladin with important missions, and he often sent him on diplomatic missions to negotiate with the Crusaders."

Chapter 3: The Assassination of Nur al-Din

* Nur al-Din's assassination and its impact on the Muslim world.
* Saladin's grief and determination to avenge his mentor's death.
* He assumes leadership of Nur al-Din's forces and faces challenges from both the Crusaders and rival Muslim factions.

Example: "The assassination of Nur al-Din was a turning point in Saladin's life. He was devastated by the loss of his mentor and vowed to avenge his death. Saladin rallied Nur al-Din's forces and faced numerous challenges from the Crusaders and rival Muslim factions who sought to take advantage of the situation."

Chapter 4: The Battle of Hattin

* Saladin's strategic maneuvering and victory over the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin.
* He demonstrates his brilliance as a military commander and his ability to unite the Muslim forces.
* The battle marks a turning point in the Crusades and establishes Saladin as a formidable opponent.

Example: "Saladin had been planning for a decisive battle, and he had studied the Crusader forces carefully. He used a deceptive maneuver to trap the Crusaders in a narrow pass, where they were surrounded by his troops. In the ensuing Battle of Hattin, Saladin's forces inflicted a crushing defeat on the Crusaders, and the entire Crusader army was destroyed."

Chapter 5: The Conquest of Jerusalem

* Saladin's siege and capture of Jerusalem, the most sacred city in Christianity.
* His magnanimous treatment of the city's inhabitants and his respect for religious differences.
* Jerusalem becomes the capital of Saladin's empire.

Example: "After the Battle of Hattin, Saladin marched on Jerusalem and laid siege to the city. The Crusaders defended the city bravely, but they were no match for Saladin's superior forces. After a long siege, Jerusalem fell to Saladin, and he entered the city as a conqueror."