BrassTacks program Yeh Ghazi on Timeline of the Muslim History. This epi...
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BrassTacks program Yeh Ghazi on Timeline of the Muslim History. This episode is about one the most illustrious sones of Islam Sultan Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub.In wars against the Christian crusaders, he achieved final success with the disciplined capture of Jerusalem (Oct. 2,1187), ending its 88-year occupation by the Franks. The great Christian counterattack of the Third Crusade was then stalemated by Saladin's military genius.
Saladin's crowning achievement and the most disastrous blow to the whole crusading movement came on Oct. 2, 1187, when Jerusalem, holy to both Muslim and Christian alike, surrendered to the Sultan's army after 88 years in the hands of the Franks.
In stark contrast to the city's conquest by the Christians, when blood flowed freely during the barbaric slaughter of its inhabitants, the Muslim reconquest was marked by the civilized and courteous behaviour of Sultan Salahuddin and his troops.
In 1187 the Christian King of Karak, Arnat, attacked an innocent group of pilgrims travelling to perform hajj. The attackers, showing no mercy, plundered, tortured the men and dishonoured the women. Whilst killing the pilgrims Arnat said: Go tell Mohammad and ask him if he can save you. This event brought to an end a period of temporary calm that had ensued between the man known as Saladin and the Christians. Arnat was one that really animated Salah-a-deen. He had always longed to free Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, was now presented with the opportunity to face the Christians. When the news of this event reached Salah-a-deen he hid his anger and sent a polite message to King Arnat. In the letter he asked him to respect the Muslims, to free all the prisoners and to return whatever he had stolen. The King however refused Salah-a-deen's request. This left Salah-a-deen with no choice but to teach the King a lesson. On the 4th July 1187 CE the Christians paid their highest price to date. The Muslim army had surrounded the Christians and when the heat was unbearable and the fighting at its peak, Salah-a-deen gave orders to set fire to the grass and shrubs surrounding the enemy. Their suffering complete, Salah-a-deen inflicted on them a resounding defeat.
After this defeat the Christians amassed 50,000 fighters to do battle at Hiteen. The Christians lead by the Kings of Jerusalem, Karak and Tripoli were again defeated heavily. Many of their princes and knights were taken as prisoners. It was Allahs will that Salah-a-deen should meet face to face with King Arnat of Karak, the butcher of innocent pilgrims. Before killing him Salah-a-deen told him he was killing him for defaming the honour and dignity of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wassalam) and for the murder of innocent Muslims.
On the 19th September 1187 Salah-a-deen approached Jerusalem and proceeded to lay siege on the City. He bombarded the City with fire and projectiles until the Christians surrendered. The Muslim army led by Salah-a-deen entered the City peacefully on Friday the 2nd October 1187 CE. He replaced the Cross with the Islamic flag and took down the large cross from the Dome of the Rock, all traces of Christian symbolism was removed from Al Aqsa Mosque.
Salah-a-deen expressed in the most practical way the kindness, and mercy of Islam when, at the peak of his victory and power he gave freedom for all inhabitants of Jerusalem to leave the city unharmed. This was in total contrast with the Crusaders' conquering of al-Quds in 1099 CE. Then the streets of the city flowed with the blood of 70,000 slaughtered Muslims.
In reflecting upon Salah-a-deen's life there are a number of points that come to mind. Firstly, it is important to remember that the Christian presence in the Middle East had remained unchallenged for one hundred years. The Muslim states were divided and were in a period of decline. In many respects there is a similar analogy with our situation today. However, there is one major difference. In Salah-a-deen's days the system being applied by the Muslims was Islamic, but it had lost its dynamism. What was needed was a man of Salah-a-deen's intellect, character and determination to bring the State back on the right track.
BrassTacks program Yeh Ghazi on Timeline of the Muslim History. This epi...
more
BrassTacks program Yeh Ghazi on Timeline of the Muslim History. This episode is about one the most illustrious sones of Islam
Sultan Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub.In wars against the Christian crusaders, he achieved final success with the disciplined
capture of Jerusalem (Oct. 2,1187), ending its 88-year occupation by the Franks. The great Christian counterattack of the
Third Crusade was then stalemated by Saladin's military genius.
Saladin's crowning achievement and the most disastrous blow to the whole crusading movement came on Oct. 2, 1187, when
Jerusalem, holy to both Muslim and Christian alike, surrendered to the Sultan's army after 88 years in the hands of the
Franks.
In stark contrast to the city's conquest by the Christians, when blood flowed freely during the barbaric slaughter of its
inhabitants, the Muslim reconquest was marked by the civilized and courteous behaviour of Sultan Salahuddin and his troops.
In 1187 the Christian King of Karak, Arnat, attacked an innocent group of pilgrims travelling to perform hajj. The attackers,
showing no mercy, plundered, tortured the men and dishonoured the women. Whilst killing the pilgrims Arnat said: Go tell
Mohammad and ask him if he can save you. This event brought to an end a period of temporary calm that had ensued between the
man known as Saladin and the Christians. Arnat was one that really animated Salah-a-deen. He had always longed to free Al-
Quds (Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, was now presented with the opportunity to face the Christians. When the news of this
event reached Salah-a-deen he hid his anger and sent a polite message to King Arnat. In the letter he asked him to respect
the Muslims, to free all the prisoners and to return whatever he had stolen. The King however refused Salah-a-deen's request.
This left Salah-a-deen with no choice but to teach the King a lesson. On the 4th July 1187 CE the Christians paid their highest price to date. The Muslim army had surrounded the Christians and
when the heat was unbearable and the fighting at its peak, Salah-a-deen gave orders to set fire to the grass and shrubs
surrounding the enemy. Their suffering complete, Salah-a-deen inflicted on them a resounding defeat.
After this defeat the Christians amassed 50,000 fighters to do battle at Hiteen. The Christians lead by the Kings of
Jerusalem, Karak and Tripoli were again defeated heavily. Many of their princes and knights were taken as prisoners. It was
Allahs will that Salah-a-deen should meet face to face with King Arnat of Karak, the butcher of innocent pilgrims. Before
killing him Salah-a-deen told him he was killing him for defaming the honour and dignity of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi
wassalam) and for the murder of innocent Muslims.
On the 19th September 1187 Salah-a-deen approached Jerusalem and proceeded to lay siege on the City. He bombarded the City
with fire and projectiles until the Christians surrendered. The Muslim army led by Salah-a-deen entered the City peacefully
on Friday the 2nd October 1187 CE. He replaced the Cross with the Islamic flag and took down the large cross from the Dome of
the Rock, all traces of Christian symbolism was removed from Al Aqsa Mosque.
Salah-a-deen expressed in the most practical way the kindness, and mercy of Islam when, at the peak of his victory and power
he gave freedom for all inhabitants of Jerusalem to leave the city unharmed. This was in total contrast with the Crusaders'
conquering of al-Quds in 1099 CE. Then the streets of the city flowed with the blood of 70,000 slaughtered Muslims.
In reflecting upon Salah-a-deen's life there are a number of points that come to mind. Firstly, it is important to remember
that the Christian presence in the Middle East had remained unchallenged for one hundred years. The Muslim states were
divided and were in a period of decline. In many respects there is a similar analogy with our situation today. However, there
is one major difference. In Salah-a-deen's days the system being applied by the Muslims was Islamic, but it had lost its
dynamism. What was needed was a man of Salah-a-deen's intellect, character and determination to bring the State back on the
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