سلطان صلاح الدین ایوبی

Sultan Salahaddin Al-Ayyubi

Great military leaders, politicians, remarkable scientists from the East and the West still admire the glorious deeds, plans and way of life of Salahaddin. His victories changed history and during his reign the Islamic world witnessed stability despite the serious challenges it faced .

Sultan Salahaddin Al-Ayyubi

Salahaddin's Roots
Salahaddin was born in 532 A.H. (1138 A.D.). Historians agree that Salahaddin belongs to a Kurdish family. His father Najim Al-ddin Ayyub was a well-known dignitary and was a Wali (i.e., a ruler) of Tikrit. Then he was appointed Wali of Baalbak and later granted the post of army leader in Al-Sham (i.e., Syria).

According to some sources Salahaddin's family originated in the villages of Mount Pirmam, the same place where the current resort of Salahaddin has been since it was built 60 years ago. Historians argue over whether his birthplace was in Erbil or Tikrit.

Salahaddin lived in Erbil, Tirkit, Baalbak, Al-Sham and Egypt. As a child he traveled with this father where ever he went, learning reading, writing and knighthood.

His Life
Best known for fighting the Crusades, Salahaddin's first battle with the European Crusaders was in 573 A. H.. Unsatisfied with the results of this first clash, he prepared a stronger army and outfitted them with the best weapons available at the time. He headed for Palestine and defeated the Crusaders in Marj El-Eyun, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing a number of soldiers and leaders.

Salahaddin gathered the Muslim emirs from the northeastern parts of Iraq, southern Turkey and Syria and arranged an agreement among them: they would cooperate and unify their policies and objectives to confront the Crusaders and other enemies. Accordingly, the above-mentioned emirs became subordinate to the Ayybian state; both the Diarbakr and Sinjar regions joined his large kingdom.

He returned to Egypt and prepared his army for another round of fighting with the Crusaders. This time he inflicted such heavy casualties that they asked for a truce. Salahaddin accepted the truce; the Crusaders broke it in 582 A.H.. Salahaddin again mobilized forces and called upon a large number of soldiers from different regions. He defeated the Crusaders and captured many cities, including Jerusalem.

When news of Jerusalem's liberation reached Europe, the European kings mobilized a huge army. In this new Crusade many European heads of state took part in person, particularly those of France, England and Germany. The European armies arrived in Palestine and battled with Salahaddin's forces for about five years. The Crusaders failed to invade and recapture Jerusalem.

His Fame and Behavior
During his reign, the Ayybian State stretched form the present-day Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Iran to the southern parts of the Arabian peninsula, including Yemen; and from Syria, Egypt and Sudan to Morocco. Salahaddin was a just and beloved leader. He believed in democracy and consulted experts in times of crisis. He eschewed mansions and a luxurious lifestyle, being humble simple and pious.

Despite his preoccupation with defending his nation, religion and homeland, Salahaddin never forgot construction and development. He prized science and the progress of civilization, the reformation and advancement of which were his first priorities. Consequently, many schools devoted to science were built throughout the regions under his authority, such as Nasir and Haafia schools in Cairo.

At age 58 he was stricken by disease and died on 26th of Sawal 588 A. H. (the 4th of March 1193 A.D.). He was buried near the mosque of Umayia in Damascus. Many kings, leaders, dignitaries, and intellectuals yet visit his shrine when travelling to Syria.


Excerpt from "The Historical Heritage of Erbil," by Hadi Al Chawishli, translated by Rawand Abdulakadir. Published 1998, The Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism.