Salah Ad-deen Al-ayubi The Battle of Hattin, the Conquest ofJerusalem and the Third Crusade

PART THREEThe Battle Of Hattin, The Conquest of Jerusalem and The Third CrusadeCHAPTER I: The Battle of HattinSalah ad-Deen was able to form a united Islamic front covering a vast area, but the Crusader control of some Syrian coastal cities, in addition to the fortresses of Kerak and Crac de Montreal, represented a tough obstacle in the way of communication between the two main axes of his state, which included Egypt and most of Greater Syria, and part of Iraq. In addition to that, these cities and coastal ports were of great strategic importance because control of them enabled the Crusaders to remain in constant contact with their motherlands in Western Europe.Hence from the beginning of his rule, Salah ad-Deen was very keen to raid these regions; his interest therein also dated back to the days of his viziership in the Fatimid state. In fact, Salah ad-Deen had inflicted heavy losses on the Crusaders in terms of lives and weaponry as a result of the raids that he organized against the cities of the Syrian coast, which prompted the Crusaders — it seems — to think of reducing the pressure on those areas by distracting Salah ad-Deen from them, which they thought to accomplish by raiding the coast of the Red Sea. In addition, they took advantage of their presence in that area to threaten the Islamic holy places so as to strike at Islam in its holiest sites. Nevertheless, events were moving swiftly in Salah ad-Deen's favour. About the word Lord Death of Baldwin V and its impact on the Crusaders situation Salah ad-Deen benefited from events occurring in the Kingdom of Jerusalem Reynald de Chatillon breaks the truce with the Muslims again The battle of Sephoria Preparations that preceded the Battle of Hattin Crusader preparations Salah ad-Deen' s plan for the decisive battle Salah ad-Deen heads towards Tiberias Events of the battle Beginning of the Muslim attack Psychological warfare on the part of Salah ad-Deen Crusader losses at Hattin Salah ad-Deen offers the prayer of gratitude and receives the captive kings Salah ad-Deen' s attitude towards the prisoners Preparations and understanding the law of cause and effect Step-by-step approach and the unity of the Ummah Far-sightedness and political acumen of Salah ad-Deen Organizing his state and the Fiefs of his emirs Reining in his family's ambitions and placating them External diplomatic efforts The issue of jihad Being granted power and authority Security and stability Honour and glory Victory and conquest Justice A generation that fought for the sake of Allah It followed the truth It established the commands of Allah It established the duty of jihad for the sake of Allah It was patient and steadfast Seeking help from the scholars and consulting them about war and administrative matters A strong relationship with Allah Turning to Allah after making preparations Success of Salah ad-Deen's intelligence operations Reasons for victory that were the fault of the Crusaders Abul-Hasan an-Nadawi on the secret behind Salah ad-Deen's success Reactions to the Battle of Hattin Al-Qadi al-Fadil's joy at the victory at Hattin An amazing dream Conquests on the coast before the Conquest of Jerusalem Consequences of the Battle of Hattin A decisive battle The beginning of the end for the Crusader presence Rise in Salah ad-Deen's status The Battle of Hattin: the key to Jerusalem Importance of geographic awareness Respect and admiration for Salah ad-Deen Cumulative efforts that preceded Salah ad-Deen CHAPTER II The Conquest of Jerusalem Crusader preparations inside Jerusalem Salah ad-Deen's military plan Steps that preceded the liberation of Jerusalem The media dimension Summoning the Egyptian forces The siege and fighting The decisive attack Negotiations for the handover of Jerusalem Salah ad-Deen's entry into Jerusalem History has never known any conqueror more merciful than the Muslims A devout Crusader queen The wife of a captive king Princess Stephanie, mother of Humphrey Salah ad-Deen respected the Christians' feelings Permitting some Christians to remain in Jerusalem Steven Runciman's opinion Grousset's opinion First Jumu'ah prayer in Jerusalem Text of the Khutbah Allah is Able to attain victory Praise for the noble Messenger and his Companions May Allah be pleased with the mujahideen The qualities of al-Masjid al-Aqsa Congratulations to Salah ad-Deen and his Muslim troops for their victory Thanking Allah for the victory Virtues of al-Aqsa and al-Quds Gratitude to Allah alone The angels thank Allah for the mujahideen Prohibition of arrogance and committing sin Victory comes only from Allah Keeping away from sin Call for continuation of the jihad Call to liberate the rest of the holy land Supplications for Sultan Salah ad-Deen and the Muslims in their religious and worldly affairs The minbar of Noor ad-Deen in Jerusalem Salah ad-Deen restores Jerusalem Sending glad tidings and delegations throughout the Muslim world Salah ad-Deen' s differences with the Abbasid caliph Presence of the scholars in Salah ad-Deen' s conquests Siege of Tyre Completion of conquests Conquest of Kerak and Crac de Montreal Turning towards the north "We were not created to stay in Damascus: we were created for worship and for jihad for the sake of Allah" Death of Usamah ibn Munqidh Most important lessons The importance of the devoted scholars in reviving the Ummah Educating the new generation in the 'aqeedah of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah Loyalty purely for the sake of Allah and His Messenger Unity of the Ummah is founded on unity of belief Islamic banner for the battle A far-reaching Islamic strategy and the scholars who understood the situation Repentance of the Muslim Ummah, its turning back to Allah and its avoidance of sin Jihad for the sake of Allah is the only way to take back Jerusalem CHAPTER III The Third Crusade and the Death of Salah ad-Deen The Crusaders seek help from the West The German emperor on his way to the east The Germans Enter Armenia Death of the German emperor Scattering of the Germans after the death of their king Salah ad-Deen's attitude towards the German campaign The Crusaders besiege Acre Scholars who participated in the battle Scholars' impact on the fighters' morale Salah ad-Deen holds a consultative meeting Request for help from a king of the Maghreb Role of Al Qadi al-Fadil during the Crusader siege of Acre Efforts of Salah ad-Deen to lift the siege of Acre Penetrating the naval blockade of Acre The swimmer 'Eesa penetrates the siege The Muslims target the siege engines and other war machines Crusader siege of the 'Tower of Flies' The Muslims take control of the situation Outstanding courage Muslim attack on a four-storey siege tower Changing the Muslim troops in Acre A great catastrophe for the Muslims Some of the Franks become Muslim Martyrdom of Jamal ad-Deen Muhammad ibn Arkaz Arrival of Al Qadi al-Fadil at Salah ad-Deen's camp Death of the chief Qadi Kamal ad-Deen ash-Shahrazoori in Mosul The Kings of France and England arrive at Acre The fall of Acre Negotiations for the handover of Acre Salah ad-Deen urges the Muslims in Acre to be steadfast Crusader treachery and breaking of the deal The Christian woman searching for her infant son Dealing with the King of England Reasons for the fall of Acre Arrival of new European forces Crusaders' use of various new weapons A lengthy siege Financial woes in Salah ad-Deen’s army After Acre The battle of Arsuf Destruction of Ascalon Organization of the defenses of Jerusalem Negotiations between al-'Adil and Richard Salah ad-Deen's political acumen and attitude towards the war Salah ad-Deen's preparations to defend Jerusalem The Battle of Jaffa Negotiations and the Treaty of Ramlah The first stage The second stage The third stage The fourth stage The fifth stage The sixth stage Outcome of the Third Crusade and the most important events before the death of Salah ad-Deen Salah ad-Deen's illness and death: 589 AH The final days of the life of Salah ad-Deen Salah ad-Deen’s sickness The people swear allegiance to al-Malik al-Afdal His death (may Allah have mercy on him) Reception of condolences and burial The sword of Salah ad-Deen in his grave Last words of Salah ad-Deen to his son al-Malik adh-Dhahir The sultan's estate A most brilliant letter announcing the death of Salah ad-Deen A good dream Epilogue Notes Select Bibliography Appendix A Timeline of Major Events 596 AH: The death of Qadi al-Fadil (Abu 'Ali 'Abd ar-Raheem al-'Asqallani), trusted advisor to Salah ad-Deen Appendix B Dynasties Mentioned in Salah ad-Deen al-Ayubi Muslims Crusaders