The Person I Most Admire: Saladin (Salahuddin Al-Ayubi)

Oleh : Rusyda Ummu Hafidz

The person I most admire is Saladin. He was the king of Syria and Egypt in 1175. I look up to him for his patience and great trust in Allah, his love of justice, his generosity, his zeal in fighting in Allah’s cause and last but not least, it is his kindness and tolerance towards others.

Saladin was a Sultan who had patient character and great trust in Allah. Allah said in Holly Qur’an (3: 146): “And many a Prophet (i.e. many from amongst the Prophets) fought (in Allah’s cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah’s way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient”. Saladin had a perfect trust in Allah, he looked upon Him as his great support, and turned ever to Him. An example of this can be seen when the Franks had pitched their camp at Beit-Nuba –situated about a day’s journey to Jerusalem. Saladin received constant news from his spies about the Franks intention to lay siege on Jerusalem. Upon learning the news, the Muslims were terrified, which prompted Saladin to gather his generals and inform them about the calamity, and submitted to them whether to remain or leave the city. His general’s response was that it was no beneficial for Saladin to remain in the city, and that they will stay and fight the Franks. But after receiving a message from the generals to leave his brother al-Malik al-‘Adel or one of his sons behind, Saladin then knew that his generals didn’t have the intentions to stay and fight. This caused Saladin to be overwhelmed with despair. Having the belief that support is from Allah, and turning to Him and trusting in His goodness, and he will be delivered out of this affliction, he performed the ablution and went to the Al-Aqsa mosque for Friday prayers. He gave alms in secret, and prayed two raka’a after the adzan and before the iqama, and whilst remaining prostrated, he made a supplication to Allah with the following words: “Oh Allah! All earthly means that I have employed for the defense of the religion, now fail me. There remains for me no resources but to seek support in You, to put myself in Your hand, and to trust myself to Your goodness. Upon You alone do I count, You are the best of Guardians.”

Before the end of the day arrived, there was news that disturbance reigned amongst the Franks. Early on Saturday, news arrived that discord was rampant amongst the Franks, the king of France that they must lay siege to Jerusalem, whilst the king of England and his supporters were unwilling to risk Christian cause by throwing their troops into a mountainous country, where their water-supply would be entirely cut off, for Saladin had destroyed all the wells around the city. An example of his patient can be seen when he suffered from a sickness that had come upon him. While he suffered from the throbbing of the tumors, he still drawn up his army, in order of battle, on the right wing, on the left and in the centre, he remain on horseback from early morning until after mid-day prayer[1], engage in surveying the battalions and again from the third hour of the afternoon until sunset. During the whole time he bore most patiently the great pain, but he keep on saying, “The pain leaves me when I am on horseback, and only return when I dismount”. What a proof of Allah’s favour. Moreover, another example of his patient and his great trust in Allah can be seen when he received the news of the death of his son Isma’il, a young man just in the flower of his youth. He read the content of the letter, but said nothing about it to anyone.

Sultan Saladin was an example of a good leader who treats people equally. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A just governor is the shadow of Allah upon earth. He who serve Allah faithfully himself and for others, Allah will place under the shadow of His throne on that day when no other will remain except that shadow; but he who seeks to deceive Allah in matter which concern himself or other men, Allah will deprive of all hope on the day of resurrection. To the just governor, for the good work he has done day by day, He will assign a reward equal to that of sixty true-hearted men who each have worked for their own salvation”. Sultan Saladin was just, merciful, compassionate, and ready to aid the weak against the strong. Every Monday and Thursday he went to the public to administer justice. Every one who had complains was admitted to the court –great and small, aged women and feeble men. He always received with his own hand the petitions that were presented to him, and he never sent away those who came to complain of their wrongs or to demand redress. Furthermore, He didn’t choose between friend, family and foe. If they did wrong, he’d punished them justly. An example of this can be seen when a man from Damascus by the name Ibn-Zoheir, delivered a complaint against Taki ed-Din, the Sultan’s nephew, demanding justice. Although Taki ed-Din was high in the affection and esteem of his uncle, the Sultan would not spare him in a matter where justice was at stake and cause him to appear before the tribunal. Additionally, he would have turned himself in, if he committed a crime.

Throughout Saladin’s life he had displayed a total lack of pretension and was generous with his personal wealth. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says: “When the generous man stumbles, Allah take him by the hand”. He gave just as liberally when he was in straits (during hard times) as when he was in the enjoyment of plenty. When he was at Jerusalem, he received a great number of deputations, just as he was departing for Damascus, and had not sufficient money in the treasury to make present to the delegates. Because of that, he sold one of his farms. He once said in the course of conversation about one of the traditions[2]: “It may be that there is someone in the world who esteems money of as little value as the dust of the earth”. He was apparently alluding to himself. He always gave more than they expected to those who asked. And he never said: “We have already given to him”. He made numerous presents to those who had already received gifts. He did that with as much pleasure as though he had not given them anything before. As a result, the sum of money he left at his death was not enough to burry him. He was a great Sultan, but he left neither goods, nor house, nor real estate, neither garden, nor village, nor any other species of property. His private charities had absorbed everything. He just left seven and forty Nasry dirhems and a single Tyrian gold piece.

Allah said in Holy Qur’an (29: 69): “As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (Allah’s religion –Islamic Monotheism). And Verily Allah is with the Muhsinun (who do well)”. Sultan Saladin entertained an ardent passion for the Holy War (jihad). With him to wage war in Allah’s name was a veritable passion, his whole heart was filled with it and he gave body and soul to the cause. He spoke of nothing else; all his thoughts were instruments of war, his soldiers monopolised every idea. He showed all respect to those who talked of the Holy War and who encourage the people to take part in it. His desire to fight in Allah’s cause forced him to leave his family, his children, his native land and all else in his land. Leaving all these were earthly enjoyment. He contented himself with a dwelling beneath the shadow of a tent, shaken to the right hand and to the left by the breath of every wind. Furthermore he exposed himself and risked his life for the Holy war. He once said: “I strive for the door of the most glorious of death (die in the way of Allah)”. What a noble sentiments! How pure, how brave and how full of courage was his soul.

Finally, I look up to him because of his kindness and tolerance. Allah said in Holy Qur’an (3; 148): “So Allah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the kind”. He was always ready to serve his guest anytime with pleasure, even he tired and sickness. During the crusade, Richard the “Lion heart” was suffering. Saladin offered him medical treatment and some fresh water and fruits. Saladin did that because he was a good Muslim. One of the main beliefs of Islam is that Muslims should help those in need. Furthermore, after his entry into Jerusalem, Saladin calmed down the hot heads of his camp –who were demanding the destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. He declared: “The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was not to be touched”. The church was closed for only three days, after which the Christians were permitted to enter for a small fee. He cleansed and restored the Dome of Rock and the Masjid al-Aqsa, which had been converted into a stable for the horses of the Templar order of Christian knights. He also released thousands of Christian prisoners. Saladin’s actions define what it meant to be a good Muslim. Beside all of that, he also gave amnesties and various charities toward his enemies, even though he had every reason to be bitter about his treatment at the hands of the enemy.

Saladin was truly a warrior of God (Soldier of Allah; Mujaahiddin) and he was a very impressive leader. No wonder Saladin is recognised as one of the best general in the world. I recommend you to watch the film “Kingdom of Heaven”. He has certainly won my admiration.

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[1] The mid-day prayer, Shalat Dzuhur, is said when the sun has begun to decline.

[2] The Traditions (Hadith) contain the record of all that Muhammad did and said. They form an important part of Moslem theology, and occupy a place second only to the Qur’an.