Saladin, born in 1137 in Tikrit, Iraq, was a prominent Muslim military leader and statesman who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and later the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. His full name was Yusuf ibn Ayyub, but he is better known by his Kunya, Saladin, which means "righteousness of the faith."
Saladin's early life was marked by his family's service to the Zengid dynasty, where his father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub, held a high military rank. Saladin initially served under Nur ad-Din, the Zengid ruler, in various military campaigns against the Crusader States. His skills in diplomacy and military strategy quickly became apparent. After Nur ad-Din's death in 1174, Saladin, leveraging his position as vizier in Cairo, gradually took control of Egypt and later Syria, establishing himself as the independent ruler of both regions.
Saladin's leadership was characterized by his efforts to unite the Muslim world against the Crusaders. He is most famous for his role in the recapture of Jerusalem in 1187, which had been under Crusader control since 1099. His victories included:
Saladin's approach was not only military but also diplomatic, as he often negotiated with his enemies. His chivalry and generosity, especially towards his enemies, earned him respect even from his adversaries, including Richard the Lionheart, with whom he had a famous rivalry during the Third Crusade.
Saladin's legacy is multifaceted:
After his death in 1193, his empire fragmented, but his name lived on as a symbol of Muslim resistance against Western incursions into the Middle East.