The Life Of Saladin
THE LIFE OF SALADIN (1137-1193 AD)
By Beha Ed-Din (Abu el-Mehasan Yusuf Ibn-Rafi Ibn Temi el-Asadi) Baha-Udin {1145-1234}
Translated For the Palestine Pilgrims Text Society
CW Wilson (1897)
Hardback 422 Pages
Printed and Published in India
Salah Ad-din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub (known as Saladin in the West ), was sultan of Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Yemen, founded the Ayyubid dynasty, and captured Jerusalem from the Christians. He is a one of the most famous Muslim heroes and a consummate military tactician.
Saladin was born to a well-off Kurdish family in Tikrit (Iraq) and grew up in Ba'lbek and Damascus. He began his military career by joining the staff of his uncle Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, an important commander. By 1169, at the age of 31, he had been appointed vizier of the Fatimid caliphate in Egypt as well as commander of the Syrian troops there.
In 1171, Saladin abolished the Shi'ite caliphate and proclaimed a return to Sunni Islam in Egypt, whereupon he became that country's sole ruler. In 1187 he took on the Latin Crusader Kingdoms, and on July 4 of that year he scored a resounding victory at the battle of Hattin.
Later the same year Salahuddin conquered Jerusalem. Thousands of Crusaders were arrested. However, when their mothers, sisters, and wives appealed to Salahuddin, he released them. Many crusaders were ransomed. However, he paid for many of them. In addition, he provided them transport, etc. He allowed neither massacre nor looting. He gave free pardon to all citizens. He even arranged for their traveling. He granted freedom to Christians to leave the city if they paid a small tribute
About the Author
Abu el-Mehasan Yusuf Ibn-Rafi Ibn Temi el-Asadi better know as Beha ed-Din (Bohadin), born in 1145 at Mosul Iraq, a Shafi'e Jurist and the Qadi of Aleppo, Syria.
Towards the end of 1170 he went to Baghdad and acted as assistant master on the famous Nizamiya College. In 1174 he returned to Mosul and became Professor in the college founded by Kama ed-Din Abu el-Fadl Muhammad.
In 1188 Baha-ud-din performed the Hajj and visited Jerusalem, Hebron and Damascus where He was called for by Salah ud Din. Later he entered the services of Salah ud Din and was appointed Kadi al-Askar (Kadi of the Army), Hakim(Magistrate ) of Jerusalem, later he accompanied the Sultan on his campigns.
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Comments:
Although this is an Orientalist translation originally made from the French Edition it will have some flows, however it is nevertheless an excellent Classical work from a Classical Scholar who actually served Salah ud Din Ayyubi .It is therefore a worthwhile Collection for the Library of all seekers of Knowledge in the English Language.
It also also worth noting that this Edition is Published and Printed in India and therefore the Quality may be slightly poorer, the cover could also be slightly bruised due to transportation etc.
