Part 104

It is most likely that the comments narrated by Ibn al-Atheer, which were transmitted from him by some historians, speaking of Salah ad-Deen's disloyalty to the Zangid dynasty, and other reports on this matter, were made up by historians, foremost among whom was Ibn al-Atheer, to explain Salah ad-Deen's actions after the death of Noor ad-Deen. This was due to Ibn alAtheer's loyalty to the Zangid dynasty, and his lack of sympathy towards Salah ad-Deen, who put an end to this dynasty and its possessions, especially since modern historians have noted that Ibn al-Atheer was biased against Salah ad-Deen in his books Al-Kdmil and Al-Bahir, and he actively sought out his errors and mistakes.768 In fact Salah ad-Deen was the best soldier in terms of hearing and obeying his leader Noor ad-Deen Zangi. There follows the evidence which proves this: 1Al-'Imad al-Isfahani said: Salah ad-Deen did not disobey Noor adDeen. He worked for him as one who is capable and sincere, and he based all his decisions on the well-founded advice of Noor ad-Deen.769 2Abu Shamah refuted Ibn al-Atheer's accusations against Salah adDeen with regard to his disobedience towards Noor ad-Deen. In Abu Shamah's view, Noor ad-Deen never criticized Salah ad-Deen for extravagance in spending and disposing of wealth as he saw fit, without consulting him.770 Abu Shamah supported his view with a document that he himself saw, written in Noor ad-Deen's hand and addressed to the qadi Sharaf ad-Deen ibn Abi 'Asroon, who was appointed as Noor ad-Deen's qadi in Syria and then as Salah adDeen's qadi in Egypt. This letter expressed his deep admiration for what Salah ad-Deen had done in support of the Sunni madh-hab in Egypt, and for his putting an end to the Fatimid caliphate and the Shiite madh-hab, and he asked Abu 'Asroon to support Salah ad-Deen with regard to this serious matter.771 3In fact all the decisive steps that Salah ad-Deen took to bring about the fall of the Fatimid state in Egypt and put an end to the Ismaili madh-hab there were carried out on direct orders from Noor ad-Deen. That was not done until Najm ad-Deen Ayub, the father of Salah ad-Deen, arrived in Egypt, sent by Noor ad-Deen to supervise and help his son to put an end to the Ismaili Shiite madh-hab.772 Nothing is more indicative of Salah ad-Deen's complete obedience to Noor ad-Deen and his being Noor ad-Deen's representative in Egypt than the fact that sermons were given from the minbar in Noor ad-Deen's name. 4Throughout the Fatimid state whilst he (Salah ad-Deen) was the vizier of the Fatimid caliph al-'Adid.773 After the sermons began to be given in the name of the Abbasids, sermons in Egypt contained prayers for Noor ad-Deen after the caliph, and currency was minted in the name of al-Mustadi' bi Amr-Illah and in the name of al-Malik al-'Adil Noor ad-Deen. Their names were engraved on either side of each coin.77 5The coming of Ibn al-Qaysarani, the vizier of Noor ad-Deen, to Egypt in 568-569 AH to examine the land and check the financial situation in order to determine the annual payment that Salah ad-Deen should make to Noor ad-Deen was something natural which confirmed that Noor ad-Deen had authority over Egypt.775 6The Abbasid caliphate realized this essential fact and clearly distinguished between the cloaks and gifts given by the caliph to Noor adDeen and those given by the caliph to Salah ad-Deen; the gifts given to Salah ad-Deen were smaller than those given to Noor ad-Deen, when Noor adDeen was given two swords as an indication of the authority that he was given over Syria and Egypt. At the same time, Noor ad-Deen also sent cloaks and gifts from Syria to Salah ad-Deen and his family and commanders in Egypt776, as confirmation of his direct authority over him. 7Salah ad-Deen paid attention to protocol with regard to symbols of power and authority. He did not regard himself as equal to his master Noor ad-Deen. He sent messengers from Cairo to Noor ad-Deen to tell him that Salah ad-Deen had worn the cloak and was fully committed to continuing to send wealth (tributes) as agreed upon to Noor ad-Deen every year.777 8All the actions that Salah ad-Deen took to bring about the fall of the Fatimid caliphate, ensure that sermons were given in the name of Banul- 'Abbas and put an end to the Ismaili madh-hab in Egypt were done on direct instructions from Noor ad-Deen. After Noor ad-Deen sent Najm ad-Deen to him, the latter annexed Yemen with the permission of Noor ad-Deen in order to put an end to the Shiite Ismaili madh-hab there, so he annexed Yemen into the resistance front, and Noor ad-Deen himself sent this good news to the Abbasid caliph. The same was true with regard to the incorporation of eastern North Africa, the invasion of the kingdom of Nubia and the conveying of the good news to the Abbasid caliph that the conquest of Constantinople and Jerusalem was at hand.778 Noor ad-Deen wrote to the Abbasid caliph, saying: Constantinople and Jerusalem will be the ultimate goal for conquest. May Allah bring near the goal of conquest to the people of Islam and help al-Khadim (the servant) to attain the pleasure of the caliph.