Part 3

Sallabi, puts his heart and soul as well as his profound knowledge and analytical abilities into the research, writing and production of his books in Arabic. It is undoubtedly a no less difficult task to render the voluminous texts of his work into English. The end result is a fascinating biography of a man who looms larger than life throughout history, yet who remains largely unknown to people outside the Arab world. Dr. Sallabi's meticulous research has effectively filled that gap in our knowledge. His work is more than just biography, as the reader will see. This three-volume work has been made more useful to the reader in this English edition through the addition of a map, a timeline, a list of the dynasties of the period, and a comprehensive Glossary. It is our pleasure to present the first unabridged English translation of Salah ad-Deen. ii May Allah bless the efforts of all who contributed to the production of this book, and may it be acceptable to Him. Muhammad ibn ' Abdul Muhsin Al Tuwaijri Managing Director International Islamic Publishing House Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Translator's Foreword As history repeat itself? A saying of 'Umar, the first liberator of Jerusalem, suggests that it does. He said that the latter generations of this Ummah would not prevail except by means of that by which its first generations prevailed. If we try to prevail by any means other than Islam, Allah will cause us to suffer only more humility and defeat. The Companions and the early generations of Islam prevailed by means of Islam. At a time of decline, Salah ad-Deen understood that this was the way to restore the glory of this nation. In this book, Dr. Sallabi discusses the conflict of civilizations between the Crusaders and Islam. He discusses the Crusades; the moral standards, ethics and character of Salah ad-Deen, and his support of the revival movement that was aimed to bringing Muslims back to the true path of Islam by establishing many schools; and how he held the scholars in high esteem and included them in his inner circle. He devotes an entire chapter to the battle of Hatteen and the liberation of Jerusalem, and the causes of victory in that decisive battle. He goes on to discuss the Third Crusade and the reaction of Western Europe to the liberation of Jerusalem and the general mobilization that took place in Christendom. Finally, he describes the death of Salah ad-Deen, how the people were affected by it and how even European historians praised his justice, strength and tolerance, and regarded him as the greatest character of the Crusade era. His life still inspires the Muslims with his heroic character and exploits which will bring back to life the glories of the past. It is important for anyone who wants to gain an historical perspective on present-day events to read this book and understand the life and times of Salah ad-Deen. Nasiruddin al-Khattab Toronto, November 2009 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Introduction All praise be to Allah, we praise Him and seek His help, guidance and forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own selves and from our bad deeds. Whomever Allah guides no one can misguide, and whomever He sends astray no one can guide. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship other than Allah alone with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad (SAAW) is His slave and Messenger. O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except in a state of Islam [as Muslims] with complete submission to Allah..' (Quran 3: 102) O humankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his spouse, and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual [rights], and [do not cut the relations of] the wombs [kinship]. Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.) (Quran 4: 1 ) O you who believe!