Part 6

I speak of the high esteem in which Salah ad-Deen held the scholars, including the scholars of jurisprudence, such as al-Qadi al-Fadil, who played a great role in the chancery (diwan alinsha'); the development of Salah ad-Deen's army; his putting an end to the Fatimid opposition and reorganising administrative affairs in Egypt; his efforts to revive the Sunnah in Egypt; his Jihad against the Crusaders; his use of his literary skills in the service of Islam; and his keenness to unite the Muslim world. Al-Qadi al-Fadil was the official spokesman of Salah adDeen both internally and externally. According to Ibn Katheer, he was dearer to the Sultan than the latter's own family and children. The Sultan pointed out his status when he said, "Do not think that I took control of the land by means of your swords; rather it was by means of the pen of al-Qadi al-Fadil." Al-Qadi al-Fadil reached a position of high status in the state. He was Salah ad-Deen's right-hand man, as he made him his vizier and consultant, and did not issue any orders except after consulting him; he did not take any decision that was not based on his opinion and he did not rule concerning any case without consulting him. This scholar was one of the scholars of revival, and the Ummah is in the greatest need of such men. His life story tells us the importance of becoming involved and active in public affairs or social or governmental matters, the importance of acquiring experience and of achieving distinction in the performance of one's work, adhering to the way of the People of the Sunnah and cooperating with one's brothers in firm belief, and using one's abilities and potential to serve the Sunni mission. He helped Salah ad-Deen to choose the ideal Sunni leadership and to draw up practical plans, and he did not withhold any opinion, suggestion or experience from Salah ad-Deen. The life story of this man is like a course for understanding the aims of the Shariah, examining all sides of an issue, and studying the rise and fall of states. He left behind a method of dealing with the Shiite and the importance of dealing with masses who followed this sect on the basis of fairness, loving good for them, not shedding their blood, and striving to educate them. In contrast, force was used only against conspirators and military groups and those against whom nothing but force would be to any avail, such as the Fatimid state in Egypt. He took part in setting up the plans, means and methods to put an end to it politically, militarily and intellectually. I also highlight the efforts made by Abu at-Tahir as-Salafi and Abu at-Tahir ibn ' Awf al-Maliki in serving Islam in Alexandria. Salah adDeen was keen to visit them and learn from them. I speak of al-Faqeeh 'Eesa al-Hakari and his support of Salah ad-Deen in his role as vizier; how he wrote about reconciliation between Noor ad-Deen and Salah ad-Deen; his role in the treaty with the people of Mosul; his success in carrying out the special missions that were entrusted to him; his courage in war; and his leadership on the battlefield. I also present a biography of al-Imad alIsfahani, the Qadi, imam, great scholar, mufti and vizier, and I highlight his efforts in the service of the Sunni Islamic endeavour. To sum up, the scholars and scholars of jurisprudence occupied a great position and were held in high esteem by Salah ad-Deen, who showed a great deal of love, care, respect and appreciation in both tangible and intangible ways. I discuss the economic reforms and his interest in agriculture, commerce and industry; how he abolished levies and limited income to legitimate sources; how he built hospitals, khanqahs (Sufi houses) and inns in remote areas far from the cities and on the roads connecting cities, to serve wayfarers and travellers; his interest in social reform and fighting deviant beliefs and traditions and bad morals. I make reference to his reforms in infrastructure and administration and I explain the military systems of his reign, such as the development of military fiefs and diwdn aljaysh (the government department in charge of the army); uniforms of the troops; logistics and mobilization; auxiliary groups such as the engineers and medical corps; the organisation of the mail system and intelligence; how the affairs of war and peace were run; prisoners of war; general staff; plans and methods of fighting, such as rapid warfare; plans for troops to fight in turns; demolishing cities; securing the roads; fortifying the border cities, citadels and fortresses; making the most of the fighting season; treatment of prisoners of war; treaties between Salah ad-Deen and the Crusaders; weapons of the Ayubid army; the Muslim navy; and the role of the Maghrebis in Salah adDeen's fleet. I also described his efforts to unite the Muslim front and the attempts of the Ismaili Shiite to eliminate him by means of assassination, but their attempts failed, by the help of Allah, to Whom be praise; Salah adDeen's style of discipline; his relationship with the Abbasid caliph, the Byzantine state and the Crusaders before Hattin; and how he organised administrative and military affairs before that decisive battle. In Volume III, I discuss the battle of Hattin, the liberation of Jerusalem, and the Third Crusade.