almared_alarabi

Bush revealed the true nature of his campaign when he correctly
described it as a crusade.

There is no doubt that the true believers will crush the new crusaders
once and for all, as Salah-Addeen, the Hero of Hitteen showed us the way.

Known to the West as Saladin, Salah-adeen Yusif ibn Ayoub ibn Marwan
was born in the year 1137 in the region of Iraq. Famous in the Western
history books for his encounter with Richard the Lion heart, he is
very seldom portrayed in his true light.

It is said that he was of good build, with a bright face, sharp eyes
and a dark thick beard. In terms of his-character he is famed for his
courage, strength of Iman(faith) and love of reading Qur'an. He was noted for
his eloquent speech and mercy to his people. Although tough with the
non believers he respected their creeds and allowed them to worship
freely. Many of them holding good positions during his era.

Salah-a-deen died and was, buried in Damascus on the 4th February
1197, he left behind nothing more than 47 silver pieces and one gold
coin.

During Salah-a-deen's lifetime the Muslims had become - much like they
are today disunited and subject to humiliation from foreign powers,
namely, the Christian crusaders.

The following is an account of how Salah-a-deen set about liberating
Palestine from the Christian crusaders after he had united the Muslims
under his leadership.

In 1169 Salah-a-deen took rule of Egypt, thereafter he set about
improving its situation and uniting the State. After he had
established his army in Egypt he proceeded to unite the various
smaller Arab States that had become semi-independent states. In
particular he annexed these States surrounding Palestine. Salah-a-deen
considered it first necessary to unite Muslims before he could
challenge the Christian crusaders kingdoms in the Holy lands.

In 1187 the Christian crusaders King of Karak, who was called Arnat,
attacked an innocent group of pilgrims travelling to make the hajj.
The attackers, showing no mercy, plundered, tortured the men,
dishonoured the women. Whilst killing the pilgrims Arnat said: "Go
tell Mohammad and ask him if he can save you." This event brought to
an end a period of temporary peace that had ensued between Salah-adeen
and the Christian crusaders who were occupying Palestine.
Salah-a-deen who had always longed to free Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and
Al-Aqsa Mosque, was now presented with the opportunity to face the
crusaders

When the news of this event reached Salah-a-deen he hid his anger and
sent a polite message to King Arnat. In the letter he asked him to
respect the peace agreement, to free all the prisoners and to return
whatever he had stolen. The King however refused Salah-a-deen's
request. This left Salah-a-deen with no choice but to teach the King a
good lesson.

After preparing his army in Damascus, in March 1187. Salah-a-deen
proceeded to Karak. After taking Karak Salah-a-deen decided to move
north towards Tabarieh to assess the reaction of the Christian armies.

The Crusaders army collected at Nazarate under the leadership of the
King of Jerusalem. The battle commenced in May 1187 and ended in
complete defeat for the Crusaders. The Crusaders army, now
strengthened with reinforcements - including Richard the Lionheart -
were bent on seeking revenge. It appeared as if the whole Crusaders
army collected at Safarid.

Salah-a-deen, however, was always one step ahead of them. He decided
to avoid Safarid and attack Tabarieh first. Salah-a-deen's plan was to
force the Crusaders to leave their positions in Safarid so that they
would be tired and exhausted by the difficult journey. In July 1187
Salah-a-deen destroyed Tabarieh.

Forced into leaving their positions Salah-a-deen's plan worked
perfectly. The Crusaders wore bulky armour and heavy weapons, the
intense heat and lack of water combined with the difficult terrain,
weakened and exhausted the Chr istian soldiers. And what was awaiting
them? Well prepared Muslim fighters willing to die for the sake of
Allah.

On the 4th July 1187 the Crusaders paid their highest price to date.
The Muslim army had surrounded the Crusaders and when the heat was
unbearable and the fighting at its peak, Salah-a-deen gave orders to
set fire to the grass and shrubs surrounding the enemy. Their
suffering complete, Salah-a-deen inflicted on them a resounding
defeat.

After this defeat the Crusaders amassed a strength of 50,000 fighters
to do battle at Hiteen. The Crusaders lead by the Kings of Jerusalem,
Karak and Tripoli were again defeated badly. Many of their princes and
knights were taken as prisoners. It was Allah's will that Salah-a-deen
should meet face to face with King Arnat of Karak, the butcher of
innocent pilgrims. Before killing him with his own hands Salah-a-deen
told him he was killing him for defaming the honour and dignity of the
Prophet (saw) and for the murder of innocent Muslims.

From Hiteen Salah-a-deen opened the Castle at Tabarieh. He then moved
on to Akka and on a Friday he opened it peacefully. After performing
the first Friday prayer he left the city to his son Al-Abdal.
Salah-a-deen then proceeded north to Sida and Beirut. All this
occurred in one month.

At the outset Salah-a-deen's goal had been the liberation of Al-Quds,
the eradication of the Crusaders Kingdom and the uniting of the Muslim
Ummah under his Islamic leadership. With Jerusalem his target he moved
to Askalan.
This enabled him to cut off Jerusalem from the Mediterranean sea and
by so doing isolating Jerusalem. He accomplished this on the 5th
September 1187.

Before moving on Jerusalem he arranged with the well known Egyptian
sailor, Hussain Uddeen El Hajeb, to move the Egyptian navy close to
Palestine so as to prevent the Crusaders navy from approaching the
coastline.

On the 19th September 1187 Salah-a-deen approached Jerusalem and
proceeded to lay siege on the City. He bombarded the City with fire
and projectiles until the Crusaders surrendered. The Muslim army led
by Salah-a-deen entered the City peacefully on Friday the 2nd October
1187. He replaced the Cross with the Islamic flag and took down the
large cross from the Dome of the Rock, all traces of Christian
symbolism was removed from Al Aqsa Mosque.

Salah-a-deen expressed in the most practical way the kindness, and
mercy of Islam when, at the peak of his victory and power he gave
freedom for all inhabitants of Jerusalem to leave the City unharmed.
When the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem in 1099 the streets of the City
flowed with the blood of 70,000 slaughtered Muslims.

After Jerusalem, Salah-a-deen opened negotiations with the Christians
to leave the Islamic lands. The last stronghold of the Crusaders, Akka,
was removed by the hand of Salah-a-deen's successor Zahir Babers.