The Life of Saladin

Outline

The Life of Saladin (1897) presents an intimate account of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi’s character, leadership, military campaigns, religious devotion, and final years. Based largely on direct observation, the book describes his struggle against the Crusaders, the recovery of Jerusalem, and his encounters with the forces of the Third Crusade. It also reveals his generosity, discipline, sense of justice, and relationships with soldiers, scholars, and political allies. The original medieval biography was written by a close companion of Salah al-Din and published in this English translation in 1897.

• The account comes from a close companion of Saladin, so much of it rests on what the author saw directly.
• The book follows Saladin's struggle against the Crusaders, including the recovery of Jerusalem and his clashes with the forces of the Third Crusade.
• Saladin's leadership is shown through discipline and a strong sense of justice, not only through military campaigns.
• His generosity and his relationships with soldiers, scholars and political allies reveal the character behind the commander.
• The biography also covers his religious devotion and his final years, giving a full picture of his life.

Beha Ed-Din Ibn Shaddad was a Muslim jurist, scholar, historian, and trusted adviser to Salah al-Din. Born in Mosul in 1145, he studied Islamic law, the Quran, and the prophetic traditions before becoming a teacher and judge. Salah al-Din appointed him judge of the army, allowing him to witness major events of the Third Crusade and remain close to the sultan during the final years of his life. After Salah al-Din’s death, he served as a judge in Aleppo.