Re Interpretating Saladin s Heroism

Image: Soncloud.

Often discuss,  is Saladin a real hero? Or only he  utilize situation for his victory? Is interest to discuss, in this article, we will discuss, is Saladin hero or only “lucky” in his step? Read this article untill end.

For re interpretated history, important for back to autentically source, for history of Crusade, include Saladin and his struggle, we will use Siyar Alam An-Nubala  by Imam Dhahabi or Al-Bidayah Wa An-Nihayah by Ibn Kathir, because this sources written near with Saladin s life.

And, if we reinterpretating Saladin heroism according autentically sources, we will get data like this.

1.       ,In his early life, Saladin is not “good person”, according Siyar Alam An-Nubala, in his early life, Saladin is an policy in Damascus who like liquor, but he aware this action is not good and he change to good person.

2.      , .According Siyar Alam An-Nubala, Saladin not only special in military and politics, but he also  poet, and he love sing his favorit Kasidah  ( Arabic Poetry with melodies) , Hamasah, If he life in present, maybe he also an artist.

3.      ,  .If  we read chronichles like Siyar Alam An-Nubala and Al-Bidayah Wa An-Nihayah, we will get conclusion, Saladin is intelligent person, in the Battle Of Hatthin ( 1187 M), example, he use strategy closing water access from Crusaders, Ibn Kathir report,  Saladin s troops in Hatthin maybe 12.000 cavalry and several infantries, and Crusaders are many from his troops, maybe 63.000 person, but Saladin succesed defeat Crusaders with his tactics, clossing water access  and attack Crusaders frontally, If Youtubers illustrating Saladin as weak leader, it is falls, Saladin is intelligent and smart in war strategy.

4.      Saladin is not weak person, like say several Youtubers, he can apply strictly for betrayer , example, he kill Crusader s Commander, Raynald ( Arnath) because , according John Mann, Raynald is “ threat” for Muslims Civilians, because Raynald became Pirates in Saudi Arabia and kill civilians who wants to pilgrim in Mecca ( In Islamic Religion, we call it “Hajj”)

5.    , .  Saladin act goodness to his enemies, not signal he is weak person, but he is kind person, who act goodness without indiscriminate, when he seize Jerusalem from Crusaders in 1187 AD, example, he give a food to Europeans Civilians who stay in Jerusalem, and permit Crusaders Commander, Balian Of Ibelin, escape to Tyre, is signal his good personality, not because he weak.

In my eyes, clear, Saladin is not weak person, but he is not cruel person, and Saladin not only politician and military general, he also “artist” in his time, and he not a perfect person, he has  “sin” in his past, but he wants to be a good person and redeem his sin with his struggle, we can imitate it,  history  exactly formed by “unperfect” peoples who has spirit to act goodness.

Sources/ Reccomendation books:
Mann, John: Shalahuddin Al-Ayyubi: Riwayat Hidup, Legenda, Dan Imperium Islam, Penerbit Alvabet, 2015 M.

Al-Asyqar, DR.Sulaiman: Siyar Alam An-Nubala: Mutiara Kisah Pilihan Orang Orang Cemerlang Dalam Sejarah Islam, Pustaka Al-Kautsar, 2015 M.

Katsir, Ibnu: Al-Bidayah Wa An-Nihayah, Penerbit Insan Kamil Solo, 2018 M.