“I hate math!” protested Ali, with a firm chin held high.
Mom reasoned with a smile: “There are many things in life that we hate, which are actually good for us, for example, medicines.”
“I still hate math,” Ali would not budge an inch.
Mom, looking thoughtful, muttered: “Hmm. Imagine if Salahuddin Ayyubi’s father had listened to him and allowed him to stay home, instead of battling the enemies. How different this world would have been!”
Ali was totally baffled: “What are you talking about?”
“You would have been Frederick, and I would have been Elizabeth!” now mom looked solemn.
“Okay, mom, you are on Mars, and I am on Earth. Can you, please, land your spaceship on Earth, so we can communicate better? I don’t understand a word you are saying.”
It was just the cue mom was looking for. She explained: “My dear son, I am talking about Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi, who belonged to an honourable Kurdish tribe (now part of Iraq and Turkey). He was born in 532 Hijri. Although little record is left about his childhood, we know he was a mild-tempered, courteous, and intellectual young lad at the tender age of 16. Sultan Nooruddin Zangi was highly inspired by such qualities in Salahuddin. Hence, he commanded him to accompany his father and uncle on military expeditions.”
Ali interrupted: “Mom, what’s the point?”
“You will see it soon, if you do not interrupt me,” mom explained, gently.
Ali held up both his hands in exaggeration: “I give up. Please continue.”
“Jazak Allah Khair,” mom smiled softly. “Getting back to Ayyubi. Salahuddin was not at all thrilled about wars, just like you are not interested in math. In fact, he even expressed his disapproval of fighting once. He said: “About going to wars, I feel as if someone has pierced my heart with a sharp knife.” The Sultan ignored Salahuddin’s emotions, preparing him to become one of the greatest Muslim conquerors history would ever witness.
It was this very lad through whom Allah (swt) saved, time and again, the members of the Muslim Ummah who were brutally killed and tortured by the savage Christians known as the crusaders. Salahuddin Ayyubi was a true Mujahid of Allah (swt). He bid farewell to the material world and led his people to victory through his brave and just leadership. For inspiration, he carried a collection of Quranic verses that guided him in his role as a warrior. He read and reflected upon them regularly.”
Ali’s eyes began to grow wide with excitement: “What happened next?”
Mom continued: “On the battlefield, he would brave cold and stinging weather, intense rain and rapid floods surrounding their encampment. He would lead his army through slippery and steep muddy tracks. He would personally stay vigilant all night, taking turns with his soldiers to stay awake and stay on guard. Salahuddin would instill catapults in strategic locations for hurling attacks on the enemy. He would get so involved in planning and executing military strategies that he would forget to eat and drink. He would spend entire nights on horseback.
During the siege of Akka, Ayyubi fell terribly ill. At that time, his army had to face the Europeans. In spite of having painful sores on his lower body that neither let him sit nor rest, he would go around and motivate his men to fight with force. He never revealed any sign of anguish before them.
When the Crusaders conquered Muslim lands, they spilled blood like water. Conversely, when Salahuddin Ayyubi re-captured those lands, especially Bait-ul-Maqdis in Jerusalem from the Christians, he allowed all citizens to leave unharmed. He knew very well that most of the people he allowed safe passage would return to fight against him again. And they did. Yet, being a principled and kind-hearted believer, he hated prejudice and feared Allah’s (swt) punishment if he turned into an oppressor.
Salahuddin always advised his son to fear and avoid bloodshed. Islam permits to wage war only for securing peace and punishing the oppressors, who want to spread mischief in the world.
After the conquest of Bait-ul-Maqdis, Salahuddin generously distributed all the re-captured treasures among the poor. His advisor rebuked him and asked him to save the wealth for future emergencies but the Sultan continued to return the belongings to their rightful owners.
At the time of his death, his possessions totalled 47 Dirhams and 1 Dinar. All his life, he never had to pay Zakah, as he never accumulated any wealth.
Once, he was shown a palace in Damascus built for him. He turned it down, stating that his tent was his palace, and his horseback was his throne. He was in this world solely for pleasing Allah (swt).”
Ali gazed intently at his mom.
“My son, this happened only because the Sultan didn’t follow his vain desires to stay away from the battlefield, even though he personally hated it. For Allah’s (swt) Deen, he responded to the call of Jihad and brought peace to the world.”
Ali thought for a moment: “You mean that tomorrow maybe I can become a mathematician and discover something truly fantastic and give it to the world, too?”
“Why not? You are smart. Just don’t let Shaitan mislead you with whims and fancies. You can’t accept failure without trying, can you?”
“I guess not,” Ali sighed. “Okay, I’ll give math another shot.”
Mom hugged Ali: “My Salahuddin Ayyubi. May Allah (swt) make you a victor one day. Ameen.”
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