Salahuddin Ayyubi was born in 532 H (1137 AD) in the fortress of Takrit in Iraq. Salahuddin Ayyubi was a great man who grew up in the shadow of the religious reforms that emerged under the leadership of Abu Hamid al-Ghassali.
He paid close attention to the creeds and was very careful in reciting the Qur'an and other religious practices. He always had compassion, humility and love.
Unlike the leaders who led a lavish life, he lived most of his life in tents. His character, who treated even his enemies with kindness, is highly reprehensible. He was neither bloodthirsty nor feminist, as was the custom in Europe. The bloodshed in the wars waged by Salahuddin Ayyubi was relatively low. Even in conquered areas, non-Muslims were given all the freedom to go ahead with their faith.
Salahuddin Ayyubi, became most notable in history through the Battle of Hitwin. In this battle, he fought 63,000 crusaders with an army of only 12,000 and liberated the Quds, which had been inaccessible to Muslims for centuries. The battle took place on Friday 24 Rabiul Awwal 583 H (1187 AD).
In a fierce battle that lasted for two days in a row, the Crusaders were defeated by Salahuddin Ayyubi's war tactics and the morale of the Muslims. Within two months, Asqalan, Aqa, Nasira, Haifa, Nabul, Yafa, Beirut, Bethlehem, and Ramla were conquered.
Meantime there were a large number of Christians in Beitul muqaddas. They occasionally received aid from Europe. So Salahuddin Ayyub prepared a large contingent to capture Baitul Muqaddas.
At first, aid from outside was blocked on the way. Then he went with a small army to Bethlehem. Sixty thousand crusaders set up security guards near the city walls at Bethlehem. Salahuddin imposed a strong siege around the city. Later, attempts were made to demolish the city wall in various ways. As the wall began to crumble, the crusaders lost their morale. The leader of the Crusaders twice sent messengers to Salahuddin Ayyub. The truce reached a standstill on the condition that the Christians leave Bethlehem. And denominated one dinar as ransom. But many of the elderly poor Christians had nothing to offer as ransom. But Salahuddin Ayyub left them all alone. At that time, the Christians understood the mercy of Salahuddin Ayyub and the values of Islam. This was not the case before the conquest of Bethlehem by the Christians. The crusaders who came to capture Baitul Muqaddas killed all the Muslims they saw on the way, regardless of whether they were women, old or children. The Muslims who took refuge in Baitul Muqaddas were finally massacred. According to Christian historians, Baitul Muqaddas was drenched in blood. Christian historians say that Baitul Muqaddas was knee-deep in blood.
But the liberation of Quds under Salahuddin ayyubi was totally different.
Over time, the mantras of Tawheed resounded in the Masjid al-Aqsa. The good news of the liberation of Quds reached all over the world. Three months later, the Crusaders, led by Richard, arrived, but in the face of the determination of Salahuddin Ayyubi and the Muslims, they had to return to peace talks. Finally, Salahuddin Ayyubi was suffered a severe fever and headache in 589 H (1193 AD) and 12 days later that great man passed away.