By Md. Zillur Rahaman

Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubid is a hero famous in history and he won the historic 'Baitul Muqaddas' in 1187 (583 Hijri). It was under his able leadership that Baitul Muqaddas was liberated from the hands of the Christian Crusaders. Baitul Muqaddas is a historic place and a prestigious place of worship, with the first Qibla of Muslims and the memory of numerous Prophets and Messengers.

Rasulullah (PBUH) made his first visit from Masjid al-Haram or Kaaba Sharif to Masjid al-Aqsa or Baitul Muqaddas on the night of the historic Meraj. It is said in the Holy Qur'an, "Glorified and Exalted is He, Who made His servant (Muhammad) travel by night from Masjid Haram to Masjid Aqsa. On all sides of which I have bestowed sufficient blessings that I may show him some signs of power. Surely He is the All-Hearer and All-Viewer" (Surah Bani Israel: Verse 1).

Our beloved Prophet Rasulullah (PBUH) used to lead all the Prophets and Messengers in this mosque and offer prayers during his visit to Meraj, that is why, he is recognized as 'Imamul Ambiya' the Imam of all Prophets and 'Sayyidul Mursalin' as the leader of all Rasuls. The Al-Aqsa Mosque has long been the heart of Islam and the cradle of Islamic culture. During the Caliphate of Khalifatul Muslimin Hazrat Omar (RA) in 638 AD, the entire Palestine including Baitul Muqaddas, Jerusalem came under the complete control of Muslims.

But in course of time Christian Crusaders besieged Baitul Muqaddas on 7th June 1099 and on 15th July 1099 with the help of some so-called Muslim rulers they captured the whole of Syria, Palestine and Jerusalem and entered Baitul Muqaddas and converted it into a church by extensive destruction and modification. On that day, the blood of Muslims was flooded inside and outside the Holy Al-Quds.

Thus ended 462 years of Muslim rule in Jerusalem. Thus continued the occupation of Jerusalem, Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Since then the Muslims of Palestine spent their days waiting for a worthy leader. The leader under whose leadership the Muslims will regain their lost glory. Azaan of Islam will be sounded again in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi is one such brave commander who fulfilled the hopes of their hearts and became famous in history by conquering the Holy Baitul Muqaddas.

According to history, it happened sometime in 1099 and then Baitul Muqaddas was occupied by Christian Crusaders. At that time there lived a carpenter in the city of Baghdad. This carpenter made a pulpit (Mimbar) with the love of his heart. Word of the pulpit's beauty spread and people flocked to the carpenter's house to see it. Many wanted to buy the pulpit but the carpenter refused to sell it.

His clear reply, 'This pulpit is not for sale; Instead, I made it for Al-Aqsa Mosque.'' Many called him crazy but the carpenter was firm and steadfast in his decision. After a long time one day a little boy came to visit the pulpit holding his father's hand. The carpenter also knew the words in his dream. On that very day, the little boy vowed to fulfill his dream of becoming a carpenter. That boy is none other, he is the brave commander Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi and he installed that pulpit in this mosque after the victory of Baitul Muqaddas.

Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi was born in 1138 (532 Hijri) in Tikri, Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq. His full name is Salahuddin Yusuf Ibn Ayyub. His real name is Yusuf, Salahuddin is a title meaning 'righteous of faith'. He was the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. At the height of his power, his dominions included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, the Hejaz, Yemen, and other parts of North Africa. He was an important figure in Muslim, Arab, Turkish and Kurdish culture.

In history, the Battle of Hittin between the Muslims and the Crusaders is considered as the final battle. Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubid emerged as a victorious leader of the Islamic world by defeating the Crusader forces assembled against Islam in this battle. After the Battle of Hittin, the Crusader forces lost the ability to show force at Baytul Muqaddas. Salahuddin Ayyubid decided to make a final attack on the city of Baitul Muqaddas.

The Islamic forces continued to fire heavy volleys of minjaniks and arrows at the Crusader fortress defenders. So that the resisters move from their positions. A group of skilled Mujahids managed to reach the boundary wall as the shelling continued. On September 29, 1187, the Islamic army managed to overcome the biggest obstacle and scale the city walls. The Mujahideen raised the Islamic flag on the city wall.

Seeing Kalima's flag flying, the defenders of the city believed that it was no longer possible for them to resist the Muslim forces. In fact, they have reached the brink of destruction. But they persisted in their stubbornness and began to gather in churches and pray. Confessing their sins, they start pelting themselves with stones. They hope for mercy from Allah. Women cut off the hair of their daughters' heads in order to provoke the men to escape capture by the Muslims.

On 27th Rajab 583 Hijri, Salahuddin Ayyuubi entered Masjidul Aqsa as a victor. He entered Baitul Muqaddas only after surrendering his arms to the Crusaders. It was a memorable and historic day in the history of Islam. On this day, Kalima flag is seen flying on the city wall. He besieged Jerusalem for 12 days. An emir of the army was stationed at each gate of the city to collect and count ransoms from the crusaders who had left the city. It can be seen that sixty thousand people (Christians) were present in the city that day, excluding women and children.

On the day of this victory, so many people came from Askalan, Gaza, Darum, Ramallah that the streets, markets and churches were crowded. There was no place to hold the mole. After Jerusalem's stability was restored, Salahuddin announced that those who had lived in the city before the Crusaders' occupation should return. After the Crusaders captured the holy city, they converted the mosques into nightclubs, horse stables, etc. After conquering the city, Salahuddin ordered the mosques to be consecrated. Made it fit for prayer again. He appointed an imam for Masjid al-Aqsa and installed a pulpit in it. He removed all the paintings that the Christians had done in the mosque. He brought back the inhabitants of Jerusalem who had left the city.

The kindness he showed was amazing and rare in history. Salahuddin fulfilled his promise. Those who wanted to leave the city were allowed to leave. He stationed an amir at each gate of the city to collect ransom from those who wanted to leave. Whoever pays the ransom will be able to get out. Salahuddin gave security to every Christian. It was found that most of the people could not pay fidya. Forty days thus passed but no rich Christian played an effective part in securing the ransom of the poor Christian prisoner. But the priest Heraclius stole the treasury of Baitul Muqaddas and escaped from the city without anyone noticing. In 1187, the Muslim great hero Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi returned the city of Jerusalem to the Muslims.

In 1967, the illegal state of Israel and its occupying forces took over Masjid Aqsa by force. Since then the Muslim people there have been continuing their struggle for freedom and independence. But Zionist Israel continues to expand Jewish settlements by forcibly occupying one Muslim-dominated area after another and continues to kill.

Currently, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem are under the control of the occupying Israelis. Muslims are being persecuted there. They are constantly occupying the land of Palestine. After hundreds of years, not only Palestine but Muslim human beings from different parts of the world are crying for one Salahuddin Ayyubi. The wait is counting. A liberating Muslim crowd living in Jerusalem, Palestine spends its days waiting for one Salahuddin Ayyubi.

When will their release? Who will be the next Sultan Salahuddin Ayyuubi of this era? Can Hamas follow the path of Salahuddin Ayyubid to liberate Palestine? The great hero who won this crusade died in Damascus on March 4, 1193. May Allah grant the present Muslim Ummah a hero like him. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Amen.

The writer is a, Banker and Columnist