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Hikmah Noor
Event 15 of 20583 AH / 1187 CEClassical✆

Hattin and the Recovery of Jerusalem

Salahuddin united Egypt and Syria, trapped the Crusader army at Hattin, and retook Jerusalem - then freed its captives and spared its churches.

Also searched as: salahuddin ayyubi • battle of hattin • jerusalem 1187 • crusades

حطين والقدسHATTINEVENT • TARIKH

Emblematic words

حطين والقدس

Story

The full story

After Zengi and Nur al-Din rebuilt Muslim unity, the Kurdish sultan Salahuddin folded Egypt and Syria into one front. In 583 AH he trapped the Crusader host at the Horns of Hattin - thirst, smoke and encirclement destroyed it in a day.

Jerusalem surrendered that autumn. Where the Crusaders had waded in blood in 1099, Salahuddin ransomed the poor himself, freed prisoners, and left every church untouched.

Richard the Lionheart’s Third Crusade won the coast but never the city; the two foes ended in treaty and mutual respect.

Chivalry became his monument: even his enemies’ chronicles praise the sultan who conquered and forgave in the same week.

Narrated from widely transmitted histories without invented details.

Timeline

The event in order

  1. 1Unity: Egypt and Syria folded into one front.
  2. 2Hattin: thirst and smoke destroy the host (583 AH).
  3. 3Jerusalem: surrender, ransom, churches untouched.
  4. 4Acre’s treaty: Richard leaves, the city stays.
  5. 5The chronicles: enemies praise his chivalry.

Reflect

Lessons

  • ✦Unite first, fight second: Hattin was won in Cairo and Damascus.
  • ✦Conquer like Salahuddin: ransom the poor, spare the churches.
  • ✦Let enemies praise you: character is the final fortress.

References: Ibn al-Athir’s Kamil; Imad al-Din’s chronicle; Crusader chronicles; mainstream histories

For the prophetic life, read the 16-chapter Seerat →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What happened at Hattin?

Salahuddin united Egypt and Syria, trapped the Crusader army at Hattin, and retook Jerusalem - then freed its captives and spared its churches.

When did it happen?

583 AH / 1187 CE. See the timeline on this page for the event in order.

What are the lessons?

1. Unite first, fight second: Hattin was won in Cairo and Damascus. 2. Conquer like Salahuddin: ransom the poor, spare the churches. 3. Let enemies praise you: character is the final fortress.

Where is this sourced from?

References: Ibn al-Athir’s Kamil; Imad al-Din’s chronicle; Crusader chronicles; mainstream histories. Consult scholars for deeper study.

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