Why was Saladin able to gain dominance over the Muslim world, 1169- 1189?

Question 1

What actions did Saladin take shortly after becoming vizier of Egypt?

Answer 1

Saladin demonstrated his commitment to fighting the Franks at the siege of Damietta (October-December 1169) and attacked the Templar fortress of Darum (December 1170), raiding Gaza and capturing Ayla castle.

Question 2

What significant changes did Saladin make in Cairo between 1170-71?

Answer 2

Saladin demolished the ‘House of Assistance’ and the Hall of Justice, rebuilding them as Sunni madrassas. He also replaced Cairo’s Shia qadi with a Sunni candidate.

Question 3

What was the outcome of Saladin’s actions in September 1171?

Answer 3

Saladin ended the Fatimid caliphate.

Question 4

What title did Saladin claim to be the first to use?

Answer 4

Saladin was the first person to use the title ‘Custodian of the Two Holy mosques’.

Question 5

What event in March 1183 demonstrated Saladin’s embarrassment as leader of jihad?

Answer 5

The merciless and public execution of Reynald of Chatilon’s Medina raiders.

Question 6

What were some of Saladin’s military victories against the Franks?

Answer 6

Saladin defeated Baldwin IV and the Templars at Marj Ayyun (June 1179) and achieved a crushing victory at the Battle of Hattin (4 July 1187), leading to the collapse of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Question 7

What did Saladin do with the ‘Minbar of Saladin’?

Answer 7

He placed it in the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem in 1187, fulfilling Nureddin’s jihad goal.

Question 8

What limitations did Saladin face in his campaigns?

Answer 8

Between autumn 1174 and spring 1186, Saladin spent thirteen months fighting the Franks and thirty-three months against fellow Muslims, making numerous truces with the Franks.

Question 9

What was the significance of Saladin’s defeat at Montgisard in 1177?

Answer 9

It undermined his claims to be the leader of the jihad.

Question 10

Who was Saladin’s uncle and what role did he play in Saladin’s rise?

Answer 10

Saladin’s uncle Shirkuh gained Egypt in 1169, removing many opponents and leading to Saladin’s succession.

Question 11

How did Saladin consolidate his position in Egypt by 1170?

Answer 11

He gathered trusted family members around him, including his father, uncle, brothers, and nephew.

Question 12

What role did Saladin’s brother al-Adil play in Egypt?

Answer 12

Al-Adil was a capable and loyal governor of Egypt between 1175 and 1183.

Question 13

What actions did Saladin take regarding his family to maintain authority?

Answer 13

He placed family members in key positions, married his sister to key supporters, and relied on them during critical moments, such as the siege of Aleppo in 1185-86.

Question 14

What were the limitations of Turanshah’s rule?

Answer 14

Turanshah captured Yemen but incurred huge debts and disappointed Saladin. He was transferred to Damascus in 1176 but proved to be a bad ruler. He was sent back to Egypt in 1180, leaving 200,000 dinars in debt that Saladin had to settle.

Question 15

What complaints arose against Tughtekin in 1189?

Answer 15

Complaints were made against Tughtekin, Saladin’s brother and governor of Yemen, for his mistreatment of pilgrims.

Question 16

What was Muhammad ibn Shirkuh’s plot in 1186?

Answer 16

Muhammad ibn Shirkuh plotted to exploit Saladin’s expected death but died himself from excessive drinking.

Question 17

How did Saladin respond to the Fatimid Nubian regiments’ rebellion?

Answer 17

Saladin used military force to brutally suppress the rebellion in August 1169, targeting and torching districts in Cairo populated by Nubians and their families.

Question 18

What was the outcome of the battle of Hama?

Answer 18

Saladin defeated Sayf al-Din at the battle of Hama on 13 April 1175, consolidating his territories in Syria.

Question 19

What happened at the battle of Tell Sultan?

Answer 19

Saladin defeated Sayf al-Din at the battle of Tell Sultan on 22 April 1176.

Question 20

What attempts were made on Saladin’s life?

Answer 20

Saladin survived two assassination attempts, one in January 1175 and another in May 1176 at Azaz.

Question 21

What was the significance of Saladin’s military actions in 1182?

Answer 21

Saladin’s use of force in Syria in 1182 persuaded Keukburi, the emir of Harran, to join him, and he gained support from other emirs while capturing Edessa and Sinjar.

Question 22

What occurred during the siege of Aleppo?

Answer 22

Saladin laid siege to Aleppo in May 1183, and its ruler surrendered the city on 20 June 1183.

Question 23

What was the outcome of Saladin’s siege of Mosul?

Answer 23

Saladin successfully besieged Mosul from November 1185 to March 1186, despite being very ill.

Question 24

What was Saladin’s policy of expansionism?

Answer 24

Saladin exploited Egypt’s wealth and used capable administrators to conquer Syria, Jazira, and the Levantine coast.

Question 25

What problems did Saladin face after the Third Crusade?

Answer 25

After the Third Crusade, Saladin faced violent disturbances among peasants, poverty in Jerusalem, and unpaid bureaucratic salaries.

Question 26

What trading privileges did Saladin offer in 1174?

Answer 26

Saladin offered trading privileges to the Genoese and Pisans, interpreted as a means to weaken the Frankish economy or to increase trade volume.

Question 27

What were the limitations of Saladin’s progression?

Answer 27

Saladin’s progression was arguably more a reaction to events like Nureddin’s death in 1174 and al-Salih’s in 1181, rather than a deliberate policy.

Question 28

What cultural factors influenced Saladin’s methods?

Answer 28

The nature of patronage, landholding through the ‘iqta system’, and gift-giving in the Muslim Near East made Saladin’s methods culturally necessary.