The Rise of Salahuddin Ayyubi – From Warrior to Sultan
Rise to Power
I often imagine how challenging it was when the vizier of the Fatimid caliph, al-Adid, faced betrayal by Shawar’s rival, Dirgham of the Banu Ruzzaik tribe. The call for backing led to an expedition into Egypt, where Saladin played a minor role such as helping to collect stores at Bilbais during the siege against Crusaders and troops.
Even though Shawar was reinstated, disputes over whether to withdraw the army for gold dinars proved how politics and will to remain shaped destinies. The unit then turned the fighting in the valleys of the south, joining the central offensive from the rear—a moment that showed his patience, faith, and rising greatness.
Early Expeditions in the Journey From Warrior to Sultan
The journey of Saladin Ayyubi from warrior to sultan began with his military career under the tutelage of his paternal uncle, Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, a prominent commander. Guided by Nur ad-Din, the Zengid emir of Damascus and Aleppo, he gained an influential teacher who shaped his discipline. I have often seen how strong guidance can spark leadership, and Saladin’s story reflects the same lesson.
Early Struggles and Battles on the Path From Warrior to Sultan
The sacking of Bilbais led to the Crusader–Egyptian force clashing in the Battle of al-Babein, near the desert border of the Nile at Giza. Saladin Ayyubi took a major role, commanding the right-wing of the Zengid, while Kurds held the left and Shirkuh the centre.
Muslim sources recall how he seemed like baggage, ordered to set a trap with a feigned retreat, but his success came when the terrain proved too steep and sandy for horses, leading to the commander Hugh of Caesarea being captured.
His unit pushed the fighting into the valleys of the south, joining the central offensive from the rear, earning a victory so remarkable that Ibn al-Athir noted it in recorded history. Later in Alexandria, he was welcomed, given money, arms, and a base, where despite a superior force trying to besiege the city, he stayed to guarding it, never abandoning his task even when Shirkuh’s army split and the bulk withdrew.
Campaign in Egypt Steps Toward Rising From Warrior to Sultan
The path of Salâh ad-Deen al-Ayubi was shaped by his uncle and the great leader Noor ad-Deen, who ordered him to join a military campaign in Egypt. As Cadi Baha’ ud-Din ibn Shaddad noted, he felt dragged against his will, fearing he might be killed, since his heart leaned toward studying sacred knowledge of Islam. At that time, rebellions and power vacuums surrounded the land, while the Crusader King Amalric of Jerusalem fought for control of the region.
Campaigns and Leadership:From Warrior to Sultan
The governor Shawir ibn Mujair as-Sa’di had rebelled against rulers of the Fatimid Caliphate, and though dismissed from his post, he offered an annual tribute to gain power. In response, Noor ad-Deen dispatched Asad ad-Din Shirkuh with Salâh ad-Deen to support him, where rogue generals were defeated.
Yet, Shawir would double cross, becoming an ally of Amalric, forcing Salâh ad-Deen and his men to accept losses, only to return in 562 AH/1166 CE and again in 563 AH/1167 CE. Their Syrian army battled in Upper Egypt, later pressing into Alexandria, which they conquered, and Salâh ad-Deen was appointed as leader, where he resisted a siege by Byzantine troops until an agreement allowed a withdraw.
His rise did not stop there. Even after a truce was broken, and the Crusaders sought to occupy Egypt, Salâh ad-Deen’s presence forced a retreat without violence. Later, he became vizir and head of government in the Fatimid Caliphate, gaining true lordship.
Unification of the Muslim Lands and Rise the Ayyubid Empire
With deep gratitude for the favour of God, he abandoned drinking and worldly temptations, choosing a life of pleasure denied, marked by sweat and toil over the passage of time.When Al-’Adid met his death, Salâh ad-Deen integrated Egypt into the Abbasid province, securing relations with Noor ad-Deen.
After Noor ad-Deen passed away in 569 AH/1173 CE, the young al-Malik as-Salih Isma’il held control of the kingdom, but divisions among guardians and princes signing treaties with Crusaders created chaos.
It was then that the people of Damascus invited Salâh ad-Deen to settle their political affairs, and with his mission to unite Muslims, he moved to conquer cities like Homs, Hamah, Al-Ma’arrah, Manbaj, ‘Azaz, and Aleppo. By 579 AH/1182 CE, he defeated the successor of as-Salih, began to unify the Ummah, and laid the foundation of the Ayyubid Empire, strengthened through strategy, diplomacy, and campaigns from Yemen to Tripoli, Narqah, and Tunisia up to Qabis.
Vizier of Egypt : Saladin’s Rise From Warrior to Sultan
The story of Shirkuh shows how a fierce power struggle in Egypt involved Shawar, Amalric I, and the politics of Jerusalem. When Shawar was assassinated and Shirkuh soon died, many candidates emerged for the role of vizier under al-Adid.
The Kurds, bound by ethnic solidarity, helped the Ayyubid family build their political career, resisting Turkish influence while figures like Isa al-Hakkari and Emir Qutb ad-Din al-Hadhbani played their part in this turning point.
Saladin’s Appointment on the Path From Warrior to Sultan
I have always admired how Nur ad-Din carefully appointed leaders and sought someone to replace Shirkuh, while the Shia caliph faced advice from men like Ibn al-Athir and other advisers. They thought Saladin Ayyubi from warrior to sultan was weaker, even younger, and not fully obeyed by the emirs or commanders.
But after bargaining, he was accepted by the majority, despite the plots of the Syria-based Zengids, though voices like Al-Wahrani and Imad ad-Din praised his generosity, military prowess, and how he led through mourning, when opinions differed, until the emirs forced the caliph to invest him.
Trials of Leadership in the Journey From Warrior to Sultan
When inaugurated on 26 March, Saladin Ayyubi from warrior to sultan repented from wine-drinking and frivolity, choosing the dress of religion as noted in Arabic sources. His independence was tested, as loyalty between leaders was fragile, and Egyptian soldiers along with certain emirs tried to assassinate him.
Thanks to intelligence chief Ali ibn Safyan, the conspirator Naji and Mu’tamin al-Khilafa, the civilian controller of the Fatimid Palace, were arrested and killed, while 50,000 Black African regiments of the army and angry commoners staged a revolt on 23 August in Cairo, which Saladin swiftly quelled to crush the uprising and secure his rule.