ابن قيصر > Recent Status Updates

Starting with a great introduction to the Hujjat al-Islam, so far I am through 2 of the 40 chapters which summarised, the first chapter asks you to purify your intention for education and the second is similar, stressing “if you were to find yourself on a sinking ship, you would only take with you things that could help keep you alive!”

Reginald’s capture, release & his companionship with the Leper King is what is explained through the 20 pages. The war with Salah-uddin is about to begin. The book is just about being started.

Into Chapter 5, introduction of Reginald De Chatillon

Chapter 4 complete.

A brilliant chapter clearing up Salah-uddin’s relationship with the shi’ites. Showing his mastery of how he managed to take Egypt back into Sunni control.

The chapter ended with a beautiful piece on Nur-uddin’s life, speaking on his death and his virtues.

The story is only going to get deeper from here, with Salah-uddin’s new responsibility to fill Nur-uddin’s position in Shaam.

Chapter 3 complete.

This chapter begins to focus more on Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, Nur-al-Din & Shirkuh - showing the relationship between them & the two major muslim powers at the time, the Abbasid & Fatimid caliphate.

What stuck out most was how Salahuddin & his uncle Shirkuh were both under the shia caliph of the fatimid empire. I didn’t expect that but the 4th chapter goes into more detail.

Having a rough understanding of Sultan Salah-Dd-Din and the ideas around his conquest of Al-Quds, I expected the book to go straight into his life & how he achieved his feats.

I have just finished the Chapter 2 and have been surprised with the concise overview of the world at the time. The scene is perfectly set by introducing the 1st & 2nd Crusade & introducing Noor-Ud-Din, the Emir of both Aleppo & Damascus.