The Merciful King – Salahuddin
Jerusalem is a holy city in the middle east currently part of the Israeli occupied land. The city is holy to all Abrahamic faiths including Jews, Christians and Muslims and has been ruled by different religious denominations at different times in history.
In 12th Century AD (711 in Hijri Calender), Balian was the newly appointed Christian ruler of Jerusalem. He had reason to be worried because Salahudin’s (commonly known as Saladin in the Western world) forces had completely surrounded the holy city. Balian feared that the Muslim army will act in the same way as the Christians did when they took control over Jerusalem. He feared for lives of people living in the city.
Balian tried to negotiate with Salahudin however, he was angry as people of Jerusalem had refused his previous offer of surrender. Salahuddin’s council reminded him of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) conquest of Mecca when he pardoned everyone. He agreed to let people go unharmed and even helped the vulnerables financially. He also allowed Christians and Jews to continue their religious practices in Jerusalem. This act of kindness earned him title of the Merciful King and a place as the Great Hearted Soul.
