Famous Quotes of Saladin

Saladin, also known as Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, was a prominent Muslim leader during the 12th century, renowned for his role in the Crusades. His most important victory was the recapture of Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187.He was Born in 1137 in Tikrit, Iraq and he was of Kurdish ethnicity.

Saladin is celebrated for his chivalry, military brilliance, and efforts to unite the Muslim world under his leadership. Lets look at some of the best Saladin’s quotes which are so relevant till this date.

Rare Traits of Saladin

 Saladin became first sultan of Egypt and Syria and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Saladin led the Muslim military campaign against the Crusader states in the Levant. At the height of his power, his sultanate spanned Egypt, Syria, the Jazira (Upper Mesopotamia), the Hejaz (western Arabia), Yemen, parts of western North Africa, and Nubia.

Despite all this power, his personal assets remained at a bare minimum. He had a strong urge to perform Hajj pilgrim but due to a lack of personal resources, his utmost desire remained unfulfilled. He died on 4th March 1193 with only one armor and a single sword as his whole worldly belonging. Making whole Islamic world ,under his obligation till this date.

Sultan Saladin had never cared much about worldly possessions. Once before going to a battlefield, he started distributing swords and horses to his fellow soldiers. He generously distributed all the horses. But when the fight was about to start someone brought to his attention that there is no horse left for Sultan himself. He was always of the opinion that there should be some men in this world who let go of worldly possession as they are of no worth. Certainly Saladin was one of those, Rare Sort.

He founded the Ayyubid dynasty and was known for his benevolence, especially towards non-Muslims. This earned him respect even among his Christian foes. His legacy remains a symbol of nobility and justice in both the Muslim and Western worlds.

Famous Quotes of Saladin (Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub)

No matter how many centuries have passed still you can find these ” Famous Quotes of Saladin” so relevant. You can still apply these quotes in your lives and rulers specifically should take inspiration from them.

“European merchants supply the best weaponry, contributing to their own defeat.”

Saladin, 1138-1193, First Abbasid Sultan, Letter to the Caliph in Baghdad
Eigen’s Political and Historical Quotations

Saladin’s Quotes:

“To achieve one’s rights, it is not necessary to be Strong, but it is necessary to have Honor.”

• “Strength lies not in weapons alone, but in the unity of purpose.”
• “Conquer hearts, not just lands.”
• “Patience is the sword of the believer.”
• “Injustice breeds resistance; justice cultivates loyalty.”
• “True courage is found in mercy.”
• “A leader’s greatness is measured by the welfare of his people.”
• “Victory is sweeter when achieved through righteousness.”
• “Fortitude in adversity reveals true character.”

• “A man who is not a good servant will not be a good master.”
• “Justice is the foundation of a great kingdom.”
• “To win a battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.”
• “The wise warrior avoids the battle.”
• “I am the servant of God, and the brother of the poor.”
• “Patience is the pillar of wisdom.”
• “Victory is changing the hearts of your opponents by gentleness and kindness.”
• “Fortitude is the marshal of thought, the armor of the will, and the fort of reason.”
• “He who has the support of God has no cause for fear.”
• “The taking of one innocent life is like destroying all of mankind.”
• “My kingdom will cease to exist when I die, but knowledge remains.”
• “Be steadfast in your religion and your life.”
• “Treat the people as if you were one of them.”
• “I have become so great as I am because I have won men’s hearts by gentleness and kindness.”

• “Wisdom is the armor that shields the righteous.”
• “Every nation’s poet is a benefactor shame on that nation.”
• “Respect all faiths; honor all humanity.”
• “To lead is to serve.”
• “The truest wealth is contentment of the soul.”
• “The greatest battles are won through unity, not division.”
• “Kindness is a language all can understand.”
• “Strength tempered with compassion forges enduring alliances.”
• “Rise above hatred; embrace compassion.”

• “War is not courage, it is a failure.”
• “My ambition is far higher than the mere possession of land.”
• “Let the Muslim be my master in outward things rather than the Latin dominate him in his own lands.”
• “Every day I am among the enemy, my life is in danger.”
• “Power is not in the number of soldiers, but in the unity of their hearts.”
• “Real strength lies in the control of oneself.”
• “In the end, it is the truth that endures.”
• “He who speaks of what he does not know will eventually fall into what he warns others against.”
• “He who uses the sword will be conquered by the sword.”
• “Do not be happy about what you have, but be happy about what you give.”
• “A wise man’s actions speak for him, not his words.”
• “The value of a man is measured in the number of those who stand beside him, not those who follow him.”

“Jerusalem is ours as much as yours; indeed, it is even more sacred to us than to you…. Do not imagine that we can to you or compromise on this. The land belongs to us from the beginning, while you have only just arrived and have taken it over only because of the weakness of the Moslems living there at the time. God will not allow a single stone to be rebuilt as long as the war lasts. As for the cross, its ownership is a high card in our hands and it cannot be surrendered except in exchange for something of priceless benefit to all Islam.”

Saladin, 1138-1193, First Abbasid Sultan, Reply to King Richard I, staking out his negotiating position in what became a truce, 1191
Eigen’s Political and Historical Quotations

• “Good deeds erase bad deeds.”
• “The enemy of a man is his ignorance.”
• “The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.”
• “It is better to be the tail of a lion than the head of a fox.”
• “Knowledge without action is vanity, and action without knowledge is insanity.”
• “Success is not in what you have, but who you are.”
• “The most excellent jihad is that for the conquest of self.”
• “Humility is the key to honor.”
• “One who acts on truth is happy in this world and beyond.”
• The best way to defend is to swallow the enemy before you even think of him.

• “Every obstacle is an opportunity for greatness.”
• “Firm resolve is the foundation of victory.”
• “The wise learn from defeat; the foolish repeat it.”
• “Empathy is the cornerstone of leadership.”
• “Lead by example, not by force.”
• “Character is shaped by adversity.”

“I have always resented the way the other sultans and emirs of my time have become too caught up in glory, pride and wealth.“

Saladin, 1138-1193, First Abbasid Sultan, Journal
Eigen’s Political and Historical Quotations

• “Valor is not in the sword but in the heart.”
• “A just ruler wins the loyalty of his subjects.”
• “Humility precedes honor.”
• “The essence of leadership is to inspire.”
• “Strength lies in unity, not division.”
• “A leader’s duty is to safeguard the weak.”
• “Mercy is strength’s true companion.”
• “Peace is the fruit of understanding.”
• “Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it.”

“So many of the high ranking about me have discarded mercy as a weakness.”

Saladin, 1138-1193, First Abbasid Sultan, Journal
 
Eigen’s Political and Historical Quota

• “Leadership demands sacrifice.”
• “Greatness is forged in the crucible of adversity.”
• “Wisdom speaks through silence.”
• “True victory is won through justice.”
• “Adversity reveals the mettle of men.”
• “The measure of a civilization is in its compassion.”
• “Honor is the armor of the righteous.”
• “To forgive is to conquer.”

“Just because a king is a king.
That does not mean he is not a human as you.”

Saladin, 1138-1193, First Abbasid Sultan, Journal
 
Eigen’s Political and Historical Quotations

• “Strength is found in resilience.”
• “Lead with integrity; rule with fairness.”
• “The path to glory is paved with humility.”
• “Fear nothing but injustice.”
• “Kindness is the mark of true nobility.”
• “The greatest triumph is self-mastery.“
• “In the face of tyranny, courage is our shield.”
• “To build is harder than to destroy.”
• “Wisdom guides the hand of the wise.”
• “Unity is the fortress against adversity.”
• “The flame of hope burns brightest in darkness.”

These Famous Quotes of Saladin reflect Saladin’s wisdom, his emphasis on justice, humility, and his approach to leadership and warfare. His words continue to inspire and are often cited in discussions about leadership, morality, and interfaith harmony.

Read most inspirational and spiritual quotes by Rabia Basri.