Journal of Islamicjerusalem Studies

Yazarlar: Qasim AL-SHALASH

Konular:Tarih

DOI:10.31456/beytulmakdis.808562

Anahtar Kelimeler:Crusades,Salah al-Din,Volunteers,Mosques,Jihad,Bayt al-Maqdis,Hittin,Crusaders

Özet: Volunteers warriors are the unpaid combatants during war; they are neither registered in the Diwan nor have a share in it. They however had a strong presence in most of the state’s battles, and perhaps their contribution to the wars against the Crusaders was one of the largest contributions due to the extension of the battlefront and the long span of time that the Crusades continued under a false religious pretence. During which they managed to occupy many cities in the al-Jazirah (Upper Mesopotamia) and Bilad al-Sham and particularly Bayt al-Maqdis. The process of summoning and mobilising these volunteer to fight would take place after announcing the call to Jihad in mosques. The religious factor had an effective contribution to this, since the Islamic doctrine urges the defence of the land, family and wealth. For this reason groups of volunteers flocked to the frontlines to fight for the sake of pleasing God, amongst them were ordinary people whom were the majority, besides scholars, jurists, judges, and writers. Many of whom became close to Salah al-Din and in his inner circle becoming some of his advisors and commanders.

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