They say he charged one of his retinue to go abroad with a length of cloth fastened to a lance. Thou who carried my banner in war, carry now the banner of my death, said he. Thou shalt ride through Damascus and cry aloud. Naught does Saladin take from the treasury save three ells of cloth for his winding sheet!
In his treasury they counted forty-seven Nacerite dirhems, one Syrian gold piece. He left neither houses nor goods nor plowed land, no appurtenance, no estate. Having coveted nothing, he left nothing. When he captured the city of Menbij here were costly items inscribed with the name Yusef, this being the son of the defeated sheik. My name is Yusef, Saladin declared, which was true enough, and shall have what was kept for me. But then, after enjoying his little joke, Saladin distributed these valuables among the conquered women and children. What shall a Christian make of this? Had he wearied of turpitude and the habits of men? They say that in Egypt he consulted a Muslim Jew from Spain, Maimonides, renowned among these people as a philosopher, rabbi, and physician. To what purpose? Does any man elude the hand of God?
Turks report that after he subjugated Caucab in the year 584, as they account such things, he wished to visit Ascalon and other cities along the coast to prepare them for defense. With him went Beha al-Din. It was winter and the sea foamed angrily. This was the first time ever I saw it, writes Beha al-Din, and not for the world would I venture one league upon it. Indeed, I consider those who embark upon the sea for gold and silver to be mad. But while I occupied myself with such thoughts the sultan spoke.
I will tell you what is in my heart, he said. When God has placed in my hands all the other Christian cities I will divide them among my children. Then after I have bade my children goodby I will embark on the sea to go and reduce those countries of the West. Nor will I put down my arms until no Christian is left on earth, not unless death prevents me.
These words so astonished Beha al-Din that he forgot what he had been thinking. But then he recalled how the waves terrified him. Nothing could be more praiseworthy than to exterminate the Franks, he said. Yet it would be enough to send your armies. You, yourself, ought to stay here and not jeopard your life since you are the hope of Islam.
Which is more commendable? Saladin asked.
Beha replied that without doubt it would be more glorious to die in the service of God.
Then I am right to desire this, Saladin answered.
That he was devout, that he prayed assiduously and often, is attested by divers narratives. If he chanced to be ill, which happened frequently because he endured numerous afflictions, he would call for an imam and get up from the sickbed to join him at prayer. While traveling he would dismount to pray when the hour came round. He did not tire of hearing the Koran recited and would question the imam to make certain of the text. At night sometimes he would awaken to ask that three or four suras be recited and would sob while listening, or when told of some edifying parable. Tears flowed down his beard. Once he overheard a child reciting the Koran, which so gratified him that he gave the child some of his food. Heretics, philosophers, or those who opposed the Muslim faith he despised, for which reason he ordered a certain mystic of Aleppo to be arrested and crucified. He left the corpse suspended three days. Even so, he accepted the teaching of Scripture and believed in resurrection, that the virtuous would find a reward in heaven while sinners raged and frothed in hell.
Lord Baldwin, having been captured at the battle of Marj Ayun, thought to ransom himself. Saladin refused. Little use have I for money, he said. Besides, much honor accrues from holding captive so valiant a knight. And yet, following some argument, Saladin named a figure. Two hundred thousand bezants. By no means could I levy that much, Baldwin answered. Though I dispose of all the land I own I could not pay one tenth of it. Then I will pull out every tooth in your mouth, Saladin replied. You may do that, said Baldwin. However, with two teeth drawn out of his head he begged for mercy and said he would arrange the matter somehow. It is related that he went off to visit Emperor Manuel in Constantinople, the wealthiest sovereign on earth. Manuel greeted him with joy and agreed to pay the ransom. A chair was placed in the middle of the room and Baldwin sat on the chair while gold hyperpyra were heaped around him to the top of his head. Baldwin thus resolved the matter. Saladin felt much annoyed, thinking nobody could pay so much.
After Count Hugh of Tiberias was taken captive Saladin promised to let him go on one stipulation, that he should impart and demonstrate the ceremony by which a Frank is knighted. To this Count Hugh agreed. So he dressed the beard and hair of Saladin and brought him to the lavatorium. Here is the bath of courtesy and honor, said Hugh, which recalls the baptism of an infant, from which you shall emerge cleansed of sin as does the child from the font. Next he brought Saladin to his bed, signifying the tranquility of Paradise that a knight must seek to achieve. Next, raising him up, Hugh arrayed the sultan in a white tunic to represent bodily cleanliness, throwing over
