Text on screen: "Salahuddin Yusuf ibn Ayyub would go on to unite the Muslim world, defeat the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin, and retake Jerusalem in 1187 CE—without a single civilian massacre. He remains one of history’s most respected generals, even admired by his enemies."
Najm ad-Din looks back at the fortress he is sworn to protect. He whispers a prayer, then lifts his infant son——into the saddle. "You are born in exile, my son," he says softly. "Perhaps one day, you will build a home for all of us."
The night wind howls over the ruins of a fortress near Tikrit. Torches flicker against the black stone as a young Kurdish woman, , clutches her newborn son close to her chest. Her husband, Najm ad-Din Ayyub , a governor for the Zengid Empire, paces anxiously. sultan salahuddin ayyubi episode 1
In Aleppo, they are taken in by the great , the fierce warlord fighting the Crusaders. Zengi looks at the baby Yusuf and says to Najm ad-Din: "This child has fire in his eyes. Raise him sharp. The Franks will not wait."
Najm ad-Din stares at his son. The room is silent. Then, slowly, Shirkuh begins to smile. Text on screen: "Salahuddin Yusuf ibn Ayyub would
Shirkuh draws his sword. "They are always passing through our land. That is the harm. One day, they will not pass. They will stay. And they will call this place 'Outremer.'"
Yusuf hesitates. "They have not harmed us. They are just passing." "You are born in exile, my son," he says softly
Everyone falls silent.
"Good. Now—attack."
"What do you see?"
Shirkuh rides down alone and captures the wagon without killing a single man—only tying them up. He returns to Yusuf, breathing hard. "See? Strength without cruelty. Remember that."