The Book of Saladin by Tariq Ali (Verso)
The Book of Saladin is the second book in Tariq Ali’s Islam Quintet. Although it is the second book in the series, each book can be read as a stand alone novel. The story is based on the real life historical figure of Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub. Salal al-Din or Saladin as he is known to Westerners was a Sunni Muslim Kurd who became the first Sultan of Egpyt and Syria and served under the sovereignty of the Caliph of Baghdad. He was also the Muslim leader who led a campaign against the Franj (the Franks or Holy Crusaders) and retook the city of al-Kuds (al-Quds) which is the Arabic name for Jerusalem.
Many of the other male characters are also based on actual historical figures such as Saladin’s father, brothers, uncles, and nephews. Ibn Maymun is the great Jewish philosopher who is also known as Maimonedes. The women are Ali’s creation as there are no records of the women from the Sultan’s era.
In Ali’s novel, the story is narrated in three parts by Isaac ibn Yacob. It starts off in the city of Cairo, Egypt, then continues in Damascus in present day Syria and the conclusion of the story leads to al-Kuds or Jerusalem in the Levant which includes present day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and most of Turkey east of the Euphrates.
Ibn Maymun came to visit Ibn Yacob on a cold night in 1181 according to the Christian calendar. On the same evening, Yacob receives another visitor which he surmised was for his friend. The visitor was unknown to Yacob until Ibn Maymun addressed him as “Commander of the Brave”. Ibn Yacob realizes he is in the presence of the Sultan.
The Sultan has come to Ibn Maymun to ask for advice on finding a scribe to whom he could dictate his memoirs. It is Ibn Maymun who recommends Ibn Yacob but suggests but tells the Sultan, “Your request poses a problem. You are never in one city for too long. Either the scribe must travel with you, or we will have to find another one in Damascus.”
The Sultan surprises both Ibn Maymun and Ibn Yacob. He says, “And a third city beckons. I hope to be visiting al-Kuds soon.” al-Kuds or Jerusalem is still under the power of the Crusaders. It was an occupied city. Ibn recognizes that the Sultan has just announced his intention to take al-Kuds back from the non-Believers. The following day, the Sultan begins to dictate his memoirs.
Ibn Yacob has no choice but to follow the Sultan to Damascus and then to Jerusalem to continue to write about the Sultan’s life, his thoughts and his exploits. As the scribe to the sultan, he spends more time in the palace than he does at home which causes a rift in his marriage. To complicate matters further, he made a surprise visit home, only to find his good friend Ibn Mayum on top of his wife!
Ali’s attention to historical detail makes this fictitious biography and memoir not only entertaining but educational as well. The story still hold true today as the forces of Islam and Christianity continue to clash. Even now, in the 21st century, the future of Palestine and the Middle East is still in turmoil with no resolution in sight. It makes you wonder if religion is actually, “the root of all evil”. ~Ernie Hoyt