Salahuddin Ayyubi, also known as Saladin, was a Muslim military leader and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. He was born in Tikrit, Iraq, in 1137 CE, and grew up in a family of soldiers and politicians. His father, Najmuddin Ayyub, was a commander in the service of Zengi, the ruler of Mosul and Aleppo. Salahuddin himself became a military commander at a young age and eventually rose to become the Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He is best known for his role in the Crusades and for liberating Jerusalem from Christian control.
Salahuddin's leadership and bravery were evident from an early age. As a young man, he fought alongside his father in campaigns against the Crusaders and other Muslim rulers. He quickly earned a reputation for his courage and military skill. In 1169 CE, Salahuddin was appointed as the governor of Egypt by his uncle, Shirkuh, who was a commander in the service of the Fatimid caliphate. Salahuddin quickly set about consolidating his power and expanding his territory.
In 1171 CE, Salahuddin declared himself the ruler of Egypt and broke away from the Fatimid caliphate. He then began a campaign to conquer the Crusader states in the Levant. His first major victory came in 1177 CE at the Battle of Montgisard. In this battle, Salahuddin's forces defeated a much larger army of Crusaders, led by King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. This victory gave Salahuddin a reputation as a formidable military leader and boosted the morale of his troops.
Salahuddin continued to wage war against the Crusaders over the next several years, capturing key cities and fortresses and gradually weakening their hold on the region. In 1187 CE, he launched a major offensive against Jerusalem, which had been under Christian control since the First Crusade in 1099 CE. After a siege of several weeks, Salahuddin's forces breached the city walls and captured Jerusalem on October 2, 1187 CE. The Christian inhabitants of the city were allowed to leave unharmed, and the Muslim call to prayer was heard once again from the Dome of the Rock.
Salahuddin's conquest of Jerusalem was a significant achievement, not only for the Muslim world but also for the history of warfare. It demonstrated that a smaller, better-led force could defeat a larger, less-organized one. It also showed that it was possible for different religious and ethnic groups to coexist peacefully under Muslim rule. Salahuddin's chivalry and generosity towards his defeated enemies earned him the respect and admiration of both Muslims and Christians. 
Salahuddin's leadership and bravery were not limited to the battlefield. He was also known for his wise governance and his efforts to promote education, trade, and culture. He founded schools and mosques throughout his empire and patronized scholars and artists. He also encouraged trade and commerce, which helped to stimulate the economy and improve the standard of living for his subjects.
Salahuddin's leadership and bravery have been the subject of many legends and stories over the centuries. One of the most famous of these is the story of his encounter with the Christian knight, Richard the Lionheart, during the Third Crusade. According to the legend, the two leaders met on the battlefield, and Richard challenged Salahuddin to single combat. Salahuddin declined, saying that it would not be fair to fight a man who was not his equal in rank. Instead, he offered to send his own horse to Richard, who had lost his in battle. Richard accepted the offer and was so impressed by Salahuddin's chivalry that he sent him a gift of horses.
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