Welcome to my blog!
About Me:
I was born to a Kurdish family during the Muslim year of 532 (between 19 Sept. 1137 and 8 September 1138). My full name is Salāh-ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn-Aiyūb, but I only hear that when I'm getting punished. Normally I just go by Yūsuf or Salāh al-Dīn. I spent much of my childhood in Baalbek where my father served as governor. Throughout that time, I came to develop a strong passion for religious studies, but by the age of 14, my Uncle Shīrkūh forced me to join him at Aleppo in the service of Nūr-ad-Dīn. Though I would have preferred to stay out of conflict, my uncle was considered one of the military geniuses of his time and I had to honor him. Just four years later, in 1156, I ended up succeeding my older brother, Turan-Shāh, as my uncle’s deputy in the military governorship of Damascus—which I served as twice. Keep reading my blog for further details about my adventures.