G07: Islam - Social Studies: People

Saladin was born in 1137 or 1138 in Takrit, Mesopotamia. He grew up in Aleppo, Baʾlbek, and Damascus. As a teenager he showed more inclination to become a Muslim scholar than a soldier. His military career began when he joined the staff of his uncle, Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, a commander under the governor of northern Syria. When his uncle died, Saladin—at age 31—was appointed commander of the troops and vizier of Egypt.

The first four caliphs were Abu Bakr, ʿUmar I, ʿUthman (a member of the Umayyad clan), and ʿAli, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad. Collectively the four are known in Arabic as al-khulafaʾ al-rashidun, or the “rightly guided caliphs.” These caliphs were the formative leaders of the Muslim community, or ummah.