Inside the Family of Saladin: His Wives, Children, Brothers, and Uncle
Saladin Ayyubi’s Family: Names of His Wife, Children, Brothers, and Uncle
Saladin Ayyubi, the renowned founder and first ruler of the Ayyubid State, is a figure of great interest when it comes to his family life. He made history by leading an army to reclaim the Holy Land from the Crusaders in 1187, notably defeating the King of Jerusalem, Guy of Lusignan, in the Battle of Hattin. His remarkable life story has been showcased in the popular TV series “Selahaddin Eyyubi, the Conqueror of Jerusalem,” which aired on TRT 1.
On October 2, 1187, Saladin achieved a major victory by capturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders, effectively ending 88 years of Christian rule and restoring the city to the Islamic world. Subsequently, European Christians launched a Crusade in an attempt to regain control over Jerusalem. Saladin later faced off against the British King Richard I during the Third Crusade, ultimately preserving Jerusalem with the signing of the Ramla Treaty.
Saladin’s family members play a significant role in his life story. His wife, Ismet Hatun, and children—Aziz Osman Bin Saladin, Efdal Bin Saladin, Melik Zahir Gazi, Al-Mu’azzam Turanshah ibn Salah al-Din, Da’ud ibn Şalah al-Din, Agar Sharefeddin Abu Yusuf Yakub, Mas’ud ibn Şalah al-Din, İshaq ibn Şalah al-Din, and Al-afdal ‘Ali—all contributed to the rich tapestry of his lineage.
The family of Saladin traces its roots to the Revvadi branch of the Hezbaniyye Kurds. The Rawwadis, believed to have descended from the Yemeni Azd tribe of Arab origin, settled in Azerbaijan after being brought there by the Abbasid Caliphate in 758. Over time, they integrated with the Kurdish population in the region, particularly the Hezbaniler tribe, becoming recognized as Kurds.
Saladin was born in Tikrit, Iraq, in 1137 or 1138, into a prominent Kurdish family. His father, Necmeddin Eyyub, hailed from a village in Divin, where the Kurdish Shaddadids dynasty held sway. Necmeddin Eyyub migrated to Aleppo with his family, eventually serving under Imaduddin Zengi, the Turkish governor of Northern Syria.
Saladin’s close familial ties extended to his brothers—Tâcülmülk Börü, Seyfülislam Tuğtekin, Âdıl Seyfeddîn Ebû Bekir, and Şemsûddevle Turanşah—each reflecting a tradition of taking a nickname before a name at that time. This tradition highlighted the significance of their roles and contributions within their family and community.
Saladin Ayyubi’s legacy lives on through the tales of his conquests, his unwavering commitment to faith, and the enduring bonds within his remarkable family.
