1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:04,019 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:04,019 --> 00:00:09,429 The Mawadda Association presents: 3 00:00:09,429 --> 00:00:16,660 An event that occurred in Ramadan, by the decree of the Most Merciful, through the compassion of the Sultan. 4 00:00:16,660 --> 00:00:20,710 The liberation of Antioch. 5 00:00:20,710 --> 00:00:24,710 In the month of Ramadan, in the year 666 AH. 6 00:00:24,710 --> 00:00:26,710 On the fourteenth day of that month, 7 00:00:26,710 --> 00:00:30,710 Islamic history witnessed one of its greatest days, 8 00:00:30,710 --> 00:00:32,710 And one of its most momentous conquests. 9 00:00:32,710 --> 00:00:35,710 Through it, Allah honored the Muslims after their humiliation, 10 00:00:35,710 --> 00:00:38,710 Raised high the banners of Islam, 11 00:00:38,710 --> 00:00:40,710 And hoisted the flags of the Qur'an. 12 00:00:40,710 --> 00:00:43,710 The hero of this great conquest 13 00:00:43,710 --> 00:00:45,710 Was one of the champions of the Muslims, 14 00:00:45,710 --> 00:00:49,710 And one of their illustrious and blessed commanders. 15 00:00:49,710 --> 00:00:53,710 A hero who, for seventeen years, 16 00:00:53,710 --> 00:00:56,710 Traversed the lands of the Muslims, east and west, 17 00:00:56,710 --> 00:00:58,710 Battling the pagan Tatars, 18 00:00:58,710 --> 00:01:01,710 And fighting the aggressive Crusaders. 19 00:01:01,710 --> 00:01:03,710 His sword was never blunted, 20 00:01:03,710 --> 00:01:05,709 His resolve never weakened, 21 00:01:05,709 --> 00:01:07,709 And he was never defeated in any engagement, 22 00:01:07,709 --> 00:01:10,709 Until Allah cast awe and terror 23 00:01:10,709 --> 00:01:13,709 Into the hearts of his enemies and the enemies of Allah. 24 00:01:13,709 --> 00:01:17,709 This hero is Sultan al-Zahir Baybars. 25 00:01:17,709 --> 00:01:20,709 As for the day of his that remains throughout the ages, 26 00:01:20,709 --> 00:01:23,709 It is the day of the conquest of Antioch, 27 00:01:23,709 --> 00:01:26,709 And its rescue from the hands of the Crusaders. 28 00:01:27,709 --> 00:01:30,780 Antioch and its momentous day 29 00:01:30,780 --> 00:01:32,780 Have a long story. 30 00:01:32,780 --> 00:01:34,780 This story begins 31 00:01:34,780 --> 00:01:36,780 In the late fourth century AH, 32 00:01:36,780 --> 00:01:38,780 When the balance of power 33 00:01:38,780 --> 00:01:40,780 Between Christian Europe 34 00:01:40,780 --> 00:01:42,780 and the Muslim East 35 00:01:42,780 --> 00:01:44,780 Began to tilt in Europe's favor. 36 00:01:44,780 --> 00:01:46,780 The Europeans did not let 37 00:01:46,780 --> 00:01:49,780 This golden opportunity slip by. 38 00:01:49,780 --> 00:01:51,840 The Norman knight, 39 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,840 Greedy for spoils, arose; 40 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:55,840 The Venetian merchant, 41 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:57,840 Looking toward the treasures of the East, arose; 42 00:01:57,840 --> 00:01:59,840 The Florentine usurer, 43 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:01,840 Driven by the pursuit of wealth, arose; 44 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:03,840 The Frenchman, fleeing 45 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:05,840 From famine and plague, arose; 46 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:07,840 And the obsessive zealot, 47 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:10,840 Longing for a sip of the Jordan’s water, 48 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,840 Or a touch of the walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, arose. 49 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,840 All of them rose up, 50 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,840 Answering the call of Pope Urban II 51 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:21,840 To obtain forgiveness 52 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,840 If they liberated the grave of Christ 53 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:25,840 From the hands of the Muslims. 54 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:27,840 They headed toward the Islamic East, 55 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:29,840 Having sewn the cross 56 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:31,840 Upon their right shoulders. 57 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:33,840 The Byzantines, 58 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:35,840 The rulers of Constantinople, 59 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:37,840 Opened the way for them, 60 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:39,840 And they surged like a flood 61 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:41,840 That nothing could stand against, 62 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:43,840 And no power could divert from its goal. 63 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:45,870 In the year 491 64 00:02:45,870 --> 00:02:47,870 AH, 65 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:49,870 The Crusaders arrived 66 00:02:49,870 --> 00:02:51,870 At Antioch, 67 00:02:51,870 --> 00:02:53,870 One of the Muslim fortresses, 68 00:02:53,870 --> 00:02:55,870 And the greatest stronghold separating them 69 00:02:55,870 --> 00:02:57,870 From the Byzantines. 70 00:02:57,870 --> 00:02:59,870 Its governor rose to meet them 71 00:02:59,870 --> 00:03:01,870 With his army and fought them 72 00:03:01,870 --> 00:03:03,870 With all his might. 73 00:03:03,870 --> 00:03:05,870 But 74 00:03:05,870 --> 00:03:07,870 How could he be victorious, 75 00:03:07,870 --> 00:03:09,870 When his sword was still dripping 76 00:03:09,870 --> 00:03:11,870 With the blood of his own brothers and kin? 77 00:03:11,870 --> 00:03:13,969 The city fell 78 00:03:13,969 --> 00:03:15,969 Into the hands of the Crusaders, 79 00:03:15,969 --> 00:03:17,969 And from it, 80 00:03:17,969 --> 00:03:19,969 And its surroundings, 81 00:03:19,969 --> 00:03:21,969 A Crusader principality was formed 82 00:03:21,969 --> 00:03:23,969 In the lands of the Muslims. 83 00:03:23,969 --> 00:03:25,969 This principality was called 84 00:03:25,969 --> 00:03:27,969 The Principality of Edessa, 85 00:03:27,969 --> 00:03:30,099 Or the Principality of Antioch. 86 00:03:30,099 --> 00:03:32,099 The fall of that great city 87 00:03:32,099 --> 00:03:34,099 Struck the Muslims 88 00:03:34,099 --> 00:03:36,099 Like a thunderbolt. 89 00:03:36,099 --> 00:03:38,099 Islamic peoples everywhere 90 00:03:38,099 --> 00:03:40,099 Rose up, 91 00:03:40,099 --> 00:03:42,099 Urging their warring, 92 00:03:42,099 --> 00:03:44,099 Disputing rulers 93 00:03:44,099 --> 00:03:46,099 To send their armies 94 00:03:46,099 --> 00:03:48,099 To rescue Antioch. 95 00:03:48,099 --> 00:03:50,099 The rulers yielded to the will of the people 96 00:03:50,099 --> 00:03:52,099 And sent a portion of their armies 97 00:03:52,099 --> 00:03:54,099 To liberate the stricken city. 98 00:03:54,099 --> 00:03:56,099 The Islamic armies 99 00:03:56,099 --> 00:03:58,099 Besieged it 100 00:03:58,099 --> 00:04:00,099 Severely, 101 00:04:00,099 --> 00:04:02,099 Which caused the Crusaders to taste 102 00:04:02,099 --> 00:04:04,099 Every kind of torment, 103 00:04:04,099 --> 00:04:06,099 And to drink from the cups of misery, 104 00:04:06,099 --> 00:04:08,099 Until hunger ravaged them, 105 00:04:08,099 --> 00:04:10,099 So they ate the meat 106 00:04:10,099 --> 00:04:12,129 Of dead animals. 107 00:04:12,129 --> 00:04:14,129 One of the priests wished to bolster 108 00:04:14,129 --> 00:04:16,129 The resolve of the besieged Crusaders, 109 00:04:16,129 --> 00:04:18,129 So he told them that one of the 110 00:04:18,129 --> 00:04:20,129 Saints had informed him 111 00:04:20,129 --> 00:04:22,129 That the lance with which 112 00:04:22,129 --> 00:04:24,129 Jesus Christ was pierced was buried 113 00:04:24,129 --> 00:04:26,129 In a spot in Antioch, 114 00:04:26,129 --> 00:04:28,129 And that they must dig it up 115 00:04:28,129 --> 00:04:30,129 From the earth, and that 116 00:04:30,129 --> 00:04:32,129 The saints would fight alongside them. 117 00:04:32,129 --> 00:04:34,129 The Crusaders dug up 118 00:04:34,129 --> 00:04:36,129 The earth and brought out the 119 00:04:36,129 --> 00:04:38,129 Fake, planted lance, 120 00:04:38,129 --> 00:04:40,129 And they went mad with joy 121 00:04:40,129 --> 00:04:42,129 Because of it, and rushed 122 00:04:42,129 --> 00:04:44,129 To fight the Muslims, fighting 123 00:04:44,129 --> 00:04:46,129 Until they broke 124 00:04:46,129 --> 00:04:48,129 The siege upon themselves, 125 00:04:48,129 --> 00:04:50,129 And their foothold was established 126 00:04:50,129 --> 00:04:52,129 In the great city. 127 00:04:52,129 --> 00:04:54,129 From that ill-fated day, 128 00:04:54,129 --> 00:04:56,129 The Principality of Antioch became 129 00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:58,129 A launching point for the Crusaders, 130 00:04:58,129 --> 00:05:00,129 A path to Jerusalem, 131 00:05:00,129 --> 00:05:02,129 A thorn in the throats 132 00:05:02,129 --> 00:05:04,129 Of the Muslims, and a speck of dust 133 00:05:04,129 --> 00:05:06,129 In the eyes of the people of Aleppo 134 00:05:06,129 --> 00:05:08,129 And the surrounding Levant. 135 00:05:08,129 --> 00:05:10,129 The situation remained 136 00:05:10,129 --> 00:05:12,129 In this state for nearly [a century], 137 00:05:13,129 --> 00:05:15,129 During which appeared 138 00:05:15,129 --> 00:05:17,129 Two great leaders, among the greatest 139 00:05:17,129 --> 00:05:19,129 Commanders of the Muslims: 140 00:05:19,129 --> 00:05:21,129 The just, mujahid king, 141 00:05:21,129 --> 00:05:23,129 Nur al-Din Zengi, 142 00:05:23,129 --> 00:05:25,129 And the victorious, conquering hero, 143 00:05:25,129 --> 00:05:27,129 Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi. 144 00:05:27,129 --> 00:05:29,129 Yet neither of these two 145 00:05:29,129 --> 00:05:31,129 Great leaders was destined 146 00:05:31,129 --> 00:05:33,129 To conquer that great city. 147 00:05:33,129 --> 00:05:35,220 Antioch remained 148 00:05:35,220 --> 00:05:37,220 Awaiting the great day 149 00:05:37,220 --> 00:05:39,220 And the great conqueror, 150 00:05:39,220 --> 00:05:41,220 Until this day arrived: 151 00:05:41,220 --> 00:05:43,220 The fourteenth of Ramadan, 152 00:05:43,220 --> 00:05:45,220 In the year 666. 153 00:05:45,220 --> 00:05:47,220 [666 AH]. 154 00:05:47,220 --> 00:05:49,220 And this conqueror 155 00:05:49,220 --> 00:05:51,350 Was al-Zahir Baybars. 156 00:05:51,350 --> 00:05:53,350 Sultan al-Zahir did not intend 157 00:05:53,350 --> 00:05:55,350 To conquer Antioch 158 00:05:55,350 --> 00:05:57,350 Until he had consolidated his kingdom, 159 00:05:57,350 --> 00:05:59,350 Strengthened his army, 160 00:05:59,350 --> 00:06:01,350 And conquered Caesarea, 161 00:06:01,350 --> 00:06:03,350 Safed, Tiberias, 162 00:06:03,350 --> 00:06:05,350 The Golan, Jaffa, 163 00:06:05,350 --> 00:06:07,350 Al-Qusayr, Akkar, Safita, 164 00:06:07,350 --> 00:06:09,350 And many others. 165 00:06:09,350 --> 00:06:11,350 He broke the power of the Tatars, 166 00:06:11,350 --> 00:06:13,350 Severed the limbs of the Crusaders, 167 00:06:13,350 --> 00:06:15,350 And the opportunity 168 00:06:15,350 --> 00:06:17,350 Became ripe before him. 169 00:06:17,350 --> 00:06:19,350 Baybars gathered a multitude 170 00:06:19,350 --> 00:06:21,350 Of his soldiers in the Levant; 171 00:06:21,350 --> 00:06:23,350 He brought them from Egypt, 172 00:06:23,350 --> 00:06:25,350 From Mosul, 173 00:06:25,350 --> 00:06:27,350 From the Hijaz, and from everywhere. 174 00:06:27,350 --> 00:06:29,350 He brought the siege engines 175 00:06:29,350 --> 00:06:31,350 From Damascus, 176 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:33,350 And carried them on the backs of camels. 177 00:06:33,350 --> 00:06:35,350 When the camels could no longer bear them, 178 00:06:35,350 --> 00:06:37,350 The princes, soldiers, 179 00:06:37,350 --> 00:06:39,350 And commanders carried them on their own shoulders. 180 00:06:39,350 --> 00:06:41,350 The Sultan himself took to 181 00:06:41,350 --> 00:06:43,350 Dragging the timber 182 00:06:43,350 --> 00:06:45,350 Alongside the oxen, 183 00:06:45,350 --> 00:06:47,350 As the historians say. 184 00:06:47,350 --> 00:06:49,350 Yet, within this 185 00:06:49,350 --> 00:06:51,350 Massive army, there was not a single man 186 00:06:51,350 --> 00:06:53,350 Who knew where they were marching. 187 00:06:53,350 --> 00:06:55,350 Terror crept into the hearts 188 00:06:55,350 --> 00:06:57,350 Of the rulers of the Crusader principalities 189 00:06:57,350 --> 00:06:59,350 Remaining in the lands of the Muslims, 190 00:06:59,350 --> 00:07:01,350 For each of them 191 00:07:01,350 --> 00:07:03,350 Thought the blow was directed 192 00:07:03,350 --> 00:07:05,350 At him. 193 00:07:05,350 --> 00:07:07,350 Their delegations offered the Sultan 194 00:07:07,350 --> 00:07:09,350 Al-Zahir a truce 195 00:07:09,350 --> 00:07:11,350 And the payment of tribute, 196 00:07:11,350 --> 00:07:13,350 So he accepted the truce with most of them, 197 00:07:13,350 --> 00:07:15,350 But refused to make peace with some. 198 00:07:15,350 --> 00:07:17,350 The delegation of Antioch was 199 00:07:17,350 --> 00:07:19,350 among those who turned back 200 00:07:19,350 --> 00:07:21,350 on their heels, disappointed. 201 00:07:21,350 --> 00:07:23,350 Thus, the cunning warrior 202 00:07:23,350 --> 00:07:25,350 was able to isolate 203 00:07:25,350 --> 00:07:27,350 his prey, 204 00:07:27,350 --> 00:07:29,350 ensuring for himself and his army 205 00:07:29,350 --> 00:07:31,350 that he would face it alone, without any helper, 206 00:07:31,350 --> 00:07:33,350 isolated and without support. 207 00:07:33,350 --> 00:07:35,639 All of this preparation 208 00:07:35,639 --> 00:07:37,639 was not in vain, 209 00:07:37,639 --> 00:07:39,639 for Antioch was a city 210 00:07:39,639 --> 00:07:41,639 among the greatest cities in the world, 211 00:07:41,639 --> 00:07:43,639 fortified with a wall 212 00:07:43,639 --> 00:07:45,639 twelve miles long. 213 00:07:45,639 --> 00:07:47,639 Upon this wall 214 00:07:47,639 --> 00:07:49,639 were 360 towers, 215 00:07:49,639 --> 00:07:51,639 and in these 216 00:07:51,639 --> 00:07:53,639 towers were 20,000 217 00:07:53,639 --> 00:07:55,639 battlements, patrolled 218 00:07:55,639 --> 00:07:57,639 every day and night 219 00:07:57,639 --> 00:07:59,639 by 4,000 guards in rotation. 220 00:07:59,639 --> 00:08:01,670 The army reached 221 00:08:01,670 --> 00:08:03,670 the outskirts of the city 222 00:08:03,670 --> 00:08:05,670 on the first of Ramadan. 223 00:08:05,670 --> 00:08:07,670 The Muslim soldiers set out 224 00:08:07,670 --> 00:08:09,670 on that blessed morning 225 00:08:09,670 --> 00:08:11,670 to perform the duty of jihad 226 00:08:11,670 --> 00:08:13,670 to elevate the word of Allah, 227 00:08:13,670 --> 00:08:15,670 while observing the duty of fasting 228 00:08:15,670 --> 00:08:17,670 in obedience to Allah. 229 00:08:17,670 --> 00:08:19,670 The soldiers of Allah clashed with the soldiers 230 00:08:19,670 --> 00:08:21,670 of Satan in battles 231 00:08:21,670 --> 00:08:23,670 of intense ferocity 232 00:08:23,670 --> 00:08:25,670 that lasted for four consecutive days. 233 00:08:25,670 --> 00:08:27,930 And on the 234 00:08:27,930 --> 00:08:29,930 14th of Ramadan, 235 00:08:29,930 --> 00:08:31,930 the Muslim armies entered 236 00:08:31,930 --> 00:08:33,929 the fortified city, 237 00:08:33,929 --> 00:08:35,929 after it had been subjected to the Crusaders 238 00:08:35,929 --> 00:08:37,929 for nearly two centuries. 239 00:08:37,929 --> 00:08:39,929 The Muslims took down 240 00:08:39,929 --> 00:08:41,929 the banner of the cross from its towers, 241 00:08:41,929 --> 00:08:43,929 and raised in its place 242 00:08:43,929 --> 00:08:45,929 the banners of Islam. 243 00:08:45,929 --> 00:08:47,929 From its battlements were heard 244 00:08:47,929 --> 00:08:49,929 the voices of the muezzins, 245 00:08:49,929 --> 00:08:51,929 after it had previously echoed 246 00:08:51,929 --> 00:08:53,929 with the ringing of bells. 247 00:08:53,929 --> 00:08:55,929 The Muslims gained 248 00:08:55,929 --> 00:08:57,929 on the day of Antioch spoils, 249 00:08:57,929 --> 00:08:59,929 while the Crusaders suffered 250 00:08:59,929 --> 00:09:01,929 losses that could not be counted. 251 00:09:01,929 --> 00:09:03,929 Historians have mentioned 252 00:09:03,929 --> 00:09:05,929 that the number of the Crusaders 253 00:09:05,929 --> 00:09:07,929 killed and captured 254 00:09:07,929 --> 00:09:09,929 exceeded forty thousand. 255 00:09:09,929 --> 00:09:12,059 Tidings of the great victory 256 00:09:12,059 --> 00:09:14,059 were heralded to every 257 00:09:14,059 --> 00:09:16,059 land of the Muslims, 258 00:09:16,059 --> 00:09:18,059 and celebrations broke out 259 00:09:18,059 --> 00:09:20,059 everywhere. 260 00:09:20,059 --> 00:09:22,059 Decorations were set up in every city, 261 00:09:22,059 --> 00:09:24,059 and drums were beaten in 262 00:09:24,059 --> 00:09:26,090 every town. 263 00:09:26,090 --> 00:09:28,090 A cup for the fasting martyrs 264 00:09:28,090 --> 00:09:30,090 whose souls departed 265 00:09:30,090 --> 00:09:32,090 at the walls of Antioch 266 00:09:32,090 --> 00:09:34,090 with their hands gripped 267 00:09:34,090 --> 00:09:36,090 upon the hilts of their swords, 268 00:09:36,090 --> 00:09:38,090 and a drink from the water of Al-Kawthar 269 00:09:38,090 --> 00:09:40,090 for the thirsty ones who died 270 00:09:40,090 --> 00:09:42,090 with a burning thirst 271 00:09:42,090 --> 00:09:44,090 for water 272 00:09:44,090 --> 00:09:46,090 that was surpassed only by their thirst 273 00:09:46,090 --> 00:09:48,090 for martyrdom.