Salah uddin ayyubi rh:
In'al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah' (13/5-6), Ibn Kathir said
that at the time of his death, Salah ad-Din hardly had any money in his possession, and this is because:
"…of the immense amount of gifts and charity and kindness that he used to show the leaders and ministers under his command, and even to his enemies!I've already described this previously. Andhe was very simple in his clothing, food, drink, and transportation.He would only wear cotton, linen, and wool. It is not known that he ever approached anything forbidden or discouraged, especially after Allah
blessed him with his kingdom. Rather, his greatest concern and goal was to aid Islam."
Ibn Kathir continued:
"This is all in addition to the virtues and unique skills he possessed in the Arabic language, poetry, and history, such that it was said he had memorized' al-Hamasah'
(a book of poetry compiled by Abu Tammam at-Ta'i) in its entirety.
And he was very strict in praying on time injama'ah. It is said that he never missed a single prayer in jama'ah for a great part of his life, even during the illness that killed him. The imam would enter and lead him in prayer, and he would struggle to get up and pray despite his weakness."
He continued:
"And he loved to hear the recitation of the Qur'an and the reading of ahadith and knowledge. He was constant and habitual in listening to ahadith being read to him, to the point that he would hear a section read to him while he was standing between the ranks of soldiers! He would enjoy doing this and say: "Nobody listens toahadithin a situation like this.""
He also mentioned:
"He had a soft heart, and was easily swayed to tears when he would hearahadith."
He continued:
"And Salah ad-Din was from the bravest of people, and the strongest of them in body and heart despite the illnesses and sickness his body suffered from. This was most evident during the Siege of Acre, where despite the massive numbers of the enemy, he only increased in power and bravery. They had as many as 500,000 soldiers – some say 600,000 – and he killed 100,000 of them."
He also said:
"He was generous, well-rounded, always laughing and smiling. He would never slack off in any good that he did. He was extremely patient when doing good and worshipping Allah."
In'Siyar A'lam an-Nubala"(15/436),
it's mentioned that al-Muwaffaq 'Abd al-Latif said:
"I went to Salah ad-Din while he was in Jerusalem, and I saw a king who filled eyes with amazement and hearts with love, whether they were near or far.He was an easy going person, likeable, and his companions used to try to imitate him, racing towards good actions, as Allah
Said: {"And We removed any sense of pain from their hearts, making them like brothers…"} [al-Hijr; 47]
The first night I spent with him, I found his gatherings filled with scholars engaged in knowledge. He would listen intently and participate in their discussions. He would learn how to build walls and dig trenches, and he would then do this himself, carrying the rocks on his own shoulders."
al-'Imad said in'as-Siyar'(15/440):
"He would only wear what was permissible to wear, such as linen and cotton. His gatherings were free of vain talk, and they were only attended by the most virtuous people. He loved to hear ahadith being read with their chains of narration. He was forebearing, honest, pious, pure, and trustworthy. He would contain himself and not become angry. He would never turn back someone in need or embarrass someone who spoke in front of him. He was extremely kind and charitable, and he reprimanded me for decorating my utensils in silver, and I replied that Abu Muhammad al-Juwayni mentioned a point of view of it being permissible. And I never saw him praying except in jama'ah."
Also on the same page, Abu Ja'far al-Qurtubi said thatwhen Salah ad-Din was on his deathbed:
"I finished reciting the Qur'an at the verse: {"He is Allah, besides Whom there is none worthy of worship; the Knower of the Unseen and the seen…"} [al-Hashr; 22] andI heard Salah ad-Din saying: "This is true," and he was in a coma before this. He then died, and al-Khatib ad-Dawla'i washed his body. He was brought out in a coffin, and Muhi ad-Din bin az-Zinki prayed over him. He was then returned to the room in the garden where he had been sick and was buried in a kiosk. Voices were raised in crying, and it became so loud that even the smart one would think that the whole world was screaming in a single voice. The people were so overwhelmed that some of them were distracted from praying over him. People expressed their remorse at his passing - including the Crusaders, due to how truthful and trustworthy he was."
adh-Dhahabi said:
"And I never saw a king whose death people were sad for except him. This is because he was loved by everyone: he was loved by the righteous and the wicked, the Muslim and thekafir."
wherever possible and Allah :swt1: spread his status to every corner of the world.