An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades

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INTRODUCTION 9
bristled with problems, difficulties and struggles with the Franks,
Isma'ilites, Batinites and other Arabs, keeping the scene lively
and busy. Even when they went out of Shayzar for the hunt,
they went out armed, for they "never felt secure on account of the
Franks whose territory was adjacent" to theirs {infra, p. 230).
Thus Usamah's name has become associated in Arabic annals with
war and heroism. Al-Dhahabi calls him "a veritable hero of
Islam." 6 Ibn-al-Athir attributes to him "a degree of valor to
which there is no limit." 7 When still a tyro he fought valiantly
and successfully against the Franks (infra, p. 68). In and around
Shayzar and Hamah of Northern Syria, in 'Asqalan and Bayt-
Jibrll of Palestine, in the Sinaitic peninsula and Egypt, in al-Mawsil
and Diyar-Bakr he took part in battles against Franks and Arabs,
Christians and Moslems. "How many sword cuts and lance
thrusts have I received! How many wounds with darts and arbalest
stones have been inflicted on me!" (infra, p. 194) exclaims Usamah
in his old age, and this was probably no mere rhetorical exclamation;
for he lived in one of the most turbulent periods in the history of
that land in which more military history has probably been enacted
than in any other land of equal size. Even in his old age he laments
his passive life and covets action
But now I have become like an idle maid who lies
On stuffed cushions behind screens and curtains.
I have almost become rotten from lying still so long, just as
The sword of Indian steel becomes rusty when kept long in its sheath.
(Infra, p 191.)
And through it all, Usamah took his defeat, as he took his
victory, with no sense of individual pride or personal resentment
but with utter resignation and as an unavoidable execution of the
divine will.
To him, as to all true Moslems, it is Allah who giveth
victory or defeat to whomsoever he willeth, and who predetermineth
the lengths of ages (infra, pp. 177, 192). The reaction of such a
philosophy of life on his own behavior can hardly be overestimated.
And in his dealings with his adversaries, Usamah astounds us
with his sense of chivalry and fairness.
"This is not fair," was his
terse and uncompromising reply to his companion, who evidently
• Duwal al-Isldm (IJayderabad, 1337 a h.), vol II, p 71.
7 Atdbeks m Recueil. fnstoriens orientaux, vol. II, pt. II, p. 207.