Before the arrival of first crusade all the muslim empires were losing their power except Seljuks. They were the only powerful muslim empire during the first crusade. But unfortunately after the first crusade even the Seljuks began to lose their dominance.
After the death of Seljuk Sultan Barkiyaruq, his son Malik Shah-II became the next seljuk sultan. This was opposed by Muhammed-I Tapar, brother of Barkiyaruq. Malik Shah-II was too weak to face Muhammed I. Hence in 1105 AD Muhammed-I Tapar became the seljuk sultan. Muhammed-I motivated fatimids to unite with sunni muslims to fight against crusaders. This efficient ruler passed away in 1118 AD. The death of Muhammed-I created a vacuum for a effective muslim leader to fight against crusaders. This vacuum was filled by a great leader named Imad Al- Din Zengi.
Imad Al-Din Zengi:
Imad Al-Din Atabeg Zengi Al-Malik Al-Mansur was the founder of Zengid dynasty. He was born in 1085 AD. His father, Abu Said Aq Sunqur Al Hajib, was the seljuk Governor of Aleppo under the Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah-I. In 1094 AD,While fighting in a war for the sake of sultan Barkiyaruq, Aq-Sunqur was beheaded by Tutush-I, brother of Malik Shah-I and sultan of Damascus. As being thankful to the service of Aq-Sunqur, sultan Barkiyaruq gave the education and war training of princes to Imad Al Din Zengi.
Imad Al Din Zengi grew as a brilliant and powerful leader. He became the ruler of Mosul, Aleppo, Hama and some territories under the Seljuk sultan Mahmud -II. Imad Al Din Zengi recaptured many territories that were lost to crusaders in first crusade including Edessa.
Siege Of Edessa:
Edessa was the first crusader state that was formed during the first crusade. This city was seized by Imad Al Din Zengi in 1144 AD. The christian ruler of Edessa seeked help from other crusade rulers who denied to help him. So by seeing the situation Imad Al Din Zengi asked the ruler of Edessa to surrender the city before begining the war. But the christian ruler denied this in addition to this they even mocked at the Turkish force. So, finally Zengi broke the wall of Edessa and entered the city. Zengi captured the city in 24 December 1144 AD. The crusade leaders of Edessa left the warfare and locked themselves safely inside the palace leaving the poor christian citizens dying in the hands of muslim force.
The christian citizens begged the crusade leaders to open the door and help them. But the crusaders refused it. By seeing this Zengi stopped the war and allowed the eastern christians to live freely and happily in Edessa under the Islamic sultanate. After this success Zengi was praised by all muslims as ‘Defender Of Faith’ and ‘Al- Malik Al-Mansur’ which means the victorious king. But unfortunately Zengi was assassinated on 14 september 1146 AD by his own frankish slave, who was paid by crusaders. Now again a vacuum was created for a powerful muslim leader to fight against crusaders.
Maharibullah yahya 