Shia-Sunni relations during the Crusades (1097 AD/490 AH - 647 AH/1249 AD)

Abstract

Historians in the East and West were interested in studying the Crusades as an important period of the Western Islamic conflict, due to the effects they left in the history of nations and the important consequences they resulted from. Many works have appeared in the West and the East that have dealt with its history and events through study, analysis, and criticism. Despite the abundance of research, writings, and studies written about it, they have not covered all its aspects, nor have all its secrets been revealed. It is still an important field and a fertile field that can accommodate many researches and studies. Because of the diverse effects it left on all aspects, and the results it had at all levels, and because I had a completely clear idea about Shiite-Sunni relations, my choice fell on the topic of Shiite-Sunni relations during the Crusades period (490 AH/197 AD - 647 AH/1249 AD).

            I divided the research into four basic points, an introduction, a conclusion, and a list of sources and references. I made the first point the first: the Abbasid-Fatimid rivalry, and the second the Fatimid-Seljuk relations, while in the third point we touched on the Fatimid-Zengid relations and their role in weakening the Islamic resistance to the Crusaders, while the fourth point showed the role of the rest of the powers. Islam in the Levant, its relationship with each other, and the conflicts it waged among itself during the Crusades, and the conclusion is the most important results that emerged from the study of this topic. And a list of sources and references, and it was necessary to rely on the original sources because they add valuable information that sheds light on Shiite-Sunni relations and makes a clear contribution to understanding them. I benefited greatly from what Muslim and Western historians wrote about the period of study. In this study, I tried hard to show some Aspects of Shiite-Sunni relations during the Crusades.