In the 13th century AD, the Mongols launched a massive attack against the Islamic world and spread terror and mayhem. The Islamic Khalifah was assassinated, and three-fourths of the Muslim countries, including the capital Baghdad, fell under the Mongol rule.
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In these testing times, a great leader emerged. He fought one of the decisive battles in the history of Islam and led the Muslim Ummah when it had lost its centrality. This leader was Saif ad-Din Qutuz and the battle he won is the historic battle of Ain Jalut. He was ably supported by his lieutenant Rukn al-Din Baibars, who played a heroic role in implementing the Mongols’ military strategies to themselves.
Mongol Aggression and Occupation
Mongols entered the Islamic lands at the end of 656 AH. As the Khalifah, Al-Musta’sim Billah, started to gather his armies to repel the invasion, his minister Ibn al-Alqami duped him into thinking that peace with the invaders was feasible, and any preparation of forces would preclude any chance of reconciliation. Al-Alqami, began a secret correspondence with the Mongols and promised the Mongols that there would be no resistance in the event of an invasion if they assured of making Al-Alqami the Khalifah if the invasion was successful. He deceived the Muslims and succeeded in convincing them that a peace treaty was about to be concluded with the Mongols. Al-Musta’sim set out with his ministers and other leaders to meet the leader of the Mongols. The Mongols killed everyone and violated the honour of the Muslims in a very base manner. Al-Alqami himself was declared a traitor and killed by the Mongols, putting an end to his dream of ascending the Khilafah.
Muslims had to contend with defeat after defeat when Baghdad fell. After taking over all of Iraq, the Mongols invaded Syria (which includes all of modern-day Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and some parts of Egypt) and increased oppression and persecution because the residents of these countries refused to submit to their rule.
After the fall of Damascus, the Mongols advanced towards Egypt and Morocco, the final Muslim strongholds, knowing that if they were conquered, there would be no resistance till they reached the Holy lands of Makkah and Madinah.
Mongol Challenge to Mamluks
The Mongol commander “Katabagha” sent a threatening letter to the Amir of Egypt. It read something like this: “We have laid siege to the land, orphaned the children, punished and killed the people, destroyed the honour of their leaders. Do you really think you can escape from us? You will eventually be able to see what is heading your way.”