The spies of Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi (Rahmatullah Alaih) informed him that there is a religious scholar who delivers very eloquent speeches and has become very popular among the people. The Sultan said, "Go on." The spies said, "There is something wrong that we are sensing, but we are unable to express it in words." The Sultan said, "Describe whatever you have seen and heard." The spies said that he says: "The Jihad against one's own self (Nafs) is superior, educating children is an excellent Jihad, and striving for household responsibilities is also a Jihad." The Sultan said, "Is there any doubt about that??" The spy said that they have no doubt, but that scholar says: "What has been achieved from wars?? Only bloodshed and slaughter, only corpses; wars have either made you a killer or the killed." The Sultan became restless and stood up, deciding at that very moment to meet the scholar. He met him in disguise and immediately asked a question upon arrival: "Sir, please suggest some method by which Bait-ul-Muqaddas (Jerusalem) can be liberated and atrocities against Muslims can be ended without war??" The scholar replied, "Pray (make Dua)." The Sultan's face turned red with anger; he had understood that this scholar was more dangerous than the entire Crusader army. The Sultan first cut off that scholar's finger with his dagger, and he began to scream terribly. Now the Sultan said, "Will you tell the truth or should I cut off your neck too?" It was revealed that the white-clothed scholar was a Jew; Jews knew Arabic very well, and he took advantage of this. The Sultan found that lessons like his had now become common in sermons, and it was with great difficulty that this mischief (Fitna) could be stopped. This mischief is still ongoing with full force today.
