jihad

Who knows about the word jihad?
Does this word make you sad?
Do you really know why is it used?
Or do you think you could simply be confused?
Its primary meaning is struggle
a few different words to juggle.
To make ones life a purposeful striving to implement God's will,
Jihad is meant to fulfill.

Jihad had retired in the Near East,
Until the Crusaders it was released.
Nur ad-Din waged a holy war,
for Jerusalem, they did adore.
The Crusaders justified their cause
to fight oppression they would applause.
The second Crusade did fail,
Frankish Jerusalem became very frail.
The Franks turned on one another,
in this time when they needed a brother.

The Franks were near a civil war,
the threat of a Muslim take-over they did ignore.
Elected a newcomer, King Guy
sensible advice he would defy.
The battle of Hittin was an exhaust,
The Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem was lost.

Unlike the Crusaders and their mass slaughter
Saladin's heart was much softer.
Not a single Christian was slain,
and those who would remain?
They would become prisoners or war,
but with money they would be no more.

Saladin had said," Christians everywhere will remember the kindness we have done."
If only he had known what he had begun.