All too often Muslim historians and preachers have focused on a single figure, usually political or military, assigning credit to them for great feats and impossible victories. But such treatment of history not only unjustly ignores the countless sacrifices of the many hands that shared in the struggle, it also gives false hopes to current generations who all too often lounge about, awaiting a messianic figure.

In this meticulously researched book, educational specialist and researcher, Dr. Majid al-Keylani, weaves a thread through the Islamic history corpus to provide a groundbreaking analysis of the social ills that had infected Muslim society, allowing the Crusaders to penetrate viciously into their heartland. He continues to make the case of how it was finally a generational effort triggered not by political leaders or military geniuses, but Islamic scholars that finally tipped the balance and opened the gates of victory, recapturing Jerusalem from the massacring, crusading invaders.

Although first published in 1998, this work is as relevant as ever and this abridged version is presented here for the first time in the English language.