Saiffudin Qutuz: The Slave Who Defeated the Mongols

Photo: Smarteen.co.id

We are living in an age of dictatorship. The US is facilitating a massacre in the Middle East with the approval of treacherous Muslim leaders eager to protect their thrones. Meanwhile the ummah has abandoned jihad - leading to humiliation and disgrace on the global stage.

In times like these, we must turn back to our history to analyse how our Islamic forefathers overcame oppression with the help of Allah. A useful event to study is the 12th century Mongol invasions of the Muslim world. There are many parallels and learning lessons which remain relevant. 

For example, they invaded the same lands the US empire has invaded today. The Mongol’s destruction of the Khawarizm Empire included parts of modern day Afghanistan and Iran which have also faced violence from contemporary Western powers. The fall of the Abassid caliphate took place in modern day Iraq which was famously invaded by the US as part of its War on Terror. 

In addition, the lands of Ash Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon) once butchered by Mongol swords are now enduring genocide, violence and starvation. Gaza, the area where Ayn Jalut took place, is now occupied by the enemies of Allah. The Holy Land continues to call out for the Muslim armies to rescue them, just as its 12th century liberators had done. Almost 40 years after Genghis Khan’s entry into the Islamic World, the ummah failed to mobilise any resistance, too fearful to fight the new hegemonic power. It was under the rallying cry of Saiffudin Qutuz who led the Muslims to victory at Ayn Jalut, liberating a shackled ummah from decades of repression and violence. 

The story of Qutuz provides a blueprint for future resistance in a time of dictatorship and hegemony, which should be studied to inspire contemporary Muslims. This article analyses his life and the important lessons from the victory against the Mongols.

Early Life and Arrival to Egypt 

Saiffudin Qutuz was not his real name. He was called Mahmoud ibn Mahmoud. When Genghis Khan invaded Transoxiana and destroyed the Khawarizm empire, Qutuz was amongst those caught and sold into slavery as a young boy.

According to some chroniclers, he was the nephew of Jalahuddin ibn Khawarizm who fought the Mongols and was defeated after his father’s abdication. (Gamal, 2025)

While growing up in slavery, Saiffudin was known to the Mongols and was given the title ‘Qutuz’ which in Mongol language meant ‘vicious dog’ as he fought fiercely when he was a child. He was sold in a market in Damascus, and later was taken to Egypt. (Daily News Egypt, 2016.)

This was when Qutuz became a Mamluk, who were different from regular slaves. They were purchased by wealthy elites who took them to military training camps to serve in their army. At these camps, they studied Islamic sciences and learnt the art of warfare, eventually becoming a powerful military caste for caliphs and sultans. 

In Egypt, the Mamluks served the Ayoubids, the descendants of Salahuddin Ayoubi. By 1253, however, the dynasty was in decline, weakened by succession struggles and ineffective leadership. Its last ruler was Najm ad-Din Ayoubi who before his death defeated the Crusaders with his Mamluk army during the 7th Crusade. (Bahath, 2017)

Political Turmoil and the Rise of the Mamluk Sultanate 

When Sultan Najm ad-Din Ayoubi Ayoub died, his wife Shajarat ad Dur kept his death a secret and issued decrees his behalf until his son Toran Shah ascended to the throne. However, conflict soon erupted after Toran Shah clashed with his step-mother and other Mamluk generals, leading to his assassination in 1250. 

This created political turmoil, as there was no one from the Ayoubi line left to take power. This led to Shajarat ad Dur declaring herself the first female Sultana of Egypt. She ruled the Mamluk state for three months with her general advisor Izz al-Din Aybak, until the intervention of Abassid Caliph Al Mustasim who protested the arrangement.

Fearing assassination or rebellion, Shajarat ad Dur married Izz al-Din Aybak who became Sultan, which was accepted by the Egyptians who pledged allegiance to him. Sultan Aybak strengthened his kingship by training a loyal group of Mamluks, one being Saiffudin Qutuz who was purchased during this time to serve his army. He eventually gained senior leadership amongst its ranks. 

Aybak proved to be a strong leader on his own, who crushed a Ayoubid rebellion against him in Ash Sham, eradicating his opposition. This heightened the animosity of Shajarat ad Dur who hadn’t relinquished her political ambitions and worried her influence was waning. When she learned that Aybak had agreed to marry the daughter of the Emir of Mosul, she assassinated him - ending his seven year reign. 

As a result, she was arrested by Saiffudin Qutuz who led the Mamluk army to the palace and she was later executed. A new crisis erupted to find another heir. Shajarat ad Dur’s son with Najm ad-Din Ayoubi had died young. As a result, Aybak’s 15 year old son al-Mansur Ali took the throne. Due to his age, Saiffudin Qutuz became his advisor and de-facto ruler. (Aripova, 2022, 1-3)

Fall of Baghdad and Advance to Egypt

In 1258, the global order of the Islamic world changed. The Abassid caliphate in Baghdad was destroyed by the Mongols and its leader al-Mustasim was executed. With the fall of the spiritual centre of Islam, the Mongols were now the dominant superpower of the world. From Iraq, they set out for Ash Sham where no one resisted their advance. 

They would send messengers to neighbouring rulers, demanding their submission. No one resisted them while they proceeded to Aleppo and Damascus. They were aided by the Armenian King Hethum who provided support and joined them in conquests. The Mongols planned to capture Egypt next, and advanced towards their borders. It was a strategic location which would strengthen their empire. 

However, Egypt’s leader al-Mansur was too young to defend the Muslim territory, leading to Saiffudin Qutuz exiling him and becoming the first Mamluk Sultan of Egypt. He later received a delegation from Hulago, general of the Mongols who’d destroyed the Abassid caliphate. He was the grandson of Genghis Khan, known to be a brutal and fierce warlord.  Hulago’s messengers delivered a letter to Sultan Qutuz which revealed a threatening message:

‘We are the army of Allah in His land. He created us from His anger and He granted us mastery of those upon whom is His wrath.’

‘So let you (Muslims) take a lesson from our occupation of all lands and be restrained by our firm resolve.’

‘Surrender yourselves to us before the lid is lifted, at which point you will have cause to regret and your mistake will fall back on you.’

‘Your fortresses will not stop us, the armies that fight us will not benefit and your supplications against us will not be heard….So receive tidings of humiliation and degradation.’ 

‘Your great numbers in our eyes are few and the strong among you are despicable in our eyes. There is no path for your rulers except one of humiliation at our hands. Do not prolong your letter and be hasty in sending the reply.’ 

Sultan Qutuz gathered his leaders and scholars, asking them how to respond. Some wished to fight, and others feared the wrath of the Mongols and wanted to surrender.

The Sultan himself wished to confront the Mongols, who’d killed Allah’s slaves, destroyed cities and places of worship. 

So he responded to the doubters with a firm and resolute speech:

‘O Emirs of the Muslims! You have lived through a time when you devoured the wealth of the Treasury and do not want to fight the invaders. As for me, I shall advance so whoever wishes to take part in jihad, let him accompany me.’ 

In response, the righteous scholars told him to kill the Mongol delegation to spark a wave of resistance in the ummah. This would send a clear message to the enemy that they wished to fight. The messengers were later killed and their heads hung from the gates of Cairo. Troops were gathered to undertake jihad. Sultan Qutuz made a deal with the Crusaders who had treaties with the Mongols, to request the safe passage of their soldiers through their lands. 

They agreed, allowing Qutuz to take his soldiers to Gaza, where they camped at Ayn Jalut, known as Goliath’s Spring where David defeated Goliath. (Al Omari, 2021, 402-7).

The Battle of Ayn Jalut 

The battle took place on 25 Ramadan 658 AH on a Friday (September 3, 1260). The Muslim troops were terrified of the Mongol army, remembering the destruction of their caliphate at the hands of Genghis Khan and his descendants. But their leader Sultan Qutuz was firm, and focused on rallying his men to remember Allah and seek martyrdom to attain Paradise.

They had also gathered when the sun had passed its zenith which was the sunnah of the Prophet of Allah ﷺ and the Companions who preferred fighting to take place at this time.  It was through abiding by the Prophetic sunnah, fighting in the blessed month of Ramadan and being steadfast that the Muslim troops gained barakah (blessings) to aid them in the battle.

When the fight started the Muslim army was fiercely attacked and was almost routed from their positions. Sultan Qutuz, May Allah have mercy on him, would rush to encourage his men when they became weak, urging them to keep fighting. The Sultan was a brave leader. When his horse was killed, he stood firmly on the ground while fighting took place. 

An emir saw him and tried to hand over his horse, but Sultan Qutuz told him to keep fighting and benefit the Muslims. When he eventually remounted another horse he was rebuked for nearly being killed, which would’ve devastated his troops and destroyed Islam. 

But the Sultan responded:

‘As for me, I would’ve gone to paradise, while as for Islam, it has its Lord, Who will not cause it to be lost.’

Sultan Qutuz fought valiantly against the enemies, crying out ‘O Allah! Render Your slave Qutuz victorious!’ When the Mongols nearly collapsed the left flank of the Muslim army, the Sultan continued to implore his Lord shouting, “O Islam! O Islam!”  When the leader of the army Kitbugha was killed and his son captured, the enemy fled, giving victory to the Muslims. In gratitude, Sultan Qutuz prayed two ra’kah on the battlefield. They captured Mongol soldiers as prisoners and even treacherous Muslim emirs who were beheaded for aiding the enemy.

Qutuz later prepared the reorganisation of the lands of Ash Sham, and managed to reunite Syria into a single state after the battle. This established respect for the Muslims on the world stage, including existing Mongol emirs, who began to seek alliances with them. Sultan Qutuz was martyred in 1260 after a plot amongst his generals. After his death Sultan Baybars succeeded him and continued the victories of the Muslims in Ash Sham and beyond. (Al Omari, 2021, 408-11).

Legacy and Learning Lessons

The story of Saiffundin Qutuz is one of incredible resilience and inspiration. After he was kidnapped, sold to slavery he ascended to power in a foreign land and led the Muslims to defeat their oppressor. This shows that Allah the Almighty can select any of His slaves to defend this ummah when they wish to protect Islam. Saiffundin Qutuz teaches us the importance of faith based resistance. It’s not about the strength of an invading Empire but the willingness of the Muslims willing to stand up to it. Killing the Mongol messengers was an act of extreme defiance which invoked the enemy’s wrath, but Sultan Qutuz was steadfast and firm, putting his faith in Allah.  

This is the attitude we must have in the modern age, where Western governments smear Muslims in the media, monitor communities and jail Islamic leaders to crush any resistance.  When the enemy appears invincible, we must remember Allah and call upon Him for the strength to resist. We do not obey tyrants, nor do we submit to oppression. We do not turn a blind eye to the massacre of our brothers and sisters. True, faith-based resistance is solution-oriented—it confronts the challenges before us and stands firm against them.

We must revive our Islamic history and rediscover our traditions. With the right analytical tools, we can study others and adapt their frameworks to our own modern age. No calamity is ever unique—our past always holds an answer. The Muslim world has always risen, and will continue to rise, against oppression. 

For every tyrant there is a Qutuz, just as for every Firaun (Pharaoh) there is a Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.

May Allah have mercy on Saifuddin Qutuz and bless the future valiant leaders from this ummah who will liberate the Muslim lands from the hands of tyrants. Ameen.

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Jazakallah khair for reading. Please benefit the ummah by sharing this knowledge and downloading a transcript below. Feel free to use it for your own research or personal study. 

Bibliography 

Aripova, Z, 2022, ‘About Sultan Kutuz, the representative of the Khwarezmshah dynasty’, International Islamic Academy оf Uzbekistan, ‘Web of Scientist: International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 3, Issue 10

Bahath (2017) ‘The slave warriors who saved the Muslim world | The Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt’, Bahath, 11 June. Available at: https://www.bahath.co/slave-warriors-muslim(Accessed: 22 September 2025).

Daily News Egypt, 2016. Part II: World Power Today Seeks to Regain Regional Power. Daily News Egypt, 4 June. Available at: https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2016/06/04/part-ii-world-power-today-seeks-regain-regional-power/ [Accessed 23 September 2025].

Gamal, N. (2025) ‘Sayf ad-Din Qutuz... Conqueror of the Tatars’, Al Mujtama Magazine, 4 April. Available at: https://en.mugtama.com/articles/sayf_ad_din_qutuz_conqueror_of_the_tatars (Accessed: 19 September 2025).

Omary, A.I., 2021. Islamic Conquests Throughout the Ages. Riyadh: Darussalam Publishers. ISBN 978-603-500-459-6.