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6.2.3 - The social and Religious Situation

As the political situation was fairly stable, so was the social situation. In this period, Damascus witnessed a great recovery in the field of religious freedom and many scholars from all over the Muslim world preferred it either to seek knowledge or for living, where they found safe haven where the people of Syria received them with generosity and hospitality. The movement of Sufism flourished, especially at the beginning of the reign of Salahuddin, although this situation continued for a long time under his successors.

The popular doctrine in Damascus and the whole of the Levant was the Shafi’i school. Among the most important religious positions was the position of Chief Justice, who was responsible for the application of Islamic law throughout the country, as well as deciding on critical cases. One of the most important judges who took this position was Muhyiddin Ibn al-Zakiy, during the reign of Salah al-Din, and many of his descendants after him. As we shall see shortly, this famous family had a notable favor for Shaykh Muhyiddin, who was hosted by them and when he died he was buried in their soil.