Introduction

The army of Kitbuqa came, filled with arrogance, overconfidence and haughtiness, preceded by its high reputation of shedding blood, ruining houses and exterminating people. It passed alongside the West of Baysaan and then headed southwards to ‘Ayn Jaaloot, where the Islamic forces had previously taken their places, arranged their rows and stood firmly awaiting the Tatar army.
While Qutuz, May Allaah have mercy upon him, was in the Valley of ‘Ayn Jaaloot, behold! A great multitude of Palestinian Muslim volunteers, being certain that a real war was about to take place, came out of the villages to join the Muslim army.

Exalted be Allaah!
We should wonder: Why did they move only now to the Valley of ‘Ayn Jaaloot?
Why did they not move earlier? Why did they rise only now?
The answer is very simple: It is the role model. I mean the "upbringing by being a role model to follow."
We have previously mentioned this term often since we started to talk about Qutuz, May Allaah have mercy upon him, and his truthful army.
Many were the faithful believers who wanted to serve the religion and make Islam superior, but they could find no example to emulate nor a sincere leader to follow, until Qutuz, May Allaah have mercy upon him, and the truthful believers who were with him came, covering all this long distance to the battlefield, and proceeding on firmly.

It is true that they were not as capable and skilled as the regular army, but, on the other hand, they were enthusiastic and longing to work in the cause of Allaah. Of course, this enthusiasm could be of great benefit in the battle field. Furthermore, Qutuz, May Allaah have mercy upon him, used them in military-related services of the Islamic forces. He saved the energy of the soldiers, who were supposed to do these jobs, for fighting, and used the volunteers to play their role. The military services included transporting war equipment, preparing food and drink, providing soldiers with arrows and lances, looking after horses, and transporting and treating the wounded. These jobs consume a great amount of effort and time. Although military competence is not requisite for these jobs, they are vital to the success of the battle. In this way, Qutuz, May Allaah Have mercy upon him, utilized all the energy of the Palestinian volunteers. To be sure, everyone is made to find it easy to do the very mission for which he is created.

Additionally, by virtue of these volunteers, the Muslim army would seem greater in number in the eyes of the disbelieving army, which would cast terror into the hearts of the disbelievers. Multiplying the number of the Muslims is of great significance.
Besides these volunteers, a great number of farmers from different villages who could not carry arms, due to their old age, disease or incapacity, women and children, gathered along both sides of the ‘Ayn Jaaloot Valley, and raised their voices with Takbeer and supplication, to encourage the Islamic forces, and their tongues, hands and hearts moved with supplication to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, to Support Islam and its people, and Humiliate Shirk and its people.
All of this took place in Ramadhaan 24th 658 A.H., a day before the horrific Battle of ‘Ayn Jaaloot.

https://en.islamstory.com/index.php/en/artical/20740/ayn-jaaloot-battle