Hashashin (The Assassins from the Ismaili Sect or The guys on whom the Assassins Creed game is based on)
The word "assassin" is actually derived from the Hashashin, and because of them, this word came into existence.
They were Isma'il Nizari Shia, the followers of Hasan Sabbah. That group was founded in Alamut before the start of the 11th century. Even during the time of Saladin Ayubi (rh), they tried to hold him back at times.
I have read a saying of Marco Polo about these Hashashin:
"The Old Man of the Mountain ruled his followers with a cunning unmatched in all the lands, by drugging them and promising them paradise. Then the Old Man of the Mountain would bring his young men into a paradise of beautiful gardens, flowing wine, and enchanting maidens, convincing them it was heaven. They were promised a return to this paradise if they carried out his orders, and killing themselves for him was his way of telling them that they would go to this paradise forever."
"They were taught to obey unquestioningly and to believe that death was but a small price to pay for the eternal reward."
They often used to kill themselves if they ever got into trouble or got caught.
"Their belief was such that they were willing to sacrifice their lives with joy for their religion, without hesitation or fear."
(The Damascus Chronicle of the Crusades.)
Ibn al-Athir:
"They were masters of deception, mingling with their targets and awaiting the moment when vigilance was least, striking fearlessly even if death was certain."
(al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh).
Bernard Lewis:
"The Assassins (Hashashin) were the first group in recorded history to use assassination as a systematic and organized tool of policy."
(The Assassins: A Radical Sect in Islam.)
Their influence or impact on the Islamic world was quite horrible, as they were causing chaos. Even Hulegu Khan said after conquering Alamut that they had ended the wolves of the mountains, who did nothing but create chaos in the land.
They mostly supported the Crusaders and were always against the Sunni rulers and Sunni Islam. They really hated Sunnis and often killed Sunnis, and they also killed Nazim-ul-Mulk, a minister of the Seljuks. There is even a letter from the founder of the Hashashin to that minister:
"I am surrounded by mountains, and with God’s help, I am in no need of your protection. Be content with your empire and leave me to govern my stronghold."
(I have read this in many Persian chronicles.)
Al-Juwayni:
"The Assassins (Hashashin) were like the shadow of fear."
Rashid al-Din:
"The Hashashin knew they could not face armies in open battle, so they devised another way to fight. By killing the commanders, the generals, and the viziers, they disrupted the entire machinery of war. A single blade from them was more effective than a thousand swords on the battlefield."
(Jami' al-Tawarikh)
Ibn al-Athir:
"These people were like no other. They would enter the courts of kings and governors, dressed as ordinary people, and wait for months, sometimes years, to accomplish their mission. They struck when least expected, even in the most heavily guarded places. This created a fear so widespread that no ruler felt secure on his throne. Even Nizam al-Mulk fell victim to their daggers, causing disarray in the administration of the empire."
Al-Juwayni:
"Their leaders claimed to follow a hidden Imam and justified their killings as divine justice. They would say, 'It is not for men to question the will of the Imam.' But to the rest of Islam, they were an abomination, striking fear and mistrust wherever they went."
Ibn al-Athir:
"While the Franks (Crusaders) advanced, spreading destruction among the lands of Islam, the Assassins struck not at the invaders but at the leaders of the Muslims. Their blades found the throats of viziers, emirs, and generals who had risen to defend the faith. Such actions served only the enemies of Islam."
(al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh)
William of Tyre:
"The Assassins, though Muslims themselves, did not hesitate to strike deals with the Christian lords. Their enmity toward the Seljuks was greater than their devotion to their faith, and they sought allies wherever they could find them, even among the enemies of Islam."
(History of Deeds)
They were basically the enemies of Islam in a way; they even killed those who wanted to unite the Muslims. They did nothing good for us, and the rulers, even after the Mongol invasion of Alamut, still feared that they were not completely safe, as these guys made them fear, as they would even get inside castles anywhere just to kill someone.
And this game, Assassins Creed, is also based upon them, and because of their actions, they made a game about these guys.
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