Malik Al-Sayf

"Wait! This one need not die."

- Malik, Solomon's Temple

Malik Al-Sayf (Arabic: مالك السيف) was an Assassin of the Hashashin order from the end of the 12th century and into the beginning of the 13th. His known family was within the order of Assassins.

The Third Crusade
"Try not to disobey the creed further."

- Malik and Altaïr part ways.

Solomon's Temple
Malik, his brother Kadar and Altaïr were tasked by Al Mualim to retrieve the Templar Treasure; later found to be the Apple of Eden. Soon after their arrival at Solomon's Temple, Altair willingly disobeyed the Creed of the Assassins, inflaming Malik with his blatant disregard for their way of life.

Eventually Altaïr's stubbornness, attitude and arrogance led to the failure of their mission. Malik and Kadar were forced to defend themselves from a great number of Templar soldiers, resulting in Kadar's death and a fatal injury to Malik's left arm. Malik managed to steal the Treasure and escape with his life. The Templars followed Malik to Masyaf and unleashed an attack on the village protected by the Assassins. Malik informed the Grand Master Assassin, Al Mualim, of Altair's treachery and presented him with the Treasure. This was the last time that Malik was witnessed with his left arm, implying that it was amputated soon after these events.

Assassination of Talal
Engaging Altaïr in Jerusalem after the disaster of the Templar Treasure, Malik made no effort to disguise his hatred. He pointed out the most subtle flaws of Altaïr's technique and attitude, resulting in an unpleasant encounter between the two as they discussed the assassination of Talal.

Though the assassination was a success, Malik heavily criticized Altaïr for triggering the city alarm, and for alerting the citizens of Jerusalem of Talal's demise.

Assassination of Majd Addin
Though Malik had still not forgiven the man for his mistakes, he expressed a small level of satisfaction when Altaïr asked for his advice instead of demanding it. Once Majd Addin had been successfully assassinated, he remarked that Altaïr had performed just as an Assassin should. Upon parting, Malik revealed that he found everything Altaïr did troubled him and asked the man to consider that information during his journey back to Masyaf.

Assassination of Robert de Sable
"We are one; as we share the glory of our victories, so too we share the pain of defeat. In this way, we grow closer, we grow stronger."

- Malik before Altaïr leaves to assassinates Robert.

When Altaïr visited Malik in Jerusalem a third time, Malik had changed. He spoke to Altaïr as a fellow Assassin and did not insult him. They exchanged information and parted ways instead of the previous argumentative conversations of the past.

After the skirmish at the funeral of Majd Addin, Malik and Altaïr had a hurried discussion over whether to chase Robert de Sable to Arsuf, or to return to Masyaf to seek the wisdom of Al Mualim. Altaïr argued that Malik used the Creed as a shield, and thus did not see the entire truth. He decided to journey to Arsuf rather than waste time asking Al Mualim for permission, inflaming Malik with a sense that Altaïr had not really changed. He suggested that Malik learn more about the Apple of Eden from the people of Jerusalem, while he hunted down Robert.

Before his departure, Altaïr apologized for his failure at Solomon's Temple. Malik refused to accept it; he clarified that this was because he felt that the Altaïr who stood before him at that moment was not the same one that had caused their defeat at Solomon's Temple and thus held no guilt. Malik claimed that they were brothers under the Creed of the Assassins, and as such were one- the mistake of one was the mistake of all.

Upon Altaïr's flight for Arsuf, Malik returned to Solomon's Temple and discovered the journal of Robert de Sable. It recorded the findings of the Apple by the ten Templars, including Al Mualim. Finally convinced of the Master's betrayal, he traveled to Masyaf to aid Altaïr in retaking the fortress, several Assassins under his command.

Retaking of Masyaf
Malik arrived at the city in time to rescue Altaïr, who was under attack by a small army of hypnotized Assassins. The loyal Assassins fired arrows to force the attackers to flee, giving Altaïr the chance to converse with Malik. They greeted each other warmly, claiming that each other's presence brought peace to the battleground.

Following the duel, Malik caught up to Altaïr in time to witness the Apple of Eden displaying a holographic map of the world.

Later life
"I have also worked with Malik to describe new methods of assassination: from on high, from ledges, and from hiding places. Basic movements, but critical nonetheless."

- Altaïr's Codex, page 13

Once Al Mualim had been defeated, Malik became Altaïr's close colleague and a very highly-ranked Assassin. Altaïr was promoted to Grand Master of the Order in acknowledgement of his great willpower and newfound wisdom. The two worked together to discover new assassination techniques, which Altaïr noted down in his personal journal.

Altaïr began to delve into the secrets of the Apple of Eden, studying it for days at a time. Both Malik and Maria suggested forgetting about trying to understand the artifact, as it was distracting him from food and rest. They insisted that Altaïr should lock it away. Their advice was mostly ignored.

1217
Altaïr, his wife Maria and their son Darim left for Mongolia to deal with the rising threat of Genghis Khan, and Malik was left in control of the order.

1225
Abbas Sofian, another high-ranking Assassin, staged a coup in which he had Altaïr's other son Sef killed and had the murder weapon put in Malik's bed; thus making everyone believe Malik was the killer. In addition, one of Abbas' spies claimed to have heard Malik and Abbas argue the same day. Abbas had Malik thrown into the prison located in the dungeons below Masyaf.

1227
Altaïr and his family returned and Abbas tried to trick them into believing Malik was the killer. Altaïr didn't believe it, and infiltrated the prison to rescue Malik. He brought Malik, who was in a bad condition, back to their residence, where he revealed the truth about what had happened. After having made sure he was asleep, Altaïr and Maria left Malik in their residence to confront Abbas. However, in their absence, Abbas' spy Swami had killed and beheaded Malik and put his head in a burlap sack, which he delivered to Abbas whilst being confronted by Altaïr and Maria.

Altaïr, many years later, met Malik's son, Tazim Al-Sayf, and together, aided by other assassins still loyal to Altaïr, killed Abbas and ruled the Assassin Order once again, presumably with Tazim as his right-hand man.

Characteristics and personality
Malik was a harsh, wise man who based his life and his work completely on the Assassin's Creed and its tennants; he was protective and adhered wholly to those laws, believing in the righteousness his Master claimed was the foundation of the Creed. As such, his rival's arrogant dismissal of the Creed was a terrific blow to his beliefs and sensibilities; Malik disliked his fellow Assassin on principle. However, he slowly gained respect for Altaïr as he became the man needed to save the Assassin Order from enslavement on his quest to redeem himself.

Malik's devotion to the Creed and Al Mualim was unwavering and somewhat blind; Altaïr broke the spell of his blind belief by claiming that Malik was using the Creed as a shield, ignoring the facts. Malik took this advice to heart and searched for the truth. Al Mualim's treachery was recorded in a diary, left within Solomon's Temple- the facts recorded there 'broke his heart' but was the final truth necessary for Malik's rebellion under his friend's guidance.

Trivia

 * In Arabic, "Malik" means "king" or "owner," while "Al-sayf" means "the sword." Put together, "Malik A[l]-Sayf" means "King or Owner of the Sword."
 * The more common surname is "Al-Sayf," but due to Arabic grammar rules, the name in the in-game credits is written as "A-Sayf," the way it is pronounced.
 * Malik is the only Assassin who is seen wearing an almost identical outfit to Altaïr's in Assassin's Creed. In this outfit, he is also equipped with a Hidden Blade, though his ring finger is still intact. The reason for this is unknown.
 * He resembles Niccolò Machiavelli, both in apperance and attitude.
 * It is unknown how Malik got in or out of the Bureau after the loss of his left arm.
 * During the first visit to Jerusalem, if Altaïr lingers in the Bureau before going to the assassination target, Malik will comment on why he has not already left. He sarcastically remarks: "Thinking of another great plan, Altaïr? Like the one back at Solomon's Temple?!"
 * It is possible to throw Malik off the cliff right before he and his men run past Altaïr before the final boss fight. Doing this has no effect on the game, and he still reappears during the credits to look at the Apple of Eden.

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thumb|300px|left|Solomon's Temple events and consequences