In his mortal days, Rashid ibn Musafir was a farmer near Jerusalem. When the crusaders invaded the city and massacred the population, Rashid became a fervent muslim, vowing to reconquer the city for Allah. Following the Frankish occupation, he bided his time, until he met Habiba al-Sikkeen, an Assamite, who had been wounded during a mission. He tended her wounds and she told him of her nature and mission. She made him her ghoul and embraced him after a series of training.