Saladin's father is twisted. In fact, the entire cast surrounding Saladin's backstory are twisted.
And, I mean "in fact." The point of how Saladin's father only created him, and isn't responsible for his behavior as an adult, wasn't lost. However, we (meaning mankind) stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. It is this way in all aspects: culture, technology, religion, etc.. Saladin may be responsible for following his own path; but, his father most definitely started him down it. There is no relativism or lack of guilt to be found there.
Worse, I can't help but to break the fourth wall in the same vein. The novel is fascinating thus far. But, it's also a conveyance of memes. Now, I carry the same twisted concepts; and, am capable of their execution or imagining worse further down the same path. Am I better for it?
Humanity has no shortage of wretched behavior. But, what is gained from sensationalizing it? Ostensibly our societally instilled morals act as a bulwark to such indulgence.
And we all know how well that works in practice.