Our Visit to Turkey - Istanbul

Alhamdulillah by the grace of Allah Ta'ala, I was recently able to travel to Turkey and discover alot with regards to our heritage. There are many monuments and objects of great importance in Turkey. Alhamdulillah, we have a special place for our readers in our hearts and thus you were remembered when these pictures were taken. There are many, many more pictures of other monuments which are of less importance; If there is intrest, we will put up a second part to this particular post inshallah. All the info have been taken from wikipedia (apart from some which are obvious).

Our Safar begins

Heathrow Terminal 5

Masjid Sultan Ahmed (Blue Mosque)

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the national mosque of Turkey, and is a historical mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is one of several mosques known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul.

Masjid Abu Ayyub al Ansari radiallahu anhu

Here in lies the grave of Hazrat Abu Ayyub al Ansari radiallahu anhu. Outside the Masjid there is a mausoleum which has been adorned with him. Also, there are two trees outside the main jamaat khana which have been there since the time of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. Lastly, there is a well outside the mausoleum of Hazrat Abu Ayyub radiallahu anhu. It has been narrated that many people in the locality of Eyyup had a dream in which water was flowing from under the hands of Hazrat Abu Ayyub radiallahu anhu in his grave. Thus a well was made close to it which takes this water, Alhamdulillah it was nice and sweet.

Suleymanie Masjid

The Süleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent) and was constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.

The mosque is extremely beautiful and has calligraphy outside which is open to the public to view.

Ortakoy Mosque

Ortaköy Mosque, officially the Büyük Mecidiye Camii (Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid) in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, is situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus.

The original Ortaköy Mosque was built in the 18th century. The current mosque, which was erected in its place, was ordered by the Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid and built between 1854 and 1856.

Topkapi Palace Museum

This museum was really one of the highlights of our trip. Herein there are many relics of the Ottoman Era. Inside there are numerous artifacts which have been attributed to even Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam and the Sahahaba radiallahu anhum. The blessed hair, teeth, bow, sword, stamp, letters and belongings of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam are kept here. The swords of many Sahabah radiallahu anhum such as Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid, Hazrat Zubair ibn al Awwam radiallahu anhum are all on display here. The Amamma of Hazrat Yusuf alayhis alaam and the rod of Musa alayhis salaam are also on display. This truly is a must see place. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed so I took pictures of the trees and snails for you instead :)

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 A.D. on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was in fact the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site (the previous two had both been destroyed by riots). It was designed by two architects, Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. The Church contained a large collection of holy relics and featured, among other things, a 15m (49 foot) silver iconostasis. It was the patriarchal church of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the religious focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly one thousand years.

In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and Sultan Mehmed II ordered the building to be converted into a mosque. The bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many of the mosaics were eventually plastered over. The Islamic features — such as the mihrab, the minbar, and the four minarets outside — were added over the course of its history under the Ottomans. It remained as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey.

Miscellaneous

Here are some pictures that are just miscellaneous. The first is a fountain which sits opposite the Blue Mosque. The next is a plaque which is self explanatory if you read it. The third is a hippodrome which was brought to Constantinople. The fourth is a Turkish University and the last picture is Abdul Baasit :D