Constantinople
Written by: SK.
Younis Salih
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
dd mmm yyyy h
dd mmm yyyy ac
Thanks be to Allah, the
Lord of the worlds. Peace and prayers be upon the
most honorable of all messengers Mohammad; and all his folks, companions, and
followers to the day they are all summoned together.
Last Friday the Imam
talked about causes of victory and causes of defeat. He talked about the 5-day
war and the day known as the Set-Back. What is strange is that in days like
those that victory can come to people who believe in Allah, people who the
causes for victory are fulfilled within them. Therefore, Allah gave them
victory.
Muslims waited for over
eight centuries for the prophecy of taking over Constantinople be fulfilled.
It was a dear dream that passed through the minds of many leaders and
conquerors. The passing of days and years did not fade it off. It remained a
target that encouraged to be fulfilled so the one who fulfills it would
deserve the praise and complement of the messenger (PPBU) when he said:
{Constantinople will be opened (meaning taken over by Muslims), what a
wonderful prince its prince, and what a wonderful army is that army}.
The serious attempt to
take over Constantinople started during the era of Ma3awiah ben Aby-Sufian who
sent two military campaigns in the years 49 and 54 of Hijra (666ac and 671ac).
For seven years of continuous military operations but could not take over the
city.
Suliman Abd-al-Malik
initiated another military campaign in the year 99 Hijra (719 ac) for which he
used his best solders and nights with the latest up-to-date military
technology. Still the brave and fortified city remained defiant.
More attempts were made
at the city of Constantinople during the Ottoman’s eras: Sultan Bazeed the
first, and Sultan Murad 2nd. Eventually, it was Allah’s well that the victory
and the take over of the city be through the sultan, Muhammed 2nd the son of
the Murad 2nd.
Muhammed the Conqurer
(Al Fatih)
Sultan Muhammed the
conquer (known as Al-Fatih) on the 27th of Rajab in the year 835 Hejri or 30
March 1432 ac. The sun of the 7th sultan of the Ottoman’s empire. He
concentrated on educating him. He learned the Quran, learned the Hadeeth,
learned Islamic law, mathematics and astronomy. He was trained for the art of
war. He also spoke Arabic, Persian, Latin and Greek. He took part in all the
wars and battles. Muhammed came to power as a Sultan after the death of his
father on the 5th Muharram 855 Hejri or in 1451 ac. He was 22 years old then.
The building of the
castle “Romelly Hisar”
Sultan Ba-yazeed 1st
created a fortress on the asian banks of the Bosphorus straights during his
blockade of Constantinople known as the Anatolian castle. It was built on the
narrowest point of the Bosphor straights. Sultan Mohammad decided to build
another fortress on the European side of the Bosphur facing the walls of
Constantinople. He brought in all the building material and thousands of
workers. He himself and men in his government took part in the actual building
operation. The emperor of Constantinople could see the building coming up but
could not stop it. It took three months to complete the castle with catapult
(slingshot like) cannons aiming at the roman supply ship passing through
braking the blockade. This castle is known by the name “Romelly Hisar” meaning
the castle of the Romans.
The Byzantine emperor
made numerous raids on the castle and the workers. The raids developed into
skirmishes, and eventually the ottoman Sultan declared war on the Byzantine
state. Both sides started getting ready for war. A military leader known as
John Gestiniany with 700 strong fighters made it through the blockade to
Constantinople, fully loaded with supplies and ammunition. Who helped into
organizing, training and redistributed the local army. Giant chains were put
into the water to block the Muslim boats and chip getting into the bay. The
chains were put across the two points known as the Golden horn.
Muhammed 2nd, was
possessed with conquering Constantinople. An Austerian engineer offered to
build a giant cannon gun that can huge masses enough to break the fortified
walls of Constantinople. It took three months and 700 ton cannon was build
capable of launching 5 ton projectiles. The cannon required 100 bulls to pull,
and 100 men to operate. It was effective in targeting all roads to
Constantinople.
Sultan Mohammad II army
arrived on 12th Ramadan 805 (April 1453 ac) and set its control center at the
Romanious door of the city. He prayed to Allah with the entire army and the
official blockade started. The ottoman fleet of 350 ship moved from the
Gallipole sea base to the Bosphur and implemented a sea blockade of the city.
A total of 265,000 men at sea and land blockaded the city. A request to
surrender was issued to the Byzantine emperor with guarantees given to safe
guard the lives and property and religious belief of the inhabitants. The
request was refused. For the city has one of the strongest natural and man
built fortifications known through history.
The Islamic army kept on
bounding the walls, and the navy kept on trying to remove the chains. But,
damaged walls were rebuilt, and the Byzantine and Italian navy kept the
Ottoman navy from removing the chains. Supplies sent by the Pop in five large
ships engaged with the Ottoman’s navy and managed to go through due to their
experience in the navy maneuvers.
Sultan Muhammad II got
the idea of going round the chains in the water protecting the city from the
Muslim navy. The idea was to transport the navy fleet on land round the chains
into the bay. The engineers put the plans and workers started the work under
the darkness of the night. Roads were laid, covered with timber, covered with
grease. And in one night the Ottomans were able to transport 70 ship with
their sails down, pulled by mules and tough men, while the cannon guns were
hitting the walls to distract the enemy from the ship movement on land. That
was on the night of Ramadan 29th in the year 805 H, (1453ac). At dawn the
sails were lifted and the drums sounded. A bridge was built inside the harbor
to mount more cannon guns. Numerous attempts were made to penetrate the walls.
At dawn on the Tuesday
20 of Jumada Al-Aula 587 H, started his final assault on the city by land and
sea. Gestiniany the military leader was badly injured and retreated.
Eventually, Muslim soldiers managed to get over the walls, and the ottoman
navy managed to remove the chains, the rest of the fleet joined the battle.
The Islamic army flowed into the city and defenders escaped. It only took
three hours from the start of the assault to secure the entire city.
When Muhammed Al-Fateh
as became known got off his horse, prayed to Allah thanking him. Went to
Aya-Sofiya church where all the priests and many people took refuge to. He
gave them the pardon and the promise for their safety. He ordered the church
to be turned into a mosque. And ordered to build a mosque at the grave of the
Abi-Ayuoob Al-Ansari who was part of the first attempts to conquer the city.
Mohammad Al-Fatih decided to have Constantinople as the capital of the state
and changed its name to “Islam pole” meaning the “state of Islam”, which later
became to be known as Istanbul. He permitted those inhabitants who left during
the blockade and war to return. He guaranteed them freedom of religious
practice. Istanbul remained the capital of the state until the collapse of the
Ottoman empire in the year 1924 ac, and the new state of Turkey was
established with Anqera as its capital.
Notes:
-
Adhan
- The call to prayer.
-
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the
messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of
Islam.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
