The Shrine of Hazrat Ayub Ansari in Istanbul
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“Walk upto the Grand Bazaar and take Bus No.39”, was the short and sweet advice when I asked a passerby how to go to the shrine of a great Sahaba, Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari.
It was my second last day in Turkey and the shrine was a must-see place.
Of all the Sahabas, Hazrat Abu Ansari had a unique honor. When the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (SAAW), migrated to Medina on his camel, all the residents stood in the way and, one after another, begged him to stay with them. Not to disappoint anyone, the Holy Prophet left it to the camel to do the choosing. The camel moved for a while and then sat before the house of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari. The Prophet stayed in his house for several months thus bestowing him a unique honor in the Islamic History.
His real name was Khalid Bin Zaid. As per tradition in Arab World, he was known by the name of his son as Abu Ayub (father of Ayub). He was born in 576 in the family of Banu Najjar of Medina. He learnt Quran by heart and collected 150 Hadis. He loved to fight for Allah. In fact, he participated in almost every war in the early Islamic history notably Badr, Uhud, Hendek, Khyber, the Conquest of Mecca, Hunayn and Tabuk. So much so whenever a flag was raised, he was there with his life and wealth.
When the Muslim Army marched towards Istanbul, he was ready and raised his sword high despite being 80 years old. It was in this war that he met his destiny and became a martyr (Shaheed) in 679. Thus he lived for over 100 years.
His wife was Umme Ayub. She assisted him while he was playing host to the Great Prophet. They had three sons: Ayub, Khalid and Muhammad and a daughter named Umrah. Later, their off-springs spread out in many parts of the world specially Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.
A noted writer, Ali Ural, describes him as follows:
“He is not just an imposing warrior. He is a scribe of revelation, one who brings verses together. He is a memorizer of the entire Quran. He is a faqi whose fatwas are trusted by the people. He is an imam who leads the prayers in the Masjid Nabi when Hazrat Usman (RA) is confined.”
Tomb of Hazrat Ayub Ansari, Istanbul
THE TOMB
The shrine was located by the sea known as the Golden Horn. I reached there in about half an hour spending less than a dollar. The place was known as “Eyup Sultan” and was a complex of mosque, the tomb and graves of other Sahabas.
There was no entry fee. Rather plastic bags were provided free of cost for keeping shoes. In addition, the ladies were given scarves for covering their heads. Quite a large number of people had come to visit the tomb. Local women, wearing colorful dresses, were whispering versus from Holy Koran. Their presence coupled with flocks of pigeons and old trees created a mystical charm.
I joined the queue and in about 15 minutes I was offering Fatiha before tomb of the great Sahaba. The tomb was very decorative. It was in an octagonal shape. The grave was enclosed in with beautiful silver railing. There were calligraphy, crystal chandeliers and decorative pieces all over.
Graves of other 28 Sahabas (Companion of the Holy Prophet)
With a mission of spreading Islam, many Sahabas came to Turkey centuries ago. According to the Research Centre for the Islamic History, Art and Culture, in Istanbul, the bulk of information provided about their lives is through a major booklet by a Turkish Writer-Professor Dr. A. Suheyl. As stated in the book: “Many Sahabas reached the area along the Muslim troops during the great siege. Many of them were, as the tomb stones show the brief history of their lives, martyred during the siege of Constantinople (Istanbul), and battles fought for the conquest of the city, then a strong hold of the Roman Empire."
The graves of Sahaba are spread all over Istanbul. But a majority of them are situated close to the area of Eyub Sultan. The graves have existed since then without being desecrated or demolished during the different periods of rule over Istanbul.”
Area around the shrine
After praying in the mosque, I went out and strolled in the adjoining areas. It seemed a popular spot flourishing with a large number of small shops selling scarfs, Korans, pictures and souvenirs. The area was clean studded with fountains spraying water to ease the summer heat.
Cruising up the Golden Horn
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What a beautiful area! I "did a google" of "Shrine of Hazrat Ayub Ansari" and found that our friend, Hafeez, appeared in 2 of the first 3 entries and is apparently now a world expert on the site! It surely appears to be a very inspirational site as well. Hafeez certainly knows how to choose his travel destinations!
Thanks Rufi and Michael for your encouraging comments.
Welcome home! Your travel to Istanbul was particularly interesting to me as that is where the Greek Orthodox partriarch was established. It remains there to this day under the direction of Mohammad. I am looking forward to all installments of this year's travel.
Thanks Donna for visiting my hub.
Welcome home sir.
Great work.
Hi Hafeez,your hubs are informative and your travels are truly interesting! Hope to see more in the future.
Thank you Mehboob Hassan and Belenda Ruperto for your nice comments.
I'd say one word...SUBHANALLAH!
Thank You so much for sharing your experiences at the Shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari. I requested you to visit the place immediately after receiving your email.
This hub is indeed a detailed and comprehensive attempt. I havent been through any in-depth article online regarding the Shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari. So this hub fills the space regarding on this subject.
Once again, thanks a lot for giving us an inside scoop! Looking forward towards rest of your trip's tales.
Regards,
Muhammad Fahad Khan
The travelogue has been written in a fabulous way and it has so good knowledge specially for Muslims and those who want to learn about Islam.
I would suggest you to visit India for next trip.
sir really its great visit i also want to meet with u aftr this new visit experience
asif jamal
Thanks Fahad, Saleha and Asif for visiting my page and leaving comments.
Saleha, I wish I could move free in India. I had in 1995 a 15-day stay but was confined to only Delhi. Maybe some miracle happens and I get a tourist visa for India but does not seem so in my life time which is not much left.
It’s always been a treat to visit your hubs sir. Great knowledge is shared keeping history and the tomb together in one place. Thanks a lot for sharing all your experiences with us.
Thanks Usman Siddiqi for your comments.
Congratulations. You are very lucky to see the tomb of a great Muslim.
Dear Hafeez Malik:
Thank you very much for giving us beautiful informative desciption of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansaryl It is a great honour for being in Turky and paying visit to his tomb.
AOA Sir,
Mashallah it looks like i'm there wid u while reading about your tout to The Shrine of Hazrat Ayub Ansari in Istanbul,sir no doubt about it you enjoyed alot as do while reading
sir do share where were u visited
ADNAN AHMED
You description makes one want to visit :-)
May Allah gives you long and healthy life ahead.
Ameen.
Thanks Ghazanfar, Sharif, Adnan, De Greek and Saleha for your comments.
i visited turkey in the second week of aug 2010 but failed to find it than , now feeling so sorry .
There is some language problem. It is known as "Ayup Sultan."
Hope you would soon have an opportunity to go there again and pay a visit to the tomb of this great Sahabi.
I would also pray for you.
Another great hub from you. I learn much by reading this hub. Very informative, my friend. Beautiful and I enjoy the video. I hope I can visit this place someday. Actually I have friend from Istanbul. Thank you very much. Rate Up.
Prasetio
dear sir ,
hope you are ok and enjoying well health sir you are right today as i got chance to go there so went it same same like that how you said really it so beautiful place i went there my heart and me i mean i dont want come back from there there is to big grave yards i want to say ppl that who can vist istambul they must vist this place they will learn many things abut islam i hope also God will give me chance that i will come again with my mother and father i want they will vist with me this place
Thank you Prasetio and Wajahat Ali for your comments.
Really your obsrevation was too keen; great eyed man you are!
AOA Hafeez Sahab, I am delighted to see your pages and thankful to you, I am searching about various sacred places and shrines in Istanbul as I am hoping to visit Istanbul in end September 2011 and wish to visit all important places, I have not found a list of places here. Please guide me where can i see the live performance of Dervish Dance ? Thanks and I appreciate. Regards, Nadeem Rehmat.
Dear Nadeem,
For religious places or shrines go to this link
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul
Athentic performance of Whirling Dervash is only in Konya which is quite far away. I have written a hub and you may go to by hitting the following link:
I can't believe I was in Istanbul a few months ago and missed this special place! It just shows how much there is to see and do there. Thank you for a wonderful hub.
im planning to travel to istanbul in october any suggestions were to stay and what else to visit and will the weather be good in october?
Thanks Riviera Rose for your comments. The city is full of monuments. I am sure you would visit the shrine on your next trip to Turkey.
Dear Abbas,
From the airport, there is a direct train to the city center, Aksaray Square. The area had lot of hotels ranging from $10 to $100 to choose from. Good luck.
will the weather be good in october? what about other places to visit?
Asalam o alaikum
I have really been impressed from your describing about the visit to shrine of Hazrat Abu Ansari, a good and lover of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)
Thank your so much for providing a good deal of information about Hazrat Abu Ansari.
Thanks Khuda Bux for your comments.
Dear Hafeez Sahib,
Your site is informative and helpful for propective visitors. I have just returned from Istanbul after paying respect to Holy Prophet's companion Abu Ayyub Ansari. His tomb is being renovated and closed for the public. I suggest tourists should delay their visit to Turkey for a month or two so that the work is completed and the Mizar reopens to the aspirants. Also, please do tell us the names of other Sahabas buried near his tomb.
Thanks Dr. Nazir Ahmed for your comments. I would browse various websites and may come to know their names. Please give me your email so that I can send you when I come across such information.
Dear Sir,
I little bit know about hazarat ayub ansari but in your share of knowledge i got lot information and thanks for this knowledge share for us.
Thanks Mr. Samiullah for your comment.
Sir I want to ask question, sir my question is this you wrote about hazrat ayub ansari that his actual
Name was Khalid bin Zaid as per tradition in Arab World, he was known by the name of his son as Abu Ayub (father of Ayub) so ,
his 2nd son name was Khalid so why Hazrat Ayub Ansari actual name and his son name was same?
Thanks Mr. Samiullah for your comments. As per my information, the names of sons of the Great Sahaba were:1.Ayub, 2.Saeed, 3.Muhammad
It seems you have more knowledge. Please search for your own question.
MashaAllah.
Alhumdulillah I found your page. I was very worried about how I will manage all that but after reading I am feeling that this Allah's help.
I am going from new york to pakistan in july and my transit is at Istanbul for 14 hrs . Iam with 3 small kids, 58 yrs old sister and my mom. So its not a freestyle alone, young tourist visit. But I really want to do following things and all my family too. please guide me.
I want some guidance on from airport how can I make haziree on Ayub Sultan mazar shareef and how to to ziyarah of tabarrukat shareef, eat halal food.
Istanbul is a tourist-friendly city. From airport, take a train for its last station, Aksaray. Since you would be with small kids and sister and mom, take a taxi for ziyarah. It should not cost much. Halal food is everywhere. You have enough time to explore the touristy area: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar.
THANKS 4 YOUR COMMENTS
ASAK Br.Hafiz,
Thanks for uploading this valuable information and the video of your journey to the resting place of this respectable companion of Rasul-Allah (S.a.w.s.)and others like him to all of us, especially those who have not had the chance to visit this mausoleum.
Verily, from the existence of the religious of Christianity and Judaic village in Turkey it is evident to the discerning eye what freedom other cultures enjoyed during the Islamic rule there. From this it should be clear enough to all those who wrongly attribute some of the prevailing world disorder to Islam and those that wrongly allege that Islam was enforced upon people or was spread by sword.
If anything in it that appealed to human conscience is its heart penetrating truth about the cause of world's creation and the Omnipotent power that created it. It is the same truth that penetrated the conscience of the likes of Hazrath Abu Ayub Al-Ansari and other companions of the Prophet (S.a.w.s.)who unconditionally consecrated their lives in pursuit of Divine will.
May Allah (God) be pleased with them.
Jazak-Allahu Qiaran Wa Ahsanal Jaza.
Thanks M.B. Siddiqui for your valuable comment.
Rufi Shahzada 21 months ago
Dear Sir,
You really had a great visit at the Shrine. That was such a much awaited Hub. Hope you had a great time in Turkey.
Shahzada