AL-HUDA
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
Article 1: - Article 2: - Article 3: - Article 4: - Article 5: - Article 6: - Article 7: - Article 8: - Article 9: - Article 10: - Article 11: - Article 12:
The Sacred Relics Trust
The
Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, Turkey has preserved
hundreds of items that belonged to the Prophets, Companions,
Caliphs and Heroes of Islam.
This collection of 605 relics includes the Prophet
Muhammad’s (pbuh) clothes, his sandals, his cup and his seal.
Also included in this amazing collection are items like the
Staff of Prophet Moses (pbuh), keys and locks of Ka’ba, Qur’anic
verses written by ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, Sword of ‘Ali ibn Abu
Talib and so much more.
Hilmi Aydin, currently the manager of the Division of Sacred
Relics at the Museum, has photographed and presented this
absolutely unique collection in a hardbound book of 352 pages.
The hundreds of full color photographs are of excellent quality.
The captions are both scholarly and sensitive. Everything about
the book is world class.
Reading “The Sacred Trusts”/* is an amazing experience. For
Muslims history comes alive in a way that cannot be duplicated
by any other book. The emotional impact of “seeing’ the things
actually used by the Prophet (pbuh) in his daily life reinforces
the reality and truth of the Islamic tradition in a uniquely
powerful way. This is especially true for young/new Muslims who
have not lived in a traditional Islamic society.
IslamiCity, therefore urges all parents to get a copy of
‘The Sacred Trusts’ for their children.
IslamiCity has added more ‘value’ to an already incredible
experience by including a free crystal gift with every copy of
“The Sacred Trust”. This exquisite gem cut crystal has been
engraved with the “Bismillah” by hand. It will inspire and bless
all those who see it! (This crystal normally sells for $40).
“The Sacred Trusts” has a list price of $144.95.
Get your copy of “The Sacred Trusts” with the free “Bismillah”
crystal today! This offer is good until supplies last.
A DETAILED HISTORY OF THE SACRED RELICS COLLECTION
Topkapi Palace was the residence of many Sultans and welcomed
many visiting kings and ambassadors for centuries. However, what
makes the palace so special is not only the former residents,
but the Sacred Relics, which include personal belongings of
prophets. Excavated from the most private and hidden rooms of
the palace, the entire selection is compiled here for the first
time, including those that are not on exhibit for daily visits.
From the staff of Prophet Moses to the Mantle of Prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them, the Sacred Relics
which Ottomans preserved in Topkapi Palace for centuries paying
utmost respect, are presented in this book.
When Sultan Selim returned from the Egyptian campaign (1517), he
brought to Istanbul the Sacred Relics from the treasuries of the
Mamluk state, Abbasid Caliphate, and Hijaz Emirate.
Sultan Selim I began to collect the Sacred Relics at Topkapi
Palace , and his successors continued the tradition until the
beginning of the twentieth century. The sultans gathered the
relics of the Prophet and other great Muslims, as well as items
from respected religious sites. At the beginning of the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries, protecting relics from
potential damage by the Wahhabis was a major concern. The
Wahhabis thought those who showed reverence to objects were
guilty of polytheism, so relics were sent to Istanbul for
protection and care. During World War I, when the surrender of
Madina was being considered, the city's guardian, Fahreddin
Pasha, sent a number of valuable gifts which had been received
over the centuries, along with some Sacred Relics, to Istanbul .
Most of these are preserved in the Topkapi Palace Treasury
Collection. Today, there are 605 items registered in the Topkapi
Palace Museum Division of Sacred Relics. Moreover, there are
many objects that can be considered Sacred Relics cataloged in
the museum's treasury, arms, clothes, and library divisions.
The items that belonged to the Prophet are called Amanat
(Trusts), while the items belonging to other great Muslims or
sacred places are called Tabarrukat (Sacred Objects). Today, all
the items are called “Sacred Relics,” but in the past they were
registered as Blessed Relics (Al-Amanat al-Mubaraka).
The Ottomans did not attribute any holiness to material objects;
yet, they were well aware that property belonging to the
Messenger of God had a share of divine blessings.
Tahsin Öz wrote the following in his book Emanat-i Mukaddese
[The Sacred Relics] published in 1953: “The Sacred Relics were
collected thanks to various historical manifestations of fate
throughout centuries. This treasure passed to Turks piece by
piece by efforts motivated by faith and sometimes by fortune. It
is clear that they are not only sacred objects collected and
preserved with a religious bond and love, but are valuable by
world standards artistically and historically as well. The care
and traditional respect shown for the protection of these sacred
objects so far has been infinite. As long as we exist, this
sacred duty will be performed with love, respect, and honor.”
THE HOLY MANTLE
Among all sacred relics, the Holy Mantle of Prophet Muhammad
holds a special place. Due to their respect for this honorable
memory from the Prophet, the sultans preserved it in gold cases
in the Throne Room. Therefore, the entire complex which included
the Throne Room, Audience Hall, dormitory for pages, and the
Treasury hosted became to be called Apartments of the Holy
Mantle.
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, met
opposition and resistance when he began calling people to Islam.
One of his opponents was the poet Ka‘b. After the conquest of
Makka, the poet began to hide. Having been reprimanded by his
brother, Ka‘b felt regret. Taking a risk, he secretly went to
Madina in disguise and approached the Prophet to ask whether a
person who repented his mistakes and embraced the faith would be
forgiven or not. After the Messenger answered in the
affirmative, the poet asked, “Even Ka‘b ibn Zuhayr?” When the
Prophet affirmed this, too, Ka'b revealed his identity and began
to read a poem, “Ode to the Mantle,” which would become famous.
As a reward the Messenger of God took off his mantle and put it
on Ka‘b ibn Zuhayr's shoulders.
COLLECTION
The collection consists of many objects, like Prophet Muhammad's
mantle, standard, sandal, cup, footprint on a stone, swords,
bow, his tooth that broke at Uhud, soil he used for ritual
ablution, and his seal. They also include a cooking vessel of
the prophet Abraham; the turban of the prophet Joseph; the sword
of the prophet David; a strand from Abu Bakr's beard; the Qur'an
that is believed to be the one Caliph ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan was
reading when he was assassinated; swords of the Prophet's
companions; Fatima al-Zahra's blouse, veil, and mantle; her son
Husayn's robe, his turban, and a piece of his mantle; Imam Abu
Hanifa's robe; Uways al-Qarani's felt cap; the crowns of ‘Abd
al-Qadir al-Jilani and Imam Sharani; the bowls of Jalal al-Din
al-Rumi; the gold rain gutters of the Ka‘ba; the gold and silver
covers of the Black Stone; a wing of the Door of Repentance; the
lock, keys, and covers of the Ka‘ba; objects like hooks,
candles, censers a nd rosewater flasks which were used in the
Ka‘ba or in Masjid al-Nabawi /(the Prophet's Mosque); pieces of
wood, stone, glass, porcelain tile, etc. used in repair of these
places; covers and soil from the Prophet's tomb; and the dust
called Jawhar al-Saadat [The Jewel of Bliss] which was collected
while cleaning the Prophet's tomb. There are also items used for
preserving the Sacred Relics through time, or for their
transport from the Ka‘ba, such as chests, drawers, covers
(embroidered or plain), bundle wrappers, scabbards, and rahle s
(low reading desks). In addition, there are brooms and dust pans
used to clean the Privy Chamber; candles; aloe wood; framed
inscriptions written by famous calligraphers or the sultans;
writings describing the virtues of the Prophet ( hilya ); prayer
rugs and prayer beads; copper and silver bowls; candles; dervish
headgear; zamzam water pitchers; and handkerchiefs and blocks
for printing on handkerchiefs.
About the author: Having specialized in art history, Hilmi Aydin
is currently the deputy manager of the Topkapi Palace Museum ,
Istanbul . He used to be the divisional manager of Pavilion of
the Sacred Relics until recently appointed to the current
position. About the author: Having specialized in art history,
Hilmi Aydin is currently the deputy manager of the Topkapi
Palace Museum , Istanbul . He used to be the divisional manager
of Pavilion of the Sacred Relics until recently appointed to the
current position.
DISCLAIMER:
All material published by Al-Huda.com / And the Message Continues is the sole responsibility of its author's).
The opinions and/or assertions contained therein do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this site,
nor of Al-Huda and its officers.