The Tomb of Eyyub el Ensari in Istanbul.
Honor for the standard-bearer of the Prophet.

Eyüp Mosque and the Tomb of Eyyub el Ensari (Abu Ayyub al-Ansari), a companion and standard-bearer of the prophet Mohammed are located in the Eyüp district in Istanbul beyond the old city walls of Constantinople on the south bank of the Golden Horn.

It became an important place for Ottomans after the conquest of Constantinople 1453 under Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Mehmet II.) and is still a place visited by many Muslims from Turkey and other countries to make “Dua” (asking prayer) at Eyüp Tomb (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan Türbesi).

Eyyub el Ensari died during the first siege of Constantinople by Arabs in the years 672-679. To commemorate the rediscovery of the tomb by Ottomans in the 15th Century, Fatih Sultan Mehmet ordered to build a mausoleum, mosque and a traditional complex around the grave. Due to later earthquake demolitions the buildings were several times restored and in 1800 almost completely rebuilt.

The mausoleum strengthened the connection between the Ottoman Sultans and the early Muslims, what was even increasingly important after Ottoman troups conquered Egypt and some Arabic countries with the holy cities of Mecca and Medina under Yavuz Sultan Selim (reigned 1512-1520), who became also Caliph. After the accession to the throne of the Ottoman Sultans in Topkapı Palace, the girding of the sword of Sultan Osman (founder of Ottoman Empire) was held by a Muslim dignitary at the Tomb of Eyyub el Ensari.

On the large cemetery in Eyüp are many Ottoman officials buried and even today many Muslims likes to be laid to rest in the neighborhood of the Prophet’s companion.

© Photos and writing by Jens Helmstedt

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