The chambers of the Sacred Relics.... From TOPKAPI Museum This section of the palace is filled with the relics of the Prophet Mohammed [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] brought here by Yavuz Sultan Selim I, upon the conquest of Egypt in 1517. The complex consist of a group of domed rooms. The walls of the double domed entry room are decorated with 16th century Iznik tiles. In addition to the tiles, the wood work of the doors and the display windows, and the central wishing pool give the area a special charm. This section’s central case exhibits the Prophet’s [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] bamboo bow, and swords of the first four Caliphs and other religious leaders.
Directly opposite is the Door of Forgiveness brought to Istanbul by Murad III, during the reconstruction of the Kaaba in the courtyard of the Great Mosque in Makkah. Quotations from the Prophet [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam], framed in gold attract the attention of the visitor. From here we enter to the left room. The dome of the room is in electric style, and the walls are decorated in 16th century tiles and further quotations. In the central case is what is reputed to be the oldest existing Quraan, written on deer skin, and several cases in which have been kept the mantle of the Prophet Muhammad [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam]. In addition, several locks from the entrance to the Kaabah are displayed.
As we leave this room, on the right we enter the first room. It is domed, tiled, and decorated with quotations from the Quraan. In the central display case the personal holy belongings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] are exhibited
Turning to the left, we come upon the most holy section of the museum, the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle.
Directly in from of the visitor is a Sterling Silver chest which has been the reposit of the holy effects for centuries, the chest itself a work of the father of the great Turkish traveler of ancient times, Evliya Çelebi. Beneath this, are two chests, one within the other, containing the mantle itself, made in the tile of Abdülaziz. Along side this are two swords belonging to the Holy Prophet [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] decorated in precious stones. Also in the room is the holy Standard of Muhammed, [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] taken into battle on each occasion when the Ottoman armies took out on campaigns. After so much use, it is now kept, thread-bare, in a chest.
Tiles at the entrance of the chambers of the Sacred Relics.
Entrance of the Sacred Relics Chambers.
Entrance door of the Sacred Relics Chambers
Decorated with mother-of-pearl.
Chests containing the Holy Mantle and the banner
Interior view of the Sacred Relics Chamber.
The gold chest containing the Holy Mantle.
Swords belonging to the Prophet
SWORDS OF THE PROPHET
Letter of the Prophet Muhammad [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] (Name-i Saadet).
Some hairs from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad[Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] (Lihye-i Saadet).
Casket containing the soil, from the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad. [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam]
Reliquary containing the tooth of Prophet Muhammad [Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam] (Dendan-i Saadet).