The Artifacts of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Turkey
The personal belongings and artifacts of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were stored in Egypt at a mosque known as “Athr an-Nabi,” located in the Southern region of Cairo. These relics remained in this location until the Ottoman conquest of Egypt in 1571 AD. Following the Ottomans’ victory over the Mamluks at the Battle of Marj Dabiq, Sultan Selim I captured the last Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mutawakkil III, taking him and all the artifacts of the Prophet from the mosque to Turkey.
In Istanbul, Al-Mutawakkil III, before his death, ceded the Muslim Caliphate to the Ottoman Sultan. He also transferred the Prophet’s artifacts to the Ottomans. Since then, these sacred relics have been housed in the Third Palace, commonly referred to as Topkapi Palace.
Personal Belongings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- A fragment of the Prophet’s staff, which he used for support.
- The sword of the Prophet.
- The kohl container that the Prophet used for applying kohl to his eyes.
- The ablution vessel and the tayammum stone of the Prophet, along with the vessel from which he served water to Suhail ibn Sa’d after it was adorned with silver.
- The Prophet’s seal, made of red chameleon stones, engraved with “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This seal was attached to the ring the Prophet wore and was passed down to the rightly guided caliphs until it was lost by Uthman ibn Affan in the Irus well. Despite extensive searches, it was never recovered, leading Uthman to create a duplicate.
Clothing of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- The black mantle worn by the Prophet, which was also used by the Abbasid caliphs to bless the Mamluk sultans. This mantle is preserved in a dedicated room within the fourth hall of the palace.
- The black turban of the Prophet, a symbol of the caliphate for subsequent caliphs.
- The shoes of the Prophet.
Correspondences of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- The letter sent by the Prophet to the Roman ruler, the Muqawqis.
- The response letter from the Prophet to Musaylima the Liar.
Other Artifacts
- The red banner of the Prophet, raised by Ali ibn Abi Talib during the conquest of Khaybar, which the Ottomans later stitched onto a piece of green silk, embroidered with the names of Allah and the ten companions promised Paradise in silver thread.
- A photograph of the railway constructed by the Ottomans to transport the Prophet’s artifacts to Turkey safely during World War I.
- A hair from the beard of the Prophet and several hairs from his head.
- A tooth of the Prophet that fell during the Battle of Uhud, preserved in a container made of gold and silver.
- An imprint of the Prophet’s foot found in the Dome of the Rock, following the incident of Isra and Mi’raj.