Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih And The Opening Of Istanbul (Constantinople) 1453 AD
By: Hasrizal Abdul Jamil
BA (Hons) SHARIA Mu’tah University, Jordan
Introduction
Istanbul or previously known as Constantinople, is among the cities regarded as nostalgic to the World. It is not only recorded in Islamic History, but the status of the city as among the main city in the World certainly attract people around the World to see the connection of their glorious history in the city of Istanbul which was established by the Emperor of Byzantine, Constantine I around 330 AD.
The strategic location of the city, was expressed by Napoleon Bonaparte as, "...if this World is a Country, Constantinople is the one qualified as the Capital!" Constantinople had already became the Capital of Byzantine Empire since its establishment. This had made the City as among the biggest main City of the World.
The location of the City, had placed it in a special position in Muslims mind when both of the Civilization met. The prophet (pbuh) was reported as had already prophecied for few times about the good news. He was reported as saying that the City will be opened again by Muslims in Khandak Battle. Prophet (pbuh) said in a Hadith:
"Indeed Constantinople will be opened. The most honorable leader is their leader, and the most honorable soldiers are his soldiers."
There is also other Hadiths reported this, and this had made Muslim Caliphates and other leader of Muslims trying to subdue the City of Constantinople. THe first effort was made in 44 H in the time of Muawiyya Ben Abi Sufian. But his effort was to no avail showing that "the honorable leader is yet to come." A companion of the prophet (pbuh) whose name is Abu Ayyub al-Ansari too was martyred and he was buried at the sub-urb of the City. In the time of Umayya Caliphate, Sulaiman Ben Abdul Malik tried to subdue and re-open the city again in 98 H with his capable army but G-d (Glorious be His Name) still did not permit them to enter the City.
(refer to Al-Ibar by Ibnu Khaldun 3 / 70 and Tarikh Khalifah Ben Khayyath pg. 315)
In the era of Abbasiyya, the efforts were still in progress but still fail to subdue the City including in the time of Caliph Harun ar-Rasyeed in 190 H.
After the falling of Baghdad in 656 H, the effort to subdue Constantinople was continued by few small kingdoms in Minor Asia (Anatolia), especially by the Kingdom of Seljuq. Their famous leader, Alp Arslan (455-456 H/1063-1072 AD) had succeed in defeating the Emperor of Rome, Dimonos in 463 H/1070 AD. He had seized Dimonos and jailed him before he was conditionally released after he agreed to pay for annual Jizya (a small amount of tax to protect the kingdom of those who were subdued). This event had put a large part of Roman Empire under the influence of Muslim Seljuq Kingdom.
However, Seljuq faced turbulences and later fall. Few fractions of small kingdoms were formed from Seljuq. Among them is Roman-Seljuq that had managed to expand their influence to the Ege Sea in the East, and later weakened the influence and the grippance of Roman Empire.
Costantinople And Daulah Ottomania
In the beginning of the 8th H/14 C, Daulah Ottomania had made a pact with Roman-Seljuq which at that time were centralized in Konya City. The pact had rejuvenates Muslims' spirit to subdue Constantinople. The earliest effort was made by Sultan Yildrim Beyazid where he had surrounded the City in 767 H/1393 AD. The chance is used by Sultan Beyazid to force the Emperor of Byzantine to surrender the administration of Byzantine to Muslim in peace without any blood spilling. However Muslim failed to enter after assistance came from Europe and in the same time, the Tartar-Mongol (Chagatay Turks) army lead by Tamerlane attacked Daulah Ottomania. The attack was known as the War of Ankara and this had made Sultan Beyazid have to retreat his army as to defend the kingdom from the attack. Sultan Beyazid was subdued and later died in 1402 AD. The event had stopped the idea to subdue Constantinople for a while.
When Daulah Ottomania managed to develop again after the war, the spirit to work on the re-opening of the City alive again. Their spirit and their diligence had determined Sultan Murad II (824-8663 H/1421-1451 AD) to continue the effort. Again, they surrounded Constatinople but in the same time, betrayal happened among Muslims. The Emperor of Byzantine took the opportunity to pour slanders and scatter the saf (lines) of Muslim army. This had made the efforts of Sultan Murad II facing the failure until the time of his son, Sultan Muhammad al-Fateh, the 7th Caliph of Daulah Ottomania.
Since his childhood, Sultan Muhammad al-Fateh had closely observed and seeing the efforts of his father to subdue Constatinople. He also studied the earlier efforts made along Muslim History in order to re-open the City. This had strengthened his desire to continue the efforts of previous Muslims. When he succeed his father in 855 H/1451 AD, he had started to think and arranging strategies to subdue the City.
The
strength of Sultan Muhammad is actually in his high moral and personal characters. Since child, he was intensively educated by pious Ulamas in his time. During the rule of his father, Sheikh Muhammad Ben Ismail al-Kurani is the one who became the Murabbi (teacher) of Amir Muhammad. In that time, Amir Muhammad was a governor in Manisa. Sultan Murad II had sent few Ulamas to teach his son before, but he never pay attention to them. Later he sent al-Kurani to Amir Muhammad and he also had given the authority to stroke Amir Muhammad if he refuse to respect the teacher. When he met Amir Muhammad and explained that Sultan Murad II had given him the authority to stroke him if he refuse to listen to his teacher. Amir Muhammad spontaneously laughed and Sheikh al-Kurani stroked the prince on the spot. This event had left a deep meaning to
Amir Muhammad and later he memorized glorious Quran in only short time.
The education received from Murabbi Ulamas had been a major influence and brought big impact not only to Sultan Muhammad, but also to the administration pattern and the customs of Daulah Ottomania. If Sultan committing wrong things, his Murabbi will advise him. Sultan Muhammad was only called by his name without any title by his Murabbi, and when he shake hands with the Ulamas, he will lower himself and humbly kissing their hands as the sign of respect. The Sultan is respected in the whole Muslim world (we in SEA respect him as a pious king and caliph), his characteristics is formed through scripture and religious education.
Sheikh Ak Semsettin
In the same time, Sheikh Semsettin (Syamsuddin) is among a Murabbi (Teacher) of Sultan Muhammad. His real name is Muhammad Ben Hamzah ad-Dimshiqi ar-Rumi, and he is among a descent of prophet companion, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. He taught Sultan Muhammad basic knowledges such as Quran, Hadiths, Linguistics (Arabic, Persian, Turkish), and skills such as Maths, Astrology, History, and Battle Tactics.
Sheikh Ak Semsettin confided Sultan Muhammad that he is the one mentioned by prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Hadiths concerning the re-opening of Constantinople. When he succed his father, he immediately met Sheikh Ak Semsettin and prepared for army to subdue Constantinople and fulfilling the prophecy of the prophet (pbuh). A battle happened and it took about 54 days.
Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih loves Sheikh Ak Semsettin so much. He is among his important and respected teachers. He mentioned about him during the re-opening of Istanbul, "...all of you can see that I'm glad today. But this pleasure is not only because of the re-opening of the City, but this is also because my Sheikh is present with me today, he is my Teacher, Sheikh Ak Semsettin."
Preparation toward the re-Opening
Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih had made a large preparation to achieve the goal in subduing the City. He prepared for about 250, 000 soldiers and it is considered as a big army at that time. Those soldiers were intensively trained and they were told about the prophecy.
They build Rumeli Fort (Rumeli Hisar) at the bank of Bosphorus Channel. It is the narrowest part between banks of Asia and Europe. The Fort is facing a Fort build by Sultan Beyazid at the Asian side. It functioned in monitoring the traffic at the channel. The Emperor of Byzantine tried hard defending his City by sending troops to destroy the Fort build by Sultan Muhammad, however his plan were all failed and Sultan Muhammad managed to finis the construction of the Fort.
Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih too had managed to upgrade the armories thet will be used by his army. He get the srvice of a canon specialist whose name is Orban. Few canons were invented including the famous Royal Canon. Few historical notes told us on how big is the canon and it is the biggest canon at that time. The weight of the canon achieved hundred tonnes and it needs hundred of people to make it move. He also prepared 400 ships for the same reason to subdue the city.
He made pacts and peace treaty with other enemies. This is also an important strategy where they only focused for one target without any sudden threats. Among the treaty made is with Galata, a neighbor of Byzantine. The news about that reached Byzantine Emperor and he's so much anxious. Later, he tried anything that he can to influence Sultan Muhammad to cancel his desire to enter Constantinople. Byzantine Emperor too tried to bribe the Sultan with presents and gifts, however the Sultan never accept those things.
Seeing that all of his efforts to avoid his City from being subdued, the Emperor later trying to get help from Western European nations. His fear is more than the pride and loyalty in his religion had made him ignoring the difference in their sect. All of the Byzantine Churches are holding the Orthodox sect while the leadership of the Church in Western European countries are the Catholics.
The Emperor do not care anymore to be a hypocrite in order to maintain his power and status. He also agreed to change the sect of Byzantine from Orthodox to Catholic in order to unite both sects. He also had delivered his speech in Hagia Sophia Church and proclaimed the obedience of Byzantine to Catholic leadership in Western Europe. This had made the inhabitants of Byzantine angry.
One of the Orthodox religious leader had said that, "I would rather see the turban of Turks here, than seeing the knight hat of Latins!" The situation had made the subjects rebelled to the decision of the Emperor and they assumed their Emperor as a traitor.
The Attack
Costantinople has few special geographical traits. It is surronded bt sea in three side, which are the Bosphorus channel, Marmara Sea, and the Golden Horn Maritime area which has a door with gigantic iron grill. It functioned to stop ships from entering the main entrance of Constantinople.
After few neat process, Sultan Muhammad finally reached the entrance of Constantinople on Thursday 26th of Rabiul Awwal 857 H/6th April 1453 AD. In front of his 250, 000 army, he delivered his sermon and reminded them about the importance to purify their intention and only hoping for the reward from G-d. He also recited few Quranic verses and recite again the Hadiths about prophet's prophecy. This boost soldiers spirits and they praise G-d beside reciting prayers to Him. Ulamas too are together with them and always reminding them if they commit wrong doings.
The next day, Sultan Muhammad arranged and divided his army to three groups. The first group is the main group patrolling around the City. Behind the first group, which is the spare troops supporting those in the front. Royal Canon was placed facing Topkapi Port. Other army were placed in few strategic area such as around Byzantine. The ships of Ottomania were placed around the maritime area surrounding Constantinople. However. those ships failed to enter the Golden Horn Cape because of the Iron Chain at the Entrance.
Since the first day of the attack, Byzantine soldiers had tried hard to prevent Ottomania soldiers from getting close to their entrance doors. But strategic attack launched by Muslim soldiers succed in breaking the obstacles. This is also followed by the attacks from canons surrounding the city. The sound of the canons made the subjects in Constatinople scared and affected their spirit to hold on.
Ottomania army in the sea tried several times to pass the Iron Chain at the entrance door of Golden Horn Cape. The same time, they have to face arrows shot from Byzantine ships and Western European ships who came to help. The trial of Sultan Muhammad to enter Constantinople fail and this gives a bit hope for the people in Constantinople. Priests walked in the alleys of the City and reminding the subjects to be patient and praying to Jesus and Mary so that the City will be saved from the infidels (Muslim). The Emperor of Byzantine too frequently visiting the Church of Hagia Sophia for the same reason, to pray.
The Treaty Between Sultan Muhammad and The Emperor Constantine
The Emperor Constantine tried to deceive Sultan Muhammad with presents and offers to make sure that he can maintain his position as the Emperor. But Sultan Muhammad never accept those offers, but repeating that his decision will never change. He urged the Emperor to peacefully surrendering the City to Daulah Ottomania. Sultan Muhammad promised that if Constantinople being surrendered without any blood spilling, nobody will be harmed, he himself will make sure that no churches being demolished, and guaranteed the safety of Constantinople subjects' property. Among what had been written in his letter to Constantine, "...surrender your Empire, Constantinople. I swear that my soldiers will never harm anyone life, property, and dignity. Those who wants to live in the City may live and are free to do anything. And those who want to leave also may safely leave."
However, the ecirclement of Sultan Muhammad is still incomplete due to the obstacle at the Golden Horn Cape. The Muslim soldiers are still launching attacks and in 18th of April 1453 AD, the army of Daulah Ottomania succeed in breaking the Wall of Byzantine in Lycos Valley which is located in the west of the City. Byzantine army worked hard defending their city. Few battles to happened with horrible arrows flying all around.
The same day, few Ottomania war ships rushed into the entrance in Golden Horn Cape. The union of Byzantine army and Western Europe managed to defend the entrance and their ships were destroyed. They have to return back to their region and avoiding from being totally destroyed.
Two days after the attack, another attack followed in the sea between both parties. Sultan Muhammad himself monitoring the mission from the coast. He sent a messenger to his soldiers in the sea during the battle. He said, "...whether you subdue those ships or you make them all sink. If you fail, don't come ever come back, while you are still alive!"
Sultan Muhammad too riding his horse near the beach and loudly shouted, the name of the mission leader, Palta Oglu to boost his spirit. Seeing their Sultan doing so, they work more hard. But they still fail. The failure had made Sultan Muhammad so angry and he fired Palta Oglu. The position was given to Hamza Pasha.
The failure had given a large impact to Ottomania soldiers. Khalil Pasha who was a Wezir (minister) trying to persuade Sultan Muhammad to cancel the attacks and accepting the Treaty with Constantinople that those people will surrender without the need to be subdued. The suggestion is objected by Sultan. Now is the time for him to think about the tricks for his soldiers to pass the Golden Horn Cape through sea...
The Miracle of Ottomania Soldiers
Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih had found an extraordinary method to bring the ships into the area of Golden Horn Cape. Nobody had ever think about this before. He called hos army and suggesting them to bring the ships into Golden Horn Cape maritime area using land route! At that night, the army with extraordinary spirit managed to pull 70 ships from the coast of Besiktas to Galata through high hill with the distance of 3 miles! This extraordinary event is beyond the imagination of human today.
In 22 April, the people of Costantinople were surprised with the voice of people chanting the Takbeer, and the praising songs of the soldiers in the Golden Horn Cape. Nobody could imagine how is that happened in only a night. Some of them too believed that Sultan Muhammad summoned the assistance from demons and satan. Yilmas Oztuna in his book the History of Othmania told us that how a historian of Byzantine empire said, "We had never seen or hear this kind of miracle before. Muhammad al-Fatih had made the land became sea, and sailing his ships on the top of the hill and not on the sea. This is more than what had been done by Alexander the Great."
Costantine organized a meeting with his ministers to plan the next strategies, but they still fail to find any solution. Constantine refuse to go to Roma and seeking help there, so he decided to defend the City alone.
Big Attacks
The position of Ottomania is now firmed, and Sultan Muhammad launched big attacks to the last Fort of Byzantine. The canon destroyed a merchant ship at the Cape of Golden Horn and chase away European soldiers. They leave through Galata. After the success, the attack were launched day and night.
The chants of “G-d is the Greatest!” filling the air and it seems like phsychologically threatening the people. Their spirit low down, and in the same time they did not expect the new tactic of war that had made them astonished.
When the heavy wind stopped, the people of Constantinople realized that Muslim soldiers had dug tunnels to enter the center of the City. They are afraid, even sometimes mistaken their own foot step sound as coming from Muslim Turks steps. They are afraid that the "Turks" will arise from the ground because of the tunnels.
Last Peace Effort
Sultan Muhammad is confident that he will win the battle. His love toward Constantinople and the prophecy of prophet (pbuh) had determined him to subdue the City without any destruction. He sent a messnger again to Constantine and calling the Emperor to surrender the City without any war. When the messenger delivered the message, Constantine discussed with his ministers whether they should surrender or defending the City to their last blood? Some suggest him to just surrender while some wanted to defend their City. Constantine chose the second suggestion and he sent a respond to the Sultan, "...grace be to Lord that Sultan desires for peace and is ready to accept Jizya tax. But Constantine had already sworn to hold in here till the end for the crown... or die here and engraved in the City!" When he received the respond, Sultan Muhammad answered, "All right... it will be so in Constantinople, whether the crown or the coffin..."
Muhammad later discussed about the next strategies. And he has to consider many possibilities in his plan to subdue the City.
Victory Day
In 27 May 1453, Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih with his army prepared themselves with spiritual disciplines. They trying to purify themselves in the presence of G-d. They prayed and praised G-d with the hope that the Victory would come without any loss. The Ulamas checkced the lines of the soldiers and boosting the spirit of the soldiers. They were told about the companion of prophet Abu Ayyub al-Ansari who was martyred in the City, "...indeed when the prophet (pbuh) came to Medina with the victory of Hijra (migration), he had went to the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. Abu Ayyub had came to Constantinople, and he is still here." This word too is carved in the mind of Sultan Muhammad and his soldiers.
The same thing too happened in Constantinople, they performed their prayers with all of their heart with the hope that He will assist them...
In the morning of Tuesday, 20th Jumadil Awwal 857 AD/ 29th May 1453 AD, a mass attack was launched. The army was ordered to chant the prayers before entering the City. The people there are at the peak of their fear. The Muslim soldiers who had purified themselves had thinking nothing about worldly affair. They just think about G-d and entering the City.
They succeed to penetrate the City through Ederne Port and the flag of Ottomania waving in the air on the peak of the City. Constantine who had lost all of his hope had took of his Emperor suit so that he won't be recognized by enemies. He was killed in the battle field when trying to escape.
The news about the death of the Emperor weakened the spirits of Byzantine army. The victory is on the side of Muslims and Sultan Muhammad expressed his gratitude to G-d and toward the inhabitants of earth and heavens. He said,
"...thank you G-d, and may G-d bless the soul of those martyred, and the pride and gratitude is for my subjects (including the Byzantines)."
The most good Leader and Soldiers
In that day, the majority of Byzantines are hiding in the churches around the City. Sultan Muhammad had warned his soldiers to greet the people with respect beside he congratulate his soldiers as they had succeed in fulfilling the prophecy of prophet (pbuh):
"Indeed Constantinople will be re-opened. The most leader is their leader, and the most good soldiers is his soldiers."
With full of gratitude and humble, Sultan Muhammad prostrated to the earth and pouring sands on his head as the sign of his humbleness and gratitude to G-d for granting him the victory.
He walked to the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia where a large number of Christians are seeking refuge in there and when he approached the door, he can see the fear in their faces. A priest opened the door for him, and Sultan Muhammad asked him to tranquilize those who are seeking refuge in the church. Through his tolerance, they arise out from their hidden places and even some of the priests bearing their testimony of being a Muslim seeing that Muslims are not like what they imagined before.
After that, Sultan Muhammad asking the Bishop permission to change the Cathedral into a Mosque so that the first Friday prayer can be conducted there. While talking with the Bishop, a Turkish soldier came, he is a Serb and a Christian. He brought the head of Constantine. The Sultan asked him whether he himself fighting with the Emperor? He answered that he only saw the corpse of the Emperor and cut it down before bringing it to the Sultan. The Sultan was so furious, and he ordered the soldier being beheaded for insulting the corpse of the Emperor. One of his soldier too in the beginning trying to vandalize the Church, and the Sultan nearly broke his head with the Chandelier for the insolent act.
After getting the permission from the Bishop, the process of de-imaging executed in the Cathedral and it is changed into a Jami Mosque. On Friday, Sultan Muhammad and Muslims prayed there. The first sermon is delivered there by Sheikh Ak Semsettin. On that day too, Sultan Muhammad swear that those who turned the Mosque into a Chruch again after the permission will be accursed by the G-d of the Mosque.
The name Constantinople was changed to Islam Bol means "Islamic City," and it became the third Capital of Ottoman Caliphate after Bursa and Edirne.
Sultan Muhammad too invited the Bishop and important priests in the City as he wanted them to establish a separate council for their religion. All of the cost for their Churches maintenance will be taken care by the Caliphate. Istanbul remain in Ottoman Caliphate as an administration center, civilization, knowledge, and the glory of Islam for centuries... until it was officially ended by Mustafa Kemal Attaturk in 1924 AD.
Hagia Sophia was changed to a Church again by Attaturk through the pretext of a museum. The images being plastered again at the Dome. The manifesto of Refah political party in the election to bring back the function of the Mosque had stopped for a while because of the party was illegalized last year.
Translated from:
http://syukran.wordpress.com