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Hosting a Prophet and Jihad in Istanbul!!

M. Talal al-Qashqari

Date of publication: July 23, 2026 01:52 KSA

Landmarks associated with the history of the Companions and Islamic conquests are gaining wide attention on social media platforms.

A paltry commodity

Rumors about the Turkish authorities opening the grave of the noble Companion Abu Ayyub al-Ansari - may Allah be pleased with him - buried in Istanbul, led to recalling memories of repeated visits to that area known as (Eyüp Sultan), which is famous for its popular markets, shops of sweets, nuts, and dried fruits, where tourists go for shopping and praying in the mosque adjacent to the shrine. Local sources and inquiries confirmed that the grave was not opened, and what happened was merely restoration work on the shrine, but social media networks sought to amplify the rumors with the aim of topping the news index and achieving profits, which provides an opportunity to recall the biography of the Companion Khalid bin Zaid and his prestigious nickname, and his great honor of hosting the Prophet - peace be upon him - in his house for seven months after the Hijra, and his participation as a fighter in old age in the conquest of Constantinople and his death near its walls. After the conquest of Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire established a mosque and a shrine at the site attributed to his grave, and the place became known among the Turks as Sultan Eyüp in honor of him, and it gained great historical status among the Ottoman sultans, and after them, Turkish politicians in modern times. The exploits of this Companion are many; he was among the early converts to Islam, witnessed most of the campaigns, and despite his old age, participated in the Islamic conquests during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and his last campaign was the attempt to conquer Constantinople, but he died outside it and instructed that he be buried there, and I almost imagine him in his life in the cold winter of Istanbul, struggling in the day, and standing in prayer at night, which is pleasant for prayer and supplication to the Lord of all people. If you asked me to summarize his life - may Allah be pleased with him - in only 5 words, I would answer you first that he began his life by receiving the Prophet - peace be upon him - in his house and serving him in the best way, and ended it as a frontier fighter and mujahid at the walls of Constantinople. As for the five words, they are: Hosting a Prophet and Jihad in Istanbul. What a fortunate man.

This incident shows how digital rumors sometimes turn into an opportunity to recall prominent historical figures. The biography of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari remains a focus of interest for researchers and followers because of the pivotal stations it represents in Islamic history. The interest of the public and the media arena in such topics reflects the connection of followers' sentiment towards major historical sites. Researchers and followers should always strive for accuracy and verify the sources of news circulating on social networks.