ALMISKEENAH

 

Tears trickled as I typed this long account of visiting the Holy Mantle from The Sacred Trusts. Partly for the love of all that reminds us of our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and partly that such relics have been preserved, revered and respected. Rescued from imminent destruction if they had remained in these sacred lands where they were part of the fabric of the glorious days of our Deen. Alhumdulillah for the insight of those who transported all sacred artifacts to safety and security.

 

A Ramadhan Visit to the Holy Mantle.

Sultan Selim 1 initiated the beautiful tradition of visiting the Holy Mantle at the Topkapi Palace on the 15^th day of Ramadan. In 1517 and the years following, an air of anticipation would grow among the members of the palace as the day of the visit approached. Receiving incense water in decorative bottles as invitations, high officials and scholars, as well as pashas, viziers, and the Sheikhulislam and Grand Vizier, shared in the excitement. In accordance with protocol, they had new clothing prepared for the event. Medallions and medals, which might catch on the mantle’s cover as officials leaned over to kiss it, could not be worn on the visiting day. To prepare the incense water that was sent in place of an invitation, the following ingredients were boiled for 12 hours in a closed pot: 200 drachmas of yellow sandalwood; 120 drachmas oily incense elixir; 200 drachmas cyclamen; 180 drachmas crude aloe; 30 drachmas calambac agalloch elixir; 140 drachmas storax; 70 drachmas kermes; 30 drachmas lotur; 50 drachmas onion seed; 20 drachmas sesame root; and 11 drachmas musk, all tied in knotted bundles with 15 okkas (400 drachmas or 2.80 lb) flower essence and 212 okkas rosewater. After removing this from the fire and allowing it to cool, 1.5 miscals (1.50 drams) musk and 1.5 okkas flower essence would be added to the lidded copper jug, which was then swung back and forth to mix the ingredients. The jug would be swung until the desired consistency was achieved. Concocted by Mustafa Aga from Ankara, a member of the Inner Court Campaign Dormitory, the incense water had a special aroma particular to the palace. Difficult and expensive to prepare, it was given as a gift in the Inner Court.

On the 14^th day of Ramadan, the Holy Mantle, with its long, wide sleeves, was transferred inside its case to the Revan Mansion (the name Revan is derived from Erivan, a province in Iran, where Sultan Murad IV carried out victorious campaigns).  The Sultan and servants of the Privy Chamber then swept and cleaned the apartments (this task was considered to be a great honour, therefore the Sultan himself was involved); the walls were washed with rosewater, and perfumed with musk….after aloe and incense burned, the Mantle was returned to its place, accompanied by up to 15 officials with prayers and greetings to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

When the 15^th day of Ramadan finally arrived, all gathered at the time of noon prayers around the Gate of Felicity to wait for the Grand Vizier, while Sheikhulislam would proceed to Hagia Sophia to lead the prayer. After prayer and calling blessings upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam they would go in procession to the Audience Hall.

 

 

 

 

Two hours before the noon prayer, the golden casket containing the Holy Mantle was placed on cushions embroidered with gold and silver thread. The traditional continuous recitation of the Holy Qur’an would be continued from there.

The Sultan would open the casket with a gold key and remove a golden casket wrapped in seven green silk velvet scarves embroidered with silver and pearls. The ruler would then open this casket with two wings on top, with another golden key, and the Holy Mantle wrapped in seven scarves, would be taken out. All the while, the Holy Qur’an would be recited.

The Sultan would kiss the Holy Mantle and touch it to his face and eyes, asking for intercession from the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. In turn, others would do the same. Then a large golden basin was brought to the visitor’s space, filled with Zamzam water and the edges of the Mantle lightly dipped in it. The Mantle would be held there for awhile, while the muezzins continued reciting the Qur’an and visitors wished peace upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

 

 

 

 

 

Later the Holy Mantle would be taken from the golden basin and dried with fragrant incense smoke, cleaning the area that had been kissed, The water used for washing was later put in small bottles and presented to prominent statesmen, who would drink from it to break their fats with it. One or two drops might also be put in the drinking water of those who were ill, with prayers for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s intercession for restoration of their health.  After the ceremonial visit was completed, the Holy Mantle was returned to its golden case, and the Sultan locked it with the golden key. Carefully wrapped in its seven velvet covers, the case was then locked in the chest.

In later times, the tradition of kissing and then washing the Holy Mantle was discontinued. Instead, the Sultan would rub the Holy Mantle with muslin handkerchiefs and then present these to the visitors. Perfumed with incense water, the handkerchiefs were embroidered with inscriptions praising the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and asking for his intercession.

 

 

 

 

Halit Ziya Usakhgil, who had been assigned four times to attend the ceremony, told of the Holy Mantle’s effect on those who came to see it: “I saw the spiritual excitement of those who came from far and near…people whose eyes were full of tears and whose hearts were full of serenity and pious reverence. I myself felt that I had been cleansed of negative feelings and filled with spiritual pleasure.”

Rusen Esref Unaydin describes performing the taraweeh in the Apartments of the Holy Mantle in his book Ayriliklar [Separations]:

“The call to prayer was made in the Tulip Garden: The songs of nightingales sprinkled on faithful proclamations like drops from a rosewater flask. We passed through the boxwood trees arm in arm. Overflowing with religious and historical recollection, my heart was a night filled with stars like those above my head. The darkness between the row of columns in the entrance hall was punctured by tiny red lanterns. I leaned against one of these columns, which had witnessed sultanates and spiritual ecstasy for centuries. The recitation of Qur’anic verses were in my ears, and the magnificent tiles which filled the observer with a yearning for a mystical spring were in y eyes!

The small group, indistinguishable like dream images among the columns, rose for the Taraweeh prayer. After every two units of prayer, hymns were sung by beautiful voices.

I was so excited that I slowly forgot that I was a mortal living in the present. I had forgotten which century I was in. My elbow was touching a Janissary who had returned from the conquest of Egypt centuries ago rather than the member of the Inner Court at my side. The breath I felt was that of a glorious warrior from Zigetvar rather than the wrinkle-faced ak aga whose joints cracked when he bent in prayer. The elderly voice of the imam echoed victoriously as if from the day of the Erivan campaign. At every greeting to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam I thought that our eyes would meet those of old khan’s, with prayer beads on his knees and a dagger at his waist, who was pleading forgiveness for his arrogance and sins. These associations arose because those spirits in that magical hall were lined up beside the holy token from Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

It was such a great gift that the Turkish nation embraced it like mad lovers in their most youthful age, overcoming arid deserts and conquering iron fortresses. They brought it as a fresh meaning to this city which God’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had pronounced his wish for its conquest. I thought of the first Companions of the Prophet as I stood close to the Holy Mantle which had wrapped the body of the greatest spiritual leader on Earth and rubbed against his skin.

As we performed Taraweeh prayer in the 1337^th Ramadan in a room filled with the highest material veneration and a magnificent spiritual edge, I imagine the ecstasy with which the first Companions had performed the prayer with the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam under the stars of the Hijaz and on the sand just beginning to cool.

Our worship was enriched with a scent of amber. Especially during moments of prostration, it was as if some water was calling from afar and beyond. The scent emanated from a silver incense burner, and the water was emptying from a spout of a porphyry fountain, running like silver thread in a marble water trough adorned with Arabic. Praying at the edges of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s Mantle, we felt as if we heard the sound of the Kawthar River and smelled the scent of Paradise."

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.