TOMB OF PROPHET’S COMPANION REOPENED IN
ISTANBUL
Daily Sabah Updated :
05.07.2014 19:49:16 Published
:
05.07.2014 12:31:32
ISTANBUL – The tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a
companion of Prophet Muhammad who was buried in Istanbul, was
partially reopened on Friday after years of restoration work.
A sacred site among Muslims, the tomb, located in Istanbul's Eyüp
district, has been undergoing restoration for over three years.
Since the restoration started, the tomb has been open to visitors
only in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, starting from this month's
first Friday. The restoration is expected to conclude within six
months.
The tomb was opened with the recitation of prayers, and throngs of
the faithful crowded the place to say their prayers. As restoration
work is underway, visitors are not allowed to stay for long at the
site to prevent overcrowding.
Built in 1459 along with an adjacent mosque, the tomb is the resting
place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a sahaba or companion of Prophet
Muhammad and a prominent Arab Muslim fighter who died circa 672
during a Muslim campaign to conquer Constantinople (present-day
Istanbul). His grave was discovered after Ottomans conquered the
city in 1453, and a tomb was constructed above it, along with the
mosque.
