Abu Ayyub Ansari Tomb (may Allah be pleased with him)
This tomb in Eyup in Istanbul belongs to Abu Ayub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), who was a close companion of the Prophet (saw). He died around 670 CE.
His full name was Khalid ibn Zayed ibn Kulayb.
When the Prophet (saw) emigrated to Medina, all the Ansaras sought to receive the Prophet (saw) in their home. The Prophet (saw) decided to stay where his camel stopped, and he subsequently stopped at the residence of Abu Ayyub Ansari. The Prophet (saw) remained in his home for 7 months.
Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) had an outstanding military career and was still on the path of Allah at the age of 80. He died during the campaign of Constantinople (674-678 CE). One of the conditions of peace treaties signed after the siege was the preservation of his grave.
Behind the tomb is a courtyard with a large mosque (known as the Sultan Eyup Mosque) on the other side. The original mosque was built in 1458 CE, but was subsequently destroyed, most likely as a result of an earthquake in 1798 CE. The current replacement was ordered in 1798 CE. Sultan Selim III, who ordered to demolish and rebuild the entire structure, except for minarets. Filled with light, gold, pale stone and white marble, it was completed in 1800 CE.
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In Ottoman times, a coronation ceremony was held at the mosque. At the entrance to the complex there is a verse of the Koran: “Mosques of Allah will be visited and supported, such as the believers in Allah and the Last Day.”
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