Istanbul ’17 | Day 7: ‘You Were Born with Wings..’
Istanbul ’17 | Day 7: ‘You Were Born with Wings..’
28th July ’17. Day 7 of 9.
It’s been an incredible day, starting out with a visit to Fatih Camii. Our previous visit was a brief night stop between other locations, so today we decided to pray Jumu’ah (Jummah) there. It’s our first Jumu’ah here in Istanbul, and praying it at Fatih Camii was surreal. The atmosphere is still healing from yesterday’s storm, but the sun is out in full force. We sat listening to the khutba with the breeze gushing through the full-length windows.
And then there’s the architecture.. I’ll let the visuals speak for themselves.
After prayer, we went to pay our respects again at the resting place of Sultan Mehmet and then sat outdoors in the courtyard. We were waiting for a friend; today, we had plans north of Istanbul.
Today marks our first time using the Istanbul Metro; it’s pleasant, much more spacious than the London Tube and not as congested. Having arrived at the updated meeting place, we decided to grab a bite whilst we waited – and had possibly the best doner yet in Istanbul. It’s not exactly fine dining, but Baba Doner definitely delivered in the taste department.
Shortly after, having met with our friend, we boarded a ferry and crossed to the other side of the Bosphorus. The skies were still slightly unpredictable from the storm, but we proceeded anyway.
Once we arrived, we explored and stopped at various coffee spots en route our destination. This part of Istanbul is charming, beautiful in its own unique way, and the air feels crisper, cleaner. People seem calmer and in some cases, more alive. And I got all that from a handful of coffee breaks and a kadayif 🙂
Finally, we arrived at Joshua’s Hill – known to us, and to the locals, as the resting place of Nabi Yusha – or the Prophet Joshua (peace be upon him). We walked through a marketplace of simple, honest-hearted merchants selling small goods – and a glass smith who sold us a spinning glass dervish which he’d made right here at his stall.
And then we arrived at the sacred resting place itself. A serene and idyllic place, where a small park leading up to the blessed tomb is vibrant with flowers, still rain-kissed from the storm and alive with the leaping of playful kittens in the grass.
Walking into the blessed tomb itself, we found ourselves transported to another realm. The spiritual bliss is almost tangible. We offered our respects, prayed a while and absorbed every moment in awe. I felt somewhat guilty to take out my camera here, but as respectfully as possible, I limited myself to less than a handful of snaps. These were primarily for my parents.
The Hill itself is spectacular, with an utterly breathtaking view over Istanbul and the northern end of the Bosphorus which leaves you speechless.
We then headed to the delightful Hz. Yusa Camii (mosque) to pray ‘Asr, a quaint little structure which is adorned with wooden beams.
As the sun began to set, en route to our final location of the day, we stopped at Beykoz Merkez Camii to pray Maghrib. The architecture here too is wood-heavy, and stunning in its use of it, the rich tones of the wood complementing the whites and golds of the ornamental decor.
Our final stop tonight was at our friend’s house, and here we experienced the finest of hospitality, kindness and generosity – which we often forget even exists in the world, until our faith is restored through such people. I will never forget the depth of those hearts, and truly, I pray that their lives are enriched with unbounded peace, happiness and contentment.
Alhamdulillah. It’s been an exceptional day, and one I will always remember.
“You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?”– Rumi رحمه الله
